The internet's largest Windows 8 forum recently asked its users for their opinions about Windows 8. The reception, overall, seems to be positive, though some new features in the platform drew criticism.

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ForumsWindows8.com polled its 50,000 users on their thoughts towards Windows 8.

The takeaways results are that Windows 7 was preferred by 53 percent of users. Windows 8 took second place with 27 percent of votes, Windows XP took third with 25 percent, and "Other" versions, probably including Windows Vista, gained two percent. Windows 7 is expected to remain popular long after Windows 8 launches.

When the forum asked its users about their favorite Windows 8 features, fast boot and shutdown time to0k 56 percent of votes, Modern UI took 22 percent of votes, and Charms took 15 percent. It may be surprising that Charms saw the least favorable responses: the functionality allows users to perform actions without intruding on a running app; It is accessed by swiping from the right or move the cursor to the area.

Price was an issue for users, with 35 percent of respondents citing cost as a problem. Upgrading to Windows 8 is cheaper than past versions, at least initially. The digital version currently costs $39.99, and at retail users pay $69.99. In 2013, the price will almost triple to $199.99.

Surface was the preferred device among form users, with 33 percent of votes, and iPad took 26 percent. Results were similar when the survey asked about Windows Phone: 29 percent preferred to the operating system over the 22 percent who chose iOS. Even given Apple's overall market dominance, these results should be unsurprising coming from a survey limited to members of a Windows-oriented forum.

Windows 8 launches on Oct. 26, and Surface may launch at midnight: Microsoft is holding a media-only event on October 25 to "celebrate" Windows 8.

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