I need some advice. I want a stand-alone Plex server. Currently, my Plex server is my MacBook Pro (running OS 10.12), and that is working fine. The down side is, of course, that Plex is only available when my MacBook Pro is turned on. I have two options, and you need to know the this is a Apple house throughout. A friend has offered to give me an old Windows-based computer to use as a dedicated Plex server. That’s option #1. Option #2 is to buy a WD My Cloud Home and use that as my Plex server. I don’t need backups; my Time Capsule already backs up everything automatically. I don’t play games; just not my thing. I am only looking for a easy-to-use always-on Plex server. So, which would you recommend and why? The old Windows computer (I think he is running Windows 10) or the WD My Cloud Home?
I think you know which one is better already, however…
It all depends how serious you want to get about Plex.
Also, old windows computer running windows 10 is fairly obscure as it may have a 3770K in there which would curb stomp any WD mycould product with it’s transcode abilities.
Where is your Media?
On My Cloud Home, I would have a 4 TB drive as part of the box. Media would be there - same physical drive as Plex. On the Windows machine, I would need to connect the 2 TB external drive that currently houses the media for my MacBook Pro server.
Doc, May I suggest you rethink your setup.
Start with a NAS at least 4 bay and if you want it to do most Plex things get an Intel CPU in the NAS.
Sounds like what you really need is a friend with a spare Mac-Mini
