Talk about cheerleading. Even the enterprise Microsoft representative where I work doesn't have too much great to say about Windows 8's user interface.
I remember the iPad got bad remarks when it was announced too. But then people “got it” once they held it.
That's because the iPad brought a new computing paradigm, and people weren't used to it. I remember many people saying "It needs a pen to be useful," still stuck in the Microsoft pen tablet days. It'll be easier here since the iPad has already gotten people used to the concept.
In the past, Microsoft has made some great hardware. Even the Zune was technically decent hardware (the first generation being a rebranded Toshiba), it died because it was an uninspired copy. The XBox 360 was actually pretty good, although the rush to market caused some serious initial quality problems. At least it looks like Microsoft took their time here and has some ideas beyond plain copying for this tablet. The keyboard attachment is pretty cool.
There is actually a pretty strong aftermarket for stylus pens for the Ipad, Iphone and Android tablets.
I use one for my Iphone 4s because the tiny keypad makes for a lot of data entry errors, I have customers sign credit card billings on the Iphone and the stylus works much better than a finger for that, There are a lot less fingerprints with the stylus.
I have tired to use Siri for data input - but it is a joke and works correctly (if at all) less than 10% of the time.