Don't listen to that advice! Windows 8 is just fine. A few hours learning curve for 90% of what you do. The other 10% may take a few days. Plus, it works really, really well on both new and old machines.
It doesn't do well with dial up, HughesNet, or any limited usage service where bandwidth usage is limited. Microcraps CLOUD and other non closable functions have to talk with the world.
For Tablet and Microsoft program users who love X-Box for them W 8 may be great. For an average longtime desktop user? No it's highly annoying. The best feature of W 8 they let users keep? Control+Alt + Delete which after a few minutes of frustration you'll use to close many programs Microcrap forgot to put the handy "X" on the screen to close it.