I'm not one to resist change just because its different but I freaking hate what Microsoft has done since Windows 8. I've even pretty much decided to regrettably switch to Apple for my next computer. However, I do have some reservations, particularity compatibility concerns with existing Windows platform files I might need to access and work related networking into Windows computers.
There is no reason to switch to Apple for your next computer. Apple machines are more expensive for one. The OS is at best stale and at worst outdated on so many fronts. I use OSX once in a while and it is an absolutely frustrating operating system. Having to force close apps/programs constantly because the all mighty Steve Jobs and Co deem my clients too stupid to understand that closing an app/program might cause them to lose date or that they are connected to the internet .. the amount of excuses I have seen for not doing as I demand on OSX is very long. Never had this problem with Windows or even Linux.
Now as for compatibility. My experience is that Windows 10 is far far more compatible than Windows 7 was. Case in point, I had a client who I back in the day upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7. His printer and scanner were expensive when he bought them a decade ago, and he is reluctant to replace them. It took days of communication with Cannon to get them to help me hack the XP/Vista drivers to work on Windows 7. Their first comment was.. buy new stuff. Well this client said 2 weeks ago that he was thinking of upgrading to Windows 10. I told him, go for it. You can always go back to Windows 7. He was worried of course about his decade+ old printer and scanner not working, but he did it anyways. What happened? Windows 10 found the printer and scanner easily, installed the relevant drivers that would work and that was that. He was shocked considering the crap we had to go through with Windows 7.
The only incompatibility issue I have had in 40+ Windows 10 installations was on a 7 year old Medion laptop (German make, biggest in Europe last I heard). Now Medion is know for never supporting their stuff more than a year, so I was worried. Everything worked, except the graphics card. Why? Because ATI/AMD had not made a Windows 10 driver for this graphics card version in the laptop. I was.. wtf? It is only 7 years old, until I realized that to save money, Medion had used a 10 year old mobile graphics card in the machine..well cant really blame Windows for that problem. Even though the machine works fine with default drivers, but sadly only in 1024 x 640 resolution (for now... need to hack it to increase that).
I have not upgraded to 10 but does anyone have insights to offer?
Plenty. Been running it for almost 2 years now. Done 40+ upgrades, with 2 problematic ones. These were due to anti-virus software (Avast in both cases) preventing parts of the upgrade. I recommend uninstalling all anti-virus software before doing an upgrade just to be safe. Oh there was also one that failed because of a faulty AMD/ATI graphics driver installed.. updating that, and everything went fine after that.
I do not like their tablet interface they're forcing on their customers
Eh? If you are running a non-tablet computer then there is no forcing... Windows 10 has two interfaces. Both can be enabled or disabled, but default depends on your set up. Take the Surface Pro 4 or Surface book. If the keyboard is connected then it asks if you want to switch to desktop mode. If the keyboard is disconnected then it asks you if you want to go to tablet mode.
and just want the traditional start button,
Yes and Windows 10 has it...looks different.. but it is the same button.
the minimize, resize and exit buttons in the top right corners of window;
Everything in Windows 10 has that.. unlike Apple I might add.. now there is a mess of an operating system when it comes to that function.
Well it does not say START anymore.. not done that since before Windows XP. But the button it self is still there, and now even more customizable. It is actually useful now!
; and the familiar file management scheme where you can access the c: and other drives, create and manage folders, etc.
Has not changed. It has improved though. Search on Windows 10 is much improved over Windows 7. Yes some icons have changed and it is now the ribbon system (but to be fair thats been around for a long time), but the functionality dating back to Windows 95 is still there. Now if you were going to change to Apple.. good luck on that.. Finder is absolute ****. Dont believe me? Google it..