Cheap HTPC build. new to htpcs

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Cheap HTPC build. new to htpcs

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#173365 20-May-2015 18:01

Hey guys. Been doing some thinking about replacing my laptop. I only use it for streaming online videos, watching downloaded movies and surfing the net. Want something fast and responsive. Does anyone have a few lists with costs of components for building a rig, or places to buy new ones for good price.

Cheers

littleheaven

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1308719 20-May-2015 18:30

PB Tech have a good range of Intel NUC kits. You can go for the barebones option and add the storage, RAM and OS that you want, or they have some already built.

I've just bought one of these from Expansys and it does all the things you've listed. Not a powerful machine, but I find it snappy enough for running Plex Home Theatre, streaming from the web and general surfing. Good value for the very low price, and very small footprint. Have a look for online reviews - they're all very positive. You'd want to add a wireless media keyboard, and maybe a Flirc to enable use with an IR remote control.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1308832 20-May-2015 20:35

those little things look pretty good, can you plug an ext hdd in to download too?

Also I could not find any htpcs on pb tech website..

Cheers

littleheaven

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1309150 21-May-2015 10:30

Yes, they take ext hdd. Only 2 x USB2 ports, so you might need a USB hub if you have a wireless keyboard and a flirc attached as well. Or you could attach the hdd directly to your router and stream over the network.

PB Tech don't advertise the NUC units specifically as HTPC so you'll not get anything come up on a search.

This would be a step up from the Minix in power and on-board graphics: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MBDINT2850244&name=Intel-Next-Unit-of-Computing-Kits-%28NUC%29-5th-Genera but you pay for that. You'd need to add a hard drive, RAM and OS.

This one is a less powerful NUC but would still do the job, and it's fully built with OS included: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=WKSPB3120&name=Intel-NUC---Low-Power--Eco-PC-Kit---Low-power-PC-s

They have a big range - just pick the one you want and add components. They work out pretty economical if you already have an OS you can load to it.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1309675 22-May-2015 08:57

I think I'm gonna go with the mini over from expansys. Ill just pair it with a 1tb ext hdd for downloads. So it works exactly the same as any other win8 pc?

littleheaven

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1309700 22-May-2015 09:55

Yes, it's called Windows 8.1 with Bing, and the only difference to standard Windows 8.1 is that the search engine is set to Bing, and you can just change that straight away. Microsoft have named it that so they can give it to developers to use on these little machines, in order to compete with the cheap android and chrome units that are proliferating. It's fully functional Windows 8.1 and works just as you'd expect it to.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

u13turbo

156 posts

Master Geek

#1309714 22-May-2015 10:19

Awesome sounds like a good wee unit to me. Crazy that windows 8.1 is $160 alone yet this whole unit it $211.

Thanks for your help

littleheaven

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1309895 22-May-2015 13:42

I know, the fact that 8.1 with Bing is bundled makes it really affordable over something like the NUC where you normally have to fork out $160 for the OS (if you want Windows). It would be worth it if you needed a more powerful computer but for streaming and surfing it's not necessary. I hope you enjoy your new toy. I've been delighted with mine so far.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.