Re: Good Cheap PC to play MP3s and MP4 video? (Was: OT Mac M…

Top Page
Attachments:
Message as email
+ (text/plain)
+ (text/html)
+ (text/plain)
Delete this message
Reply to this message
Author: Stephen Partington
Date:  
To: Main PLUG discussion list
Subject: Re: Good Cheap PC to play MP3s and MP4 video? (Was: OT Mac Mini obsolescent?)
You can also find refurbished servers @ NewEgg for 500 or less for
well-populated systems.

On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 2:45 PM, Michael Butash <> wrote:

> If this is going to run for a business, I'd suggest buying a moderate dell
> server or decent workstation ala precision or poweredge. You can get
> 40-50% off deals from Dell Financial Services regularly for some 2-3yr old
> hardware, and still get some warranty. I always buy Dell Outlet refurbs,
> get full warranty, and wait for good coupons on whatever I'm looking for at
> the time.
>
> If it dies, you probably want to know you can get a part replaced
> reasonably fast. Fry's never fails to let me down when I need some
> critical in a pinch not having it, and there's really no where else left
> local.
>
> -mb
>
> On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 10:46 AM, Victor Odhner <> wrote:
>
>> OK, I’ve decided on Linux. (No longer OT*!*)
>>
>> I need recommendations on an adequate PC to run stereo music and videos
>> (1920x1080 projector) for a church.
>>
>> I decided that Linux would be best to ensure that we can have good
>> performance and up-to-date software for this well-defined application. We
>> wouldn’t be at the mercy of Apple or Microsoft dragging us around a sharp
>> corner. My main backup guy has been using Linux (Mint, like me) for some
>> years, and the apps are basic enough that our other users would be
>> comfortable.
>>
>> I’d like to keep this as cheap as reasonable, concentrating on solid
>> quality (e.g. really adequate power supply) so that we wouldn’t have to
>> worry about it for 5 to 10 years. I’d want all parts to be brand new, or
>> almost.
>>
>> Is there still a Linux systems store in the Valley? Should I just put
>> together a box with parts from Fry’s or the Web?
>>
>> Hey, is there someone out there who would like to give me a quote for an
>> assembled box? (I have kb, monitor and mouse.)
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Victor
>> _________________
>>
>> On 20171130, at 14:55, Stephen Partington <> wrote:
>>
>> well if you are looking to maintain portability you can look at the Intel
>> NUC. but really this relies entirely on what your budget is.
>>
>> Looking at your existing application Digital Performer installs on
>> Windows or OSX, also you can look into the Hackintosh. there are some build
>> guides out there that run with a fully tested hardware configs to consider.
>>
>> But the Mac mini is a viable system even with the age of the device.
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 12:26 PM, Carruth, Rusty <
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> I’m not very happy with Micro$oft’s product, especially 10 (have you
>>> actually tried to install 10? I have. Goodness, talk about a step back
>>> into pre-history! It refused to install because there was a CHANCE that it
>>> wouldn’t boot – even though I had just proven that it WOULD boot in that
>>> configuration – and no way to override their ‘help’!)
>>>
>>> So, for me, its ‘buy the most powerful, RAM-loaded system I can manage
>>> (with SSD if possible), and install Linux Mint.
>>>
>>> But that’s just me ;-)
>>>
>>> *From:* PLUG-discuss [mailto:plug-discuss-bounces@lists.phxlinux.org] *On
>>> Behalf Of *David Schwartz
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, November 30, 2017 12:23 PM
>>> *To:* Main PLUG discussion list
>>> *Subject:* Re: OT: Mac Mini obsolescent? When next release?
>>>
>>> I’d be tempted to get an all-in-one Windows machine (most seem to have
>>> touch-screens now) or a small iMac.
>>>
>>> AIO Windows machines are well under $1k.
>>>
>>> Stick to the KISS principle here. :-)
>>>
>>> -David Schwartz
>>>
>>> On Nov 30, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Victor Odhner <> wrote:
>>>
>>> Spun off from the Genius discussion:
>>>
>>> The Apple CEO reportedly says Mini is still part of their product line,
>>> but he won’t say anything about the next release.
>>>
>>> I was another Mini shopper, for supportability and video resolution
>>> reasons. Our church music team needs to update a 2009 Mini. I want to get a
>>> *new* desktop (laptop wouldn’t fit our config): my goal is to give them
>>> hopefully 5+ years of reliable operation. Any comments would be welcome.
>>>
>>> Now looking at ditching the Mini, going to Windows or Linux to drive our
>>> video projector (MPV rocks) and an MP3 player. The Mini is where our
>>> Digital Performer lives (music synthesizer), but I’ve converted most of our
>>> library to MP3s and I can still use the old Mini if I need to get creative.
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss
>>> mailing list – To subscribe,
>>> unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
>>> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>>> <https://u2206659.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=5DvWGaZUY8Sh5aRLWfQTKYiRLVzunonVk948p8WIzMe-2FXlJ9Cta8w8U9xoku9LrUSHNMJbSd3ZEwH-2BqnW2UHlA-3D-3D_6lpMB7VLnN-2Fj9-2FEErg8-2F-2BMBpb5QxlByTgv2M3fbWD9ebvC-2BWrN3h7jImK8EVWYBen5gwZTLiVMJ9P-2BkTAotj8IPo5PAyxZTjvzNKKjnmXiudW69crrOlQiT7jnlmc8yV-2B3dhxYPC6PlbN-2BCwg-2BVnE0-2BBBclBRNtPMoCQLHiM-2FITNQmFO-2FuVc6Qr2lGZ-2Bo5kLplybGlnE4x6HgvQyrGFiWv5He8GyfXDEF-2Fv0eOnQYYw-3D>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------
>> PLUG-discuss mailing list -
>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
>> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------
>> PLUG-discuss mailing list -
>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
>> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> PLUG-discuss mailing list -
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>




--
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from
rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

Stephen
---------------------------------------------------
PLUG-discuss mailing list -
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss