Erick and I did a quick Fly or Die on the Windows 8 pre-release tablet they sent along with us from Build this year and we were split right down blue (screen of death) state/grey (screen of death) lines. I found the pre-release to be lacking and buggy (I’m not alone) but I know the future when I see it. Like it or not, this is the next Windows 8 and, as I noted, this is a “PC” operating system, not a tablet, laptop, touchscreen, or mobile OS. It’s Windows.
Erick, on the other hand, wasn’t much impressed but I’m sure he’ll come around once he realizes that the interactive panels are actually pretty cool and that the goofy Windows/Metro transition will be less of an issue once more apps support the full-screen UI. I agree that this build is quite odd and needs considerable work, but this is Microsoft’s big push and they have to make it incredible. I’m willing to give them a little more time, but I’m not sure how much longer they can futz around in the slate market before Android and iOS sew them up.