(2015-05-24, 20:11)Matt Devo Wrote: (2015-05-24, 20:06)megamawax Wrote: Has anyone used a Dell Inspiron Micro? http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-3050-micro-desktop/pd
it's an overpriced BayTrail box, not particularly interesting from a Kodi POV.
Not sure I agree that it's "not particularly interesting from a Kodi POV".
It's essentially the same box running the same base Celeron processor as the Dell Chromebox. If I were going to make a choice for a small box also running Win 8.1 (with upgrade rights to Win10 when RTM is out), I would certainly consider the Dell Inspiron Micro Desktop over the HP Stream. Same price essentially, but the deal-breaker with the HP is the wireless adapter, which is only 802.11 b/g/n, whereas the huge advantage for the Dells (both Chromebox and Win8.1 Micro) is that Dell uses an 802.11ac adapter (Intel AC7260 to be specific). .802.11ac can make an enormous difference with streaming, whether from internet sources or from a local NAS, at least that's been my experience. Pick the right router (I am partial to Asus' 802.11ac routers, and use the RT-AC3200 as my main router and two AC66U's (one as a media bridge and the other as a repeater).
In any event, I disagree that the Dell is "overpriced" when you consider the hardware advantages over a bare-bones system, or perhaps even the HP Stream 200; any install of Windows on a barebones is going to cost a minimum of another $80, and possibly more so add that to the cost, and adding the Intel AC7260 wireless adapter to either a barebones or the Stream 200 is going to set you back another $40-$50 (the real Intel cards I've purchased through Amazon run about $40...beware of fakes, they are out there). So even if you buy something less expensive, you're likely to wind up paying as much, if not more than the Dell Micro or Chromebox in the end.
Personally, I have found that both the Dell Inspiron Micro Desktop and the Dell Chromebox (running Open Elec on dual boot) are excellent platforms for Kodi, and with 802.11ac, I don't think there's any better value in the market right now.
So, suffice it to say, I respectfully disagree, and think that the Dell Micro is quite a capable box for Kodi if you intend to use it for streaming up to 1080p and DVD playback (I will admit I haven't run Blu Ray rips or 3D, but for everything else I've thrown at them, they work great).
I honestly have to say I was never a fan of Dell, and usually opted for Asus or HP for most of my hardware, but the Chromebox is such a great value, and so is the Inspiron Micro for Win, that I'm now a dedicated fan of these two little boxes.