High tech menus was just 1 example, Vista will be a visually upgraded version of XP [just like Win98<XP], also MS gonna add tons of new features to the operating system.
The question is, that the system will be stable enough after the first release or not. I dont want my games to freeze in every 15th minute etc.
PS.
Personally I care that how my desktop looks like, the menus, the sounds, the effects...everything. Ofc this is not related to gaming, but it doesnt means that its not necessary. Anyways now I know that why is it so important for me that my girlfriend must look like a model. I care too much that how the various things are looking like.