Why? Well, two reasons really. First--it is just way too early, and second--I've been burned before.

As in the keynote, it is difficult to tell how that translates to the real world--at least for me. The attendees who are receiving the Samsung demo tablet with Windows 8, and the press who are actually on site to get some hands-on time are obviously in a better position than I to judge just , and how much is simply smoke and mirrors.

What Microsoft unveiled this week is not even a beta version yet. It is a developer preview. We are probably about a year away from seeing a final version of Windows 8 hit the street and a lot can--and will--change in a year. I am not suggesting that Microsoft Windows could be irrelevant a year from now, but technology is rapidly evolving and somewhat unpredictable at times. What seems like a cool feature today could very well be obsolete or irrelevant a year from now.

Then there's the fact that things always look good when being unveiled by the vendor. That's because what is shown at the presentation is more a production than a demonstration. It is rehearsed and carefully orchestrated to focus on strengths and ignore any weaknesses.

There is more to a successful Windows than Windows itself, and much of it is largely outside of Microsoft's control. Microsoft can coordinate efforts, but it is up to the hardware and peripheral vendors, and many other third-party entities to fill in the gaps of the Windows ecosystem that make the whole thing work together. When it works, you get Windows 7. When it doesn't, you get Windows Vista.