progman was an iconic feature of Windows.
In Windows 3.x, yeah. And while it was available to run in later versions, I would hardly call it an iconic feature in anything after the 3.x line.
progman was an iconic feature of Windows.
Not sure that's the best analogy for you as Vista was widely regarded as a failure.
Its a step in the right direction from Windows 8. I have read that you can disable Metro more easily in Windows 9. Which is a good thing if you are like me and hate Metro UI.
This holiday season, the market will be flooded with a new generation of low-cost Windows-based PCs, tablets, phones and other devices. Many of these devices will be based on existing Chromebook and Android handset and tablet designs. All of them will be just as affordable, if not more so, than their Google-based competitors. And regardless, hardware makers will earn more now when they sell Windows devices, thanks to Microsoft's more affordable licensing.
[...] These changes will have a more meaningful impact on Windows hardware sales through 2015 than will any new features or user interface improvements that Microsoft adds to Windows 9. [...]