Re: Quest PMC

I mean hardware components liked your laptop's monitor, video card, sound
card, modem, speakers, NIC, DVD-Drive, etc, etc. Have you tried upgrading
them on your sister's laptop?

When these things get outdated, you can not whip out and buy the latest
hardware to run your latest software. You depend on Driver Updates most of
which will only be available from the Laptop's Manufacturer because the
Hardware Components are custom-built to fit into your laptop. Some Drivers
are available from Windows Updates or from the Component Manufacturer, like
some common Intel or TexasInstruments Drivers.

You'll have to excuse me. I didn't know what a "Portable Media Center"
machine was. I thought you were on a quest, and enquiring about
pre-installed "Media Center Notebooks". They're different.. eh? Geeez, I'm
dumb! :)


"marnix_moed" <marnixmoed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:00AE33DE-2C91-4EFC-8E33-62A9BB3F47FF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hey AllenF,

thank you for your reply.

Wow, I didn't knew it was that "bad". But what do you mean with "Many of
the
components" which I can not change or upgrade?
On my sister WinXp Acer laptop I could help her update it with service
packs
without problems. Is this the same issue or something completely different
with what you mean? With a PMC (Portable Media Centre, as MS describes
these
machines) can I still get Vista service packs, security and other updates?

Grt,
Wing


"AllanF" wrote:

Hi marnix_moed,

The hardware in any laptop is often customized for (or by) the
Manufacturer.
Many of the components, you cannot change or upgrade, so you will be
dependent on the Manufacturer to provide driver updates and support when
things don't work. And believe me, with Media Center, things don't work a
lot! I have read about Windows Diehards recently switching to Mac because
it
just works, or others saying sarcastically that they are "Upgrading from
Vista to XP Pro" because XP Pro works.

Regarding software, read this from Microsoft (found in any KB Article
referring to MCE):
"Media Center Technical Support
Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your
hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical
support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have
customized the installation with unique components such as specific
device
drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that
manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP
Media
Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the
manufacturer
is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has
installed on the hardware."

On the Windows Marketplace Website, there are only two Laptops described
as
"Media Center Notebooks"
(http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/category.aspx?bcatid=717&tabid=3), and
a
few "Media Center DeskTops". Of course, the "Designed for Media Center"
logo
program is being retired and replaced with a logo program for Home
Premium
and Ultimate. (see:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/partners/directory.mspx)

"marnix_moed" <marnixmoed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:73540FDF-C78F-4811-96D4-F86412316137@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear AllanF,

thank you for your reply.

What do you mean with good support? I thought upgrading hardware had
nothing
to do with the laptop manufacturer. Isn't it that a Windows Vista
computer
is
the same as from any other?
Euh... I haven't heard of Operating System discs or Recovery Partition
before. I only have dealt with Recovery Discs".

About the mobile phone remote... in the store the salesman told me that
some
mobile phones with bluetooth van be used as a remote control for some
of
the
computers applications, like Windows Media Player. So that you can
play,
pause, stop, etc. the music and video on a computer. He told me that
Sony
Ericcson has this feature standard in some of their newer phones.
Since I mainly use Nokia, I haven't heard of this either. I placed a
post
with Nokia to check with them. I plan to do at Sony's as well.

About the PMC of XP vs Vista differences, I placed a post about this as
well. I am curious too.

I am aware of the USB TV tuners. I am keeping them as option in the
back
of
my head if I can't find any that has it integrated. I don't like to
have
all
kind of things plugged into my laptop. It makes it real bulky to take
away.
But thank you for the advice.

Grt,
Wing


"AllanF" wrote:

Hi marnix_moed,

Number 1: Good Support.... Telephone, etc You may not be able to
Upgrade
Hardware, and you will be dependent on the Laptop Manufacturer, so
check
it's website for regular Driver Updates.... even now for new Vista
Drivers.
Also, a set of Operating System discs, rather than a "Recovery Disc",
or
"Recovery Partition".... but this is a rarity in the world of Media
Center.

I haven't heard of the Mobile Phone bizzo. Interesting... do you have
any
specifics?

I can't recommend anything because I don't know what's in the field
following the release of Vista. Do they still have "Media Center
Computers"
now that you can go out and purchase a copy of Home Premium or
Ultimate?
In
the old days, machines were made specifically for Media Center and
a.f.a.i.k, the only way for a consumer to obtain the OS was to buy one
of
these machines. That has changed.

An integrated TV Tuner with a co-ax (via an dapter) connection is a
requirement. But you can also buy good USB TV Tuners... the only way I
could
upgrade from analogue to digital TV.




"marnix_moed" <marnix_moed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:753DC758-3170-440A-99AD-8030B4EA06CC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hey,

I am looking for a new laptop computer. I want to use it for
recording
TV
shows (just for own use), so I thought a media centre laptop would
fit
me.

But I don't know anything about media centre (laptop) computers and
too
often the shops don't either.

Could you give me some advice on buying a Windows Vista media centre
laptop?
For example, what are the more specialized brands on this field?
Do all media centre laptops have a co-axial connection for TV
reception?
Is it right that new mobile phones can remotely control the media
player
of
a media centre laptop through Bluetooth?
What are the things to pay attention to on buying a Vista media
centre
laptop?
And what model would you recommend?

Thanks you!

Grt,
Wing








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