said by Elite:You can currently download an ISO with 8.1 Update 1 fully integrated, which is really nice when you're doing lots of fresh installs. I couldn't fathom installing 8, then updating to 8.1, then updating to 8.1 Update 1. That would take years. Not to mention that currently, a fresh install of 8.1 Update 1 (from the new MSDN iso) probably requires little to no patching, as it hasn't been out even a month yet. That is quite nice.
I can't download that. Neither can anyone other than corporate users with MSDN accounts. I have Windows 8.0 Pro Media Center. I am stuck with it for the life of this expensive computer that I bought in November 2012. I think 8.0 is superior to 8.1 but I would likely upgrade (just to have access to the patches after Oct 2015) IF it didn't mean that if I ever have to reinstall Windows (and I have upgraded to 8.1.1), I will have to use my Dell Windows 8.0 Pro USB Reinstallation stick to do the original install, then get all the patches. Then go to the Microsoft store and download and install 8.1. Then get the patches. Then use what? where is Update 1 anyway? Anyhow, get 8.1 Update and then get any patches for it. Then go to Windows Components and install Media Center (assuming I have my key still).
I suppose that I can hope that instead of all that insanity that Windows 9 (which will be out before support ends for Windows 8.0) will be decent for DESKTOP NON TOUCH SCREEN users AND will not be expensive.
I think I am done with Microsoft after this computer gets old and probably done with computers. It used to be a lot fun and very interesting (as I didn't grow up with computers but got my first in 1999) but that all changed with Windows 8 even though the hardware I have now is great. What is the worst thing for OEM Windows 8 buyers is that Microsoft deliberately made 8.1 reject Windows 8 OEM Product keys so doing a clean install of 8.1 means that you cannot use even the retail ISO of 8.1 or use the OEM 8.1 media! There is a convoluted solution where you have to deliberately trick the Microsoft installer. The message one derives from this is that Microsoft deliberately screwed OEM users who have any flavor of Windows 8.