Is it worth using Windows Server 2008R2 as a desktop OS?

I use Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit on my main PC - a reasonably powerful machine. At the moment it is going through major instability and its time for a reformat. Being a student, I can use Windows Server 2008R2 for free under the Microsoft Dreamspark programme.

I'm trying to figure out if I should install as a desktop OS. I'm wondering if I'd get any benefits out of using it over Vista. I was thinking that:

• It'd be more stable then Vista
• It would have the Win 7 Stuff (which is in R2) without me having to get Win 7
• Teach me to use the system

Would it be worthwhile doing? Or too much bother for what it is? Thanks for any advice

Solution 1:

Off the top pf my head, there are these disadvantages:

• No DirectX for sound and graphics (although you can probably manually install it)
• No BDA drivers for TV cards
• Fewer installable drivers in general
• No Bluetooth
• No IrDA support (not used much these days anyway)
• Some desktop software will refuse to install, because of licencing issues on a terminal server (I know of several CAD and 3D programs that do this and I think Photoshop may as well, IIRC)
• Some software would refuse to install as there are special server versions which cost a lot more, but are otherwise identical (eg. Acronis stuff)
• Anti-Virus programs for server OSs are a lot more expensive as well and the desktop versions refuse to install. ( There are some exceptions, such as Microsoft's security essentials )

Solution 2:

I would not recommend this for your primary computer. Many desktop applications will not function fully under a server OS (our own application which works heavily with audio/video will not). Similar applications like Skype or other video chat software could have issues.

Also the security model of a server OS is much stricter and can get annoying very fast. It's not made for day-to-day use by a person; it's made for background services.

Solution 3:

I have been considering this too (as a SharePoint developer, I need a server OS to use). After weighing up the options with my needs, I am going to use Windows 7 and VMWare server to host Windows Server 2008 R2. Possible compatibility issues with some desktop applications may make common applications troublesome. Plus when I am not developing, I can switch off the VM and use the laptop with more resources

A month down the track, I am still happy I made this choice. I have been able to leverage snapshots so I can get installs correct, rollback etc. I can also delegate resources appropriately for load testing (e.g. throttle the DB server and test which parts of SharePoint are affected most, and to test SharePoints behaviour when AD goes down).

One complication I have gone through is configuring servers/SP/DB/AD to perform well, especially because they are sitting on a laptop. Things like varying power (due to power managment on my laptop) effect things like the clock on my servers. I have learnt a lot about what is required to keep a server stable!

I have found VMWare is very supportive of laptop hibernation. I can close the lid on my laptop, and open it (resumes fast) and the VM's are back up and running straight away!