Im a OS X user now but I still like my Windows machines. I will get shot for saying this but Vista with service pack 2 on a system with a core 2 duo and 4 gig of ram minium wasn't that bad as every says. Windows 7 still is my favourite and is a good OS but Windows 8 is a disaster, its what Windows 10 should have been.
Funnily enough I have an almost identical set-up on my workshop laptop and, as you say it is remarkably solid, though feeling a bit stale now. That said, I also had Vista on a custom desktop ant it was sh*te! Shame us Vista victims don't get the free 10 upgrade- I think they owe us!