I’m still using XP exclusively on the windows side of my Mac and on my laptop. Why would I switch and spend a month fighting a new user interface that hides the stuff I actually use and is even more bloated?
I am getting used to the windows 8 on this laptop. Circumnavigating like Magellan is sorta kinda like an adventure. Sorta. Kinda.
You should switch because every time you go on the internet “people” can see what operating system you are using to access the contents of their web server. As such you potentially could be targeted by hackers who could exploit vulnerabilities in XP.
As Director of IT for my company I can tell you that the differences in the new interface have been grossly exaggerated and most people can learn how to navigate Windows 8 in about 15 minutes. Anything I can do in Windows 7 I can do just as fast in Windows 8.
Furthermore because it was designed to run on mobile devices Windows 8 is “less bloated” than Windows 7 and more stable and robust than XP.
As far as I am concerned all the Windows 8 hate is a case of the blind leading the blind. The only problem you might have is if you have devices that lack Windows 8 drivers but if this is the case it is likely you will also have problems with Windows 7.
If anybody should decide to go with Windows 8 and has problems feel free to IM me and I will try and point you in the right direction.