I like my Windows 8.1 more than Windows 7. To me it feels somewhat more snappy and some parts work better, I also like faster boot times. Also, as a long time Ubuntu user, I stopped using menus long ago in favor of pressing the launcher button (on keyaboard) and typing what I need. It's much faster.
I agree with the bit about launching apps. On Win7 I launched apps by typing into the start menu search, so Win8 was only a slight change in that regard. Otherwise most things seems to work as smooth as Win7. My only real complaint is that the integration between metro apps and the traditional desktop is garbage.
yeah, you cannot even get shortcuts on the desktop of metro apps!!! e.g. you cannot have the calculator on desktop or -as I do- in a taskbar shortcut toolbar