Quote:
One practical reason is I want MCE.


You mean WMC. (Everything inside Vista seems to have Windows appended onto it). Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Mail, Windows Media Center. I guess Microsoft figured taking the name of the product off the boot screen would make people forget it's windows, so it's up to the programs now to identify the OS.

Keep in mind to get Media Center, all you need is Home Premium. It does seem to be a decent upgrade over where MCE2005 was, and still works seamlessly with the leaf blower 360. If you are looking for CableCard support, you cannot build your own solution though. CableCard compatible Media Centers will only be sold as a complete package from OEMs. Seems the CableLabs group didn't like the idea of an open platform.