In a real life situation, yes I can just about keep up with the 'race', but I expect to be able to hand down my older computers to my wife and children.
I also expect them to be able to be able to access the music, after all, that is why you include the server part.
So I am running a fairly modern system, but I am surrounded by lesser systems.
I expected the Media Center to accomodate this. (to be the centre for my media !)
I do not expect 3D visualisations on the lesser computers, but I expect access to the music.
Are my expectations wrong ?
I have one system I am configuring right now, it is a 266 MHz P4.
From my initial tests, with Windows 2000, the response time is unacceptable.
I am about to try it with Windows 98.
Maybe it is not the opperating system I should be reviewing. If I use Windows media player across the network, the response time is acceptable.
You talk about skins etc, I just want to be able to play the music !
Surly you can provide a less CPU/system intensive solution that acknowleges and caters for this real life situation.