Good Cheap PC to play MP3s and MP4 video? (Was: OT Mac Mini obsolescent?)

[Michael Butash]

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 <vodhner at cox.net> 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 <cryptworks at gmail.com> 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 <Rusty.Carruth at smartm.com
> > 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 at 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 <vodhner at cox.net> 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.
>>
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