PC or Mac for HTPC?

[johnnyTheMac]

Hello,

 

My question is just what the title reads. I have always been curious about this. Which OS is best suited for HTPC needs? 

 

Thanks!

 

Testudo

[Tea1337]

I would say ubuntu, but windows would work fine. OS X isn't really built for an HTPC

[brownninja97]

OS X isnt not htpc friendly in any situation, well at least bang for buck terms.

[ShadowCaptain]

mac minis make great HTPCs even if I do say so myself

 

shame the removed front row though

[SeanE]

I would either go with Windows or some type of Linux implementation.

[Guest]

PC or a multimedia linux distro

[coen113]

i would pick linux, because of the being cheap and not really mattering what os it is.

[SMURG]

Neither. Use Linux.

[dtronicsuk]

out of the two i'd chose windows.

 

mac is overpriced and not to menction you would have to buy a mac which cost 3x more than the hardware is worth and even then its out dated.

 

if you want a htpc go windows or maybe this linux distro http://www.geexbox.org/ that one also supports running it on a raspberryPI

 

if you have loads of money to waste and/or have no common sense and enjoy being ripped off chose apple

 

the choice is yours mate

[dalekphalm]

 

Hello,

 

My question is just what the title reads. I have always been curious about this. Which OS is best suited for HTPC needs? 

 

Thanks!

 

Testudo

 

Windows 8 is particularly suited for being an HTPC, or any version of Windows with XBMC or Plex Media Center.

[Guest]

mac minis make great HTPCs even if I do say so myself

 

shame the removed front row though

Yeah... I guess that's what the Apple TV is for...

[infamous_last]

Linux is best suited, but you may run into problems if you're unfamiliar with Linux.
That said if you choose a common distro there is likely to be a big knowledge base out there, as well as the usual support forums etc.

I've run Win7 on my HTPC (N36L) for the last 4 years and it's worked well due to my strong familiarity with the Windows ecosystem.

 

These days I would use Win8 as its much better suited to the HTPC environment and you won't need to use a lot of the workarounds that you need to do on a 'traditional desktop' OS.

OSX is least favorable, but a common path is a mac mini + xbmc, closest recommendation I would make would be for a jailbroken ATV2 (iOS) running XBMC... but this will limit the quality of the media and/or resolution you can use.

Android based boxes are worth a look depending on what you want out of your HTPC, I've been playing around with a Minix Neo X7 which has worked quite well as thin client for my main HTPC.

[flibberdipper]

Windows or the XBMC Linux distro (I forgot exactly what it's called).

[antoainb]

Windows or the XBMC Linux distro (I forgot exactly what it's called).

 

OpenELEC.

[mr moose]

Basically what everyone else has said,  Look at all the different media versions of linux as one might just be ideal for your needs, otherwise a basic win 7 install will be more than fine.  It's what I am using because after looking into linux and various server/media type OS's I realised that for 99.9% of home use win7 with shared folders is all a home network media pc needs.

[Ertman]

OSX is capable as a HTPC, but it is significantly less HTPC friendly. It really depends on you HTPC requirements and what else you want the device to do. Windows is a better bet, but linux can offer much of the same capabilities while offering less overhead. If you like XBMC, openelec can be a very goo experience.

As for hardware, with things like the NUC, or sufficient itx solutions, mac minis are less relevant and are not really sought after with their limitations and the availability of capable alternatives.

[Ertman]

Windows or the XBMC Linux distro (I forgot exactly what it's called).

Xbmcbuntu, but openelec is often (not always) a better choice.

[flibberdipper]

Xbmcbuntu, but openelec is often (not always) a better choice.

I didn't even remember about openelec. I think Maxxarcade talked about it on YouTube once, but I'm not entirely sure.

[Ertman]

I didn't even remember about openelec. I think Maxxarcade talked about it on YouTube once, but I'm not entirely sure.

Its basically turns your HTPC into a STB experience running XBMC. Its smaller with even less overhead, but limited in functionality outside of typical media consumption.

 

For example I have a old system (Athlon64 3200+ 512mb ram) running with a GT 520, plays back Blu-ray quality 1080p video no sweat.

[bronsonp4htdude123455]

what about steam os ? dont they have a thing for movies? and i use mine for gaming but it has a great experiance

[spexiono]

what about steam os ? dont they have a thing for movies? and i use mine for gaming but it has a great experiance

 

I believe SteamOS is primarily for gaming, plus it's still in development so probably not the best choice for an HTPC OS at least for the moment.

 

Could try dual booting though...

[MysteryManMax]

perhaps XBMCbuntu?

[Goose Legs]

I have a Mac Mini running Plex. I like it because it's quiet (and by quiet, I mean the Comcast DVR is louder :angry: ), it doesn't have a million bright annoying lights, but really, hardware wise you can get whatever you want. I have setup my media collection with Plex Media Sever and I think it's fantastic (Oh, and it's cross-platform).

[79wjd]

I have a Mac Mini running Plex. I like it because it's quiet (and by quiet, I mean the Comcast DVR is louder :angry: ), it doesn't have a million bright annoying lights, but really, hardware wise you can get whatever you want. I have setup my media collection with Plex Media Sever and I think it's fantastic (Oh, and it's cross-platform).

you're 2 months late 

[dalekphalm]

you're 2 months late 

And you replying saying that helps how? *raises eyebrow*

 

If you think this thread is too old and that he is necro-ing it, you should have simply reported it to a Mod to have the thread locked.

 

@Goose Legs yes the Mac Mini's are quite good for that super small footprint, but you could also get a similar setup with an Intel NUC/Brix style PC at likely a cheaper price Though I can't say how loud a NUC is as I've never played with one in person. One thing I gotta give the Apple crowd is, DAYUM, the aluminum finish on the Mac Mini sure feels sexy.