At least with Ubuntu you can opt for a more traditional desktop environment.....
Traditional?? Its a poor attempt at copying the OSX interface. I use ubuntu on a daily basis and I hate the crappy UI.
How have you managed that? I had to buy a new laptop a new months back (for a family member, not me) and it insisted on a "Microsoft account" (Hotmail in this case) before it could be set up. This also leaves you with the long account password that has to be entered each time that you try to use the laptop.
No idea how I did it, was too long ago now!!! I have an old laptop here, not sure it will run Win8 but I might have a crack at installing it later.