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Which Mac mini for HTPC?

I want to buy a Mac mini to work as HTPC. I don’t play games, but I would like it to handle the most demanding graphics tasks, including 3D blu-ray etc.
What is the cheapest configuration to do this?
The variables are:
Intel vs AMD grephics,
Dual core vs Quad (server)
Different processor speeds
Different sizes of RAM
Thanks in advance.
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Vasilis Primos

Comments: 3 Responses to “Which Mac mini for HTPC?”

    13 years ago

    What, exactly, do you want the mini to do? A basic mini doesn't come with an optical drive, and it certainly doesn't have the ability to play Blu-Ray discs.
    As for the specs, it is up to you. All of those things are just power vs. price. The lowest end will play a video file on the screen just fine. But spend more and get better performance.
    3D? Do you mean games?

    Vasilis Primos
    13 years ago

    I was referring to ripped 3D Blu-ray. I am not sure that the lowest end will faultlessly render 1080p.
    An even harder task would be to, in addition to the above, also record two TV broadcasts via an external USB dual tuner.

      13 years ago

      It should be able to play back 1080p over HDMI, yes. Haven't tried it myself as I don't have the latest mini with HDMI. But I don't' see how that would be a problem for the lowest-end mini.
      Recording two 1080p streams, now that might be an issue. Might not be a good way to find out except to try it.

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