Windows 8 is an amazing OS. As stated above, it does a tad better in gaming for certain games and is better than 7 imo. I do not have a touch monitor, or a multitouch mouse, I have a full regular desktop PC and I Windows 8. It also runs much faster and is more compatible with my SSD than 7 was. Did I mention that I got it for 29.99 for the basic version AND microsoft is giving away free keys for Media Center (effectively giving you Windows 8 Professional for 29.99!).

FFXIV 1.0 on Windows 8 ran fine, no issues whatsoever.