@Bass:I'll be surprised if MS allow OEMs to pre-load Win7 on new hardware, once Win8 is released. This is a mistake they made with Vista, and it suppressed the Vista sales figures. They will want Win8 to appear as successful as possible, even if the sales numbers are not reflective of installed O/S numbers.
Business buyers (Win8-Pro etc) will have the option of downgrading ofter purchase, to Win7.
Consumers however, will either have to accept any compromises, or consider alternatives, such as Mac.
