My colleague Dan Ackerman said it best in his Windows 8.1 review. If you're a regular PC user, I'll repeat in his paraphrased words what you should do:

• If you're an existing Windows 8 user, the update is free and LARGELY seamless, and adds some useful NEW TWEAKS and features. You should upgrade as soon as possible.
• If you're a Windows 7 user thinking of upgrading your legacy hardware, consider keeping with Windows 7 until it's time for a new PC; those touch-optimized Windows 8 and 8.1 elements won't do much for you anyway, and Windows 7 still works well with all sorts of applications.

Either way, you'll probably have to get used to Windows 8 eventually, since it's Microsoft's PC operating system now. It's really, however, more of a finishing touch for Windows 8-optimized machines.

The best way to get Windows 8.1? Wait to buy a new PC with Windows 8 or 8.1 installed: it'll run the SOFTWARE better, and it won't cost anything extra.

My colleague Dan Ackerman said it best in his Windows 8.1 review. If you're a regular PC user, I'll repeat in his paraphrased words what you should do:

Either way, you'll probably have to get used to Windows 8 eventually, since it's Microsoft's PC operating system now. It's really, however, more of a finishing touch for Windows 8-optimized machines.

The best way to get Windows 8.1? Wait to buy a new PC with Windows 8 or 8.1 installed: it'll run the software better, and it won't cost anything extra.