I doubt Windows 8 is going to be built on the same kernel as Vista/7/Server 2008. I don't think that it has native 128-bit support and I don't really think that is something you can patch into an OS.
I think more likely it's an alpha SP1 build.
The same people that aren't going to buy 'N' OS are the same people who never have, and most likely never will.
Survey says the number one reason they don't is because they can't afford $100. I can make excuses to justify myself all day, I pirated this music, software, movie, game, etc. End story is that if you're dependant on it then it's better than whatever free alternatives you've tried/considered, whether it's because you like it too much or you can't do what you want it to do using something else.