Okay...here is my take+rant:
I used the promotional code and paid INR 699 and DL'ed the ISO. It took like 6-7H on my 2mbps connection. After I got the ISO on my desktop I copied to my other system, and using the Win7 USB Builder tool created a bootable drive for my NetBook. The installation took like 15-20 minutes and after the final re-boot I was "shocked" that it takes like 70s to reach the desktop. The OS is quite seamless, and during installation only it connected to the wi-fi.
Installation:
1. Is just like Win7 -till- the first reboot.
2. M$ Now starts to ask you a ton of BS about Windows IDs and some email accounts. Which can be ignored too, and you move forward.
3. It also asks you to create a user ID and password for system entry. I do not remember if this was voluntary. Later on this became a PITA, and I had to Google how to disable it.
4. Almost before the desktop it connected to the WiFi and asked some mail IDs.
5. Then it told me, I have tried too many times, and I skipped the step.
OS and Metro and Desktop:
1. Ok...it is layered now. You have a Metro tile area (MTA) and then a desktop. Took me a while to realize that the WinKey (WK) can be clicked to toggle between the two.
2. I say a plethora of tiles on the on the MTA, and gleefully clicked on one. "This App cannot open/Change your screen resolution". Major bummer. Metro tiles are supported on 1024 x 768 or greater. So if you are running on a netbook lower, be ready for frustration session. There is a REG hack for this, which I implemented, but then the whole experience suddenly='ed SH*T. The hack enables for the Tiles to run, but then it asks for the IDs you set up in Installation. Now if those failed, you go to another in-tile browser to sign up. And I got (5) from installation. Pissing off. Anyways I undid the hack. But the dynamic tiles are updating, example: Weather.
3. The OS is a lot about short cuts, which you would all know. Control WK+I; brings up settings to the right on a vertical panel and changes can be done.
4. All device drivers that were required, were embedded and showed in green. Not bad.
5. OS is really really fast and snappy. My NB is performing faster, but that could be probably due to no virus client, but I doubt that will create a big differential.
6. Task Manager is really cool and trendy and shows a lot of run-time diagnostics.
Google Chrome Fiasco:
I installed Google Chrome, and it was running just fine. It was even launch-able from the MTA. I cannot remember, I did some setting change in Chrome, or clicked something weird and I started to get the persistent "This App cannot open/Change your screen resolution". I uninstalled it, and re-did the install, but it prevailed. It tried: Compatibility changes, force immersive switch, dev. channel download but it is just not working. I HAVE TO HAVE CHROME. Will probably clean install tomorrow. This really irritated me, and that is why I am up till 2:25 AM....
!, FF is working just fine, and the lame donkey trotter IE is doing fine also. Incidentally I am able to launch Chrome from "run"; but it is not launching from MTA or the desktop. It is weird and funny, that it was working a while back.
Overall:
1. Fast and preppy.
2. Quick to use and navigate.
3. Crappy for 600pi resolution. M$ -should- really have thought this out. So keep this as a consideration if upgrading.
4. Not bad for 699 and some hours of sleep lost, and a long post (finally) on TE.