After the v8 release, I won't install it at work until at least 8.1. Looking through the feature list also left me feeling 'meh'. At this point I'll settle for very little less that a full core rewrite with a good deal of the legacy code removed, an improved UI, and a maxscript listener that doesn't have selective hearing.
I have the understanding that this one is a core re-write with vastly improved polygon performance... I'll let you know when I get it. Just got an email saying they shipped it. I have been waiting for the 64 bit version over a year now, so I am happy.