Why is everybody assuming that Windows 8 is a successor to Windows 7 in anything more than name? Microsoft has already proven their commitment to a solid, stable, and popular operating system with their continued support for XP (which will lose official support in 2014--that's about 13 years of support, guys.) In fact, XP is still the most popular operating system in the world. That's right, up until recently, about as many people used XP as every other operating system combined. For anybody paying attention: this means that Microsoft has, for about three years now, continued support for a flagship product, even after the release of not just one, but two of its successors.
My point? Windows 8 is obviously geared towards tablets and possibly even phones. Microsoft has even urged businesses to upgrade to 7, completely ignoring the impending release of 8. Now why would they do that? Because Microsoft doesn't intend for Windows 8 to replace Windows 7. It's that simple. Maybe I'm wrong; but Microsoft's plans for Windows 8 on ARM processors means that Windows Phone as a brand may be short lived, destined to have "Phone" removed as its second iteration makes the jump to tablets.
What do I mean? I think Microsoft plans to keep Windows 7 around for a long time. In the meanwhile, I think they're going to target Windows 8 as the mobile alternative to their burgeoning desktop star, and create a geek's integrated heaven with the OS trifecta: Windows 7, Windows 8, and Xbox.
But how would such a coexistence work? Simple.
Windows 7 for lower-end productivity and entertainment on the traditional systems:
Desktops
Netbooks
Notebooks
Windows 8 for higher-end productivity and entertainment on newer systems:
All-in-Ones
Ultrabooks
Slate-type Tablets
Windows on ARM for high-mobility limited productivity and entertainment on low-profile systems:
Phones
Tablets
Xbox 360 for home media entertainment, and integration with the three flavors of Windows using applications for music, video, and even games.
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