Best Mini PCs 2019

Tom's Guide ^ | October 15, 2019 | Brian Westover

[GOPJ]

Maybe $99 by Black Friday...(one can dream)

https://www.amazon.com/AK1-Windows-Processor-Computer-Ethernet/dp/B07D77W8CZ/ref=pd_cp_147_2/142-0297455-6903831?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07D77W8CZ&pd_rd_r=767e70e1-21ff-4069-b020-7a73dd8d1ae3&pd_rd_w=qO732&pd_rd_wg=6ucgY&pf_rd_p=0e5324e1-c848-4872-bbd5-5be6baedf80e&pf_rd_r=E96MJ6334GF0XYGAGWM0&psc=1&refRID=E96MJ6334GF0XYGAGWM0

“GREAT HOME THEATER PC: The mini desktop computer comes with 4K ultra high definition streaming capability, giving you a best-in-class television experience with true-to-life picture quality,which can be used as a media center to enjoy TV “

[McGruff]

I’ll stick with my Dell Windows 7 PC until it dies or I do.

[wbarmy]

I purchased a high end gaming monitor with DisplayPort and HDMI and I can tell the difference. The DisplayPort seems to be smoother than the HDMI. Although you have to have an actual high end graphics card to take full advantage.

[Major Matt Mason]

For a conservative, cutting the cord is as much about starving the Leftist beast as it is about saving money (and maybe even more about the former). If you are paying cable, that money is going to channels owned and operated by people that hate conservatives - and they don't hide that fact, really. When cutting the cord, you at least have some control over who gets your money, even if the savings isn't all that great.

[Shark24]

I’m still a Tandy kinda guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYHtojsaRkY

[Calvin Locke]

Oh well... engineers.

Marketing.

This way, you either upgrade other components, or buy an adapter for the older tech.

[whodathunkit]

Another aspect to consider is power consumption.
The Pi uses very little power compared to many alternatives. Think in terms of LED lighting compared to incandescent. The cost of electricity, in the long run, may pay back the cost of the Pi in a media server 24/7 application.

[butlerweave]

Raspberry Pi, $35.

but it can’t play videos(youtube)

[goldstategop]

iPhone. The mini PC fo rule them all.

[fireman15]

We were early adopters of DirectvNOW their streaming service, so we had over 100 channels and HBO for $35 a month, supposedly forever, but when AT&T took over they raised the rate to $50. We might drop them because there is so much free content with Amazon Prime and other completely free providers. We also occassionally get, Netflix, Hulu, or Acorn promotions for a month or two when they have something we want to watch. Our favorite free TV service is Pluto which provides around 80 chanels with less comercials than most of the “major” networks. Youtube on TV is very good also.

[Paal Gulli]

Whenever ANYONE pontificates about what is the “best” of anything but doesn’t begin by explaining their metric, they’re full of hooey.

[fireman15]

It might have helped if you had actually tried to read or even just follow the article. It was a collection of reviews sorted into eight different categories of Mini PCs. They were not trying to find one “grand champion”. And we did have comments here about what other Freepers use them for and which type that they preferred.

[fireman15]

We have both an Apple TV box and an Intel Nuc and love them both.

We started with a Google Chromecast, then got the first generation Firestick. Then we got a second generation Apple TV. After the Apple TV gave up the ghost we got a 2nd generation FireTV, then a second generation Firestick. Then we got a third generation FireTV and actually a TV with FireTV built in. Finally we got a 4k Firestick. We have several TVs spread out over two houses. When we sell one of the houses we will have some extra TVs and streaming devices to get rid of.

The Apple TV is the only one which quit working. We do not use the first generation Chromecast or the first generation Firestick anymore because the other devices perform better.

We would be using the MiniPC on one of the TVs that already has a streaming device for some added versatility. Last night we were looking at Zillow using one of the FireTVs with one of those mini Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad combo remotes; I realized that a MiniPC would work better for this.

[usconservative]

They are so much better than HDMI since they also carry the sound input to the monitor or the headset.

HDMI does that as well.