Alienware Won't Sell Consumers CableCard PCs

An anonymous reader writes "Alienware doesn't think CableCard is ready for the mass market. The Dell subsidiary is coming out with some high-end Media Center PCs but won't sell them directly to consumers because the HD-enabling CableCard 'requires the expertise of a reseller and installer.' CableCard was supposed to be the savior for Windows Media Center, which has been held back by its inability to support high-def content. Alienware made its mark selling tricked-out computers to gamers, so it's telling that the company doesn't think its traditional geeky customer can handle CableCard without professional help."

Comments

I couldn't be bothered to read the whole summary..

[benhocking]

So I thought it was an indicator that people who "install... Windows ... [need] ... professional help," although maybe I'm taking part of that out of context.

Re:Blurb is somewhat incorrect

[the_other_chewey]

You can actually get HD content into your MCE system already.

Yeah, but what about getting it out again?

Re:It's telling, but of what?

[WhatAmIDoingHere]

"it's original knowledgeable geek crowd."

If you knew anything about computers, you'd not be shopping at Alienware. You'd be building your own or at least going to Falcon-NW or VooDooPC.

also, "it's" is a contraction meaning "it is."

Re:It's telling, but of what?

[dcraigw]

The word "its" should be spelled "it's" but it's not for the sake of clarity, I guess (though without any logical justification).

Sort of how we write "his" instead of "hi's".

Re:It's telling, but of what?

[jotok]

They were getting good reviews in the 90s.
This was also back when people thought HampsterDance was cool, c|net was worth reading, and everyone was, in general, gaga over how nifty the internet was.

It's kind of like how in the 70s people thought vinyl suits were neat, but now we generally know better, about everything.