Haven't tried XIV yet. I'm liking some things, hating many others.

Seems like it's slightly faster under the hood but all-in-all it just seems like another step they've added to setup when reinstalling the OS.

>Install utilities (anti virus, ccleaner, anti malware etc)
>Install essentials (flash, browser of choice, pdf reader, codecs, media reading and editing software etc)
>Disable UAC
>[NEW] Disable Metro Theme/Re-enable old start menu.

As I don't have a touch monitor and I'm not on a tablet, I really can't appreciate the new slide start screen with boxes everywhere with "apps." Also the slide down to unlock PC/login with MSN account credentials thing aggravates me. How about I just create a user name/password?

Also the new centered window titles really bother me and I was expecting tabbed explorer and was sorely disappointed. As it stands I have no real huge motivation to upgrade from 7 x64 other than not having to pay for it when my older brother mails me company copies at launch.

Why can't there be an option "I'm not on a tablet/ppc/phone/micro PC/misc touch device/I'm not over the age of 65 or an idiot, please don't enable this phone/casual UI." Ugh.

These are all just my opinions though, I'm sure many others love the new OS.