OK I know this isn't the Software forum but admit it, there's very few people using the sub forums so here is the only forum we really need. 
 
I'm rebuilding my office computer with a few new upgrades.  
I figured why not bring everything up to date including installing Windows 8.1. 
I see the plain version is only $100. The Pro version is around $250. 
As far as I can tell all you get with pro is a bunch of features aimed at networking in an office. I certainly don't think I need any of it. Right now I'm using W7 Home Premium and it seems fine. 
 
So is the plain Jane version all we need for running Sonar? 
I

What's the top end for RAM in Win 8.1 home or whatever.
That's the limiting factor in 7, the 16gb of ram in 7 Home.
I see a few listing 32gb, isn't that the new "standard"?
 
T

Good point Tom. I find there is absolutely no real information on the Micro soft web site, just a bunch of flowery descriptions of how wonderful life will be with Windows 8. 
 
I have W7 Ultimate on my main DAW, but I do use my office / internet / entertainment computer as a back up system. I have Sonar and Wave Lab installed and that's where my old Tascam Interface is living now. It's using a 32" LCD as a monitor and we watch movies and I play my music collection too. 
It seems another change is you have to "buy" Windows media player? 
 

Physical Memory Limits: Windows 8

The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows 8.
VersionLimit on  X64
Windows 8 Enterprise 512 GB
Windows 8 Professional 512 GB
Windows 8  128 GB
 
http://msdn.microsoft.com...emory_limits_windows_8
memory should not be an issue

There's a great comparison chart here, personally I would go with Pro but the decision is yours to take:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8_editions
 

Where are the motherboards within reasonable cost that can support more than 32G of RAM?

Thanks Alex , ya I found that too, It's just plain stupid that Mirco Snoft doesn't have any sort of spec info regarding the different versions. I even had the little "can we help you today" window pop up and I asked for a link to a comparison chart and they politely quoted the differences, in other words, there is no comparison chart.
Seems there's really nothing in Pro that would be of any use to me. It certainly is a big jump in price. 

Well you could upgrade to Pro later if required..

In regards to media player I've come to the conclusion it's an outdated piece of crap/resource hog. No real changes for years, I uninstalled it and I'm using JRiver now which is a zillion times better (you can trial it as well).... Cheers..

mixmkr
Where are the motherboards within reasonable cost that can support more than 32G of RAM?

Other than "Server" motherboards, only socket 2011 supports more than 32GB (most support 64GB).
MSI has a model that supports eight 16GB sticks of RAM, but 16GB sticks aren't currently available (so you top out at 64GB for the time being).  

I don't think it matters practically. Little things like sharing the same drive under multiple names. Kinda goofy stuff most people don't need or want is available with Enterprise and pro.
 
From a daw perspective, I don't think it will matter.