Anyone have news about improvements in Windows 8.1 that may be of specific benefit to us DAW users...especially X2 of course?  I'm looking forward to the update in October and plan to  rebuild the Sonar box with a clean install.
 
I've used 8 at work since last Fall, and I'm still not used to it.  Maybe that's because I'm still on a 7 machine alot at home.  Anyway, I'm optimistic it will be a really good release.

I use an app called "StartIsBack" that gives back the Start Button and Win7 menus.  I'd be lost in Win8 without it.

I wouldn't bother with a clean install for eight point one. I will say rme digicheck doesn't work currently with Windows 8.1.
 
I should add that we have 8.1 on one computer in the house. It seems fine. It's nice to be able to dock windows of different size (in 8 you dock by 1/2 screen if you want, by you can't easily do 1/3 and 2/3 screen docks. In 8.1 that's easy. You can turn off the charms (some people hate them... they don't bug me).
 
I'm not sure what else would make it interesting for a Sonar user to tell the truth. When mixing music, you aren't going to dock screens by 1/3 and 2/3 probably. I just use the multi-dock on one screen and track view on the other. I suppose you could float PRVs and dock them partially. Shrug.
 
I did notice that Noel seemed excited. I'm not sure what got him going exactly. Wasn't he the one who brought 8.1 to our attention? I think he was on one of the early 8.1 threads.
 
Oh and the start button >> are you kidding me?? I could care less.

I am an old dog who hates new tricks but I was very curious about having TOUCH screen with the console view so I updated to WIN 8.... at first I couldn't stand it... but after about 1 week and being able to navigate around the OS, I now am a CONVERT.... the fact that I was able to add an WINDOWS tablet SURFACE RT to remote control my main DAW wirelessly and have the ability to control the console view from my tracking area SOLD ME on the concept of WIN 8 and TOUCH... I for one now, couldn't live without it (well I could but I wouldn't be happy).  
 
My point?  Try it, stick with it and eventually you will like it. The improvements I have read for 8.1 don't excite me yet for making WIN 8 act like WIN 7 is going a bit backwards now. I know that this post wasn't about WIN 8 per se, rather 8.1 but I think making 8.1 act like WIN 7 isn't worth the hassle as far as I know.... SONAR is working perfectly for me in WIN 8 and that is the leap I recommend to the OP.
 
Jim

I don't think there is anything in 8.1 specific to a DAW. I do think it will be an improvement but in a general sense. 

I did it.....
 

The start button is being brought back in 8.1.

Yes and no. It will only take you to the start screen. 

Not only will it take you to the Start screen. Right clicking the new Start button will give you easy access to the control panel, task manager, file explorer, disk management, run command, device manager and others. Having your desktop backround on the Start screen is way less jarring and makes it seem like your actually staying in the desktop mode. The one thing that will be an improvement for DAWs is the scaling in 8.1 for high resolution displays.
http://hothardware.com/News/Windows-81-DPI-Scaling-Enhancements-to-Optimize-New-Crop-of-Amazing-4K-Displays/

The right click to get you the quick menu is not new.