Home Forums 8.1 home version for clients

Need to know if getting 8.1 home version instead of pro version will be problematic for client computers when we upgrade to V6.5. Unfortunately, didn't realize the version wasn't pro until we got the laptops up and running. Only have 1 day b/4 need to return so any feedback would be appreciated.

Can't connect to a network with home version.
If you are using a network, this will be a significant issue.

You also cannot use Remote Desktop in the home version

V6.5 will work with windows 8.1 (although I haven't tried home, it SHOULD work)

Agree. Microsoft Windows home versions do not work with server software. If you are able to, you should get the Pro version.

Microsoft Anytime Upgrade allows you to install home then upgrade.
Costs more than starting out with Pro.

I would just upgrade. But, as much as I like Microsoft, I wish they would get away from these multiple versions. I remember Vista had like five or six. Just make one version that you can use in any environment. Then end users don't have to worry about can it connect to a network, do RDC, etc. It costs them the same amount of money to make.

Lol, it costs them the same amount of money to make, but they can make more money this way. Combining them would be good for businesses since the combined price would be lower for businesses but higher for consumers. I think the new way is good. 2 versions Win 8 and Win 8 Professional. If you're a business, the professional is what you want. Much better than all the other versions from before: starter, home basic, home premium, professional, ultimate

I tend to agree, but they should make it obvious on the packaging or disk that it cannot be used in a network/domain environment. One way to do it, which is what I think they need with Vista, would be to put several OS on one disk. If you pay for Win 8 and suddenly realize you can't use it for your pseudoserver, you can upgrade to the Pro version. Of course, you don't necessarily need two OS, but the Win 8 version with a SP type thing that adds to it to make it pro. I read about that once, where you purchase a base version, then download components, so if you had a basic version and then decided to add the computer to your domain, you add the portion that allows it to interact with AD and Exchange. May be way off.

Actually I wish they would stop with the versions. not even 2. Just one version. That's all they do anyway, it's just set up to activate certain capabilities if you pay for a "higher" version.

Windows Home 8 versions connect to the SBS2011 network but cannot join the domain and cannot be remotely accessed through Windows Remote Desktop.

But they can be accessed remotely through JumpDesktop.

In general, it is always best to get the pro version of any Microsoft OS. Normally, the difference is between networking capabilities, which is the last thing you want in a network.