“I would really prefer a third option.”
Consider the Ubuntu flavor of Linux.
Fast, easy and FREE!
My wife’s laptop had an early hard drive failure and the back up OS was on the drive!
Microsoft was helpful, $35 to mail me a new OS on disks. No complaints from me about MS.
I installed a new HD and loaded Ubuntu.
Our daughter said “Mom will never use Linux!”
With just a little help finding replacement software for her photo collection, she has had no problems!
Having installed for many friends and family, I have had very few issues. Fast easy help is readily available.
Try it you may like it!
Did mention it’s FREE!!
http://www.ubuntu.com/download
Agreed, Ubuntu, Redhat and many other flavors of Linux are remarkably stable, and very well supported.
Having been given the ‘opportunity’ to use Win8, I think we are going to see an explosion of Linux and Apple marketshare. MSFT seems intent on committing suicide, and Win8 appears to be the means by which they intend to self-destruct. Somewhere on my Laptop, I have some intensive PCB design software - you would never know it was there with Win8.