The GUI is just for tablets. Not suitable for a non-touch screen regular desktop PC.
I don't do a lot of programming, only amateur CSS. But I use editing software a lot (PS, Sound Forge, SONAR, FL Studio, etc) and its just more comfy on W7.
Also, I tweaked the w7 registry a lot to match my needings, so many 'fixes' aren't available on Windows 8.
The problem is mostly the GUI, anyways.