Windows 8.1 Pro vs 8.1
Windows 8.1 Pro vs 8.1
Offers a fresh Start screen featuring live tiles alongside the traditional desktop and Start button. Optimized for various input methods—touch, mouse, keyboard. Comes with essential built-in applications such as Mail, Calendar, and Photos, plus additional options from the Windows Store. Provides cloud storage for convenient access to media, documents, and settings. Includes Internet Explorer 11 for improved web browsing speed and security. Ensures you stay current and protected with Windows Defender, firewall, and updates. Enhances data safety using BitLocker and BitLocker To Go. Supports Remote Desktop connections from any PC and allows joining corporate or school networks.
You can upgrade to 512GB instead of 128GB because you really need all the RAM available.
If you're a university student facing issues with Dreamspark, you can purchase Windows 8.1 Pro for $69.99 on Microsoft's website. You'll need to verify your eligibility. Based on user feedback, this version is considered the complete edition rather than a simple upgrade.
Based on what you've observed in this article, it seems you might want to opt for the non-pro professional option.