Why was Microsoft in such a hurry as to release a preview of an OS before the ecosystem was capable of handling it?
Explain how putting this out with substandard hardware does anything to bolster confidence from either users or developers? Why not wait until an Arm chassis was ready?
Because unless Microsoft shows what they can do with their OS - OEMs will not have a clue to build new hardware capable of complementing the software. Different ball game where tight secrecy doesn't really work - OEMs needs access to what MSFT is doing, developers need it and there are a crazy number of both of them and they need ample time and clear cut communication from Microsoft in order to make and bake their plans.
Besides no one is explaining why is demoing a preview OS bad? Because it is out of style? It's not like Microsoft is pushing the preview down the throats of average Joes and Janes.
I actually like Microsoft's no surprises approach. It bolsters the confidence of their OEM and Developer demographic. That's how they have been doing it since long time. You would have to be too unrealistic a Microsoft Developer to say "oh that Samsung tablet had a fan. I am just going to ignore Windows 8" - it doesn't make any sense, it's a developer unit and for that it is pretty nice - you can develop and debug on it!
Explain how putting this out with substandard hardware does anything to bolster confidence from either users or developers? Why not wait until an Arm chassis was ready?