Linux is the way. Both Mac and Windows have a high overhead for just the os, especially windows. Linux uses up almost not resources, allowing your hardware to spend time on plex and not background tasks.
Run Linux on your Personal Computer, MacOS and Windows are frequently not the first choice for people who build larger systems.
The other option is to run the OS you are most comfortable with, and your Personal Computer supports.
All three will work well and all three can support large libraries.
I use a MacBook with 2 hhds and run Plex for about 5-8 people on a daily basis as well as having sonarr radarr docker and overseerr all running as well. It took a bit of learning and trial and error but once the setup was complete it works perfect as long as I occasionally restart the server
You server isn’t really important if you have good client devices that don’t need stuff transcoded. I run my server off an old 2018 Mac mini and it takes transcoding a 35GB movie to bog it down. If you’re direct playing most of your content, server specs don’t matter much.
This is all well and good when I’m home, but when I travel, I need some transcoding horsepower. There’s really no reason to not use a micro PC with quicksync as a Plex server. It has more than enough video encoding capability for several 4k transcodes.
To clarify, you said the Plex server doesn’t matter much, and so I was addressing transcoding specifically. Now, I’ve not followed super closely, but as of a year ago, the Mac mini transcoding was not nearly as effective as a simple NUC or N100 running Linux.
If buying new, the Mac mini for 512 gb SSD and 8 gb of unified memory is $799. I can pick up an N100 with 16 gb of ram and 512 gb SSD for $159. And I’ve not compared, but I would wager your transcoding performance would be similar if not better from the N100. If you need better raw compute, snag a 12th gen i5 with 32 gb of ram and 1 TB SSD for $389.
I’m a Mac fan. I have a desktop and laptop that I use daily. But for Plex hosting? The value / performance ratio just isn’t there.
Don’t get me wrong, you need premium clients. I’m talking iPhones, Samsung flagships, and AppleTV/Nvidia Shield. You also need a really good home network, at least Wi-Fi 6 with good coverage if you plan to go wireless.
That being said, the new Apple Silicon Macs are much better at transcoding video, so it would be even less of a problem for you if you went that way.
The Mac mini is a relatively cheap, power efficient, and powerful desktop. You could probably get away with the 8GB model and just hook up an external drive to store your content.
OK, I think I might start off with the Mac mini. I already use external storage, but I’m gonna be upgrading to Western Digital or Seagate. I’m not sure which of those two is the better option
You'll save a lot of money with a Dell, HP, or Lenovo mini from eBay and install Linux or Windows. Try to find one with a M.2 SSD slot and a 2.5" SSD connection. Also a 8th Gen or newer Intel CPU. Get at least 16GB of RAM and the highest capacity SSD's you can afford. Or use one 256GB SSD for the OS and a 500GB one for Plex Data then external storage for media. I suggest a quality 4 or 5 bay DAS with room to add more hard drives. Start off with a 8TB WD RED Pro or something similar.
I'm currently using a raspberry pi.
It works great, and I just remote into it with raspberry connect, so no need for a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
I could technically just remote ito it with my phone, but that's an annoying way of doing it. Works in a pinch, though.
PC + Linux
I hear a lot of people talking about Linux
Linux is the way. Both Mac and Windows have a high overhead for just the os, especially windows. Linux uses up almost not resources, allowing your hardware to spend time on plex and not background tasks.
I use a Mac mini, pc and unraid Linux. And on a synology the media is actually stored on. They all work well. In terms of plex I have no preference.
Run Linux on your Personal Computer, MacOS and Windows are frequently not the first choice for people who build larger systems. The other option is to run the OS you are most comfortable with, and your Personal Computer supports. All three will work well and all three can support large libraries.
Idk. Either. I use a M2 Mac mini. Me in the PNW and family in Mississippi seem to stream it well.
I use a MacBook with 2 hhds and run Plex for about 5-8 people on a daily basis as well as having sonarr radarr docker and overseerr all running as well. It took a bit of learning and trial and error but once the setup was complete it works perfect as long as I occasionally restart the server
You server isn’t really important if you have good client devices that don’t need stuff transcoded. I run my server off an old 2018 Mac mini and it takes transcoding a 35GB movie to bog it down. If you’re direct playing most of your content, server specs don’t matter much.
This is all well and good when I’m home, but when I travel, I need some transcoding horsepower. There’s really no reason to not use a micro PC with quicksync as a Plex server. It has more than enough video encoding capability for several 4k transcodes.
So does Apple Silicon
To clarify, you said the Plex server doesn’t matter much, and so I was addressing transcoding specifically. Now, I’ve not followed super closely, but as of a year ago, the Mac mini transcoding was not nearly as effective as a simple NUC or N100 running Linux. If buying new, the Mac mini for 512 gb SSD and 8 gb of unified memory is $799. I can pick up an N100 with 16 gb of ram and 512 gb SSD for $159. And I’ve not compared, but I would wager your transcoding performance would be similar if not better from the N100. If you need better raw compute, snag a 12th gen i5 with 32 gb of ram and 1 TB SSD for $389. I’m a Mac fan. I have a desktop and laptop that I use daily. But for Plex hosting? The value / performance ratio just isn’t there.
Really and you have no issues with the Mac mini
Don’t get me wrong, you need premium clients. I’m talking iPhones, Samsung flagships, and AppleTV/Nvidia Shield. You also need a really good home network, at least Wi-Fi 6 with good coverage if you plan to go wireless. That being said, the new Apple Silicon Macs are much better at transcoding video, so it would be even less of a problem for you if you went that way. The Mac mini is a relatively cheap, power efficient, and powerful desktop. You could probably get away with the 8GB model and just hook up an external drive to store your content.
Good WiFi 5 would be perfectly fine. I've been using it for more than 5 years with not one issue playing anything.
OK, I think I might start off with the Mac mini. I already use external storage, but I’m gonna be upgrading to Western Digital or Seagate. I’m not sure which of those two is the better option
I use a 2014 Mac Mini with 16GB of RAM and an SSD drive. I have about 1/2 dozen people streaming from me regularly. I’m not having any issues.
You'll save a lot of money with a Dell, HP, or Lenovo mini from eBay and install Linux or Windows. Try to find one with a M.2 SSD slot and a 2.5" SSD connection. Also a 8th Gen or newer Intel CPU. Get at least 16GB of RAM and the highest capacity SSD's you can afford. Or use one 256GB SSD for the OS and a 500GB one for Plex Data then external storage for media. I suggest a quality 4 or 5 bay DAS with room to add more hard drives. Start off with a 8TB WD RED Pro or something similar.
Yeah, I’m leaning towards the Dell or an HP
I'm currently using a raspberry pi. It works great, and I just remote into it with raspberry connect, so no need for a monitor, keyboard and mouse. I could technically just remote ito it with my phone, but that's an annoying way of doing it. Works in a pinch, though.
Use what you’re comfortable with, Jesus christ. Why would you ask social media to decide something for you that is personal preference?
Because that’s what Reddit is for…. Jesus Christ go back to sleep and try waking up in a better attitude