HTPC - Should I buy a Mac-Mini or Intel NUC

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sdavisnz

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#133693 30-Oct-2013 21:29

Hey guys,

I'm torn between buying a (lastest ivy bridge)Mac-Mini or a (latest haswell)Intel NUC for a new HTPC.

Im going to be in sydney late november so I need to decide before I go.

Mac mini - $749au 2.5 Core i5 (I5-3210M), 4gb ram, 500 hdd, hd4k graphics, mavericks.

Intel Nuc - $452au~ Intel Core I5 4450U CPU, 1.3GHz, Intel HD5k, (i have a spare win8 key)
120 m-sata $130au~
8gb ddr3 $50au~ all up $650au~

I know mac-mini will prob be updated soon - not to worried about that.
There are 3rd gen versions of nuc - but they are selling 4th gen nucs in aus already.

I am a geek, so I like the idea of NUC - bit of fun.

I like my apple products - bit of an apple fan....

money is not an issue.

I like the fact that the NUC has ssd and is latest gen hardware -

I also like the fact that mac-mini has been around a while and apple have refined there system - i could ssd the mac mini.

so peeps, what would you do?

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freitasm

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#924438 30-Oct-2013 21:46

I use Windows for my HTPC - have a Dell Zino and tried the Intel NUC. You have to be careful with the NUC because the one I had here wasn't powerful enough to decode 1080p content from video files (such as itunes HD movies).

HowickDota

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#924443 30-Oct-2013 21:58

NUC + OpenELEC

sonyxperiageek

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#924454 30-Oct-2013 22:21

I would also like something like the Dell Zino, but I don't think they sell them anymore, plus there doesn't seem to be another good Windows alternative apart from the NUC, which you still have to buy some extra parts...

Sony

Inphinity

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#924539 31-Oct-2013 08:15

freitasm: I use Windows for my HTPC - have a Dell Zino and tried the Intel NUC. You have to be careful with the NUC because the one I had here wasn't powerful enough to decode 1080p content from video files (such as itunes HD movies).

I presume that was one of the Celeron-based NUCs? The i5 ones are more than capable in my experience with them. I imagine the i3 would be, too, though I haven't tried it.

To the OP, I'd go with the NUC, because imo it is more flexible than the mini, and cheaper to boot.

Krishant007

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#924591 31-Oct-2013 09:29

Personally, I am using a windows machine (one of my old PCs) but if given the choice, I would get the MacMini. Sleeker, cleaner, tidier look. No hassles.. Just works.

Also, if you are going to aussie, get it from there (get it duty free :)). I was just there and bought a Macbook air. Dick Smith had a 10% off sale and then I was also able to claim GST at the airport. Unfortunately since I had bought 2 macbook airs, one for me and one for my partner, the NZ Customs decided to charge me GST when i entered NZ (kinda sucked...quite a lot actually!). But hey, you can still do it there!

Blanch

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#925694 1-Nov-2013 14:17

If you want your cake and to eat it, why not a hackintosh nuc

sdavisnz

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#925699 1-Nov-2013 14:21

I could boot camp a mac much easier. Haha

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Dunnersfella

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#926711 3-Nov-2013 20:32

The MacMini, it's just a straight forward choice in my book.

freitasm

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#926723 3-Nov-2013 20:50

Dunnersfella: The MacMini, it's just a straight forward choice in my book.

Are you suggesting running Windows Media Center on that hardware or using OS X? If using OS X what would you use for a HTPC?

I used to have a Mac Mini as HTPC, bootcamp into Windows 7 Media Center. Never used OS X on that box. It was then replaced by the Dell Zino Hd. The Microsoft Media Center remote control is great for non-tech people. It's just like a normal TV/DVD/Media remote control. People don't even suspect there's a computer there...

thekiwi

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#926837 4-Nov-2013 09:11

freitasm:
Dunnersfella: The MacMini, it's just a straight forward choice in my book.

Are you suggesting running Windows Media Center on that hardware or using OS X? If using OS X what would you use for a HTPC?

I used to have a Mac Mini as HTPC, bootcamp into Windows 7 Media Center. Never used OS X on that box. It was then replaced by the Dell Zino Hd. The Microsoft Media Center remote control is great for non-tech people. It's just like a normal TV/DVD/Media remote control. People don't even suspect there's a computer there...

My personal choice would also be the MacMini.

I bootcamp into Win7 Ultimate and run Mediaportal.

Its small, quiet and stylish ... such that really people dont notice it sitting to the side of the Amp/receivers etc.

I dont worry about the lack of opt drive, having a Onkyo BlueRay matched to the Amp.

sdavisnz

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#927235 4-Nov-2013 20:26

Hey guys,

I ended up building a mATX box and speced it out.

Cheers for the input though

-Steve

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nzkiwiman

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#927617 5-Nov-2013 13:49

Bumping this, does anyone know if the Haswell i5 Intel NUC is available in New Zealand yet.

I am really wanting to get one of these as my next system rather than having a tower, but I am struggling to find any retailer who has.

sdavisnz

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#928117 6-Nov-2013 13:20

NO - only just came out in aus - prob still a couple months away

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kiwijunglist

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#928268 6-Nov-2013 16:23

freitasm: I use Windows for my HTPC - have a Dell Zino and tried the Intel NUC. You have to be careful with the NUC because the one I had here wasn't powerful enough to decode 1080p content from video files (such as itunes HD movies).

all the intel NUCs, even the first generation are more than capable of playing back dxva compliant 1080p movies. You were probably not using a intel nuc dxva compliant player, or had bad drivers.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

freitasm

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#928295 6-Nov-2013 16:51

Or streaming over WiFi seeing that was the model I had here.