The minimum specs listed on the internet are well under this, but I know Windows has had a habit in the past of expanding over time.

Trying to decide if I want to install Linux Lite for a Chromebook type experience on my Vaio P, or go for W8.1 cos it’s pretty 🙂

You will be left with precious little storage space. OK if you can add storage via an SD card slot or similar or don’t need any storage.

I’ve got a VM with 8.1 on a 100GB disk and it’s only used 25.1Gb

Office 2013 and iTunes are installed.

Strangely, I’ve noticed W7 seems to be far lighter and remain smaller when running in a vm than on real hardware…

There are lots of netbook type devices that run Windows 8.1(with Bing) that ship with just 32GB of flash storage so you should be ok.

Strangely, I’ve noticed W7 seems to be far lighter and remain smaller when running in a vm than on real hardware..

Hmm, the host box has used 51Gb. Not a great deal installed on there with VMWare.

This is the folder you have to watch out for expanding:
C:\Windows\winsxs

I have a 50ish Gb SSD in a little Samsung touch screen netbook thing, on Windows 8 – I can’t update it to 8.1 due to insufficient disk space and I can’t find anything to uninstall!

Clean install might be reet, but it won’t leave much wiggle room for winsxs.