Windows 8 review

The final, Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 8 is now available to developers, IT professionals and businesses with volume licences (or to intrepid testers who don't mind an evaluation version that expires after 90 days and can't be upgraded, downloaded from here).
The rest of us will have to wait until later this month when Windows 8 upgrades, new Windows 8 PCs and Windows RT devices will be released - but this is the final version that you'll get then, so we can finally review the full, finished Windows 8 operating system.
If you've been following Windows 8 through the development process, especially if you've tried the Release Preview, Windows 8 won't surprise you. The changes between the Release Preview and RTM aren't major, except possibly the removal of Aero Glass transparency from desktop windows and turning Do Not Track (DNT) on by default.
Even the previously disappointing Modern UI-style apps such as Mail, Calendar, Messaging and People are slick, sleek and far more functional.However, there is still work to do with these apps and Microsoft knows it - it released a major update to them on 10 October.
Many of the apps are now useful and engaging rather than frustrating. This is Microsoft putting it all together.
The company has also just released a major 170MB Windows 8 update to improve performance, battery efficiency and power management.