Consumer Reports:

A quick look at our newest computer Ratings tells an interesting story: Despite the release of the new Windows 8 OS, many Windows 7 computers are still available from a variety of retailers, and several top our Ratings. If you're shopping for a new computer right now, there are some good reasons to opt for Windows 7.

Clearly, Windows 8 isn’t to everyone’s liking. But what strikes me the most is that Microsoft is willing to allow retailers and hardware partners to ship Windows 7 even now. (Not to mention that Windows 7 computers still top the ratings.)

This kind of move feels antiquated in 2012. Struggles between hardware partners and Microsoft have been amplified by the Surface and I can’t see the tensions ending in a particularly great fashion for anyone — Microsoft, their partners or us users.