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Radar79
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Joined: 18 Nov 2012
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:44 am Post subject: 2012 Mac mini vs. ASRock Vision HT series? |
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| I'm looking at getting either a 2012 Mac mini or ASRock Vision HT system for HTPC. What would be the benefits of the Mac mini over this system? Not necessarily from a hardware standpoint, but from a software standpoint. I'm still interested in the differences in hardware, and it appears the Mac mini is a more stable system with better cooling, but I'm mostly interested in what's better. Is it OS X or Windows 7? An example: Is Plex better on Windows 7 or OS X? Thanks in advance! I have already built up some knowledge going through the forum here. |
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b0bb
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Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:13 am Post subject: Re: 2012 Mac mini vs. ASRock Vision HT series? |
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| Radar79 wrote: | | I'm looking at getting either a 2012 Mac mini or ASRock Vision HT system for HTPC. What would be the benefits of the Mac mini over this system? Not necessarily from a hardware standpoint, but from a software standpoint. I'm still interested in the differences in hardware, and it appears the Mac mini is a more stable system with better cooling, but I'm mostly interested in what's better. Is it OS X or Windows 7? An example: Is Plex better on Windows 7 or OS X? Thanks in advance! I have already built up some knowledge going through the forum here. |
The 2 options are very close in terms of features and limitations, it would be down to personal preference on the hardware.
Personally, I would choose the Mini as the fit and finish is much nicer.
The latest versions of XBMC is quite good as a HTPC frontend, Plex on OSX will follow soon enough.
On Win7 there is the option of the MadVR video display renderer, its picture quality is head and shoulders above what XBMC can deliver. The HD4000 is just barely able to handle the work.
If getting the best video display quality interests you, I suggest looking at the VisionX instead, it is more money but it buys you a much better GPU, with that some of the more interesting features of MadVR like the Jinc scaler and anti-ringing filters might be possible.
VisionX in MacMini form is what I hope Apple releases at some point. |
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Ben Tex
Veteran Member
Joined: 01 Feb 2007
Posts: 1418
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I like Plex better on the Mac, but that's probably just a personal preference. They are really about the same. I always suggest that people get the Mac mini over other systems for HTPC though. Mostly due to the fact that you can also run Windows on the Mac mini. So you can always switch between the two if you end up liking one better. I also think, as b0bb stated, that the Mac mini offers better fit and finish. And you're going to get better support through Apple. That's just my two cents. |
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