So what you're saying is that once you get used to the new look and it doesn't annoy you anymore, and you set things up to ignore the apps - which is probably the main thing they added - you're OK with it.
Isn't that pretty much Windows 7 
I've worked already on well over 100 windows 8 machines here is my 2 cents.
For most people the start up menu is annoying, Apps are wasted, and the performance for now is pretty much like windows 7. Why would you put apps into a machine capable of running programs! I don't get it (unless its touch).
It's as if MS decided they're jealous of the fact that android and ipads run apps and they said screw full programs we can run apps too.
Win8 still seems to have other benefits. My two favorites are the super quick start-up time, and the absence of "are you really sure you want to delete this file" messages. [When added all up, the average person probably spends a couple of days of their life responding to those pop-ups.]
I agree with you in general about the apps, but there are exceptions; some tasks are quicker with apps. For example, my bank sends you through some loops when accessing accounts online, (name, password, sec question etc), and their app is much quicker and easier to use. I guess it also helps to have dual-monitor setup, the apps only take up one monitor, you never really feel locked into that environment.
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