[voip-ninja]

Because of OE is free and you don't need a Windows Licence, Windows Updates, AntiVirus Updates, no need to install Drivers.
You can install it faster than Windows, it needs fewer HDD Space,...

Yeah but with an ssd, the speed differences are minimal, in terms of load times. I mean, to spec out a nuc costs about 500-600 bucks, and a windows license isn't that much more, given the amount f additional flexibility and functionality you get. You cant get a virus if you aren't screwing around with your htpc and browsing the internet. If all you use it for is to strictly access media in your home network, then you don't need to run antivirus software... I don't. I could understand this argument about price from people building raspberry pis, but a nuc is a real computer, and the headaches i saw from ppl on the first page just trying to get it to work seems like a lot of aggravation, but then again i haven't read the entire thread, maybe the later builds are much more seamless.

OE will install with less RAM and a smaller SSD than Windows. My i3 NUC with small SSD and 2gb of ram cost $305 total. So it's more like "would I like one windows NUC or two OE NUCs"

I also see people commenting about not running virus scanners, firewalls etc on the NUC. It is pretty foolish to have ANY windows box on your home network without those protections regardless of what it is used for.

Win 8.1 means you want a multi tasked and don't mind dealing with drivers, other crap. OE means you want an appliance. I switched FROM win 7 to OE and am unlikely to switch back.