Windows Server 2008 R2 as a desktop OS?

I get Windows Server 2008 R2 for free through the DreamSpark program, so I thought I could save $30 and use Windows Server as my OS and not get Windows 7. I found this website, which makes it seem like this is a route many people take. What are the advantages / disadvantages of running Windows Server 2008 R2 instead of Windows 7? Are there any features that are missing from the server version that are in the consumer one? (one thing I am worried about is Windows Media Center, which I would really like)

Solution 1:

Are there any features that are missing from the server version that are in the consumer one?

you won't have Superfetch and Readyboost ...

one thing I am worried about is Windows Media Center, which I would really like

and of course no Media Center.

Solution 2:

Most free AVs and a lot of software won't run on server versions of windows.Some drivers may not work, though on the whole, the windows 7 or vista drivers ought to work. On the other hand, subjectively, Server OSes feel faster.