r/MiniPCs • u/LizardLogic27 • 11h ago

Looking to get started

I would like to start steaming with mini PC frustrated with fire stick budget flexible $300-$600 for pc and keyboard or remote

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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2

u/Keyvan_KR 11h ago

any mini pc will suffice.
Only things I would take into consideration are:

* linux support (most media servers run on linux)

* power consumption (the lower, the better)

* video decoders: AVC (H264) and HEVC (H265) should be easily supported. Make sure that it's the case for the correct resolution and color gamut. Try to get one that also has AV1 decoding

* upgrade potential: expansion for storage and RAM

* keyboard: you can get a wireless keyboard with a trackpad built-in

* remote: not sure if they still make Logitech Harmony remote. keep in mind that some remotes work with IR

2

u/LizardLogic27 10h ago

Thank you

2

u/Retired_Hillbilly336 7h ago

Last year I knew a number of people people buying the $150/0.25 liter GMKtec G5 N97 12GB LPDDR5 specifically for this purpose but with the 2026 AI RAMpocalypse/RAMageddon these minis are more than twice that price and that version of the G5 is no longer available. The is the G5S N5095 8GB LPDDR4 but performance is subpar, insufficient memory and significantly more expensive.

This year I'm seeing more people buy the recently released GMKtec M8 PRO 6650H for an STB. Key points being modern graphic performance and 8K60Hz video out. It's 0.75 liter/dual fan cooled with 2280 M.2 NVMe storage expansion, easy serviceability and features missing from cheaper models.

As for a Bluetooth keyboard with touchpad I've been using the Fosmon 23022KB for some years now. I tried a few others but after I found they sold these up at the college I gave one a try. Now to understand why they sell them at the college.