Mac Mini M1 as home theater PC or iMac + Apple TV ?

[FrenchPB]

Hi guys,

I only have quite specific and limited needs for my mid-2011 iMac at this time since I have a laptop/ ipad/ iphone from work.
I currently use it :

• as a Plex server (so that my video files are available on my TV/ ipad/ iphone)
• for the Photos app (I take a lot of pictures with my DLSR and I manage them through Photos at this time)
• iTunes
• some web browsing

I currently have an 3rd generation Apple TV that doesn't allow me to install the Plex client on it, so if I want to watch a video stored on my iMac, it goes like this : iMac (plex server) > iPad (plex client) > Apple TV (screen mirroring) > TV

Since my computer is quite old and my needs not that complex, I was wondering if a Mac Mini M1 would make sense, connected directly to the TV. The only downside is that I'm not sure I will enjoy cueing photos sitting on my couch instead of my desk.

Should I just simply get a new Apple TV instead, even though it's rumored to be updated soon (been waiting for 2 years, should have done it earlier) and update my iMac next year when they'll get the M1 or M2 with a new design maybe ?

Thanks for the help and advices.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Hi guys,

I only have quite specific and limited needs for my mid-2011 iMac at this time since I have a laptop/ ipad/ iphone from work.
I currently use it :

• as a Plex server (so that my video files are available on my TV/ ipad/ iphone)
• for the Photos app (I take a lot of pictures with my DLSR and I manage them through Photos at this time)
• iTunes
• some web browsing

I currently have an 3rd generation Apple TV that doesn't allow me to install the Plex client on it, so if I want to watch a video stored on my iMac, it goes like this : iMac (plex server) > iPad (plex client) > Apple TV (screen mirroring) > TV

Since my computer is quite old and my needs not that complex, I was wondering if a Mac Mini M1 would make sense, connected directly to the TV. The only downside is that I'm not sure I will enjoy cueing photos sitting on my couch instead of my desk.

Should I just simply get a new Apple TV instead, even though it's rumored to be updated soon (been waiting for 2 years, should have done it earlier) and update my iMac next year when they'll get the M1 or M2 with a new design maybe ?

Thanks for the help and advices.

They’re pretty cheap, If you have some spare cash, I would just buy a new one. They’re due for an update, but they still work very well as they stand now - so it’s not like you would be wasting money on a terrible model.

 

[FrenchPB]

Would you then wait for a redesigned M1 iMac in 2020 and add an Apple TV for Plex ?
The Apple TV costs around €150, whereas a new XBOX Series S costs only twice as much at €300. I'm now wondering whether it'd be smarter to get one of the new Xbox for Plex (besides all its gaming capabilities).