A Home Theater PC, also known as a media center computer, is a computer that combines personal computer functionality with the capabilities of a home theater system. These devices specialize in playing back audio, video, and photos. They can also record your videos. This article will discuss some of the best models available for this purpose. You can read our full review to find out which one suits your needs. And be sure to check out our comparison chart to see how much you can save!
Origin Chronos
The Origin Chronos Home Theater PC runs SteamOS, a game console-compatible operating system. It also supports the SteamOS controller. The system can dual-boot to Windows 7 or 8 if desired. The Origin Chronos is a versatile gaming PC with plenty of customization options. It is likely to ship later this year. You’ll need to replace the original parts in order to increase its performance. This PC is a good choice for gamers and home theater enthusiasts who want to play a variety of games.
If you’re looking for a PC for your living room, the Origin Chronos is a good choice. While this PC has plenty of features, it’s a little loud, so it’s best for people who don’t want to build a PC from scratch. If you’re a first-time PC gamer, however, the Origin Chronos might be the right pick. PC prodigies may want to opt for a quieter build.
The Origin Chronos comes with an impressive lineup of high-end components. Its Intel Core i7 7700K CPU, 32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card are all capable of handling intensive games. Its 512GB Samsung 960 Pro SSD and 4TB WD Black hard drive offer ample storage space. In addition to these top-notch components, this PC also features an MSI Z270i Pro Carbon AC motherboard.
The Origin Chronos Home Theater PC packs a surprising amount of power into its compact design. The system costs $4,865 with all its accessories, and is capable of playing the latest games. However, it does have one notable weakness, which is its price. The Chronos’ price is too high for many people. However, it’s still one of the best options for gamers looking for an excellent home theater PC.
Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro
The Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro Home Theater Computer has a small, compact form factor, but it packs an incredibly powerful punch. With powerful internal components, this PC can play 4K UHD video and even virtual reality games. The small computer also includes 1TB of storage, an Ethernet port, and built-in Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity. This is the ideal computer for anyone who loves to watch movies and play virtual reality games.
The Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro Home Theater Computer can be mounted on the back of a VESA-compatible television using the optional bracket. If you don’t have much space for a home theater PC, this affordable model is designed to fit behind the television. It can also be used to create the most stealthy home theater system possible when coupled with a sound bar. For an even more stealthy effect, you can purchase the Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro with an optional sound bar.
The Dell OptiPlex 3070 Micro is built for quality movie viewing and high-quality sound. Its integrated soundbar will make your home theater sound great. The Dell OptiPlex 3070 Micro Home Theater PC is priced very competitively for its performance. You can save a great deal of money with this computer and a soundbar. The Dell OptiPlex 3070 Micro Home Theater PC is a solid buy for the price and is sure to give you great viewing and listening experiences.
The Dell OptiPlex 3070 Micro is a great option for gamers who want a powerful gaming system, but don’t want to spend a fortune. This computer includes a dual-core Pentium processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 500GB hard drive. The Dell Optiplex 3070 Micro Home Theater PC is preloaded with Windows 10 and comes with a power cord. It has been thoroughly tested for standard performance, and it shows only minimal signs of wear.
Mac mini
When building a home theater PC, the Mac mini is an excellent choice. This machine can handle the demands of a home theater experience and offers plenty of storage. The 256GB SSD it comes with is a respectable size and is expandable up to 2TB. With the help of an external hard drive, you can expand storage to two or more terabytes. If you’re looking for more memory, you can also upgrade to a higher-end model.
The Mac Mini has a built-in 320GB hard drive, but if you need more, you can also purchase an external hard drive. To organize your content, you can download Plex, a software that allows you to browse your content by music, movies, and TV shows. It also allows you to play 4K videos. You can also use the external hard drive to store more movies and music. Once installed, you can start watching your movies.
The Apple Intel Mac Mini is another excellent choice for a home theater PC. It features an Intel Core Duo processor for plenty of processing power. It supports full HDTV resolution and has optical SPDIF digital audio input. Besides the Apple Remote, you can also enjoy your movies using the Mac mini’s IR remote control. Its small form factor and relatively powerful Intel CPU make it a popular home theater PC. It can be mounted behind a TV or a gaming monitor. It is completely concealed in a room.
Regardless of your budget, you can build a home theater PC with a Mac mini if you’re looking for an affordable price. The price range for the Mac mini can stretch as low as $200. With a powerful processor like Intel’s Core i7 8809G and integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, you can get a high-quality home theater PC without breaking the bank.
Intel NUC 8
If you’re looking for a small, affordable computer with all the bells and whistles of a home theater PC, the Intel NUC 8 may be the right choice. This mini PC comes equipped with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, and eight gigabytes of DDR4 RAM. It has enough power to pipe video to up to six displays simultaneously, and it can even play VR games using a virtual reality headset.
If you want to watch movies, games, or streaming services, you’ll love the NUC 8. It weighs just three pounds and measures 8.7 x 5.5 inches. In terms of ports, the NUC 8 offers more than any other small form factor computer, including six USB-A ports, a USB-C 3.1 port, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, two mini DisplayPorts, and two HDMI ports. Other ports include an SD card slot and a full-size SD card slot.
As mentioned, the Intel NUC 8 does not have a high-performance processor, but its video and audio work well. While there are some drawbacks, the NUC is a solid choice for a home theater PC. The tiny, red chassis comes with a small, but stylish, and powerful Core i3 processor. A high-pitched fan will keep the system cool, but it’s not distracting enough to prevent you from enjoying your movies.
Another factor to consider when purchasing a home theater PC is storage. A home theater PC should have enough storage to run four-k movies and seasons of your favorite shows. A minimum of 128GB of storage is required to play most movies and TV shows. You should also check for expansion capabilities, which allows you to purchase more storage for your PC if you wish. You can also upgrade to a 1TB or even two-terabyte hard drive if you need to.
ThinkStation P340
Lenovo’s ThinkStation P340 Home Theater PC is a powerfully compact PC that packs a high-performance video card and other features into a small package. It’s so small and lightweight that it can be mounted under a desk or even the back of a monitor. For maximum convenience, it comes with extra power and HDMI cables for easy setup and connection. A ThinkStation P340 Home Theater PC is perfect for anyone who loves watching movies and playing games.
Its compact design and cutting-edge hardware, including Intel Xeon processors and NVIDIA Quadro graphics, makes it a versatile workstation. This model also boasts advanced storage, comprehensive I/O, and ThinkShield security features. It’s ideal for beginning users, and is compatible with a variety of external display types and formats. Lenovo’s ThinkStation P340 SFF comes in various colors and sizes.
Another option for an affordable home theater PC is the Intel Compute Stick. This small form factor computer packs an Atom processor, which is fine for basic streaming. You can get faster processors by purchasing the more expensive options, but all share the same tiny form factor. Intel’s ThinkStation P340 Home Theater PC strikes a good balance between cost and performance. The device has enough power to play games, and its size makes it easy to hide in a home theater setting.
