what about windows 8.1? what about windows vista as a point of comparison? what about how its nearly just windows 7 with extra stuff? new machines are being ch

what about windows 8.1? what about windows vista as a point of comparison? what about how its nearly just windows 7 with extra stuff? new machines are being churned out with windows 8 preloaded. it seems like its just a matter of time before it, or its progeny become accepted as 'the standard'... until mac or *nix seriously up their game (still we are saying this?) i don't see any alternatives - unless MS ship Windows 9 that does for 8 what 7 did for Vista.