As I usually do, I use a file sync tool to check to see just what has changed in the actual deployment files, some are noted in the changeset for v4.8 a few others aren't. So thought I'd post my findings, bold are the ones that weren't listed? Some could do with further explanations from the core team???? ;-)

4.7.2.497 -> 4.8 changes

web.config

   <add key="umbracoEnableStat" value="false" />

   possibly dumps session/login information into the stat table for admin users?

bin

updates to dlls... and removal of umbraco.Linq.Core.dll?

xml definition files included... not sure these are required for deployment?

inclusion of SqlCE and now default inclusion of the webservices.dll

ADDITION - amd64/x86 folders - related to sqlCE? look build related rather than necessary for deployed?

config

clientDependency.config

minor tweaks

examineIndex.config

added default external index.

examineSettings.config

added default external index.

(formHandlers.config

do we still need this legacy file?)

tinymceconfig.config

-td updated to #td

ADDED

trees.config xml file to allow easier editing of trees so no longer need to update db tables.

umbracoSettings.config

<autoFillImageProperties> tag, presume this is so you can autofill any custom paramters you add to the image type (alternate text long overdue as a default? [using the name of the media asset not quite there in my opinion])

<hideDisabledUsersInBackoffice> - stop disabled users disappearing.

install

sql Azure added as a posible db

umbraco

developer/relationtypes

relationType editing added?

plugins\tinymce3\insertLink.aspx

advLink.aspx becomes umbracoLink.aspx - overhaul of tinymce as documented in the release changes

REMOVED - schemas/ scripting(py|rb) templates

umbraco_client

tinymce overhaul (inc new lang)