Did you try the Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

I have been using it for about a week now in a VAIO notebook: Core2 Duo P7450 @2.13GHz 4GB RAM x64. I've had issues with the video card (Nvidia G210M). After applying all kinds of suggested updates, I think I have managed to get it installed properly for connecting external video sources (a projector or another monitor), although I still experience glitches on changing screens. Didin´t like the Metro style interface, although I believe it will work like a charm for touchscreens. There´s the option of using the good old desktop interface with taskbar and everything, but the Start button, introduced in Windows 95, is gone forever. You have the option of pressing Windows Key + X to have something similar, but never the same. In the Metro UI you have to learn a lot of shortkeys to get things going. Internet Explorer 10 is OK, but it brings Bing as the default search provider. I personally prefer Google (like the rest of the planet), and changing was no hard task. Now you will have to live with ribbons everywhere (like Office 2007 and 2010), specially in Windows Explorer. The Consumer preview didn´t show much gain in speed, compared to my old Win7 Profesional, but I think it will be improved when the final version hits the shelves. I´ll keep on having it around until I simply get fed up with the rest to come. Keep tuned.

 

Very fast to install !
However check your real time cpu / memory specs - mine is over clocked , however may not be the os

 

I really like this version as requires on my host system almost no additional driver installations and installed in less than 5 minutes , after the key input, which means if required for security requirements could be clean reinstalled frequently without any significant downtime

 

i have put win 8 on a ACER 3680 with 1gb ram, 1.7ghz intel and it eats it up no problem, very stable and for an old laptop it boots up very quickly it, takes about 5 secs, a lot less time than Win 7. overall its a nice OS but i definitely prefer win 7, as too comfirm evans suspicions i think it is a bit user unfriendly, took me ages to figure out how too switch off lol, maybe it will grow on me who knows.
i will use it till its time is up, and put the laptops vista back on i think

 

att DatenDaOne : I had the same vexing problem finding the shutdown applet ! anyhow a fast way to open the black thingy control panel is windows key + c

 

is that the technical term for for start menu lol

 

ok
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_key

 

i really like Win 8 preview.... i dont much like vista or 7 but xp pro sp3 was outstanding.... Win 8 took me bout 15-20 min to figure out but i am usually pretty quick on stuff anyone know where ta get a manual for it dont need it but would like to have one.... i have already posted the one thing i cant figure out in "Win 8 conection error 651" in its on new thread if anyone can find that ta add info for me please. ty

 

I enjoy using WIndows 8 on my atom processor netbook - it is very responsive and stable and highly resistant to parasites
The touch pad lends itself to what i might describe as " flickNclick " navigating
Maybe the desktop mouse will be replaced with a usb touchpad ?