I've been asked to setup a small network of PC's for a small Charity

They need 10 x PC's with Windows 8.1. No budget for a server

8.1 Pro are more expensive - can I setup 1 PC to host file and the other 9 to connect to that

They also have  3 Notebooks which will need access to the central share and about 3 Printers

As they have limited budget I can't suggest a server (well I have but)

I've not setup Peer-Peer for more than 3-4 users - will this work reliably ?

Is there limit to number pf connections - I seem to remember 10 ?

Hello ChrisS,

Please explain a bit about the following question for better analyzation:
1. Do you want one Windows 8.1 pro as file share server ?
2. Why do you want to use Peer to Peer network?
3. What do you mean about the sentence Is there limit to number pf connections - I seem to remember 10 ? What is pf connection?

About the license for Nonprofit, it is recommended to contact the phone support.
For more information, please take a look at the following article.
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-options/for-industries.aspx#tab=4 

About share folder with someone, please take a look at the following article.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-hk/windows/share-files-with-someone#1TC=windows-7

Best regards,
Fangzhou CHEN

I have charity pricing

Although software cost not too high for Charities the Server Hardware is going to be equal to 2-3 Workstations!

So setting up a Windows Pro workstations is lower cost.

>> Sorry Typo! - Is there limit to number of connections - I seem to remember 10 ? What is pf connection?

there will be times when 10+ machines will need to access Shares

Hello ChrisS,

What is the operating system of other machine? Windows 7?

You can make 10+ machine connect to the share folder.

Additionally, to avoid the conflict of file, you could try to use offline file.
For more information about offline file, please take a look at the following article.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49065-sync-offline-files.html

Please note: Since the website is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Best regards,
Fangzhou CHEN

You can view the number of connections Windows is licensed for in the license terms. Open System, scroll down to Windows activation, and click Read the Microsoft Software License Terms. Device connections is Section 1d of Additional Terms on my Windows 8.1 Professional system, where it shows a limit of 20 connections.

Brandon
Windows Outreach Team- IT Pro
Windows for IT Pros on TechNet