Just because its based on XP-embedded does not mean that it should be compared with a traditional PC.

Compare it to a PC when it comes to extensibility. Other than that its just another piece of electronic equipment.

With respect to stability: XP-embedded is a very stable platform - and unstability in a traditional XP pc usually comes from installed third party software. This will not be the case with Beosound5.

my dad is 71 , he has always hated computers and thought they were pointless and over complicated

a year ago i gave him my imac dual core , now you can't get him off the thing

he's got itunes full of jack jones , frank sinatra and all sorts of golden oldies stuff , he surfs the web all day , loves google earth and even plays games on it rather than a ps2 and a wii that we bought him for xmas 

it's not so much the computer as the os

apple keep things simple because ilifes complicated enough  

It only has computer features (digital music, cover art, net radio) ... why not compare it to a PC (or a Mac for that)? I cannot see any feature from the audio industry that would make it a true audio product but the powerlink and masterlink sockets ... 

Just so I understand it fully: I have to load CDs into the computer to play them? I have no FM, no DAB, no XM radio? I have no more SD card slot, no DVD playback? What do I get for those magic € 5000 but a crippled PC with fancy interface? (which by the look of it does not even give me direct access buttons anymore?)

XP embedded is everywhere - your life (and certainly your money) may even depend upon it. Some medical systems, widespread use in Industrial automation, POS, ATM's, among others, all use XP embedded.

linder:

 The target group for Beosound 5 is age 30 through 50 who are comfortable ripping music on their PC.  The reason I know this is I was invited to a Beosound 5 focus group and that was listed in the requirements. However I was not able to attend the focus group.  

That's interesting and confirms my assumption.... but am I just naive in thinking that € 5000 could result in quite a sticker shock for that age group (especially in the lower range)