office PC connected to TV: Mac Mini or Mini ITX

DragonReborn

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
391
0
76
I know this is somewhat personal and more of an osx/win8 argument but curious what you guys thought of a mac mini vs mini itx system which would be connected to office tv.

mainly we will be using it to look at the same document, basic web browsing, watching videos, etc.

the refrub mac mini 2012 is $500 which is a pretty good deal IMO (http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD...-intel-core-i5). only negative is that it doesn't come with a ssd so tack another $60-80 for a small ssd drive and the annoyance of the upgrade/possibility of issues with non apple hardware.

mini itx is simple and works but osx does seem to like being connected to tv's more. i also can upgrade the pc much easier than the mini.

any thoughts?
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
Would you be building the Mini-ITX system? Are you going to be the tech support for it if it ever goes on teh fritz.

That isn't to say that I am recommending the Mac Mini, but maybe an OEM system in general? I think Lenovo makes a tiny little computer.
 

DragonReborn

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
391
0
76
ill be the IT support and building the itx. i've built 100's of pc's and i would never buy one unless it was something i could never do myself (laptop, all in one, etc)
 
Feb 25, 2011
16,907
1,551
126
If you're using it in an office setting, to all look at the same document and stuff, you'll want to use whatever the rest of the office uses for workstations.

If you're a mixed platform environment, get the Mini and configure it to dual-boot Windows.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that OS X likes being connected to a TV more. If it's a 1080p HDTV, the computer sends a digital signal just like it would to a monitor. Worst case scenario is you need a MiniDP to HDMI adapter. (For the mac. An ITX motherboard might have HDMI built in. Or not. It just depends.) But that's true for both OS X and Windows - the major difference these days between TVs and computer monitors is that TVs have HD tuners, better speakers, and more I/O.
 

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
If you are the IT support then build a mini itx but if your time is valuable and you are busy with other things get a Mac Mini or a prebuilt SFF.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Acer and Gateway have mini-ITX prebuilts that are decent, I use a Sandy Bridge i3 one as my music jukebox.

They're larger than the mini, but include a DVD drive and more disk space and are cheaper. They're also very quiet so the only reason to put in an SSD is if you think a platter drive is too slow.

If you're using it in an office setting, to all look at the same document and stuff, you'll want to use whatever the rest of the office uses for workstations.

Good point. If no one is already using OS X, why make them learn it to use this box?