WinXP home or Media Center?

[gwilks98]

If you had to recommend one to someone buying a computer, which one would you recommend? Pro is the only one I've used and it's $119 more than either. (It might be an overkill upgrade.)

Is there any reason not to pick one or the other?

[bachviet]

Home since you don't need Media Center unless you want to build an HTPC.

[Jeffbx]

:stupid:

At the same price, I'd pick Media Center since it's just XP Home with some extra goodies thrown in. However, you'll probably never make use of those things unless you're hooking this up to your home theater.

I wouldn't pay extra for it, tho, unless you know for sure you'll use it.

[thekidrocks]

I have used a PC with Media Center 2005, and liked it. I was surprised at how similar the interface it to Dell's "Dell Media Experience" that they used to have on their PCs.

Since I do use my PC for music in particular, I really liked it and would pay the extra. The one I used had a tuner card in it, and the Tivo-like function is nice.

However like everyone else says above, if you won't use those extras, there is no need for it. IMHO if it was pretty much a freebie upgrade, or part of a killer deal on a PC, I'd still take it.

[tupacboy]

i like my media center....