That is called Power User Menu, exists since windows 8 and everybody knows it. But yes, it has some improves, like the ability to shutdown, restart and so, from it.
Windows 8.1 Start button doesn't make any significant change compared to Windows 8.What is so nice about it?
MS went a very consequent way to bring back kind of Start button. It was known since the introduction of 8 that the old button never will return because the entire Start screen was invented as a replacement. The Start Tip (official name) is just a nice cosmetic thingy which allows you to easily switch to the screen where all your apps are. The new feature in Tip even allows you to shut down or restart by simply right-clicking your mouse. This is as simple as it was with the old button on 7 and earlier. I believe that this is the best of all compromises MS could have done and hereby not leaving the predefined path for the future. Not to mention that RTM might be even more comfortable which we will see pretty soon ...
Everybody has them own likes or dislikes! That Pop-Up Menu just simplifies some action bundled together!
MrMagic talks about the invisible little start picture which only appears when hovering upon in the left bottom corner. there you also could do similar things by right clicking on it except shut down and restart
What are you trying to say, the Start Button only adds a Visual click area, 8.0 already has this menu.
That differs quite a bit from an button! A picture with attached link didn't replaced an fixed program button, it could just be used an "temporary" thingy!
You can use hlp.exe from Start8, to make your own Start Button on taskbar, to open WinX Menu as your Main Start Menu, with 1 click. And use Win+X Menu Editor to Edit - Add Programs.
Could we come back to the Windows 8.1 Preview Start Button? That's what I was write and talking about! Many actions could be done on many different ways, like you go directly from NY to W-DC or use to go via SF or LA! There many way from start to finish and I talk about the direct one! Difficult to understand?