It sure is different.
Microsoft is really trying to push consumers along a path that relies less on the desktop and more on Metro. They wager that, by making the desktop less familiar and somehow making Metro stand out more, the average consumer will just adapt to the new interface accordingly because the powers it be want it that way. Don't get me wrong, Windows 8 also offers some nice features, but Metro for x86/x64 desktop PCs is going to need a good bit more baking in the oven for it to come off as successful. In the end tho, considering that Windows 8 is going to be a more experimental OS, Windows 9 may end up righting the wrongs just in time to prevent Microsoft from completely blowing it, just like they did when Windows 7 replaced Vista.
