SBS = good EBS = BAD
Why?
SBS is reasonably priced, especially with the SQL option just go try out reporting services which is a stonking tool for the price point. What SBS offers that *inx versions dont normally is:
* Exchange - so thats shared address lists, shared calendars, task etc :)
* Previous versions - users can right click on a file and recover a previous version without needing to call IT. I support several companies remotely and this saves me talking them through putting a tape/disk back in the server.
* Sharepoint - web portal for sharing docs and notices with people, yay.
* Remote Web Workplace - terminal server access to your desktop from home, this is a major bonus of SBS.
* Standard - if your server is SBS you can always switch to a different support provider, if its *inx they may never have seen that variety before. Plus M$ do support calls for a fixed fee until it is resolved, which helps you sleep at night.
EBS bad?
Well it need 4 physical servers if you have the SQL running. the servers are as follows:
1 = SQL server - you dont want to put anything else on this box
2 = management server - you cant put anything else on this box.
3 = exchange server - Should really only be exchange
4 = DC and file server - this is where most stuff will end up I guess.
So thats 4 servers, but not a great deal of roll seperation as your file server either ends up on the DC or the exchange server. And the sharepoint/webserver will end up on one of those as well.
Oh and the cost is worse than buying seperate server versions! which is what we have just done.