A nice fantasy would be that Windows 7 replaces XP as the new "business OS" line for the next decade (XP has served in this role since ~2002). Windows 8/9/onwar

A nice fantasy would be that Windows 7 replaces XP as the new "business OS" line for the next decade (XP has served in this role since ~2002). Windows 8/9/onward would then be free to deviate from backwards compatibility in favor of a better consumer (non-business user) experience. But it's hard to say what will happen.