Buying a mini computer, installing Windows 11, and streaming movies online

I enjoy surfing the web and streaming movies, particularly old ones. I am tired of hooking my laptop up to the tv. I read about mini computers which seem confusing. What I think I need is CPU running at least 3 GHz, RAM around 6-8 gigs and an OS to operate the computer, which I assume would be Windows 11 as that is the system I have the most familiarity with. When I bought a MAC for my son, I glanced at a pad and was told that it could not download anything, only certain apps. I don't know if I need to download to watch a movie, I don't now on my desktop. My real confusion is whether a mini computer is a desktop that is smaller or is something less, i.e., it is missing something. I would prefer to use an HDMI connection. I frankly don't know if the speed and memory is correct or not but it seemed reasonable to me. I do not intend to use the computer for any other purpose.

I would like to spend under $250 for the computer and software. I assume I will need a keyboard and mouse which is easy. I have been completely at a loss trying to evaluate the units which cost anywhere from $149.95 up to that of a Mini Cooper. I realize I could buy a used laptop but would love to have something small and easily hidden, probably behind the flat screen with nothing to touch on the unit, remote off/on and bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Any suggestions would be most welcomed.

Something like this would meet all your requirements for attaching to your TV and hiding the PC itself. And it's also useful as a computer if you need it someday for something other than streaming your movies.

You might also look at the Lenovo "Tiny" line, but make sure it has an HDMI port. Refurbs from businesses are really good buys.

Hi Jay Chapel, welcome to the ElevenForums

When you mentioned an iPad, I don’t know of a streaming service that doesn’t have an iPad app for it. Are you wanting to stream movies from a streaming service or movies from your laptop?

If you’re wanting to steam movies from your laptop to your TV (or even an iPad) you can do so wirelessly, you might want to look into Plex Media Server
If you have a smart TV there is most likely a Plex App for it, there is also one for Android and Apple devices and of course, Windows, because that’s where your movies would be? On your laptop? Plex media server turns your PC or Laptop into a media server of sorts.
As long as everything is using the same wireless (or wired) network it works well. (It can also work remotely)

If you’re just wanting to use streaming services like Netflix etc, there is an app for pretty much all devices. Not sure why the mini PC?

@antspants

Jay Chapel said:

would love to have something small and easily hidden, probably behind the flat screen with nothing to touch on the unit, remote off/on and bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Click to expand...

Yes, Jay, I'll add my "welcome' to the one my good friend antspants offered. It's a great forum.

Just as easy to sit a laptop flat next to a TV (or by your sofa) as it is trying to hide a Mini PC behind a TV. And of course you’d need access to it. Plus you’d need a monitor, where is that going to go? Or is the TV your monitor? Seems problematic, no?
And a laptop is used anyway? I must be missing something.
Regardless, PLEX could turn your “Mini PC” into a media Server.
You just tell PLEX which folders/drive your movies are on.

You don’t need to use PLEX, there are other ways to make your PC/Laptop act as a media server.

edit; Just to mention again, a media server setup like PLEX, you don’t need cables, you can just wirelessly stream to your tv. If you’re going to be using a wireless keyboard/mouse for your Mini PC, you may as be using a Laptop, zero cables.

Might consider this:

Jay Chapel said:

I don't know if I need to download to watch a movie, I don't now on my desktop.

Click to expand...

Could you explain how you watch a movie on your desktop if:
A) You haven’t downloaded it. Or
B) You aren’t streaming from a streaming service?

Jay Chapel said:

I enjoy surfing the web and streaming movies, particularly old ones. I am tired of hooking my laptop up to the tv. I read about mini computers which seem confusing. What I think I need is CPU running at least 3 GHz, RAM around 6-8 gigs and an OS to operate the computer, which I assume would be Windows 11 as that is the system I have the most familiarity with. When I bought a MAC for my son, I glanced at a pad and was told that it could not download anything, only certain apps. I don't know if I need to download to watch a movie, I don't now on my desktop. My real confusion is whether a mini computer is a desktop that is smaller or is something less, i.e., it is missing something. I would prefer to use an HDMI connection. I frankly don't know if the speed and memory is correct or not but it seemed reasonable to me. I do not intend to use the computer for any other purpose.

I would like to spend under $250 for the computer and software. I assume I will need a keyboard and mouse which is easy. I have been completely at a loss trying to evaluate the units which cost anywhere from $149.95 up to that of a Mini Cooper. I realize I could buy a used laptop but would love to have something small and easily hidden, probably behind the flat screen with nothing to touch on the unit, remote off/on and bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Any suggestions would be most welcomed.

Click to expand...

Hi there
Simple easy way

just get an Amazon firestick (even the cheapish one's are OK) and sideload Kodi on it.

forget 250 USD -- firestick far cheaper solution - and you don't need any server software on your remote device -- just the multi-media files which kodi can play almost any codec. Free software too.

I have 3 of these devices in my TV's in the house all receiving data from the remote computer. In addition these firesticks can have things like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prome, Netflix etc on them so a really good way IMO of solving this problem.

Plug into TV

use Kodi to browse your laptop / computer etc for mukti-media files and play them.

Even works for "Non smart TV's". Any TV with an HDMI input connection will work. Firestick gets it's thing via internet --either LAN or wifi.

No servers or whatever required --

Also a suggestion -- if you use things like redfox to rip DVD's to iso's -- then stick to release 19,X of kodi as 21.0 seems to have problems playing DVD ripped Iso's . If you don't want to play ripped DVD' remotely on the TV then the latest release is fine.


Here's the link on how to how to sideload kodi on to a firestick -- use the kodi site not all the other solutions :

forget all the other places --this one is the real deal -- forget places like "troy..." etc


(If you want the 19.x release it's still available -- and remember most firestick's need you to select from the download either the 32 or 64 bit ARM version of the software (for android -- usually a .apk package). The install process is very simple if you follow the instructions.

If you want to live stream then for some things you might need the iptc addin -- but some channels stream anyway so no ptobs usually.

cheers
jimbo

@jimbo45
I'm getting a "page not found" for that link.

Wisewiz said:

@jimbo45
I'm getting a "page not found" for that link.

Click to expand...

Because it’s lost, MIA, Kaput, In hiding, 6 feet under… it swims with the fish

antspants said:

Because it’s lost, MIA, Kaput, In hiding, 6 feet under… it swims with the fish

Click to expand...

Somebody's in a great mood today, and I thought that particular somebody was feeling under the weather today.

Wisewiz said:

Somebody's in a great mood today, and I thought that particular somebody was feeling under the weather today.

Click to expand...

I have 2 buckets next to my bed, i’m upchucking every time I drink water, I wont tell you what the other bucket is for.
besides, I’m a clown at the best of times.

P.S. And I’m streaming movies from my PC to my Laptop iPad using PLEX lol

P.P.S And it’s 10 past 4 in the morning. I’m so tired.

I am using an Intel NUC 13 and it runs great on LInux, I had Win 11 on it and it also ran good. I know that Intel is not building any more and they turned it over to ASUS. But one can find deals on them, another good one is Minusforum or some such name. It is quiet as a mouse.

antspants said:

I have 2 buckets next to my bed, i’m upchucking every time I drink water, I wont tell you what the other bucket is for.
besides, I’m a clown at the best of times.

P.S. And I’m streaming movies from my PC to my Laptop iPad using PLEX lol

P.P.S And it’s 10 past 4 in the morning. I’m so tired.

Click to expand...

I hope you get better soon.

antspants said:

Could you explain how you watch a movie on your desktop if:
A) You haven’t downloaded it. Or
B) You aren’t streaming from a streaming service?

Click to expand...

I stream movies on my desktop computer which is in a large family room in the basement. I thought about running an HDMI cable using the 2.0 variety or a signal booster from my computer to the tv in the basement (it's over 40 feet) but decided to commit to watching upstairs. We have a large screen tv upstairs and I want a dedicated server to go online and have enough ram to cache a movie and watch it. Plugins to my knowledge are limited to those "websites" contained in the device. So, we have Roku on a tv in a bedroom but are there is no way one can go online, find a website and watch a movie unless it is Netflix, etc. One can find an "app" that is the internet but trying to use that as a way to search the net is impossible.

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
Simple easy way

just get an Amazon firestick (even the cheapish one's are OK) and sideload Kodi on it.

forget 250 USD -- firestick far cheaper solution - and you don't need any server software on your remote device -- just the multi-media files which kodi can play almost any codec. Free software too.

I have 3 of these devices in my TV's in the house all receiving data from the remote computer. In addition these firesticks can have things like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prome, Netflix etc on them so a really good way IMO of solving this problem.

Plug into TV

use Kodi to browse your laptop / computer etc for mukti-media files and play them.

Even works for "Non smart TV's". Any TV with an HDMI input connection will work. Firestick gets it's thing via internet --either LAN or wifi.

No servers or whatever required --

Also a suggestion -- if you use things like redfox to rip DVD's to iso's -- then stick to release 19,X of kodi as 21.0 seems to have problems playing DVD ripped Iso's . If you don't want to play ripped DVD' remotely on the TV then the latest release is fine.


Here's the link on how to how to sideload kodi on to a firestick -- use the kodi site not all the other solutions :

forget all the other places --this one is the real deal -- forget places like "troy..." etc

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-install-kodi-fire-tv,news-25115.html.

(If you want the 19.x release it's still available -- and remember most firestick's need you to select from the download either the 32 or 64 bit ARM version of the software (for android -- usually a .apk package). The install process is very simple if you follow the instructions.

If you want to live stream then for some things you might need the iptc addin -- but some channels stream anyway so no ptobs usually.

cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

We have a stick but it only works for specific websites or apps. I want to go online, find a website that streams classic films and watch it. Essentially I want to watch my computer on my tv. A mini computer appears to be far less money. Finding a good prosessor, memory, loading Windows, I'm home, I think. I just don't know what to buy as the basic mini computer device.

Wisewiz said:

@jimbo45
I'm getting a "page not found" for that link.

Click to expand...

try this:

antspants said:

Hi Jay Chapel, welcome to the ElevenForums

When you mentioned an iPad, I don’t know of a streaming service that doesn’t have an iPad app for it. Are you wanting to stream movies from a streaming service or movies from your laptop?

If you’re wanting to steam movies from your laptop to your TV (or even an iPad) you can do so wirelessly, you might want to look into Plex Media Server
If you have a smart TV there is most likely a Plex App for it, there is also one for Android and Apple devices and of course, Windows, because that’s where your movies would be? On your laptop? Plex media server turns your PC or Laptop into a media server of sorts.
As long as everything is using the same wireless (or wired) network it works well. (It can also work remotely)

If you’re just wanting to use streaming services like Netflix etc, there is an app for pretty much all devices. Not sure why the mini PC?

Click to expand...

I was looking at an Ipad because it was next to full blown MAC laptop, which I bought. It was the first time I had ever seen a "computer" limited to what it could download, a concept that I don't care for, but something that sounds exactly like something Apple would do. Our newer big screen is smart, but we have others that are not. My thought was to have a mini computer linked to the tv with an HDMI cable, run the computer using bluetooth mouse and keyboard, go online and find websites featuring classic films and watch them. It's the "surfing" issue that makes me think I need a computer and not a plug in, stick, Roku, etc. We have Roku on the tv I want to hook the mini computer up to. But no one in their right minds tries surfing the web using Roku.

To put it another way, I want to use my tv as a computer monitor. I have the tv. I need the computer. I don't want to buy a massive computer to serve a single purpose: streaming movies. So, what is the box to buy that will run a mouse and keyboard using bluetooth, use Windows 11 and easily connect to any tv with an HDMI input? I've seen several mini computers with Windows, one suggestion is in a response here. I simply have no understanding how to evaluate the unit. I am also not totally comfortable that I know all I need to know about how to do this using an external device except I am pretty sure a "plug in" will not work. It's like having a push button radio. I don't want the pre set push buttons. I want a "dial" that allows me to get all the stations. There might be a "classic" movie app but there are several classic movie websites or other websites that we might enjoy watching that no app would access. We usually hook up a laptop to a bluetooth speaker and listen to Accuradio for parties on our deck. If I had a hookup to the stereo, I could stream the station and feed it through the speakers instead. I have already bought two laptops and a desktop computer for my family. I would like to spend as little as possible as I think I have donated to the advancement of Apple and Dell profits enough to last a lifetime.

I just run an HDMI cable from my video card out of my PC, to an HDMI into the back of my tv. This way I can go to any free tv or movie site on my PC and watch the video on my tv. Places like The Flixer has lots of new and old free tv and movies. I watch a lot of the old tv shows, Wagon Train, Rifleman, etc. but they have lot of great movies also, and the ads, are not that bad at all, they work great for a men's room break.

I also have a nice big Samsung 4K monitor if I just want to sit at my PC desk and watch the same, but laying on the couch, is a lot more comfy. I have a nice 1080 older model Samsung smart tv, that I'm hooked up to, and really, there's not hardly any difference "if any" in the picture on my Samsung 4k monitor, and my tv, mostly because I don't watch many 4k or even see many 4k tv shows. So for now, I'll just stick with my Samsung 1080 smart tv.