Microsoft MCE 2005 for sale

[Ioman]

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=216076282&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=152268

This has to be illegal if they are selling this to the general public. Media Center Edition is only supposed to be available to system vendors according to Microsoft.

[senoryoshio]

I see it everywhere, sold as an OEM OS. I guess I don't really know MS's policy on it, but really why limit the sale of something if people want to buy it?

[Ioman]

I see it everywhere, sold as an OEM OS. I guess I don't really know MS's policy on it, but really why limit the sale of something if people want to buy it?

Simple answer. Companies selling Media Center PC's would be out of business if it was readily available. Why buy a Niveus Media MCE PC if you can build your own. According to Microsoft MCE will never be available as a retail product.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=32-102-311&depa=0

"Microsoft OEM System Builder products are designed to make it easy for System Builders to acquire and distribute genuine Microsoft software with the systems they build and sell. By purchasing this product, you agree to adhere to the System Builder license from Microsoft."

http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/sbLicense2004/English_SB_License.pdf

Its supposed to be sold with hardware and to system builders. My guess is that Newegg is "loosely" following these rules and selling it with hardware such as a floppy drive. In any event its an OEM product, not retail and not meant for the general consumer.

But listen, I don't work with Microsoft, I don't care what people do to be honest. And I am surprsied that its this easily available. More power to us right? Now maybe I should buy a copy and update my HTPC hehe.