----- Installation & Initial Setup -----
The installation of Windows 8.1 works in principle the same as that of any other versions of Windows as well.
I recommend, however urgently the new installation and not an upgrade from Windows 8/7.
At the end of the installation you can still equal to the settings for the usage statistics etc. adjust (I recommend here to bypass them).
Then it says "Go" and you will be transported to the page screen.
Most drivers Windows 8.1 has already on board. Only the driver from the motherboard, video card and sound card, I had to install manually. Shortly restart and it's done.
The installation and initial setup thus goes even felt a tick faster and easier than even to Windows 7 - but just what it is that 8.1 is new.
----- ----- Performance
Windows 8.1 works very fast - which definitely there's no denying. Using an SSD, the boot times are very fast. I even believe that the BIOS takes longer at my motherboard as Windows itself :-)
The change of the window and the two "Desktops" works also very fluid.
The memory usage (RAM) is in my opinion even better than it was in Windows 7. The RAM is used optimally and is generally somewhat less busy than in Win. 7
All in all, I can not tell much about the performance. Windows 8.1 is simple, fast.
PS: Whether games on Windows 8.1 run just as fast as on Windows 7 I can not judge.
Anyway, I did not notice that it's slower.
----- ----- Ease
Well, how do I start best. When it comes to ease of use Windows 8.1 is a split system.
Principle has not really changed at the operation on the desktop a lot. In Explorer, you now have the well-known from Office 13/10/2007 "Ribbon interface" the quite good accomplishes its service.
Since they retain in the standard may be called anything negative here.
What is definitely a big plus, is troubleshooting.
This has been greatly improved and can now indeed time be helpful (which I would frankly never thought possible: b)
Example: I once had connected a WLAN stick which was unable to install itself. Then went at once to troubleshoot and offered to automatically download the driver from the manufacturer's site xy and install. If you can do this now Windows, the stick actually works after a few minutes. That has surprised me and is like saying a big plus.
Metro. Tiles. Windows. These 3 words simply fit together not so good. At least not if you are forced to use them.
I've tried about 2 months to find my way to the tiles. But it's just me not succeeded.
The permanent change from desktop to tile UI and the other way brings a simple permanently from the concept.
Some may certainly but I can not get anything the tile UI simple.
It would have been better if you had any formal way the tiles off and the old Start menu can use instead.
----- Conclusion -----
To keep it general: It is not bad but also not necessarily a success.
The technical merits of a new operating system, I would like now really not miss, because you already noticed it yet. However, it would have been very desirable if the tile UI would have been an optional thing.
Surely this tile UI has its raison d'être - it is so liked by some. I, however, it is a small thorn in the side, which complicates the uncomplicated working through the whole "image change" between desktop and tile UI.
But who knows, perhaps there will someday a "miracle Update" :)