im a technology freak, I like to be up on everything, that's why I was using the windows 8 developer preview last year and have it installed now.
it runs better and faster than windows 7 no doubt. i see it not only in boot times but copying data and other things as well.

what it comes down to really is your soundcard, do they have the drivers for your soundcard yet?
because sonar x2 was built to run on windows 8 with the last update we had supporting touch screen animation.

not hard at all to go back to windows 7.
problem is you need to own a valid copy to install.
I always re install my operating system on store bought computers anyway(for friends,family)
who really wants that junkware, bloat ware that comes pre installed on factory bought computers?
the 30 day trails that end and have a never ending pop up window?

Win 8 seems to gel with x2a a bit better.
I don't like the new interface, but its so easy to switch to traditional.
The new interface is completely pointless for desktop computing IMHO and I see it as just a marketing trick to create more exposure for the touchscreen tablet market. Which explains why they have done it. Pretty much advertising windows based tablet computing on desktops. 

Win 8 is win 7 but more optimised for modern powerful pcs.

So yeah win 8 all the way if its cost neutral. Largely becuase its where the development time will go in next few years. Your pc is modern and powerful so win 8 is a no brainer. 

One thing to keep in mind is 

Any hardware you might have (Like a PCR Midi Keyboard, etc....) that need drivers,  make sure the drivers are supported if you dont plan on replacing the equipment. 

I know that the drivers for the PCR are good on Win7, but they have stopped updating the Editor program for it so that isnt even available now (They stopped it at XP).  


I apologize, I see it has already been mentioned  LOL  Getting old kicking my butt  

Hello everyone,
 
emwhy,
 
Thanks for the link to the artice you posted.  That was very very helpful.  I had no clue when it comes Win 8 performance in an "audio" environment.  It seems Win 8 is a performer.  Glad to know that since most new computers come with Win 8.  I guess I just have to get used to it.  No clue about Metro.  If I have problems, I can chime in here for help.  I hope it still has Windows Classic display mode . . .  I'm old school.
 
-----------
 
Funny,  I posted the same question on the Ableton Forum.  As expected, about 30% of them told me to buy a MAC.  Not for me.  I've been on PC since 1985.  The rest of them were leaning towards Win 7, and so was I until I read that excellent article.   I definitely feel less suspicious of Win 8.
 
I upgraded to X1 from Sonar 3 when Cakewalk was offering a free upgrade to X2 when released.  I have not downloaded X2 yet, I was waiting to be able to buy a 64bit computer.  My old studio computer is an 8 year old 1.6Ghz Core 2 Duo on XP.  So any new 64bit machine will run circles around it !!
 
I'm trying to find a computer that is capable of accessing 32GB of RAM.  From what I understand . . . there is no such thing as too fast CPU and too much RAM :)
 
I'm ready to put in an order from Tiger Direct for an ASUS CM series unit with 3rd generation 3.4Ghz Intel Core i7, 2TB HD, Nvidia GT620 graphics card, and 16GB of 1600Mhz RAM . . . ALL FOR $849 !!!  Not bad I think.  I am also getting the NI Koplete Ultimate for $699 ( sale ends March 26).  When I get the computer up and running with X2, Komplete Ultimate and Ableton Live 9 . . . all for under $2000 (price of a MAC) I'll be very happy.
 
The only thing that bothers me is that my interface is an M-audio Light Bridge.  Its an older unit so I was wondering about the driver compatability with Win 8.  Its a 32 channel ADAT Light Pipe interface.  I am using my ADAT HD24's I/O as my A/D converter.  The driver I have is a 32bit driver.  I'm not sure if M-Audio has an updated 64bit driver.  Anyone out there using the M-Audio Light Bridge ???
 
Thanks for all your posts.
Ed

I was in the same position. I elected to go for Windows 8 for maximum future proofing. Being a bit of a luddite I installed Classic Shell, a donationware third party add on which adds a start menu and gets Windows to boot to the desktop, not the horrible Metro interface.

No issues with drivers for my Cakewalk A-800, Quadcapture or AKAI LPK25

I love metro, think of it as the start button just got bigger thats all.
you want the start button ? just press the windows key on your keyboard and start typing,all your apps/control panel is all still there.
metro lets me see my facebook,local news,nfl football news everything what out even having to go online,and its like a huge tablet.
I will say this though,windows 8 is bionic, its faster stronger, very powerful.

^ +1.  I deliberately didn't install any 3rd party start button shell as I figured it was worth taking the effort to learn to new UI.  I use Metro for the instant feedback I get through those apps, and drop to the desktop with a single key press.

The only thing I really don't like about the metro apps is it's almost impossible to resize wondows.  You can place 2 side by side but with nowhere near the flexibility you have with a desktop app.  Luckily Office 2013 runs as a desktop app, though for some reason they've changed all the Home, Insert etc menus to UPPER CASE.  Now why would you do that?

Now the real question for you Win 8 guys. Have you noticed better and more even load distribution across the CPU cores as stated in the blog link I posted? Or is still a case of the first core doing more work than the others.

emwhy


Now the real question for you Win 8 guys. Have you noticed better and more even load distribution across the CPU cores as stated in the blog link I posted? Or is still a case of the first core doing more work than the others.

absolutely. notice a huge difference in power as well. much faster os.
its basically windows 7 with a 350 / 4 barrel turbo charged.
 

Thanks. I tested Win 8 only briefly, but it wasn't a fair test. I had an old SATA drive lying around and installed it on that drive. But my main Win 7 system is on an SSD. Trying to compare Win 8 on an outdated drive to Win 7 on an SSD didn't really cut it for performance comparisons.