The look and feel is slightly different: a little simpler, a little more playful/less serious. Default fonts are different, perhaps a little smaller.
Apple Mail is a huge improvement over Mavericks: it actually works!
It may be a little more responsive overall. My Late 2009 iMac became a new computer after I replaced the HD with and SSD. It may even be a little quicker now, though hard to tell for sure. Typical applications launch in 3 seconds. Computer boots in 15 seconds.
One arcane application needed to be updated.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I do find it ironic that we have a totally different take on one aspect of the new OS X.
I find the new look a lot more serious and less playful. The change back to a 2d dock in particular makes the whole OS look and feel much more professional to me. I previously, had to find a program that changed the dock to 2d since I have always found the 3d dock too distracting.
Also, in making everything flat, including the buttons, they have removed the last traces of the “candy” look from previous versions of OS X.
I had to get used to the new look, although some of the stock desktop images are better than the previous choices.
The more a mess with the Yosemite the more I’m appreciating the new features.
I just noticed, there is now a setting for (third party) extensions in the system preferences that I don’t ever remember seeing before. I know Steve Jobs would have been unhappy with that, but even if I never use it I sure appreciate it.
I’d wait a month.
I just reloaded Mavericks from my time capsule because Yosemite’s changes to Safari wouldn’t allow log ins to password-protected websites.
Including the apple site so I could ask for help.
Took several hours trouble shooting this and said the heck with it.
New Safari look with the ever-present favorites bar (couldn’t change it) I didn’t like either and other small annoyances.
YMMV, but I’m happier with Mavericks.
I’ll wait for the bugs to get worked out.