I have 3 different OS' on 3 different computers. Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
I think Windows 7 works the best for me, but Vista is a close second (it's gotten much better with all the updates).
I just don't care for the "app based" home screen on Windows 8. I had to install "Start Menu 8" just to feel comfortable using it. That way it boots straight to desktop and gives me the "Windows bar" back on the bottom of the screen.
Even with Start 8, Windows 8 still feels clunky sometimes. For example, sometimes when I launch Chrome from the icon on the normal desktop, it launches the "Chrome App" instead of the normal Chrome program. All of my bookmarks and settings are empty in the app, so I have to close it, return to desktop, and re-open. It's a pain. Not even sure what causes it. It's sort of random when it happens...