Mac Mini?

[AlanAlan]

Should I get a Mac Mini?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086735-REG/apple_mgem2ll_a_mac_mini_1_4_ghz.html

this seems like a good deal for HTPC right? Or should i build a pc that is more capable? If so my budget is $480.

[Senzelian]

You can get much better performance by building it yourself, but it'll be hard to get something that is as small as the Mac.
If you can live with a larger case, then build it yourself.

[burnttoastnice]

It's okay for a HTPC, but at that price I'd at least expect them to give you a 256GB SSD, not a slow hdd. As the user above said, you'd get better performance from building your own system.

 

Another thing to consider is, if you're planning to consume 4K media, can the mac natively decode it? I haven't done any research so I'm not sure.

[Senzelian]

Here is an example:
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($29.98 @ Newegg) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($57.99 @ NCIX US) 
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply  ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $396.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-10 11:13 EDT-0400

[Mira Yurizaki]

You could also settle for getting a Silverstone ML or Antec ISK 310 case, or if you really want to go compact, an Antec ISK110

[Guest]

Do a build. I have a Mac mini myself and they would not be in the same league as an HTPC for sure. Integrated graphics do not cut it for an HTPC. 

[bgibbz]

15 minutes ago, burnttoastnice said:

It's okay for a HTPC, but at that price I'd at least expect them to give you a 256GB SSD, not a slow hdd. As the user above said, you'd get better performance from building your own system.

 

Another thing to consider is, if you're planning to consume 4K media, can the mac natively decode it? I haven't done any research so I'm not sure.

My parents just bought a Mac yesterday and they charge 500$ to add a 500gb ssd. I begged my parents to just buy one with a hdd and I'd install an ssd, but they ended up wasting the 500$. 

[AdmnPower]

Speaking from experience from having had one of this exact model. The hard drive they put in that Mac Mini is really slow and the i5 doesn't really cut it. It's pretty easy to tax that processor just doing basic web browsing and document editing let alone anything video intensive. 

[DarkEnergy]

If you want better performance for cheaper, build your own computer. Apple charges a premium for everything. I could get a 500gb SSD for $163 USD from Newegg. 

[burnttoastnice]

4 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

My parents just bought a Mac yesterday and they charge 500$ to add a 500gb ssd. I begged my parents to just buy one with a hdd and I'd install an ssd, but they ended up wasting the 500$. 

Ouch. That's a hefty markup just for a pre-installed SSD You'd be better off installing your own ssd in this scenario

[AlanAlan]

15 minutes ago, burnttoastnice said:

Ouch. That's a hefty markup just for a pre-installed SSD You'd be better off installing your own ssd in this scenario

 

15 minutes ago, DarkEnergy said:

If you want better performance for cheaper, build your own computer. Apple charges a premium for everything. I could get a 500gb SSD for $163 USD from Newegg. 

 

17 minutes ago, AdmnPower said:

Speaking from experience from having had one of this exact model. The hard drive they put in that Mac Mini is really slow and the i5 doesn't really cut it. It's pretty easy to tax that processor just doing basic web browsing and document editing let alone anything video intensive. 

 

18 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

My parents just bought a Mac yesterday and they charge 500$ to add a 500gb ssd. I begged my parents to just buy one with a hdd and I'd install an ssd, but they ended up wasting the 500$. 

 

21 minutes ago, IAmLamp said:

Do a build. I have a Mac mini myself and they would not be in the same league as an HTPC for sure. Integrated graphics do not cut it for an HTPC. 

 

24 minutes ago, M.Yurizaki said:

You could also settle for getting a Silverstone ML or Antec ISK 310 case, or if you really want to go compact, an Antec ISK110

 

31 minutes ago, Senzelian said:

Here is an example:
 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($29.98 @ Newegg) 
Storage: A-Data Premier SP550 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($57.99 @ NCIX US) 
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply  ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $396.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-10 11:13 EDT-0400

 

34 minutes ago, burnttoastnice said:

It's okay for a HTPC, but at that price I'd at least expect them to give you a 256GB SSD, not a slow hdd. As the user above said, you'd get better performance from building your own system.

 

Another thing to consider is, if you're planning to consume 4K media, can the mac natively decode it? I haven't done any research so I'm not sure.

What would be the best build for that price? I may play some games on there to. Like Team Fortress 2 and other steam games. Now planning onto play at max setting just medium. Can I achieve that for that price?

[burnttoastnice]

23 minutes ago, AlanAlan said:

What would be the best build for that price? I may play some games on there to. Like Team Fortress 2 and other steam games. Now planning onto play at max setting just medium. Can I achieve that for that price?

With the RX480 definitely. I'd recommend making a new thread on the 'new builds and planning' boards so those guys can pick the best parts for your budget

 

Edit: lol didn't realise this thread was already on that board