“Kodi is one of the most popular media center managers around. It’s fast, it’s free, and it’s available on a wide variety of devices, including Mac, iOS, and even Fire Stick and Fire TV. The design of the Mini H7. Is not as ergonomic as some of the other Kodi remote controls that we looked at. The buttons have a great clicky feel and are easily pressed with either thumb. The buttons have a great clicky feel and are easily pressed with either thumb. It is the Kodi best Build 2018 despite its small size and has sections such as Movies and TV Shows, Live Sports, Live TV, and Kids with some of the best add-ons of Kodi. It is found in Jazz Repository.
- Kodi For Mac Download
- Best Mac Mini For Kodi Smit-mcphee
- Best Kodi Build For Mac Mini
- Best Mac Mini For Protools
- Best Kodi Version
- Mac Mini Review
Contents
Kodi and 4K
Right have had to write this article after so many readers ask me where they can find 4k content in Kodi. I have so many tweets about this and it needs to be addressed. So you have your shiny new 4k Tv and shining new 4k compatible T8 box and you are champing at the bit to test it out…………………………….
So can You?
So what is 4K resolution ? In order to understand 4K resolution , we have to go back to the basics. A display resolution is “is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed”.
The most common resolution’s these days is HD ready normally 720p or Full HD which is 1080p. So what is 1080p. It means that an image using this resolution is 1920 pixels in width by 1080 pixels in height.
4K resolution, is 4 times this size, which is 3840 pixels in width by 2160 pixels in height as our simple image below shows.
Full HD = 1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels
4K = 3840 x 2160 = 8,294,400 pixels
As our graphic and calculations 4K times “superior” to Full HD resolution.
.
Yes Kodi is ready the software can play these files no problem, The latest devices on the market are 4K ready and there is a test add-on in MetalKettle Repo to test your sparkling new box you can install following instructions below:-
- Open Kodi
- go to SYSTEM
- select File Manager
- Select Add Source
- Select None
- Type the following http://kodi.metalkettle.co and click Done
- Highlight the box underneath and enter name in media Source. I use Metal
- Select OK
- Go back to your Home Screen
- Select SYSTEM
- Select Add-Ons
- Select Install from zip file
- Select Metal
- Select repository.metalkettle-1.6.2.zip
- Wait for Add-on enabled notification
If you have the MetalKettle repo already installed you can skip above and just follow below.
- Click Settings
- Click Addons
- Click Get Addons
- Scroll down and select MetalKettle Repo
- Click on Video Addons
- Then select Big Buck Bunny
- Wait for Add-on enabled notification
My Samsung Tv with my T8 v3 plays superb 4k video without any issues as you can see from these images and this is a great test addon to put your devices through it paces.
Skins will auto re-size to the 4K resolution from 1080p doubling height and width of every images from the skins and 4k backgrounds are readily available for you to download from hundreds of wallpaper sites.
Kodi will upscale lower resolution’s content to 4K, and with the proper settings you will notice the better quality images of your Movies and Shows.
The problem with higher resolution it means bigger level of detail. 4K images/movies will look more sharp and i can see this on my devices and less visible pixelated areas but then again my wife is sitting here with me saying that she cant see any visible difference. ARGH!!!
True 4K content, really looks amazing, it is so much clearer and sharper to the eye the only problem in my house is i spend most of my day polishing off all the kids finger prints so that i can get the best quality picture from my device and TV.
The problem with Kodi is the lack of content, most content is not yet 4K ready. Some providers outside of Kodi such as Netflix are adding more and more 4K content to their library databases but still very limited in comparison to 1080p.
Best Mini PC OverallApple Mac mini (2018)
The Apple Mac mini (2018 model) is finally back, and it's better than ever, with a new look, rock-solid performance, and even a bit of upgradability. It's not just the best (and only) mini PC in the Mac lineup, it's also one of the best mini PCs we've seen.
Best for Home TheaterAzulle Btye3 Fanless Mini Desktop PC
For a full PC experience that will easily fit into your home entertainment setup, the Azulle Byte3 is the mini PC to choose, thanks to its accessible design, better-than expected performance and included remote control.
Best for GamingIntel NUC (Hades Canyon)
The Intel Hades Canyon NUC offers impressive gaming performance for a mini PC, but it gets pricey once you add your own components.
Forget about clearing off desk space for your next desktop PC. Today, you can get a powerful desktop PC the size of a peanut butter sandwich. Whether you're trying to save space at home, fit more computers into your office or squeeze a media server into your entertainment center, there's a mini PC made for you.
Among the best mini PCs we've reviewed are the Apple Mac mini (2018) and the Azulle Access3 stick PC.
See all of our recommendations below, and also check out our best gaming desktop PCs if you want more power.
Latest News and Updates (August 2019)
- The Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is a new spin on the mini PC and All-In-One designs, thanks to a modular set up that hides a potent mini PC in the stand.
- The Azulle Access3 is our new favorite stick PC, updating the Azulle Access line with more powerful processing and faster ports.
- Chromebook maker CTL has announced a powerful new Chromebox that packs an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 32GB of RAM to deliver professional-grade power for business users. The new CTL 4K Core i7 Chromebox Workstation comes with a 4K monitor and starts at $799.
What Do Mini PCs Cost?
Mini PCs range from small project PCs for under $50 (£50/AU$75) to compact desktops that can cost $1,000 or more. Stick PCs are the most versatile, and generally cost between $100 (£100/AU$150) and $200 (£200/$AU300), and will work with most TVs or monitors. Mini PC prices vary considerably based on hardware.
Our Favorite Mini PCs
The Mac that helped introduce the mini PC is back and better than ever. The Apple Mac mini (2018) has a new look and excellent performance. The new design stays cooler, runs quieter, and offers more power, putting up impressive performance results despite using an 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. Putting better-equipped systems to shame, the new Mac mini (2018) is a no-brainer for any Mac mini user looking to upgrade, and a smart choice for anyone else.
The Azulle Byte3 is a perfect fit for cord cutters and streaming fanatics, sinc ethe compact mini PC is small enough to add to an home theater system, but capable of streaming 4K video without hiccups. The fanless mini PC runs silent, the packs an Intel Apollo Lake Celeron processor (perfect for streaming, but not for multitasking productivity) and lets you add storage after purchase. It even comes with a slick remote control for easy control from the couch.
The Azulle Access3 is the best we've seen with the stick PC design. The tiny PC has an Intel Gemini Lake Celeron N4100 processor, giving it the power to run your day-to-day apps and browse the web with capable comfort, and a built in micro SD card slot lets you bolster the included 32GB of eMMC storage. But small touches like a positionable Wi-Fi antenna, built-in Gigabit Ethernet port and speedy USB 3.0 ports make this one of the best mini PCs around, regardless of the design.
The Azulle Byte3 is a perfect fit for cord cutters and streaming fanatics, sinc ethe compact mini PC is small enough to add to an home theater system, but capable of streaming 4K video without hiccups. The fanless mini PC runs silent, the packs an Intel Apollo Lake Celeron processor (perfect for streaming, but not for multitasking productivity) and lets you add storage after purchase. It even comes with a slick remote control for easy control from the couch.
The Azulle Access3 is the best we've seen with the stick PC design. The tiny PC has an Intel Gemini Lake Celeron N4100 processor, giving it the power to run your day-to-day apps and browse the web with capable comfort, and a built in micro SD card slot lets you bolster the included 32GB of eMMC storage. But small touches like a positionable Wi-Fi antenna, built-in Gigabit Ethernet port and speedy USB 3.0 ports make this one of the best mini PCs around, regardless of the design.
If you're more concerned with getting online than with having a full Windows experience, consider a Chromebox. Built around Google's Chrome operating system – the same OS used on Chromebooks – it uses web apps like Google Drive and Google Docs instead of traditional software. As an inexpensive way to get online and get things done, Chromeboxes are a great option. Our favorite is the Acer Chromebox CXI3.
Want something for hardcore gaming? Check out the Intel Hades Canyon NUC because of its compact, console-like design; speedy performance; and support for the fastest solid-state drives. It's its Intel Core i7-8009G/AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH hybrid chip is not only up for gaming, it can even handle VR.
For the office, there’s the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny, which puts a whole lot of desktop hardware into its compact 7 x 7-inch chassis. The little work PC offers plenty of configuration options, several handy accessories and even the option to turn it into an All-in-One PC with Lenovo’s Tiny-in-One monitors.
If you need even more horsepower, the HP Z2 Mini G4 packs a workstation PC into a compact size. Built to support AutoCAD and other demanding applications, the Z2 Mini boasts an Intel Xeon processor and Vendor-certified Nvidia Quadro graphics. It's the most powerful mini PC we've reviewed, and the smallest workstation we've seen.
Best Mini PC Overall
Apple Mac mini (2018)
Best Mini PC Overall
Size (Inches): 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 | Weight: 2.6 pounds | CPU : Intel Core i3-8100B | Storage: 128GB SSD | Geekbench 3 Score: 12,844
The Plustek scanner is compatible with both Mac and windows OS. View Latest Price on Amazon. 2 Epson FastFoto FF-640 Scanner. One of the high speed photo scanners, Epson FF-640 offers many innovative features apart from basic scanning functionality. This is a very good low-cost scanner for documents and photos. I really like the fact that it is powered right from the USB cable, with no need for a power cord and AC adapter. It makes really good photo scans, although they sometimes need a bit of color correction in post production. For the money, it. Best scanner for a mac.
Same compact dimensions with a space-gray finish
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
Impressive performance
Limited upgradability
Can get pricey
Apple took its sweet time updating the Mac mini, but the Mac mini (2018) was well worth the wait. The new Mac mini has a slick new look and a speedy collection of ports, and even offers (a bit) of upgradability. Despite rocking an older 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, the littlest Mac managed to put up numbers that bested better-equipped systems, and offers a surprising amount of power in a pleasantly compact design.
Best for Home Theater
Azulle Btye3 Fanless Mini Desktop PC
Kodi For Mac Download
Size (Inches): 5.6 x 4 x 1.5 | Weight: 14 ounces | CPU: Intel Celeron J3455 | Storage: 32GB eMMC | Geekbench 4 Score: 4,011
Great for 4k streaming
Upgradable design
Better than expected performance
Lousy multitasking
Included remote is sparse on features
The Azulle Byte3 is a mini PC with a compact fanless design that will easily fit into your home entertainment setup, providing a great tool for media streaming and a full PC experience on your TV. With an Intel Apollo Lake Celeron processor, it's perfect for streaming 4K video and offers all the connectivity you need with a healthy selection of ports.
The small size of the Byte3 (5.6 x 4 x 1.5 inches) will easily mount to the back of a TV or monitor. The compact design still offers options to upgrade after purchase, and the slick looks means that even though you can easily hide it away, you might not want to. If you want a great mini PC for home entertainment use, the Azulle Byte3 mini is our favorite.
The small size of the Byte3 (5.6 x 4 x 1.5 inches) will easily mount to the back of a TV or monitor. The compact design still offers options to upgrade after purchase, and the slick looks means that even though you can easily hide it away, you might not want to. If you want a great mini PC for home entertainment use, the Azulle Byte3 mini is our favorite.
Intel NUC (Hades Canyon)
Size (Inches): 8.7 x 5.6 x 1.5 | Weight: 4.75 pounds | CPU : Intel Core i7-8009G/AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH | Storage: Bring Your Own
Impressive graphics performance
Tons of ports
Expensive after adding parts
Intel’s Hades Canyon NUC is a mini PC that delivers desktop-gaming-grade performance thanks to its Intel Core i7-8009G/AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH hybrid chip, which combines processing and discrete graphics on a single chip. If you buy the barebones kit, you’ll need to provide memory and storage, and your own installation of Windows, but this pint-sized gaming machine can go toe-to-toe with an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti-powered gaming tower, and it even handled a bit of VR.
Best Stick PC
Azulle Access3
Size (Inches): 5.5 x 2.36 x 0.76 | Weight: 5.12 ounces | CPU : Intel Celeron N4100 | Storage: 32GB | Geekbench 4 Score: 4,541
Elegant design combines fanless cooling with stylish looks
Improved port selection boasts USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet
Supports 4K video at 30Hz
Optional bundled keyboard is clunky
The Azulle Access3 takes our favorite tiny stick PC and makes it even better. With a design small enough to slip in your hip pocket, and flexible enough to be used with any monitor or TV, the Access3 gets a faster processor, speedier USB 3.0 ports and adds Gigabit Ethernet for better performance and connectivity than any other stick PC we've reviewed.
Whether it's for use in your home theater, powering digital signage or just giving you a way to watch Netflix on your hotel TV, the Azulle Access3 is our new favorite stick PC.
Best Mini Workstation
HP Z2 Mini G4
Size (Inches): 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.3 | Weight: 4.85 pounds | CPU : Intel Xeon E-2176G | Storage: 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD | Geekbench 3 Score: 25,064
Best Mac Mini For Kodi Smit-mcphee
Powerful processing and graphics hardware
Category-leading performance
Security is built in
Windows 10 Pro still includes dumb bloatware
The HP Z2 Mini G4 is an ultrasmall workstation PC, cramming workstation-level components and ISV-certified graphics into a desktop PC that's smaller than some books. Equipped with a beefy 6-core Intel Xeon E-2176G processor, 32GB of RAM and Nvidia Quadro P1000 graphics, the Z2 Mini easily handles workloads that other mini PCs struggle with, and is certified to work with a variety of mission-critical programs, from vendors like Autodesk, Avid, Siemens, Solidworks and Vectorworks.
Best Office Mini PC
Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny
Best Kodi Build For Mac Mini
Size (Inches): 7.05 x 7.20 x 1.36 inches | Weight: 2.91 pounds | CPU : Intel Core i5-7500T | Storage: 256GB SSD | Geekbench 3 Score: 10,007
Compact design
Strong performance
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny desktop puts business-grade productivity into a package that’s smaller than a paperback book. It offers all sorts of business-friendly features into it’s small, square chassis, with plenty of ports, speedy Wi-Fi, and options to add an optical drive or even transform the mini PC into an All-in-One desktop using Lenovo’s Tiny-in-One monitors. The small size belies the capabilities inside, with configurations that offer up to an Intel Core i7 processor, as much as 32GB of memory, choices of HDD or SSD storage (with Opal-compliant options), and accessories for added functionality.
Best Chrome Desktop
Best Mac Mini For Protools
Acer Chromebox CXI3
Best Chrome Desktop
Size (Inches): 5.9 x 5.9 x 1.6 | Weight: 1.2 pounds | CPU : Intel Core i5-8250U | Storage: 64GB SSD | Geekbench 3 Score: N/A
Compact design can be mounted or stashed out of sight
Has excellent performance
Limitations of Chrome OS
Best Kodi Version
The Acer Chromebox CXI3 may be the best desktop version of Chrome OS available. Made for educational and professional use, the Chromebox CXI3 delivers everything that’s great about Chrome – ease of use, simple security, and all the online capability you want – in a mini PC that boasts plenty of ports, multiple mounting options, and speedy performance. Plus, it’s cheaper than any similarly equipped Windows machine.
Best for VR
Asus VivoPC X
Best for VR
Mac Mini Review
Size (Inches): 10.2 x 11 x 3 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ | Storage: 1TB SATA hard drive | Geekbench 3 Score: 10,176
Wonderfully compact design
VR-ready
Limited configurations
If you want to experience virtual reality but don't have the space (or budget) for a huge tower, the Asus VivoPC X is for you. This slick mini desktop will barely make a dent in your desk or entertainment center, and its Core i5 processor and Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card are more than capable of handling mainstream gaming and VR. Priced at just $799, the VivoPC X is a great starting point for folks looking to get VR ready without spending over $1000 on a desktop.
Best for Tinkerers
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
Best for Tinkerers
Size (Inches): 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.7 | Weight: 1.8 ounces | CPU : ARM Cortex A53 | Storage: No onboard storage | Geekbench 3 Score: N/A
Expanded processing power and connectivity
Free software
Some basic parts needed unless you buy in a kit
We're in a golden age for DIY tech, and the Raspberry Pi is a big part of that. The latest model, the $35 Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ offers a tremendous value for projects ranging from simple to complex, offering more processing power, faster networking speeds, and better flexibility for add-ons than ever before. Whether you buy it alone or in a kit, the Raspberry Pi is hard to beat.
We put each mini PC we review through a series of tests to determine how it performs. Synthetic benchmarks Geekbench 4 and 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited provide scores that represent overall system speed and graphics prowess, respectively.
Our real-world Spreadsheet Macro test matches 20,000 names with their addresses to demonstrate productivity performance, and our File Transfer Test measures the hard drive or SSD's capabilities by copying 4.97GB of mixed media files. To see how well a mini PC plays games, we run Dirt 3 and other relevant games at various resolutions, including 1080p, and record the frame rate.
Most importantly, we use each mini PC for several hours, trying out its unique features and any preloaded software. If a system is sold as bare-bones (i.e., lacking RAM, storage or OS), we install 8GB of memory, a compatible SSD and, where appropriate, the latest shipping version of Windows (currently Windows 10).
Our real-world Spreadsheet Macro test matches 20,000 names with their addresses to demonstrate productivity performance, and our File Transfer Test measures the hard drive or SSD's capabilities by copying 4.97GB of mixed media files. To see how well a mini PC plays games, we run Dirt 3 and other relevant games at various resolutions, including 1080p, and record the frame rate.
Most importantly, we use each mini PC for several hours, trying out its unique features and any preloaded software. If a system is sold as bare-bones (i.e., lacking RAM, storage or OS), we install 8GB of memory, a compatible SSD and, where appropriate, the latest shipping version of Windows (currently Windows 10).
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