Don’t expect Windows 8 till at least mid 2012 at the earliest, although the way Windows 7 has gone down, (First time they have never needed a Beta 2 release) there would be no problem if it didn’t come out till 2013 or 2014 as Windows 7 really is a cracker.
I have been working with computers since the early 80s, and can say that Microsoft really has got their act together with Windows 7. (Much like the leap they made with Office 2007)
Regards

Bill