a traditional Windows desktop will be available (certainly on x86, perhaps on arm) for those who are determined enough to figure out how to reenable it
You mean to say that clicking on the "desktop" tile that's conveniently located on the welcome 'Metro' screen requires determination and figuring out? It's not even re-enabling it. It hasn't gone anywhere that requires any trickery to get back - unlike the Start Menu.
As I said, the only groups being hurt by this are Google and those dumb enough to rely on Android for their future, anyone else with a brain will take a look at the competition and more open platforms.
Newsflash: Consumers don't care about whether Google's playing nice with the Linux community or not.
"The following is not for the weak of heart or Fundamentalists." -- Dave Barry