cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28083834

Windows 10/11 is a requirement because it will be a shared console, sorry y’all. I’m considering a refurb’ed model on eBay because some include Win10 Pro licenses, which would save ~$80 versus building from scratch.

The PC would be used for streaming media through Plex and maybe some light gaming via SteamLink, so specs aren’t very important as long as it can handle basic web browsing and graphic output.

Has anyone here had any experience with these? I would imagine they’re pretty no-fuss boxes given that they’re business-class units, but I also understand that they’re several years old. What’ the upgradeability of them like? What specific models/SKUs would be recommended for this use / are there any other SFF PCs that are comparable?

  • peregus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    13 hours ago

    I’m using a M720q with an Intel i5-8400T for the same purpose and I’m happy with it.

  • doeknius_gloek@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    9·
    2 days ago

    I was recently reading a lot about these because I wanted to use three Lenovo M920x for my homelab as virtualization hosts with Proxmox.

    The really cool thing about them is their low power usage, that you can easily buy them used/refurbished and that you can fit a small PCIe expansion card into them.

    I didn’t use them in the end because sadly 22110 M.2 SSDs don’t fit and I wanted to use enterprise SSDs for Ceph.

    However, your use case seems simpler, so I’d think a M720q or maybe even M710q (without PCIe slot) would do, for less money than the M9xx series (which support vPro).

    There’s a really nice forum thread on ServeTheHome with loads of information about these units.

  • just_another_person@lemmy.worldEnglish
    61·
    2 days ago

    It’s pretty meek on specs. It depends on how much you’d be paying for it. If it was free, I’d say go for it. If it’s $100, you’re halfway to a much more capable machine. The onboard graphics on this are going to be abysmal, even for video.

    • NigahigaYT@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      What kind of components would you recommend starting with for a $200 build? Any links would be appreciated

        • NigahigaYT@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          1 day ago

          Yeah lol I spent the morning on PC parts picker/Amazon trying to find how tf I could even get a case, mobo, and cpu for under $200. Question still stands, what kind of miniPC do you recommend?

          • just_another_person@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            1 day ago

            Check out the Minisforum Refurb store page. They sell out what they put up there pretty quickly, so you have to stay on top of it, but there are some great deals there, and they carry a 1 year warranty. Been buying from them for years now, and they’ve always had a great product, and quick turn around.

    • irmadlad@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      2 days ago

      If it was free, I’d say go for it. If it’s $100, you’re halfway to a much more capable machine

      This very line of reasoning is why I cannot build cheap desktops. I’m always thinking ‘well you know, if you add another $100 you could have all of this’

  • pedro@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    My advice would be to go for a 7th gen or upwards if your going intel as the processers igpu is what I would consider your minimum, secondly massgrave.dev should sort out your activation/licensing issues and also look into sunshine/moonlight for game streaming rather than steam link potentially

  • hangonasecond@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    Can I please query the win10/11 because it’s a shared console? What about it being a) shared or b) a console makes win 10/11 a requirement?

    A consistent console-ish experience with pc-like access to games is more a case for Bazzite or steamos than a case for windows.

    • NigahigaYT@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      If it replaced my current media player (PS5), then it would be used about 95% for streaming media and 5% playing games, so I consider it more of a Windows HTPC than a gaming console replacement.

      I would just be 1/3rd of the people using the console and don’t believe anyone would touch it if it wasn’t an OS that the other users are comfortable with.