HP Dumps Linux for Windows XP MCE in New Media Player

An anonymous reader writes "There hasn't been much said about this, but HP's new z545 Digital Entertainment Center appears to be a Windows-based re-spin of an earlier Linux-based model that HP unveiled three years ago at the Tech X NY trade show in New York, and which was sold for some time as the de100c Digital Entertainment Center. Seems like the joint's gone downhill ever since Perens left."

Comments

Re:Not quite a backwards step

[Donny Smith]

>Actually what I think is much more likely is the new generation of DRM products that will come out soon to lock in customers.

Lock into what?
Paying for music?

>Embedded Linux is very mature nowadays, their is nothing that is more expensive when it comes to developing linux platform then windows

There's nothing more expensive when it comes to developing Linux platform then Windows?
What exactly is that supposed to mean?

>There is no advatage of this device over a Laptop towards the high-end,

Yes there is, look at the h/w specs.
You'd need $2K for a notebook with similar A-V h/w.

> Don't worry. It'll be a flop.

Only Linux zealots like you _worry_ about it - normal people will buy it if price and features are okay and if it's easy to use.
The same goes for Linux-based media centers - WhoTF cares what's inside as long as the music's trashing.

Why would people bother with HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe some of you guys have been unemployed a little too long, but the reason why people buy devices off companies like HP is not for their inovation, or price, but because they provide risk mitagation through affordable support services.

I would like to see the overheads of a support department of a company selling as many PC's as HP, but shipping with Linux instead.

Re:Not quite a backwards step

[Steve Franklin]

Toys, yes. But does anyone still think there's any reason whatsoever to hold their DVD watching hostage to Bill's pathetic little OS? "Gee, I think I'll watch a movie...[8 hours later:] Well, fixing that little Windders program wasn't all THAT troublesome. Oops, it's 3:00 o'clock in the morning. Guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow to watch that DVD." These people truly have lost their minds.