It really shouldn't be a surprise:
Consumers see a shiny new thing, and they want it. And they get it.
I personally like W8. It's faster and more reliable. The Start Screen takes a bit to get used to but now I can safely say it is better than the Start button. I don't get too emotionally attached to products as some people on the Internet seem to get; I use the right tool for the job and that's it. The learning curve involved with using the Start Screen should be a testament of not only how daring Microsoft was for fundamentally changing the way we've been using Windows for decades, but equally, a firm statement that the time put into purposely designing something alongside the desktop--and made for touch to compete with Apple and Google--shows that stagnation can't be thing in the tech world. Unless you want to be RIM.
I came to this realization perhaps because I do like W8. And while I know the undesired effects of this transition will have people not liking Windows 8, I think it was necessary. Maybe we'll see competitors do touch interfaces on desktops to rival the success (?) of W8, which could inevitably yield different computing experiences and complete paradigm shifts. It's exciting because, I know the reason I (or some of you) don't own, say, a Linux PC is not necessarily because I love MS or Windows per se, but because the latter is simply the right tool for the job, which then leaves many of us more than willing to change that tool whenever the time comes.
This "spark" that is W8, will force competitors to innovate on spaces MS gambled on. And I hope that once we get to that point I can say: "Man, Windows 9 sucks when compared to X." I'm not eagerly anticipating that moment, just that when it happens I'll be ready.
For those who don't like it, the way I see it is this: if you don't like it, don't buy it. It won't stop millions around the world from buying it, but I guess repeating you hate it, or saying those who bought it will regret it makes you feel better about your decision? Is that how it works? I don't know. I think read about it on a sociology course, but, I digress...
