Another ex noteII user on a 1520 with 8.1 and loving it.
This phone is so much more fun than my rooted and custom rom note.
I do miss some things on it,but know in time all will be fine. Heck updates are pouring from Microsoft everyday.
Not as many great cases for it,but more are showing up regularly.I slapped a Day Joy glass screen protector on mine and a PDair leather case and it rides as good as my note did.
No spen for it,so if you need it, it doesn't work with one as far as I know.
If you have lots of music, go through Windows media player to sync it..I use the older music player not the new one. Didn't get any doubles showing up.
No split screen,I found I didn't miss it at all,
All I can say is you're in for a real treat and Welcome to WP.............
Mac