Samba server - samba client? (I can't dance...)

I am trying to set up a computer lab for a small and resource challenged school. Is there any linux distro that will join a clearos samba domain without a huge amount of hokey pokey? Windows xp/7/8/10 clients work fine with a registry patch but I am trying to avoid software monoculture.

I have tried the directions for joining Ubuntu, Suse, and Fedora without success. I haven't tried Slackware yet, but I tend to prefer Slackware as server.

I am almost at the point of buying some w10p licenses.