Are home theater PCs still a thing these days? Well, it all depends on how you use your computer. Many people still use their PCs for watching movies and playing games, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make the most of the experience. In this article, I’ll talk about the benefits of mini PCs, Mac mini, and Intel NUC 817HNK. You can also learn about other options, like the ThinkStation P340 Tiny Workstation.
Mini PCs
The price of a mini PC for home theater is largely dependent on the model you choose. Despite the fact that these computers are cheaper than conventional ones, they still come with hefty price tags. It is vital to research your options before you make any risky decisions. Fortunately, you can find mini PCs with plenty of storage for your movie collection and media library. However, if you’re looking for the fastest performance, you can opt for a more expensive model.
If you’re looking for a cheap mini PC for home theater, check out the HP Pavilion 15-bs511, which boasts two 4K HDMI outputs, six GB of RAM, and wireless capabilities. This model is easy to install and can attach to the back of your television. It is one of the best mini PCs for home theater that can support dual screen display. As for its specifications, it has a powerful processor, is compact, and weighs only a little over a pound.
The next type of mini PC is the Mac mini, which offers a modest amount of storage and is an excellent choice for a home theater PC. The Mac mini’s 256GB SSD is a respectable size, and it can be further expanded up to 2TB. Regardless of what you choose, the Mac mini is an excellent choice for home theater. When it comes to performance, the Mini PC has more power than a standard desktop.
Another option for a cheap mini PC is the Azulle Access3 stick PC. It works with any HDMI-equipped television or monitor. Other choices include the Intel NUC 9 Pro, which is designed to run powerful workstation apps. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is also an inexpensive option for a home theater mini PC. The choice depends on your needs. So, take your time to find the right Mini PC for your needs.
While the HP Mini PC comes with a 512GB solid-state drive, you can also find models with up to 1TB of storage. A good mini PC for home theater will come with multiple ports, so you can connect as many monitors and peripherals as you want. And if you’re looking for a multiple screen set up, the HP Mini PC will definitely fit the bill. With its powerful capabilities, it is an excellent choice for home theater.
Mac mini
While many PCs are marketed towards video games, Mac minis are also great home theater PCs. The minis have decent amounts of storage for a home theater PC, and they can be configured with as much as 256GB of SSD storage. This is an impressive amount of storage, and if you want more, you can expand it to 2TB. If you’re worried about storage space, however, the minis are also compatible with a lot of external storage devices.
Mac mini home theater PCs come with Plex installed, which serves as a front-end for media. Plex handles transcoding on the fly and organizes media files. There’s an HDMI output that connects the Mac mini to HDTV or an audio visual receiver. To control the Mac mini from a television, you can use a Kanex HDMI adapter. A Bluetooth keyboard is also available for controlling the Mac mini. Another option is the Roomie Remote, which works on iOS devices. The Mac mini will also connect to the right TV channel.
One of the advantages of owning a Mac mini is that it’s affordable, making it a great choice for home theater setups. Apple’s mini supports HD resolutions and includes a digital audio output for surround sound. Some companies, such as NewerTech and OWC, offer integration services for Mac minis. While the Mac mini has a compact size, it’s equipped with a solid processor that can handle most tasks. You can expand the RAM and storage on the mini to further enhance its performance.
To access the media stored on your external hard drive, you can use the free Plex software. To do so, you’ll need to locate the folder containing the content. Plex will then scan and organize it. It may take some time, but it’s a free software. The program will let you play with the interface for a while before it finishes scanning your files. In the meantime, Plex is a useful app for connecting external drives.
Intel NUC 817HNK
If you are looking for a good home theater PC for streaming movies and playing games, the Intel NUC 817HNK may be the perfect choice for you. The compact size, 3.6GHz quad-core processor, and integrated graphics make this a great choice. This computer also supports dual-band WiFi and offers plenty of storage. Depending on your needs, you can also opt to add more memory.
The Intel NUC 817HNK home theater computer comes with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, which is powerful enough to handle 4K video and virtual reality games. It also boasts 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and a Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics card. A 1TB SSD is included in the unit. Alternatively, you can upgrade it to 2TB if you require more storage.
The Intel NUC is available in a variety of configurations, from the ultra-compact to the high-powered Intel Kaby Lake. With excellent power-to-weight ratios, the NUC is suitable for a wide variety of uses. Its versatile hardware configurations enable you to install applications, run games, or even host video conferences. Jeremy Laukkonen has been writing about PCs for over a decade and building rigs for more than double that.
The Intel NUC 817HNK is one of the best selling Mini PCs on the market today. It boasts dual display capabilities and reliable hardware for home theater. Its powerful Intel Quad-Core J3455 processor, with a base frequency of 2.2GHz, is also one of the best options available. The Intel NUC has great support for dual displays and is incredibly efficient. Its dual displays and HDMI ports allow you to use it as a home theater PC.
The NUC features a compact red case and a high-end Core i3 processor. It features no Turbo Boost, but it makes up for this by utilizing the capabilities of Hyper-Threading. Hyper-Threading allows you to run four threads simultaneously. The TDP is 17W, and the NUC 817HNK ships with a 65W power brick. With so many features, it is easy to see why this compact PC is so popular.
ThinkStation P340 Tiny Workstation
The ThinkStation P340 Tiny Workstation is a high-performance computer that packs all the essential hardware you need into a small form factor. This compact workstation can be mounted under a desk or on the back of a monitor. It has a 1TB storage drive and supports multiple displays, and it includes an Ethernet port and built-in Wi-Fi. You can use it in your home theater or in the office, and it’s powerful enough to handle intense applications.
This ultra-portable computer features the smallest footprint in its class, measuring just one liter! The ThinkStation P340 Tiny is 96 percent smaller than a traditional desktop, and it can fit on a desk or behind a display, making it easy to move around. Its sleek design makes it easy to place anywhere you need it, and it can also be mounted on a wall or on a ceiling.
This tiny workstation can double as a home theater PC, and it’s also a workstation, thanks to its rugged construction and MIL-STD-810G certification. It’s also designed to withstand daily jolting. And, with an impressive 900MHz core clock speed and 512 GB of RAM, it’s ready for gaming and other tasks. If you need a portable PC for your home theater, the ThinkStation P340 Tiny Workstation is the perfect option.