Windows
Windows
Consider your needs and options carefully. If you want a stable OS with good support, Windows 7 might still work, especially if you're comfortable with it. For newer features and security updates, Windows 8 or 9 would be better. Since you like Metro and have an 8.1 laptop that runs smoothly, you could stick with Windows 8. Gaming performance is one factor, but compatibility and ease of use matter too. Think about what matters most to you before deciding.
Keep costs low. W7 remains quite valuable. The difference in performance is small, and occasionally it doesn’t work at all.
Consider your license situation for WIN7. If you own it, go with that. Otherwise, there’s no barrier preventing a move to Win8. What are you actually using? Honestly, if I were you, I’d hold off on switching to Win8 from Win7 since you’re already set up. Your current setup might be different.
Windows 9 is slated for release next year. The Preview (alpha/beta) should be announced on September 30th. Purchasing a new version now might not be worthwhile. Windows 8 remains superior for gaming, especially on older systems, because it runs lighter and is more efficient than Windows 7. On modern hardware, the difference is minimal and unlikely to justify the cost unless you're particularly interested in its features. The only notable case is with recent AMD CPUs, which gain significant benefits from Windows 8, particularly for demanding games. If you’re comfortable with regular backups and plan to reinstall, consider joining the Win9 Preview when it launches. You can then test the new OS, give feedback, and observe how features evolve and bugs are fixed over time.