I just a code for windows 8 pro for free. I don't know if I should use it or not. Basically I have three options.

1. Use it on my gaming PC
2. Use it on my girlfriends crappy vista laptop in the hopes of improving it(even windows 8 has to be better than vista right)
3. Don't do anything with it. Or wait to use it on a new PC Build in the future.

Though I'm not sure about the last thing cause the code may only be good for an upgrade and not a fresh install.

I would go with one of the first two options for sure. I'm liking windows 8 so far and it hasn't given me any issues. It took a little getting used to and all, but it's not absolutely terrible as an OS, to be honest. I've run into one compatibility issue so far and that was for X-padder. I only had to run it in windows 7 compatibility mode for it to work. If your girlfriend is going to keep her crappy laptop for a while, maybe consider giving that the free upgrade. Otherwise, try windows 8. I mean, worst that could happen is that you don't like it and roll back to windows 7 (I'm assuming). I dunno man, it's really down to your personal preference, but I can definitely recommend doing one of the first two.

It boots up way faster, it's breezier, and if you don't like the Start Screen there are Start Menu applications out there that work just fine.

It's way better than Vista, so maybe you could install it on your girlfriend's laptop. However, I don't know for how much longer you plan on keeping that laptop, since it's already so outdated. You could put it in your gaming PC, since if you install that OS in a really powerful computer than booting up takes like, 5 seconds. It's really neat.

Use it though. Windows 8 is fine. How many complaints have you actually heard? The Start Screen and the whole "Modern UI" are kind of optional to use anyway, given third party Start Menu apps.

It's faster, but my experience was pretty poor when I used the consumer preview. Maybe it's been overhauled since then, but yeah, don't see the need past Win 7.

I really like it, I don't see why it gets so much hate it's pretty much Windows 7 with what I think is a better start screen. Also it's so fast.

I have it on my surface and it's ok. I feel like it was designed for tablets in mind and I couldn't see myself using it on a PC

I haven't used 7 much outside work. Had Vista on my old PC.

Just built a new one and got 8 on it, installed it to an SSD and it loads up crazy fast. That's awesome. Everything else works well and is very snappy, I haven't put too much time into the apps and everything but there is potential there.

So I like it.

@ArtisanBreads: apps aren't too bad from the one's that I have used. The games aren't really much to write home about, but its still early. There are definitely a couple worthwhile but other than that skip it. But hey, it's an OS not a gaming platform. I do say I miss my clock and weather widget. I feel so entitled because I grumble that I have to hit the windows key on my keyboard to see the weather and stuff. As far as I can tell I can't get widgets on my desktop.

I upgraded to 8 on my secondary machine (a laptop) and I regret it. It's always hooked up to my TV to play videos on. For my purposes, it's EXACTLY the same as 7, except I don't have a clean easy to use start menu. I have this new thing that is cumbersome and confusing. I can never find what I'm looking for.

I was going to say don't put it on the laptop, because the start menu is annoying without a mouse, but it's definitely better than Vista. Download the classic start menu and you'll be OK. I wouldn't put it on your everyday machine though, I prefer Windows 7.

I go straight from the Metro desktop into classic desktop. The Metro stuff isn't necessary at all and a bit of a downgrade because I can multitask a lot quicker on the classic desktop. The thing loads quickly too. My only problem I have at the moment is Games for Windows Live and Batman Arkham City are fucked up so the game won't save at all. There is a fix apparently, moving files around but have yet to get to that. There also was a terrible memory leak bug in Battlefield 3 that brings down the frame rate after 20 minutes or so. I haven't played it for a while because I got into Planetside 2 but something to be aware of. Beyond that, works fine and I can't complain because I got it for $15.

In the situations you provided, maybe upgrading the Vista computer would be the best use of the code. Lot better than Vista.

Hmm... I don't know I mean I'm perfectly happy with what i have. If only Windows 8 had something I wanted.... also sidebar I'm also gonna get office 365 for free soon. though its just for a year cause office is a damn subscription now.

Oh the benefits of working retail. :P

Also god damn I just got my win 8 code and I passed the accreditation like months ago. If I had gotten it back then I might actually be able to sell a windows 8 machine.

If a computer is working today, I would never ever recommend doing an upgrade on it unless you really really really need some new feature only found in the upgraded software. Keep what ever machines that are running right now as is and use it on a new machine.

Sell it.

I haven't really seen any performance problems, and the OS is growing on me now.. going back to Win 7 at work feels weird. All the cloud stuff built in makes moving around devices pretty easy.. but that only applies to certain people like myself. If you have it though, I'd say go for it.

None of the comments have seemed great to me. I would whack it on that Vista machine cause Vista is the worst though. Keep it away from any machine you want to game on.

This is the most recent ringing endorsement for Win8 I've seen.

A note to Windows 8 users: Upgrade back to 7 before it's too late. Seriously, Windows 8 is the dumbest thing since Windows Me.

I really like it, it takes a while to get used to, but it feels alot more faster.

I actually like it. That said I never use the "modern ui", I go straight into desktop and stay there. It was cheap, it's faster than Windows 7... what's not to like?

@GalacticGravy said:

I have this new thing that is cumbersome and confusing. I can never find what I'm looking for.

Weird. You can launch programs the same way, you have a file explorer, windows key + start typing to search for stuff... not sure what more you want.

Windows 8 is a great OS, and once you get used to the differences everything is quicker and faster to complete. I really enjoy my experience with it (no touch). It's really up to whether or not you want to learn a new way of doing things.

Switched over from W7 a month ago and never looked back. I'm using an aging computer that was really in need of a clean start so I thought, why not? The price was certainly low enough - especially for Windows. It worked wonders - actually better than expected. Everything's running way faster and the experience is smoother than anything else I tried on it before.

The metro interface though? I don't mind it, but I don't really use it all that much. I like the Giantbomb app - those live notifications are actually pretty sweet. The live tile for the mail app is useful but probably not revolutionary. Apart from that, I don't wander into metro all that much. The new search function takes you there through the hotkeys momentarily, but it's only for a fraction of a second or so. In the end I think this has to do with the fact that I never really used the start menu in W7 either. I used search, the keystrokes that take you to the shutdown option and the occasional foray to "My Computer" and the control panel, but I put all those on the desktop in W8 which is easier to get to anyway (which I obviously could have done in W7 as well, but never bothered to) I think metro would have been more of an issue if it hadn't been so damned fast. It loads - and unloads - instantly, save for a nice little animation. Because of this it never really feels like it's in the way. It's a more graphic, more fleshed out start menu - that's it. It stays in the background until you want it.

So what's left? Boot times are a nice bonus, to be sure. The growing integration with devices in the W8 ecosystem is intriguing, if not all that advanved yet - I own a 360 and apps like Smartglass are interesting, but still rather primitive. My cell contract is going to lapse in April and W8 actually made me consider a W8 phone as a replacement, which I'm sure was one of Microsofts goals. I find the notion of a shared ecosystem between devices to be appealing personally, but I guess that's a matter of taste. Likewise for the integrated cloud functions - I like them, but I know some people loathe cloud out of security-based principle.

TL;DR? W8 has worked great for me, and I highly recommend it - the only caveat being if you're really, really attached to the start menu which some people evidently are.

Having seen it in action on my mothers laptop, I would have to say no..... but then Again that was only first glance, I would only consider upgrading myself or suggest other people upgrading only if compatibility is very very high with old programs.