This is currently a hypothetical question but say you had access to either Windows 8.1 Pro or Server 2012 Standard R2 to run on a home server but you need it only for the following
- File Sharing to Windows 8.1 PC's (3 to 4 PC's)
- Weekly Backups (using third party software)
- File Storage (Not RAID just Simply JBOD)
- Stream Media to 3 HTPC's using XBMC
This Machine would Run 24/7 but hard drives would be set to idle at say 90 minutes and only spin up when needed
If you only needed these options and money was not an issue which would you use for your home server would you simply use Windows 8.1 Pro or would you go For Windows Server 2012 Standard R2 (Not essentials as i would not want a domain)
what i am trying to figure out is there any increase in reliability or stability in using the Server version or will they function essentially the same if you don't plan to install new software reguarly just a few commonly used applications and you don't need any of the other server features for websites or anything like that
Just purely based on overall performance