There is no need to rush into Windows 8 at the moment but if you fancy it, it is certainly worth a go. You don't lose much – you lose the start menu – and there are compensations.

First, you get access to thousands of new tablet-style apps from the Windows Store, many of them free. Second, you get a more efficient version of Windows 7, which starts up quicker, runs faster and provides better battery life. Any PC that runs Windows 7 should run Windows 8 even better. Third, the new user interface guidelines don't just apply to Windows 8 but also to Windows Phone, online applications such as SkyDrive and websites such as MSN.com