Author Topic: Windows XP Media Center... (Read 275 times)

Dux · « **on:** February 02, 2007, 03:37:31 PM »

I'm looking at possibly a new computer pretty soon... some of the offerings come with XP MC. I've been using XP Pro for the last couple of years and I love it.

Questions:

1. How dumbed-down is MC compared to Pro, and why?

2. Can it be upgraded? I know I can buy a whole new copy of Pro and reinstall, but that's a lot of money and hassle (especially with a new computer).

My gut feeling is that Media Center is not worth messing with; I guess I'm just looking for confirmation or perhaps some good alternatives.I will probably hold out for XP Pro. Everything offered at BestBuy comes with Vista now, so I guess I'll be shopping at CompUSA or something like that.

Thoughts on Media Center?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2007, 03:40:49 PM »

Dux, you do realize that XP is all but gone now, as far as OEM computer goes.

The OEM copies of XP are starting to dry up as well. With the release of Vista, MS will be killing XP very soon. If you intend on using it, you will probably have to get an OEM copy from a supplier and get it soon.

You do not want to use the Vista version of media center.

Dux · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2007, 03:44:32 PM »

Yeah, Skuzzy... my thinking is that if I'm going to get a new computer soon, I should do it while I can still get it with XP. Which means... very soon.

I really don't think I want any version of Media Center... I guess my real question is that if I get stuck with it, how bad off will I be?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2007, 03:48:29 PM »

I have not used Media Center. I think eagl has so he may be able to shed some light on it.

Dux · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2007, 04:08:16 PM »

How about this.. If I buy a computer that has Vista pre-installed, can I re-install it with XP?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2007, 04:09:19 PM »

Should be able to.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2007, 04:10:43 PM »

i dont have it either ,, (ubuntu, 98se sp1.5, w2k pro, XP pro, and Vista RC2 in 32 and 64)

My inlaw has media xp on one of his pc's and All i think it is ... is a verson of xp home with extra dvd ,media codecs and a few other things added .

outta all of them I've grown into liking w2k pro the best ...

Roscoroo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2007, 04:13:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dux
How about this.. If I buy a computer that has Vista pre-installed, can I re-install it with XP?

you have to fully format the hard drive, then install your verson of xp .

vista doesnt like to be in a dualboot setup at all ...

Irwink! · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2007, 05:44:40 PM »

I have XP Media Center and its fine. It doesn't do anything special other than the media center stuff. AH runs fine on it.

Last night for grins I looked at Circuit City's site and they had -NO- XP equipped machines for sale anymore at all. Didn't check any other big box stores but I would expect the same situation. Dell still listed some XPS boxes with XP Media Center edition but the rest of the consumer stuff that I saw had some version of Vista loaded.

eagl · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2007, 07:48:34 PM »

XP media center is still essentially XP Pro with some of the user interface from Home plus the media center utilities. I don't think the interface is too significantly dumbed down, although I don't run a domain at home and only use simple file and print sharing instead of setting detailed permissions, user groups, etc.

Probably the most important about XP MCE is that since it was released a couple of years after XP Home and Pro, it should have another few years of official microsoft support and updates after their support cycle ends for the other versions.

For that alone I'd get XP MCE instead of home or pro.