[fireman15]

We "cut the cord" from the cable company 4 years ago and have been using various devices and services to stream video from the internet since that time. I was looking into what was available this year for that purpose ahead of "black friday" and came across what is almost a new category of computing devices.

I have already "hacked" various FireTV and other "streaming" devices to get more functionality out of them and realized that they actually are more capable than one might imagine. But their our now a lot of devices available that come with Windows 10 pro pre-installed. Typical units come with Intel multi-core processors, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, with slots for adding a 2.5" hard drive or SSD, several USB 3 ports, a couple HDMI video outputs in a tiny size for around $140 with free shipping with Amazon Prime.

Of course these make capable Linux boxes as well although most of them are fanless so they would likely choke on processor on processor intensive tasks. And of course most productivity apps that you can get to run on your Android phone will also run on a FireTV device, but I have to admit that these are fascinating to me.

[mountainlion]

Windows 8 broke me of my loyalty to windows and somewhat to HP.

[wbarmy]

Because we have a VR headset (Oculus Rift S), I have been looking at computers with the DisplayPort hookups. They are so much better than HDMI since they also carry the sound input to the monitor or the headset.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

FireTV is descent. I prefer my Raspberry Pi’s as Kodi boxes. The new Pi 4 is very nice but needs good ventilation but even my Pi 3 B+ boxes beat my 4k FireTV stick. The new Pi 4 even makes an acceptable desktop replacement with dual screen capability for non-intensive desktop stuff. Browsing, email, Youtube, Office stuff. Its about the size of an altoid tin. On top of that it is dirt cheap.

[ShadowAce]

Tech Ping

[GOPJ]

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-mini-pcs,review-2760.html

What Do Mini PCs Cost?

“Mini PCs range from small project PCs for under $50 (£50/AU$75) to compact desktops that can cost $1,000 or more. Stick PCs are the most versatile, and generally cost between $100 (£100/AU$150) and $200 (£200/$AU300), and will work with most TVs or monitor...”

---

cheaper than I thought...

[Hostage]

Bkmk

[Bob434]

fireman, what do you paw per month wwith all the various services you now get? I looked into cutting and found ity would be almost as expensive to get what we wanted and would be less convenient ie would have to search times asnd dates as shows show up at diff times than on regular cable

[bigbob]

Raspberry Pi, $35.

[dhs12345]

We have both an Apple TV box and an Intel Nuc and love them both. The Apple TV is great for a simple, no nonsense intuitive, interface and is fairly well supported with apps. The Intel Nuc is a fully functional “mini-PC” with a complete OS and is the size of a small text book. You can mount the Nuc to the back of the TV and so it is completely invisible. The technology now allows for NAND flash drive instead of disk drive which makes the Nuc very compact and low power.

We use an infrared keyboard with embedded mouse touch pad with the Nuc and the Apple TV box comes with a very slick remote.

[McGruff]

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

[Shark24]

I’m still a Tandy kinda guy:

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

[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.

[goldstategop]

iPhone. The mini PC fo rule them all.

[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.