Windows 10x64 Home or Pro?

I'm looking to buy a new laptop for home/business use. The main software I use is AutoCAD as well as a specialized software for rebar detailing. I pretty much know I need a i7 processor, 256 GB SSD as well as a 1 TB hard drive. It also needs to have a 17" screen.

Other than trying to decide what brand of computer to buy I'm wondering if I should go with the Home or Pro versions of Windows 10. I have the Pro version on my present machine which was an upgrade from Windows 7 Pro I really don't think I'm using that many features that the professional version to have.

What's anybody else's thoughts on this issue?

Just as a FYI, I'm considering both MSI and Sager laptops.

 

Here is a comparison chart for the two versions. My adage is usually, if you don't know which one you need you only need the home version. Sounds like that'll hold true for you as well. I personally use the Home version with no issue.

 

I'd choose Windows 10 Pro just for the fact that it has the Group Policy Editor which gives you complete control over the OS.

With the Group Policy Editor you can easily disable things you don't want like Windows Error Reporting, System Restore, Windows Updates, Telemetry, Windows Defender, Home Group connections, and a myriad of other stuff.

 

One thing is that W10 home will not give you much control over your Windows updates.. which potentially, if you continue to put them off, can lead to some unwanted reboots while you are working. It will ask you a bunch of times to reboot, before it finally gets fed up and just does it.

I would always go with Pro as it gives you more options to customize to your liking. Well, makes it easier anyways.

 

I will admit that the windows update limitations are frustrating if you don't get your active hours setup correctly. What it allows you to do is set your hours that you're typically using the laptop with a maximum of 12 hours between start and end. If you're like me who tends to work at all hours of the day/night this is a pretty big limitation, but as csand stated it gives you plenty of warning and the ability to postpone if needed.

As for the more granular usage, I'm just not one too overly concerned about all that. That'll be up to your individual preference though and if it does concern then Pro would definitely be the way to go.

 

Just a reminder. While the desktop i7's all have much in common, the mobile ones don't. It's a mess of different 2 and 4 core models, with or without hyperthreading.
Either you need an i7 with 8 threads, or you can go for some cheaper 4 core i5.

To give you an example, here's an i5 compared to an i7. The i5 is better in most aspects, including cost. It does use more power, which is probably not an issue here.
http://ark.intel.com/compare/88962,91169

All I'm saying is, don't just go looking for i7.

 

Pro...regardless of what they want to sell you. More control and features to tweak 10 with - Home you have limited control and you will hit those limits sooner then you think.