Is Microsoft Media Center OS = to XP Pro?

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corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
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Mar 4, 2000
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Many new laptops and desktops are coming out with Microsoft Media Center as the OEM OS. There does not seem to be an option to change it to XP Pro. Does MC have the same capability as XP Pro -0 especially in networking, or are the OEMs pursuing a fad?
 
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bsobel

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Dec 9, 2001
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MCE is very similar to the Pro feature setup but loses domain support (you can work around this but it breaks extender support) and cached credentials (which can also be worked around)

Bill
 
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Varun

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2002
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As said it has everything but domain support and cached credentials. So that means you get the MCE app (which is very nice), Remote Desktop, IIS, and all the other goodies that Pro comes with for a cheaper price. The catch is it is only OEM, but worth it to me. For home use I would never buy Pro again.
 
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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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How do you buy Win XP media center for a built-at-home system? I don't see it as its own product on Pricegrabber, only as an installed OS.

I understand it's only OEM, but sometimes that just means you have to buy it with hardware, right?
 
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pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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EBay has it, but for the same price as XP Pro. I'll take the XP Pro.
 
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Mogadon

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No, he's saying it's cheaper and get all the functionality of pro barring the few, aforementioned features.
 
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pkme2

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Sep 30, 2005
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Originally posted by: Mogadon
No, he's saying it's cheaper and get all the functionality of pro barring the few, aforementioned features.
Click to expand...


The Windows XP Pro sells for $110 also, so what's the diff?
 
pcgeek11

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
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Originally posted by: pkme2
Originally posted by: Mogadon
No, he's saying it's cheaper and get all the functionality of pro barring the few, aforementioned features.
Click to expand...


The Windows XP Pro sells for $110 also, so what's the diff?
Click to expand...

This:

MCE is very similar to the Pro feature setup but loses domain support (you can work around this but it breaks extender support) and cached credentials (which can also be worked around)

Bill
Click to expand...

Is the Diff. Read the thread.

pcgeek11


 
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pkme2

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Sep 30, 2005
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:frown:
Who in his right mind would buy MCE for the same price as XP Pro?

Working around things is not the right way of doing things and leave a lot of questions. We don't want to go there. Some people may get the wrong perception on what works and doesn't.

IMO, it gives people out there the wrong info.
 
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nweaver

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: pkme2
:frown:
Who in his right mind would buy MCE for the same price as XP Pro?

Working around things is not the right way of doing things and leave a lot of questions. We don't want to go there. Some people may get the wrong perception on what works and doesn't.

IMO, it gives people out there the wrong info.
Click to expand...

unless you want the extneder and MCE applications fo ryour system.
 
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Aluvus

Platinum Member
Apr 27, 2006
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Originally posted by: pkme2
:frown:
Who in his right mind would buy MCE for the same price as XP Pro?
Click to expand...

Someone that wants the extra Media Center bits and doesn't care about things like joining a domain.
 
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pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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MCE is offered as a better alternative to XP Home, but to say that MCE should be considered for certain aspects and not the full capabilities of XP Pro and have to pay the same price is getting ripped off.

If I was offered MCE as a better alternative to XP Home in an OEM system w/o paying more, I would take it. XP Pro is usually offered in those OEM installations at a premium.

But if I had to pay $110 for MCE instead of a XP Pro at the same price, is absolutely ridiculous.

For a clean install, I wouldn't pay more than $60. Anyone paying more is definitely being sold a bill of goods. One can't compare oranges to apples, in this case many other XP Buyers may not support your contention. XP Pro still is sold worldwide in greater numbers, do you disagree?
 
pcgeek11

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
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MCE is offered as a better alternative to XP Home, but to say that MCE should be considered for certain aspects and not the full capabilities of XP Pro and have to pay the same price is getting ripped off.

If I was offered MCE as a better alternative to XP Home in an OEM system w/o paying more, I would take it. XP Pro is usually offered in those OEM installations at a premium.

But if I had to pay $110 for MCE instead of a XP Pro at the same price, is absolutely ridiculous
Click to expand...

They are two different products that just happen to cost the same. You have your preference, but someone else may and can feel differently than you... To you I suppose joining a domain and cached creditials are more important than the MCE interface and such. But to someone setting up a Media center PC The MCE could and probably should be his or her choice. The better option in my opinion.

pcgeek
 
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Mogadon

Senior member
Aug 30, 2004
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I was only going by newegg prices so haven't done huge research in this matter, i'm sure if you shop around prices are different/lower, but at the egg:

MCE = $110
Pro = $140

If you don't need the extra features, that have been mentioned, of pro then you may as well get MCE.

Working around things is not the right way of doing things and leave a lot of questions. We don't want to go there. Some people may get the wrong perception on what works and doesn't.

IMO, it gives people out there the wrong info.
Click to expand...

What's the wrong info, being given out by the participants in this thread, you are talking about?

For a clean install, I wouldn't pay more than $60. Anyone paying more is definitely being sold a bill of goods. One can't compare oranges to apples, in this case many other XP Buyers may not support your contention.
Click to expand...

Please point me to a link where you can get XP Pro or MCE for $60.

XP Pro still is sold worldwide in greater numbers, do you disagree?
Click to expand...

I agree but I don't understand what relevance this statistic has to this thread.
 
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pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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Originally posted by: corkyg
Many new laptops and desktops are coming out with Microsoft Media Center as the OEM OS. There does not seem to be an option to change it to XP Pro. Does MC have the same capability as XP Pro -0 especially in networking, or are the OEMs pursuing a fad?
Click to expand...


As I stated before, MCE comes already downloaded in OEM installs.
OEMs are a fad to offer a better alternative to XP Home which loses MS Support this month.

One can always load MCE on their personal computers, but why should they when Windows XP Pro is the wiser way to go! Naturally, you diagree.

OEMs also offer XP Pro for $140 more. If the MCE was a better deal, it would have widespread popularity at $110 but the majority will opt for the better choice as always IMO.

Still at $110, MCE is still overpriced. Smart people needn't any convincing.:D
 
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Varun

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2002
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Originally posted by: pkme2
Originally posted by: corkyg
Many new laptops and desktops are coming out with Microsoft Media Center as the OEM OS. There does not seem to be an option to change it to XP Pro. Does MC have the same capability as XP Pro -0 especially in networking, or are the OEMs pursuing a fad?
Click to expand...


As I stated before, MCE comes already downloaded in OEM installs.
OEMs are a fad to offer a better alternative to XP Home which loses MS Support this month.

One can always load MCE on their personal computers, but why should they when Windows XP Pro is the wiser way to go! Naturally, you diagree.

OEMs also offer XP Pro for $140 more. If the MCE was a better deal, it would have widespread popularity at $110 but the majority will opt for the better choice as always IMO.

Still at $110, MCE is still overpriced. Smart people needn't any convincing.:D
Click to expand...

The more I read from you the less I think you have any idea what you are talking about. If you are at home, I doubt you have a domain set up. If you do not have a domain, MCE offers EVERYTHING that Pro offers for less money, plus you get the amazing Media Center app. If you DO have a domain set up then either you pirated a copy of Windows Server or you run a buisness from home.

Buisness -> Pro for domain support
Home -> MCE if you want IIS, Remote Desktop, etc
Home -> XP Home if you have no need for any extra features.

You were right about one thing, smart people do not need any convicing. MCE is the only way to go if you want to purchase an OEM copy of Windows XP.
 
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bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
13,346
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XP Home which loses MS Support this month.
Click to expand...

Source please (hint: plain wrong)

One can always load MCE on their personal computers, but why should they when Windows XP Pro is the wiser way to go! Naturally, you diagree.
Click to expand...

It's not better or worse, it's different. If you need domain support and cached credentials then Pro is the only choice. However if you want the MCE components MCE is the only choice. Now I personally think it's dumb that MS did that and doesn't give you a choice for 'everything', but I digress (and I understand the extender / domain issue which I doubt you do).

OEMs also offer XP Pro for $140 more. If the MCE was a better deal, it would have widespread popularity at $110 but the majority will opt for the better choice as always IMO.
Click to expand...

MCE is getting quite good pickup actually.
 
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