Windows 8 Lock Screen: The lock screen can be customized with your own picture. It also gives you a glimpse at what is happening inside with notifications for battery, e-mail, etc.

Windows 8 Start Screen: The Windows 8 Start Screen is the heart and soul of the new operating system. Each app or live tile displays what is going out inside the app.

Semantic Zoom: This is the view of the Start Screen when you zoom out. You can organize apps in different categories.

Desktop: You can always get to the traditional desktop by tapping the Desktop app on the Start Screen. There is no longer a Start menu or Start button in the corner.

Charms: The Charms appear when you swipe from the right side of the screen or click the mouse in the top right corner of the screen. They contain the Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings shortcuts.

Mail: The new Mail app is very clean and easy to use. You also get more emoticons than you could dream of.

Bing Maps: The Bing Maps app comes preloaded in the Consumer Preview of Windows 8. It can show live traffic.

Internet Explorer: The redesigned Internet Explorer. You can swipe to go back and forward and you swipe down to bring up the tabs and address bar.

X Box Live Games: This is where the fun is. You will be able to buy and play a selection of Xbox Live games right from your tablet, laptop, or desktop.

Split keyboard: There's a regular on-screen keyboard, but there's also this split keyboard option for thumb typing.

SkyDrive: With 25GB of free storage space, you can use SkyDrive to house your documents, files, photos, etc. in the Cloud and see them through any web browser.

People: There will likely be Facebook and Twitter apps to go along with Windows 8, but you can sign into Microsoft's People app and see all your friends and their statuses.