In a sane world Linux would pick up some new users, businesses like mine that move to Linux desktop would survive (and do quite well) and slowly but surely Linux would begin its inexorable growth to take up some of the slack that Windows 8 will create.

However, Apple will see the hole in the market and pour in marketing $$$ Windows will fight the good fight with more marketing $$$ and Linux will remain where it is. The only good news is for Apple who will win and go on to get themselves in the position MSFT was in a few years ago. MSFT will be at number 2 and the only Linux that will survive will be Chrome, Android and Kindle.