The installer for SharePoint Server 2010 Beta got a face lift to match the new logo and theme for the product. It is sleek and very easy to use, thanks to the prerequisites installer which does most of the load for you. Remember the confusion from installing MOSS 2007 when you were given the option for Basic or Advanced and like all “I need this done yesterday” scenarios we chose Basic to get the thing up and running…to only find out you just installed a standalone option of SharePoint?? Well, it appears Microsoft has listened and fixed the new installer via the below screenshot from the beta:
Ahhh, Standalone and Server Farm – confusion gone!
HOWEVER, notice the next screenshot and the default choice selected once you click Server Farm. Please, please, please make sure you change this to Complete before clicking Install Now – or you will still be left with a standalone installation of SharePoint.
SharePoint Adam 
11/17/2009
SharePoint 2010