I've used Stardock and Classic 8. I must admit I like Stardock better, and I use both. At that point, Windows 8 is a hacked job of Windows 7 (you have to go to the settings on the bar to change some things that cant be directly changed in the control panel, but then, it's tough to get to the control panel in windows 8)
Overall I do think Windows 8 is faster. I like the $39 upgrade price. I may accumulate upgrade licenses but not activate them. I believe you can get 5. As AC and other programs become more Win 8 compliant, I will move more to that stage. I have 2 computers running the 90 day Windows 8 Enterprise, including my laptop I am using currently. While this is not upgradable, It would appear from the wording on the Microsoft site that the RC and CP versions ARE upgradable. I do have one computer with RC I may try this over the weekend.
