If you're not using the tablet as a tablet, then what you're really talking about is a thin and light laptop. That's what I've gathered from your previous posts. If the touch based OS isn't something you're using, then why get a tablet in the first place? MS is trying to live with one foot in the past and one in the present as they're not willing (or don't know how) to push forward.
What if you're using it as both?
Please explain to me what you do on the surface as a desktop based program? And then ask yourself why they (MS) have not made the app based around the very different functional aspects of the surface?
I'd say the vast majority of desktop programs being used aren't made by Microsoft at all, so asking why Microsoft haven't made the app touch based and for the Metro/Modern UI is silly. That'd be like asking "Microsoft, why haven't you made ArcGIS touch based for the Surface??", that's not Microsoft's doing, ESRI makes ArcGIS. And same goes for every other desktop program- iTunes (Apple), StarCraft 2 (Blizzard), FL Studio (Image-Line) and so on.
And what would you do with desktop apps? Use the enormous, powerful back catalogue of Windows software to do whatever you want!
Sure, they've given you a choice of yet another netbook to do things the same way they've always done them, which is exactly how MS wants it.
Netbooks never had touchscreens with a UI built for touch running on them. Plus mobile x86 processors have come a
long way since the netbook's heyday.
Also, spinedoc, your tablet sounds amazing- you're making me jealous.
Can't wait for the Surface Pro.