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In the Charts: Media Center 2005 PCs Take Center Stage Among Desktops | |
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| Time: 10:34 EST/15:34 GMT | News Source: PC World | Posted By: Brian Kvalheim | ||
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This month's Top 15 Desktop PCs chart highlights two trends: the emergence of powerful new gaming systems that have sophisticated style, and the rapidly growing selection of Media Center PCs, which expand PC-based home entertainment beyond gaming. Examples of the former are two new Athlon-fueled machines that sit atop the power section of our chart: Alienware's Aurora 64 FX-55 and ABS's Ultimate M5-64. Both of these systems are visually appealing without shouting "I'm just for games." Not only are they the two fastest systems on the chart, but they also produced outstanding sound with their high-end Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 cards and their 5.1-channel Logitech speakers (the X-530 and the Z-680, respectively). |
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Read Only Comments Return to News |
Displaying Comments 1 through 5 of 5 |
This is an archived static copy of ActiveWin.com. |
| #1 By 37 (67.37.29.142) at Wednesday, December 29, 2004 02:17:09 PM |
| Parkker...I don't know if you have used it, but Windows Media Center 2005 along with the Xbox MCE 2005 is just beyond awesome. I am using this setup at home, and it's flawless. |
| #2 By 23275 (68.17.42.38) at Wednesday, December 29, 2004 11:09:03 PM |
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We have an MCE 2005, and two extenders - one XBOX and one Linksys Media Extender - both are wired.
The combination is amazing and a lot of fun. MCE 2005 - upgraded twice from the original - and 2004's modest update. It has run rock-solid, despite so much use from our youngest three children. It's DVR/PVR and extended use throughout our home, make Tivo look very bad. The Extended experience is awesome. We liked this so much, we began to build and market custom MCE's after the OS was released within the OEM channel - to the higher end for home and corporate media rooms. It is an awesome OS and extending it has been the best thing MS has doen for it. |
| #3 By 37 (67.37.29.142) at Thursday, December 30, 2004 05:11:13 PM |
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"An MCE PC is too expensive to be attractive for the average user."
Not if it's main their desktop and only computer. I don't see people buying MCE's for the sole purpose of having a Media Center. If you buy an MCE, the benefit is that you have a computer it INCLUDES the Tivo like features. So, if you have someone who wants to buy a new computer to replace an old computer OR is buying their first computer, then buying an MCE would make sense because they get Windows XP Pro system, with an MCE. This eliminates the need for an additional Tivo expense, AND the channel/listings are free, where as Tivo requires a monthly (or annual if you choose) fee. And then if you choose, you can get an extender (Xbox, HP. Linksys) etc. to extend up to 5 different rooms. And with a TIVO, look at the feature limitations compared to an MCE. The Media Center software has a plethora more features than a TIVO. If you have no desire to have a pc, then of course, Tivo is the way to go (or DVRs through cable companies, etc.) |
| #4 By 37 (24.183.41.60) at Thursday, December 30, 2004 07:49:29 PM |
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Why do they need to clean their computer up?
Why buy Tivo and have another monthly payment on top of cable when it's free with MCE? Can I instant message on my home theater with Tivo? Can I put my entire 600 CD library on Tivo and listen to them, create playlists, add queues, view album covers and shuffle for a party on my home theater? Can I view my personal digital movies on my home theater with Tivo? Can I get free channel listings with Tivo? Can I get listen to internet radio on my home theater with Tivo? Can I get my recorded TV shows from Tivo and have them automatically added to my PlaysforSure device? Can I get 7.1 surround with Tivo? Can I play back slide shows or photostorys of my personal digital photos on my home theater with Tivo? Did you know that Tivo is for watching/recording/pausing TV shows? Did you know that MCE is substantially superior in feature set and is aimed to a different consumer than one who wants a digital vcr? |
| #5 By 37 (24.183.41.60) at Friday, December 31, 2004 08:10:15 AM |
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"Why do they need to clean their computer up?
Viruses and spyware" Odd, I have MCE 2005 and I have none. I bet I am not the only one. |
