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Win 10 HTPC using Dell Inspiron Micro Desktop

  • 13-09-2015 11:58AM
    #1
    54and56
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,015 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I've been a fan of Android media boxes and currently have a couple of Minix Neo X8's in my house and they do work grand for streaming content from my NAS and over the internet via Kodi but the Netflix and YouTube applications are very clunky as is the web browsing experience so I'm thinking of changing to a Win 10 setup and have purchased Dell Inspiron Micro Desktop http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-3050-micro-desktop/pd?oc=cd5003&l=en which I spotted on this Bargain Alert - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057490986. I already have a Logitech K400 combined keyboard and mouse so I removed the included mouse and keyboard and am getting the box for €127 delivered on Tuesday.

    The main functionality I require is:-

    - Can stream content from my NAS over my WiFi network (I can run cable directly but prefer not to)
    - Can run Kodi
    - Can run smooth versions of Netflix and YouTube
    - Can run a nice web browsing experience

    A brucie bonus for the kids will be the ability to run Minecraft on it.

    So, will this little box do all the above without modification in terms of increasing the 2GB RAM or replacing the 32GB SSD with a 128GB SSD? I'm hoping that as it won't be a multi tasking device and the apps loaded will be limited Kodi, the Win 10 Netflix app, Chrome for accessing YouTube and the odd game using the Win 10 Minecraft app the 32GB SSD and 2GB RAM will more than suffice?

    My main concern actually is WiFi antenna performance. The Minix has a great big antenna which allows my 2nd box to stream over WiFi even though it is 3 rooms away from the router. That's for another day however as this box will be replacing a Minix which sits 6 feet from the WiFi router.

    If any of you guys have any comments or suggestions for optimising this little box as a HTPC I'd appreciate it.

    Are there any other applications I should be installing? Is there a particular way to set up a Win 10 HTPC so it is as easy as possible for everyone in the family to use? I'm used to having a homescreen with links to Kodi/TVMC and Netflix apps etc as well as Weather and News widgets. Can a Win 10 homescreen be set up similarly or is there a better way to set up a Win 10 HTPC?


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