I'm running server 2008 r2 as a development workstation (i7-3770K, 18GB). Since newer Microsoft tools require Win 8 or even Win 8.1 to be able to develop, I chose to install Win8.1 in a VM instead of reinstalling my workstation.
However, my experience is far from acceptable: I'm thinking to get a separate machine instead, and use rdp instead of vmware 
So, I have VMware workstation 10, as guest I have Windows 8.1 (previously it was win8, which is now updated to 8.1). The guest is configured to have 3GB and 2 cpu (4 cores total). My main development tool is visual studio (2012, 2013). Overall, the experience is far from acceptable. rclicking a project in visual studio solution takes seconds for the menu to appear. Ctrl+Shift+F (to search) takes a couple of seconds for the search window to appear.
Anything I need to try? tools are installed, no drivers in guest missing. I use default theme of win8, maybe switching to old style gui should help?
Also, it feels that disk drive performance in the guest is slooow as hell as well.
Thanks for any help