I'm on Windows 7 and use a Linux VM, where I actually do all the development. I love the command line, but still haven't found a Linux GUI I'm as comfortable in as Windows. Ubuntu was getting close there for a while, but then they went to Unity, which I tried to like, but ended up pretty much loathing.
Cinnamon is a nice mix of pretty, and practical, and not needing to relearn everything. but it has a habit of chewing up lots of CPU for no apparent reason and more recently my work machine would half freeze (the mouse would move, but nothing else would work). Moved to XFCE, and it is great. Not as pretty, but works in a traditional way (windows 98 XP sort of style). Its fast and stable.
In my opinion it shows that most "innovation" in desktops over the last few years have actually been a step backwards.
