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I want to build a HTPC that I can 'download' on for <$150 (hexbear.net)

submitted 11 months ago by bubbalu@hexbear.net to c/technology@hexbear.net

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Does anyone have a good guideline for computing requirements? I'm not planning to stream like with PleX or anything, I just want something I can stick on the back of my projector and forget about except for when I want to watch something or download something.

Requirements

Small form factor
Low power draw
Enough SSD space for ~6 movies
Storage expandable by external flash device
Wi-Fi (my modem can't be moved closer)
Bluetooth AND 3.5 mm for audio out

Something like the Nvidia Shield would be perfect but its too hard to download things onto it directly. Ideally, I wouldn't have to have a personal computer other than this device. Currently, I plug my laptop in and stream, but my streaming sites no longer work well and it does not have the storage for me to download movies.

Since I am not trying to use this as a home server to stream off of, I shouldn't need a lot of computing power for transcoding or parallel sessions or nothing like that.

AS mentioned in the title, my budget is around $150 (not including external storage). Any more than that, and it's not worth upgrading from my laptop.

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[–] Saoirse@hexbear.net 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Lots of people have already recommended secondhand compact PCs, like the kind most public libraries use to provide public computer access. As an alternative, if those are hard to come by in your area, I would recommend finding an old Lenovo Thinkpad. Even thinkpads as much as 10 years old remain very serviceable, significantly more powerful than most single-board project computers, and their power supplies only draw about 65 watts maximum, much less than the average desktop power supply. I have a few I've collected, and one sits under my router permanently as my personal server. In fact, I'm sending this message from one right now!