Interesting. I was just thinking in terms of usable ports. A TS8 connected to a TS5 and using one of the ports for backhaul is even worse... 10 ports to plug other things into. The Netonix using fiber backhaul is even better: 12 ports to plug things into.
Any way it gets sliced, the Netonix is a better deal.
So, to borrow and twist a catch phrase: "Better Switch, Better Network"
We just received a couple of the WS-8-250-DC switches at the end of last week and will be 'labbing them this week - anxious to get started!

Today is an average day: Worse than yesterday, but better than tomorrow.