I think the issue is the same as most everything nowadays. Computers have gotten so cheap that the (forgive me) "nim nod" market trumps the people who really work with thier computers. The volume of places like QVC and HSN selling a whole bunch of 600-800 dollar computers to people wanting the gee gaws trumps the people who actually work with them. Its no different than the tool market catering to home center customers (because thats where the dollars are) as opposed to shops and professionals.
Of course MS knows that anyone in the computer world/IT world is going to know 8.1 isnt going to work so they have an acceptable offering for these folks with 7.
To me its just a continual move on behalf of most all companies to tap into the never ending cash stream thats coming out of all these people who have been living in a recession/near depression. Its ludicrous. Right through it all you can tune in to QVC, HSN, and watch thier tickers go up and up and up. Drive down your street and see every Tom dick and harry driving a zero turn mower and a new car in the drive. But the country is in the ditch.
My point is, they have the ability to (as was said) add a front end on it and make it look like a giant Iphone and by the time the money is spent and the thing is plugged in people are googling "gorilla arm" haha.