...users will be upset to have to pay more to get Windows Media Center, but if you consider how this factors into a possible new pricing structure for Windows 8 (by taking Windows Media Center out), it doesn't look that bad. Now, its important to keep in mind that at this point Microsoft has only released promotional pricing for Windows 8 and hasn't specifically said how much a Windows Media Center Add-on will cost, so I am speculating here???

But just for the sake of comparison, lets take a look the Professional edition and lets suppose that the Windows Media Center Add-on will cost $19.99.
If you download Windows 8 Pro Upgrade during the promotional period (10/26 12/31) at $39.99 and download the Windows Media Center Add-on at $19.99, then you will spend $59.98.

If you purchase Windows 8 Pro Upgrade in a store during the promotional period at $69.99 and download the Windows Media Center Add-on at $19.99, then you will spend $89.98.

Back in 2009, if you purchased Windows 7 Professional Upgrade (which includes Windows Media Center) during the pre-order promotion, you would have spent $99.99.

So, comparing these promotional period prices, the total cost of the Windows 8 Pro Upgrade and the Windows Media Center Add-on combined is between $10 and $40 less than the cost of the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade.

Again, I am speculating here...

What do you think?