You can make any version of Windows to suite your own personal needs, including those professionals, whether it be 3rd party apps, registry hacks, batch files etc:
One thing I think your forgetting is that under the MetroUI, Start Screen, Ribbons and Bows, you are running Windows 7, so what is there really not to like?
I have to admit, that I did not like it at first (MetroUI & StartScreen), but with searching and customizing to my liking, I've grown to love it and I too do not use/visit the Start Screen, only to switch to the desktop.
I'm sure there will be a few more changes when the RC and final versions are released and I'm looking forward to it.
FWIW
Don