8/8.1 pro is fine, just install Classic Shell (free), configure it in Win 7 mode and you never have to see that horrible Metro UI :-)

Andy, I'm just curious why you don't go for Win 10?
 
I've had Win 8/8.1 and Win 10 is much better/snappier.......all my hardware drivers were automatically updated during my upgrade. The drivers and general performance has been much more stable than the earlier version.
 
Support for Win 7 is running out soon no?