Microsoft/HP to Market Crippled Entertainment PCs

gustywinds writes "CNet is reporting that Microsoft and HP recently announced the details on their Media Center PCs that will be coming out this Christmas season (this used to be called 'Freestyle'). The big story is that these PCs will have anti-copying mechanisms built-in to them -- ie can't burn recorded TV shows to DVD, or even copy and play them back on other PCs. And they are going to be expensive... $1500 for the starter box. Sounds like this thing is going to be DOA. Lots of other PC-based TV recording products that aren't restrictive when it comes to copying stuff goes... Snapstream, WinDVR... And, of course, Hauppauge, nVidia and ATi have products too but their software is pretty lacking..."

Comments

Oh come on people

[Winterblink]

Like you didn't see THAT one coming. Every time something like this happens, people on /. act all shocked and surprised, like this is somehow NEW. Get a grip, this stuff isn't newsworthy.

Why not? Idiots bought the XBOX, they'll buy these

[Viewsonic]

..there is no end to how dumb people can be..

Have you ever considered...

[Lester67]

This is being done to intentionally fail?

With slumping PC sales already, releasing this kind of product destined for failure, sets the stage for saying it can't be done to consumer apathy.

Re:Customer satisfaction is irrelevant to Microsof

[laserjet]

I know what your point was, but can we stop using this bastardized quote? Everybody and their dog has heard it, and there are more articulate ways of expressing your point. I swear I see it in about 50% of every slashdot article.

Thanks you.

Re:The X Box isn't crippled?

[RatBastard]

Try reading for comprehension. It will see you in good stead. The XBox is a special purpose computer that is incidently built on the same technology as PCs. Does that make it a PC? No. Why? Because it is not running a gerneral purpose OS that is taking care of networks, drivers, memory manegemtn account privilegdes, etc... It is doing one thing - playing that game you put in - and one thing only.

That's what makes a console a console, whether it is an XBox built on WinTel technology, a Game Cube buit on PPC (Mac-like) technology, the PS2, or anything else. A console is a special purpose computer.