The comments in that article regarding Windows Media Center lead me to believe that the author has never setup or used a Media Center PC.
Firstly, while the article devotes much of it's attention to the noise level of PC's, it makes no mention of the fact that it's only over the last 8 months or so that PC makers have given any attention at all to noise levels, but now many PC makers are offering low noise level systems specifically because of the demand for systems that will be deployed in the living room. My Dell Dimension 5150 for instance advertises and delivers on 29.1 dbA, which is about the quietest thing in my living room. What's more, that system comes in under $1500 nicely equipped as a Media Center setup.
As far as getting a TV to work with a PC, I've never once had a problem with this, Media Center or not. I don't know how the author of this article can say this is difficult with a straight face.
Finally, I think the article is a little dishonest in not mentioning any of the Linux based PVR systems such as MythTV, which I have also personally used. When it works, Myth is definitely less problematic than Media Center, but while Media Center basically boots up ready to go and works right away, Myth can be a significant technical challenge to make work. Myth is also a little tougher to keep working in the long run, and more of a challenge to configure ancilliary components such as a remote, or even wireless networking.
I can't comment on the Apple solution because I have not used it, but I would say that as is often the case in technology reviews, the author of this article's personal bias shines through.