I think 8.1 is a great system for touch screen, but it is WAY too spread out to use with a mouse or trackpad. My brother has his set up to easily switch between the larger icons to a 7-esque set up depending on how he is using it (trackpad or touch screen) and it works really well.
I on the other hand have a normal laptop, and I use 7, I think my last XP was 2, maybe 3 computers ago.
Personally I think its outdated and preys on the vulnerable and ill informed, I have no time for anyone who's going to try and hard sell me something over the phone anyway, but a lot of the time there are much better deals to be had elsewhere and with companies who aren't going to expect me to make a snap decision.
Cold callers more often than not strike fear into people who don't know any better, it works because there are people that are still being conned by hard selling via cold calling but it's not working for the better, it's just an irritating form of marketing/sales. I don't know how many times I've heard 'I'm calling from your ISP' and when I ask who my ISP is they name any one but the one I'm with, same with mobile phone networks and energy suppliers!
Tea, I am literally useless without it! and dance music, well any kind of hard style music. Working late with Tea and some hard style is like my perfect work environment!