[mythtv-users] Mac Mini as Frontend?

[jedi]

On Thu, Oct 21, 2010 at 09:47:12AM -0600, Brian Wood wrote:
> The Mac Minis were always too expensive for me to seriously consider using one as a Myth frontend.
> 
> Now I'm seeing refurbed Minis for $350, still pricey but getting closer to the ION units. You do get an optical drive, 
> something that's missing from my Revo.

    Those drives can be pretty noisy. You may find that they are effectively
unusable for HTPC purposes.

> 
> I see they have Intel GMA-950 graphics. Is that usable under Linux for HD? 

     This is not the droid you're looking for. 

     These machines don't have a great GPU and the CPU isn't beefy enough
to take up the slack. What you're after is something that looks more like
an ION. You want minis that have the nv9400 or better in them.

> 
> I also think there is an OSX F/E version that's floating around.
> 
> So I have three questions:
> 
> Is a Mini with the Intel graphics a practical frontend machine?

...not if you have an HD-PVR. Otherwise it should be fine.

[deletia]