Cost of Running a Mac HTPC 24/7/365

darkgroove · Jul 14, 2010

First post!

Here is an interesting post which goes into detail how much it would cost to run a Mac Desktop as an HTPC. Long and the short of it... a 2010 Mac mini would cost roughly $52 for the year and a Mac Pro would cost $363!!!

http://www.applemediacenter.com/2010/07/14/apple-desktop-computer-energy-cost-showdown/

Juno364 · Jul 14, 2010

Interesting. I have considered using a mac mini as a HTPC (can't convince wife to get rid of cable). I would, however, never consider buying a Mac Pro to do so. For now the PS3 works, but am sure eyeing the new Mac Mini redesign with HDMI!

darkgroove · Jul 14, 2010

Yeah, using a Mac Pro would be silly. But then again, I use my 24" iMac to encode stuff sometimes (overnight, I might add). So now I'm going to put most of the work on the Mini i have.

rgarjr · Jul 14, 2010

they are comparing 2 different animals.

j3yq · Jul 15, 2010

I'd like to use a mini as a htpc. But I don't it will play 1080P mkv encodes.

darkgroove · Jul 15, 2010

j3yq said:
I'd like to use a mini as a htpc. But I don't it will play 1080P mkv encodes.

Yes it will, I have the 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo and it plays 1080p and Blu-Ray juuuuuust fine.

From that same site, lots of good info on the Mac mini: http://www.applemediacenter.com/2010/07/08/mac-mini-frequently-asked-questions/

eponym · Jul 15, 2010

j3yq said:
I'd like to use a mini as a htpc. But I don't it will play 1080P mkv encodes.

I know of people who play 1080 on 1.8(?) GHz models.

1080p plays like butter on my 2.4 C2D.

cantthinkofone · Jul 15, 2010

eponym said:
I know of people who play 1080 on 1.8(?) GHz models.

1080p plays like butter on my 2.4 C2D.

A dual 1.8 G5 wont play 1080 very smoothly. 720 is it's max. My PM G4 dual (see sig) will play 720 if I don't have any other apps open, and if the bit rate isn't to crazy.

I'm debating between a Mac Pro or a iMac for my next computer. I would like a Mac Pro just for raw power, and expansion. But a i7 iMac will hang with a single CPU Mac Pro. And is a lot cheaper

darkgroove · Jul 16, 2010

If you are serious about your Mac HTPC, you need no less than a mini with a Core 2 Duo. Minis with the Core Duo will playback some 720p material just fine and others horribly. Anything before that and you can just forget it.

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Cost of Running a Mac HTPC 24/7/365

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