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Regardless of whether your business is Fortune 500 big or mom-and-pop small, transitioning to a new operating system is a major endeavor—and a major headache. There's a reason why so many companies still use Windows XP, after all. So when you do bite the bullet, you want to make sure you're picking an operating system that meets all your needs.
But wait! The decision-making process isn't done once you've decided to transition your company to Microsoft's latest operating system. Like previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 comes in several editions. There’s the basic, straightforward Windows 8—similar to the Home edition in previous versions of Windows—as well as costlier Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise versions, both of which offer additional business-friendly features.
Which is right for your business? It all depends on your company's particular needs. Let's break down what each version of Windows 8 brings to the table.
Windows 8
Most small businesses will be fine running the standard version of Windows 8, which we covered in-depth in our official Windows 8 review. While the flashy visual overhaul may have given the OS a whole new look and feel, Windows 8's desktop mode is basically Windows 7 sans a Start button—along with several under-the-hood tweaks that improve the operating system's overall speed and responsiveness.
That's not to say the stock version of the OS skimps on new features. Windows 8 raises the bar on the security front, offering a multitude of core improvements, while the addition of file histories, improved multi-monitor support, native ISO and VHD mounting, amalgamated Storage Spaces, and a streamlined Task Manager make it easier to get things done on a day-to-day basis. From a direct productivity perspective, Windows 8 boots up, shuts down, and wakes from sleep faster than greased lightning, especially if your business has invested in solid-state drives.
Before you dive into any version of Windows 8, however, consider the potential training and support costs you might incur by adopting Microsoft's new-look operating system. The modern UI-style Start Screen is a radical shift from the traditional Windows desktop (which is just a live-tile click away), and usability experts say that Windows 8's flat design and hidden controls are unintuitive for average users. We found the learning curve moderate at best, but you will need to invest some resources in educating your employees about Windows 8. If touchscreen support isn't a major concern, think hard about whether Windows 7 or Windows 8 would be a better fit for your business.
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Pro costs more than Windows 8, but in our shop ,it only cost you $39.99 , other Windows 8 Pro additions are firmly business-friendly, albeit highly specific in nature. Here are the highlights:
Domains and group policy. Does your business use a centrally administered network with a Windows Server domain and group policy? These features allow an organization to centrally manage a network, including user profiles and computer settings, from a single server. Many businesses rely on domains and group policies, and only computers running Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise can use them.
BitLocker and EFS. BitLocker makes a return in Windows 8. It’s a full-disk encryption solution that can encrypt entire hard drives, including your Windows system drive or even USB drives (with BitLocker To Go). Once you've encrypted a drive with BitLocker, anyone who powers on the computer or connects the USB drive will need to enter the encryption key, or the drive will remain locked and inaccessible—a useful feature if you’re dealing with sensitive customer information. Windows 8 Pro also packs support for Microsoft's encrypted file system (EFS) technology. Businesses that need Windows 8 Pro only for its encryption features can try using TrueCrypt, instead. It's a free, open-source encryption solution that works with all desktop versions of Windows.
Hyper-V. Hyper-V is an integrated virtualization solution that has made its way from Windows Server to Windows 8, although it's missing some of the Server edition's more exotic options. Basically, it's useful for running multiple virtualized servers on a single Windows system or for installing other guest operating systems within Windows 8 for software testing. If you’re not sure whether you need Hyper-V, you probably don’t.
Even if you need virtualization support, however, you don't necessarily need Hyper-V and Windows 8 Pro. VirtualBox, a free piece of virtual machine software, works on any Windows system. (You can also use VirtualBox to try Windows 8 for free.) VMware Workstation is another popular workplace virtualization product, although it isn’t free.
Remote Desktop hosting. While any Windows 8 PC can use Microsoft's Remote Desktop app to connect to a host computer, only Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise installations can be configured as a host PC and accessed from afar.
Domains and group policy. Does your business use a centrally administered network with a Windows Server domain and group policy? These features allow an organization to centrally manage a network, including user profiles and computer settings, from a single server. Many businesses rely on domains and group policies, and only computers running Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise can use them.
BitLocker and EFS. BitLocker makes a return in Windows 8. It’s a full-disk encryption solution that can encrypt entire hard drives, including your Windows system drive or even USB drives (with BitLocker To Go). Once you've encrypted a drive with BitLocker, anyone who powers on the computer or connects the USB drive will need to enter the encryption key, or the drive will remain locked and inaccessible—a useful feature if you’re dealing with sensitive customer information. Windows 8 Pro also packs support for Microsoft's encrypted file system (EFS) technology. Businesses that need Windows 8 Pro only for its encryption features can try using TrueCrypt, instead. It's a free, open-source encryption solution that works with all desktop versions of Windows.
Hyper-V. Hyper-V is an integrated virtualization solution that has made its way from Windows Server to Windows 8, although it's missing some of the Server edition's more exotic options. Basically, it's useful for running multiple virtualized servers on a single Windows system or for installing other guest operating systems within Windows 8 for software testing. If you’re not sure whether you need Hyper-V, you probably don’t.
Even if you need virtualization support, however, you don't necessarily need Hyper-V and Windows 8 Pro. VirtualBox, a free piece of virtual machine software, works on any Windows system. (You can also use VirtualBox to try Windows 8 for free.) VMware Workstation is another popular workplace virtualization product, although it isn’t free.
Remote Desktop hosting. While any Windows 8 PC can use Microsoft's Remote Desktop app to connect to a host computer, only Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise installations can be configured as a host PC and accessed from afar.
Windows 8 Enterprise
Most small or medium-size businesses won't need the advanced features found in Windows 8 Enterprise, which sports super-specialized tools that are more useful in large enterprise environments—hence the name. In fact, while our store is happy to sell you copies of Windows 8 Pro with lower price, you’ll need to have at least five PCs in your business and you'll need to participate in Microsoft’s Volume Licensing program to receive access to Windows 8 Enterprise.
We've covered the biggest benefits of Windows 8 Enterprise in a separate post. One of the brightest highlights is Windows To Go, which allows employees to boot into a full, manageable, and BitLocker-encryptable version of Windows 8 Enterprise off of a USB thumb drive. It's a great solution to the conundrums posed by the BYOD trend, but most small businesses can likely get by without it.
Most small or medium-size businesses won't need the advanced features found in Windows 8 Enterprise, which sports super-specialized tools that are more useful in large enterprise environments—hence the name. In fact, while our store is happy to sell you copies of Windows 8 Pro with lower price, you’ll need to have at least five PCs in your business and you'll need to participate in Microsoft’s Volume Licensing program to receive access to Windows 8 Enterprise.
We've covered the biggest benefits of Windows 8 Enterprise in a separate post. One of the brightest highlights is Windows To Go, which allows employees to boot into a full, manageable, and BitLocker-encryptable version of Windows 8 Enterprise off of a USB thumb drive. It's a great solution to the conundrums posed by the BYOD trend, but most small businesses can likely get by without it.
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