I need to update my hardware. I’m pushing my old PC way past what Plex says it wants/needs for the server. However I’ve noticed some smoking deals on quad core i7’s with more than enough space to do Plex Server AND they are Intel graphics based which aligns itself with the hardware transcoding versions.
HDMI out, bluetooth so can use bluetooth keyboard and mouse. NAS connections for storage. Kind of become a mobile base unit/office PC/Plex server all in one.
Anyone doing that kind of thing with one of these i7 laptops? If so how is it going?
i7 is not i7, particularly within laptops
Without an accurate model number of the cpu, a qualified recommendation cannot be given.
That being said: if you plan on using your Plex server with transcoding, many, many laptop devices are simply not suited for their cpu generating heat for hours and hours. The cooling systems cannot cope with it.
Either the device breaks early or the mini fan(s) in there are clogged with dust within weeks.
I wouldn’t recommend a laptop device as Plex Server in good conscience.
If it’s an i7 mobile you should be fine for direct streaming and handling a few transcodes as long as your source media isn’t h.265, VC-1 or other problamatic codecs.
Of course for best results make sure you use a hardwired lan connection.
With that said you would probably still be better off dedicating a computer just for Plex use. Nothing like getting a virus or some maleware on your everyday PC that mucks up Plex. Worse yet is you get your family/friends hooked on your Plex server and you happen to take you laptop with you someplace so it’s not connected to the net.
So yes it can be done, but you might want to re-think it.
i use a Dell Inspiron 5040, with a 2 TB external HDD, all acces is remote and fully Automatized, i had no problems so far with transcoding or remote connection
Been reading on the new wave of Intel based quad core i7’s this morning. Some of them are including the latest video stuff, etc., from Intel. Really seems to be a viable option.
Assuming you’ll be transcoding, the Passmark of whatever processor you anticipate using, whether desktop or laptop, is relevant. And many new laptops are more powerful, from both a hardware and software transcoding perspective, than desktops of just a couple of years ago.
If you can put the (not all that much additional) work into making DirectPlay a common occurrence, Passmark becomes much less important and almost any relatively recent PC can do an adequate job.
But unless you’re really keen on hauling your PMS server around, and don’t mind the effect on other clients in your house when you do, you’ll get more for your investment - however much you choose to spend - in a desktop system compared to a laptop.
