I made a step up to...Ubuntu Linux. It boots up fast and shuts down fast. Works great and comes with all the software I need. Price is great, too.
My preference is Linux Mint with KDE. It is based on Ubuntu, which is based on Debian, so they are relatives :-) I have it installed in a VM currently, running on Win7 host. But if things change I will run Linux as host, and WinXP or Win7 will be the guest, to run a few Windows-specific programs that I cannot avoid. But more and more industrial / professional software is released for Linux. If Microsoft continues their self-destruct sequence, people will simply have no choice but to migrate to Linux. Most people aren't going to change their work pattern to please some hipsters at Microsoft who know it all.
Tried it, hated it. I don't want to build my own car. I just want to drive one.
Work: Windows 7 because I have to use it and because work supplies a worldwide, 24/7/365 IT dept to patch and maintain it.
Home: Xubuntu and Mac. Got no time anymore for that Windoze crap.