Tell my cat how to buy and use a Mac Mini as a media server
December 26, 2018 11:42 AM Subscribe
I need this explained at the level a small tabby might understand because I am not as savvy as I once was, and anything related to networking is dark magic as far as I’m concerned.
I’d like to buy a 2018 Mac Mini and plug it into my TV as the only monitor and use my Mac keyboard rarely, when a keyboard is necessary, and plug in external drives with a billion photos and mp3s and then have access to my photos and mp3s through my tv, my sonos speakers, and MacBooks.
I’m trying to get away from a desktop computer. It’s an all Apple environment so while other options may be cheaper, this is the plan and I have a gift card.
I’d like this to be easy, which Apple used to brag about.
I also have an ancient Apple TV that could be part of this mix.
I want to sync our phones to this to keep our photos in one place and shared.
What specs do I need? I’m under the impression the new ones are more powerful than I need anyway, so lower end then? I’m happy to keep using external storage.
Are all the ports right, or do I need adapters?
Is there a remote I can use to navigate this stuff? I have a cordless Apple keyboard so that could be on the coffee table or something.
Guidance appreciated. Hold my paw.
I’m trying to get away from a desktop computer. It’s an all Apple environment so while other options may be cheaper, this is the plan and I have a gift card.
I’d like this to be easy, which Apple used to brag about.
I also have an ancient Apple TV that could be part of this mix.
I want to sync our phones to this to keep our photos in one place and shared.
What specs do I need? I’m under the impression the new ones are more powerful than I need anyway, so lower end then? I’m happy to keep using external storage.
Are all the ports right, or do I need adapters?
Is there a remote I can use to navigate this stuff? I have a cordless Apple keyboard so that could be on the coffee table or something.
Guidance appreciated. Hold my paw.
Best answer: Agree with 1970s Antihero, you might benefit from just buying a newer AppleTV and plenty of iCloud storage. They'll all sync up with your other Apple devices, assuming they've got a recent version of Mac OS/iOS. Photos taken on an iPhone or loaded onto Photos on your MacBook will automatically be available on the Apple TV (after a short time). Same with videos and music.
However, assuming you go with a Mac mini, I definitely think the newest version is way more powerful and expensive than you'd need, especially if you're happy to rely on external hard drives. The second most recent Mac mini is from 2014 I think, so it is pretty dated, but even the base model has enough processing power to work as a media server. Apple doesn't sell them "new" anymore, but they're available for $420 on their apple refurbished site, which is essentially new. It has an HDMI out so you'd have no problem connecting to a newer tv. It will run the newest version of mac OS, so you'll be able to use remote desktop, so you can control your Macmini through your MacBook, you won't even necessarily need to use your tv or the Mac mini keyboard. It will also automatically sync its Photos app with your iPhone/MacBook/iPad Photos app.
Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any good remote control available for this kind of set-up, a wireless apple keyboard or maybe even just a touchpad would probably work best.
posted by skewed at 12:52 PM on December 26, 2018
However, assuming you go with a Mac mini, I definitely think the newest version is way more powerful and expensive than you'd need, especially if you're happy to rely on external hard drives. The second most recent Mac mini is from 2014 I think, so it is pretty dated, but even the base model has enough processing power to work as a media server. Apple doesn't sell them "new" anymore, but they're available for $420 on their apple refurbished site, which is essentially new. It has an HDMI out so you'd have no problem connecting to a newer tv. It will run the newest version of mac OS, so you'll be able to use remote desktop, so you can control your Macmini through your MacBook, you won't even necessarily need to use your tv or the Mac mini keyboard. It will also automatically sync its Photos app with your iPhone/MacBook/iPad Photos app.
Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any good remote control available for this kind of set-up, a wireless apple keyboard or maybe even just a touchpad would probably work best.
posted by skewed at 12:52 PM on December 26, 2018
Best answer: I've done this. I don't recommend it. I eventually sold my living-room Mac and got an Apple TV. For my purposes, it's a much better setup.
When you have a Mac hooked up directly to your TV as a media server, you need to use it as a computer sometimes and as a media player sometimes. And when you're using it as a media player, its computer-ness tends to bleed through and interrupt what you're doing. The whole experience is pretty unsatisfactory. I could go into more detail if you want.
If you have a Mac somewhere on your home network, you can put all your photos in Photos and all your music and video in iTunes and stream that to an AppleTV hooked up to your TV. That's what I'm doing. It is a lot less fooling around.
posted by adamrice at 1:25 PM on December 26, 2018
When you have a Mac hooked up directly to your TV as a media server, you need to use it as a computer sometimes and as a media player sometimes. And when you're using it as a media player, its computer-ness tends to bleed through and interrupt what you're doing. The whole experience is pretty unsatisfactory. I could go into more detail if you want.
If you have a Mac somewhere on your home network, you can put all your photos in Photos and all your music and video in iTunes and stream that to an AppleTV hooked up to your TV. That's what I'm doing. It is a lot less fooling around.
posted by adamrice at 1:25 PM on December 26, 2018
Best answer: Add me to the camp. Using your mini from the couch will eventually become an unrewarding experience.
posted by humboldt32 at 1:39 PM on December 26, 2018
posted by humboldt32 at 1:39 PM on December 26, 2018
Response by poster: Wow, that was unanimous. Apple Genius agreed and said “iCloud *is* your server.” Thanks. Hope someone else finds this next time and avoids the same mistake ya’ll helped me avoid.
posted by OrangeVelour at 3:25 PM on December 26, 2018
posted by OrangeVelour at 3:25 PM on December 26, 2018
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And, in all fairness, at $10/month for 2TB, it would cost you about the same for iCloud storage as it would to replace your Mac Mini every 6-7 years. If you're trying to get away from a desktop computer, then maybe no computer at all might be the right solution for you.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 12:18 PM on December 26, 2018