In depth MCE 2005 article on AnandTech
AnandTech has a very deep article on Windows Media Center Edition 2005. They didn't think much of the earlier versions of MCE. Some quotes:
"Media Center Edition continues to be the coolest looking highest performance PVR/DVR (with a fast enough system) out there on the market today. The interface continues to be clearly ahead of the competition..."
"In the end, MCE continues to be a niche product, but if you have the means, then its definitely one worth going for."