#Mini Desktop PC

[nerdbytehub]

Unleash Power in a Compact Package: ACEMAGICIAN Mini Gaming PC for Just £329.99

ACEMAGICIAN Mini Gaming PC Review: Power-Packed Performance in a Compact Form Looking for a mini PC that can handle your gaming needs without taking up too much space? Meet the ACEMAGICIAN Mini Gaming PC—a powerful, compact gaming machine that punches well above its weight. Whether you’re into casual gaming, streaming, or even light work tasks, this little desktop is here to impress. Let’s dive…

[saleselectronic]

Unleashing Power in a Compact Form: The Rise of Mini Desktop PCs

In the evolving landscape of computing, mini desktop PCs have emerged as a powerful and versatile solution, challenging traditional notions of size and performance. In this blog, we'll dive into the world of mini desktop PCs, exploring their compact designs, potent capabilities, and the myriad benefits they bring to users seeking a balance between space efficiency and computing power.

As technology continues to advance, the demand for smaller yet powerful computing solutions has given rise to the popularity of mini PC Desktop. This blog aims to shed light on the unique features, benefits, and the growing appeal of these compact computing marvels that have become a disruptive force in the desktop market.

1. The Compact Revolution: mini PC Desktops represent a departure from the conventional, proving that powerful computing experiences can come in small packages. These compact devices pack a punch, challenging the notion that desktop power is synonymous with a large tower.

2. Space-Efficient Designs: One of the primary attractions of mini PC Desktops is their space-efficient designs. These compact devices take up minimal space on desks or workstations, making them ideal for environments where space is at a premium. Whether in a home office, dorm room, or crowded workspace, mini desktops seamlessly integrate into diverse settings.

3. Powerful Performance: Contrary to their diminutive size, mini PC Desktops boast impressive performance capabilities. Equipped with advanced processors, sufficient RAM, and fast storage options, these devices are more than capable of handling everyday computing tasks, multimedia consumption, and even demanding applications. The compact form factor doesn't compromise on power, making mini desktops versatile for a wide range of users.

4. Portability and Flexibility: The compact nature of mini PC Desktops contributes to their portability. Users can easily move these devices from one location to another, facilitating flexibility in setting up workspaces or enjoying computing experiences in different environments. This portability is a valuable asset for those who are constantly on the move or appreciate the freedom to change their computing setup effortlessly.

5. Energy Efficiency: mini PC Desktops often boast energy-efficient designs, consuming less power compared to their larger counterparts. This not only contributes to a smaller environmental footprint but also translates to potential cost savings on energy bills. The emphasis on energy efficiency aligns with the growing awareness of sustainability in technology.

6. Diverse Connectivity Options: Despite their compact size, mini PC Desktops offer a range of connectivity options. Users can find USB ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and other interfaces, allowing for seamless connections to peripherals, external displays, and accessories. This diverse connectivity ensures that users can create a customised and efficient desktop setup based on their needs.

7. Aesthetically Pleasing Designs: mini PC Desktops often feature sleek and modern designs that add a touch of aesthetics to any workspace. From minimalist enclosures to innovative form factors, manufacturers have embraced the challenge of marrying functionality with eye-catching designs. This emphasis on aesthetics enhances the overall computing experience and elevates the visual appeal of these compact devices.

8. Niche Applications: mini PC Desktops are finding applications in various niche scenarios. From serving as media center hubs in living rooms to being the computing solution for digital signage in commercial settings, their versatility extends beyond traditional desktop usage. The adaptability of mini desktops positions them as valuable tools in diverse technological landscapes.

Conclusion: 

The era of mini desktop PCs has dawned, ushering in a new paradigm where compactness and power coexist seamlessly. From their efficient use of space to impressive performance capabilities, these devices cater to users who prioritise both form and function. Whether you're looking to optimise your workspace, enhance portability, or explore new computing possibilities, the world of mini PC Desktops offers a compelling and innovative solution.

[donjuaninhell]

Even if you buy new, computers are cheap. Not every desktop has to be a $2500 gaming PC. Look at this. This is a mini-PC you can get for under $200. That's less expensive than even some entry level phones. It's not the fastest or flashiest, but for web browsing, desktop tasks, photo editing, multimedia playback, and even some light gaming (this specific model can do console emulation up to the GameCube/PS2 era at 720p) it's more than enough. I own this exact model, it runs a Plex server for fifteen people and has never once crashed. Computers are cheap.

This website is too mobile focused these days. Reblog and tell me what your desktop/laptop background is.

[amproductreview]

Skytech Gaming PC Desktop Review — My Honest Experience After 1 Month (Intel i7 + RTX 4070 Ti)

$1,499.99 with 25 percent savings 

List Price: $1,999.99 

If you’re in the market for a high-performance prebuilt gaming PC that doesn’t look like it was cobbled together in someone’s garage, the Skytech Gaming PC (i7–12700F + RTX 4070 Ti) caught my eye — and after using it daily for about a month, I’ve got thoughts.

Let me walk you through what this machine does well, where it stumbles, and whether it’s actually worth the price tag in 2025’s chaotic PC market.

🔧 Quick Specs at a Glance

CPU: Intel Core i7–12700F (12-core beast, turbo up to 4.9GHz)

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti (aka ray-tracing heaven)

RAM: 16GB DDR4 (3200 MHz — fast, but maybe not enough for everyone)

Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (snappy, but you’ll probably want more eventually)

Cooling: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler (this thing chills)

PSU: 750W Gold-rated

OS: Windows 11 Home

Case: RGB tempered glass mid-tower — looks sharp and runs cool

⚡ Performance: Smooth As Butter in AAA Games

MORE INFO ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

Honestly, this thing flies.

I’ve been running Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Warzone, and even the new Black Ops 6, all on Ultra settings at 1440p — and I’m consistently getting 100+ FPS. The 4070 Ti, paired with DLSS 3, absolutely handles anything I throw at it. Even 4K gaming is surprisingly smooth, though you might dial back a few settings for that extra headroom.

Multitasking? No problem. I had Twitch streaming, Chrome tabs galore, and DaVinci Resolve running simultaneously, and this PC didn’t even blink.

❄️ Cooling: No Jet Engine Here

A lot of prebuilt rigs sound like they’re prepping for liftoff under load. Not this one.

The 360mm AIO cooler is doing serious work. My CPU temps stay around 60–65°C even during extended gaming sessions, and the GPU hovers comfortably at 70°C. The fans don’t ramp up into a howling mess, either. It’s… actually kinda quiet?

Cable management is clean too, which helps with airflow and just makes the build feel more “premium” than I expected at this price.

🎮 Setup and Day-to-Day Use

Setup was a breeze. Took it out of the box, plugged it in, powered it up — done. Windows 11 Home is pre-installed with barely any bloatware (thank you, Skytech). GPU drivers were a quick manual update via NVIDIA, but otherwise? Smooth sailing.

And the RGB? Subtle but nice. Not obnoxious “gamer bro” vibes — more like tasteful neon underglow.

💰 Is It Worth the Price?

Let’s be real — building a similar rig yourself in 2025 would cost you roughly the same, and you’d have to hunt down parts, troubleshoot, and hope nothing arrives DOA.

With this Skytech system, you’re paying for convenience, design, and frankly, less headache.

That said… some users on Reddit and Amazon mention quality control issues. Mine’s been rock solid so far (knock on wood), but I do recommend buying from somewhere with easy returns, just in case. Amazon’s been good for that.

✅ What I Love

🚀 Ultra-smooth gaming at 1440p and even 4K

❄️ Whisper-quiet cooling system that actually works

💾 Lightning-fast boot and load times

🎮 Clean Windows install — no junk

🧩 Looks good and is easy to upgrade later

💸 Competitive pricing for the performance

❌ What Could Be Better

🧠 16GB RAM is fine, but 32GB would’ve been ideal for streaming + editing

📦 1TB fills up fast if you’re a game hoarder like me

🛠️ Some reports of hardware issues — YMMV

🧾 Skytech’s support? Mixed reviews. I haven’t had to contact them (yet)

🔍 What Others Are Saying

“My Shadow 4 is awesome. Runs quiet, great FPS.”  “Bought a $2800 Skytech — it failed in 2 weeks. Support was helpful but slow.”

So yeah, most people are happy with performance — but QC and support seem to be a gamble. Just double-check everything when it arrives and keep your return window in mind.

💡 Tips Before Buying

Upgrade to 32GB RAM if you stream or do a lot of video work

Consider a secondary SSD or HDD early on (those Steam games add up fast)

Buy from a seller with easy returns and warranty options

Inspect the case, fans, and connections the day it arrives — a few users reported bent metal or disconnected cables

🏁 Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you’re not into building your own rig but still want that “high-end custom PC” experience, this Skytech Gaming PC delivers.

It’s powerful. It’s cool (literally and visually). And it’s one of the better value-for-performance prebuilts I’ve seen in 2025.

✅ Buy it if you want:

Killer FPS in 1440p and 4K

Reliable performance for gaming + content creation

A stylish, prebuilt machine that won’t embarrass you on stream

🚫 Skip it if:

You love building PCs and tweaking every part

You’re super budget-conscious

You can’t tolerate any chance of needing warranty support

Bottom line: For the price, the performance, and the plug-and-play ease? I’d absolutely buy it again.

MORE INFO ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

[gurupanguji]

Framework announcements - Feb 25, 2025

Framework announcements: a delightful mini desktop and a promising ultra portable. #framework #pc #linux

Framework, the company that makes modular computers including the much lauded Framework 13 laptop announced a new mainboard for the laptop. a delightful new desktop mini PC and a hot new 12″ portable / convertible laptop. Framework is still a niche manufacturer. They are not an apple, dell, hp or even a microsoft. They’ve focused on upgradeable modular laptops and the framework 13 is a…

[ms-demeanor]

So You Need To Buy A Computer But You Don't Know What Specs Are Good These Days

Hi.

This is literally my job.

Lots of people are buying computers for school right now or are replacing computers as their five-year-old college laptop craps out so here's the standard specs you should be looking for in a (windows) computer purchase in August 2023.

PROCESSOR

Intel i5 (no older than 10th Gen)

Ryzen 7

You can get away with a Ryzen 5 but an intel i3 should be an absolute last resort. You want at least an intel i5 or a Ryzen 7 processor. The current generation of intel processors is 13, but anything 10 or newer is perfectly fine. DO NOT get a higher performance line with an older generation; a 13th gen i5 is better than an 8th gen i7. (Unfortunately I don't know enough about ryzens to tell you which generation is the earliest you should get, but staying within 3 generations is a good rule of thumb)

RAM

8GB absolute minimum

If you don't have at least 8GB RAM on a modern computer it's going to be very, very slow. Ideally you want a computer with at least 16GB, and it's a good idea to get a computer that will let you add or swap RAM down the line (nearly all desktops will let you do this, for laptops you need to check the specs for Memory and see how many slots there are and how many slots are available; laptops with soldered RAM cannot have the memory upgraded - this is common in very slim laptops)

STORAGE

256GB SSD

Computers mostly come with SSDs these days; SSDs are faster than HDDs but typically have lower storage for the same price. That being said: SSDs are coming down in price and if you're installing your own drive you can easily upgrade the size for a low cost. Unfortunately that doesn't do anything for you for the initial purchase.

A lot of cheaper laptops will have a 128GB SSD and, because a lot of stuff is stored in the cloud these days, that can be functional. I still recommend getting a bit more storage than that because it's nice if you can store your music and documents and photos on your device instead of on the cloud. You want to be able to access your files even if you don't have internet access.

But don't get a computer with a big HDD instead of getting a computer with a small SSD. The difference in speed is noticeable.

SCREEN (laptop specific)

Personally I find that touchscreens have a negative impact on battery life and are easier to fuck up than standard screens. They are also harder to replace if they get broken. I do not recommend getting a touch screen unless you absolutely have to.

A lot of college students especially tend to look for the biggest laptop screen possible; don't do that. It's a pain in the ass to carry a 17" laptop around campus and with the way that everything is so thin these days it's easier to damage a 17" screen than a 14" screen.

On the other end of that: laptops with 13" screens tend to be very slim devices that are glued shut and impossible to work on or upgrade.

Your best bet (for both functionality and price) is either a 14" or a 15.6" screen. If you absolutely positively need to have a 10-key keyboard on your laptop, get the 15.6". If you need something portable more than you need 10-key, get a 14"

FORM FACTOR (desktop specific)

If you purchase an all-in-one desktop computer I will begin manifesting in your house physically. All-in-ones take away every advantage desktops have in terms of upgradeability and maintenance; they are expensive and difficult to repair and usually not worth the cost of disassembling to upgrade.

There are about four standard sizes of desktop PC: All-in-One (the size of a monitor with no other footprint), Tower (Big! probably at least two feet long in two directions), Small Form Factor Tower (Very moderate - about the size of a large shoebox), and Mini/Micro/Tiny (Small! about the size of a small hardcover book).

If you are concerned about space you are much better off getting a MicroPC and a bracket to put it on your monitor than you are getting an all-in-one. This will be about a million percent easier to work on than an all-in-one and this way if your monitor dies your computer is still functional.

Small form factor towers and towers are the easiest to work on and upgrade; if you need a burly graphics card you need to get a full size tower, but for everything else a small form factor tower will be fine. Most of our business sales are SFF towers and MicroPCs, the only time we get something larger is if we have to put a $700 graphics card in it. SFF towers will accept small graphics cards and can handle upgrades to the power supply; MicroPCs can only have the RAM and SSD upgraded and don't have room for any other components or their own internal power supply.

WARRANTY

Most desktops come with either a 1 or 3 year warranty; either of these is fine and if you want to upgrade a 1 year to a 3 year that is also fine. I've generally found that if something is going to do a warranty failure on desktop it's going to do it the first year, so you don't get a hell of a lot of added mileage out of an extended warranty but it doesn't hurt and sometimes pays off to do a 3-year.

Laptops are a different story. Laptops mostly come with a 1-year warranty and what I recommend everyone does for every laptop that will allow it is to upgrade that to the longest warranty you can get with added drop/damage protection. The most common question our customers have about laptops is if we can replace a screen and the answer is usually "yes, but it's going to be expensive." If you're purchasing a low-end laptop, the parts and labor for replacing a screen can easily cost more than half the price of a new laptop. HOWEVER, the way that most screens get broken is by getting dropped. So if you have a warranty with drop protection, you just send that sucker back to the factory and they fix it for you.

So, if it is at all possible, check if the manufacturer of a laptop you're looking at has a warranty option with drop protection. Then, within 30 days (though ideally on the first day you get it) of owning your laptop, go to the manufacturer site, register your serial number, and upgrade the warranty. If you can't afford a 3-year upgrade at once set a reminder for yourself to annually renew. But get that drop protection, especially if you are a college student or if you've got kids.

And never, ever put pens or pencils on your laptop keyboard. I've seen people ruin thousand dollar, brand-new laptops that they can't afford to fix because they closed the screen on a ten cent pencil. Keep liquids away from them too.

LIFESPAN

There's a reasonable chance that any computer you buy today will still be able to turn on and run a program or two in ten years. That does not mean that it is "functional."

At my office we estimate that the functional lifespan of desktops is 5-7 years and the functional lifespan of laptops is 3-5 years. Laptops get more wear and tear than desktops and desktops are easier to upgrade to keep them running. At 5 years for desktops and 3 years for laptops you should look at upgrading the RAM in the device and possibly consider replacing the SSD with a new (possibly larger) model, because SSDs and HDDs don't last forever.

COST

This means that you should think of your computers as an annual investment rather than as a one-time purchase. It is more worthwhile to pay $700 for a laptop that will work well for five years than it is to pay $300 for a laptop that will be outdated and slow in one year (which is what will happen if you get an 8th gen i3 with 8GB RAM). If you are going to get a $300 laptop try to get specs as close as possible to the minimums I've laid out here.

If you have to compromise on these specs, the one that is least fixable is the processor. If you get a laptop with an i3 processor you aren't going to be able to upgrade it even if you can add more RAM or a bigger SSD. If you have to get lower specs in order to afford the device put your money into the processor and make sure that the computer has available slots for upgrade and that neither the RAM nor the SSD is soldered to the motherboard. (one easy way to check this is to search "[computer model] RAM upgrade" on youtube and see if anyone has made a video showing what the inside of the laptop looks like and how much effort it takes to replace parts)

Computers are expensive right now. This is frustrating, because historically consumer computer prices have been on a downward trend but since 2020 that trend has been all over the place. Desktop computers are quite expensive at the moment (August 2023) and decent laptops are extremely variably priced.

If you are looking for a decent, upgradeable laptop that will last you a few years, here are a couple of options that you can purchase in August 2023 that have good prices for their specs:

14" Lenovo - $670 - 11th-gen i5, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD

15.6" HP - $540 - 11th-gen i5, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD

14" Dell - $710 - 12th-gen i5, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD

If you are looking for a decent, affordable desktop that will last you a few years, here are a couple of options that you can purchase in August 2023 that have good prices for their specs:

SFF HP - $620 - 10th-gen i5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD

SFF Lenovo - $560 - Ryzen 7 5000 series, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

Dell Tower - $800 - 10th-gen i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

If I were going to buy any of these I'd probably get the HP laptop or the Dell Tower. The HP Laptop is actually a really good price for what it is.

Anyway happy computering.

[aldebaran66]

Mini PC Dell Wyse https://www.subito.it/informatica/mini-pc-dell-wyse-torino-524722952.htm?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=subito&utm_campaign=free-engagement-myads

Potente e compatto, affare. prezzo leggermente trattabile.

[virtualizationhowto]

Beelink Mini PC S12 Pro: Proxmox Home Server

Beelink Mini PC S12 Pro: Proxmox Home Server #homelab #BeelinkMiniPCS12ProReview #IntelN100ProcessorInsights #UpgradeOpportunitiesForBeelinkPCs #IntelVsAMDmobileProcessors #MiniPCserver #EnergyEfficiencyInSmallPCs #proxmox #homeserveronProxmox

The mini PC, characterized by its small form factor, is also becoming popular among enthusiasts and professionals doing office work. If you search on the web, there are many options to choose from. Beelink has many great options in this space and is a respected vendor. I recently snagged a Beelink Mini PC S12 Pro and have been using it in the lab for a few days. This model is a cool entry in this…

[eggrens]

i think people should try a little Linux, just for something different yknow

doesn’t have to be any specific “beginner-friendly” distro or whatever, could just be WSL even . just gives you a different perspective on OSs :)

like if you’re sick of Windows/MacOS and are frustrated that you need to keep upgrading your hardware to run the newest versions, why not experience something else and download VirtualBox n try out a Linux distro for a bit, see if you like it,, I think you might be surprised by some of em :)

i still use Windows 10 for my desktop, mainly for gaming and art etc, but i switched over to Linux Mint on my laptop a while ago and have used it for school, and it’s been running better than when it had Windows on it. does what i need it to do, and using the terminal to do stuff feels fun and kinda powerful with how easy it is to install stuff with it :)

was there troubleshooting involved? yes, but it was often fixed by just looking up your problem and finding answers on stackexchange or linux forums, not too different from troubleshooting windows tbh lol

i’ve also recently got a mini pc to use as a little server for stuff, like discord bots. even tho the specs are a little on the lower side, it’s still able to run stuff pretty well since I installed Xubuntu on it, which is specifically designed to be quite light on system resources, and it’s been great too :)

anyways point is,, try out Linux in some form, why not :) if you have an old laptop/desktop sitting around, try reviving it by installing a lightweight linux distro on it! the less e-waste the better :3

[miiilowo]

people were wondering how i got my tumblr to look ^^ like this and asked for a mini tutorial so. here is how to get a custom tumblr theme (if youre on desktop) (obviously) [included screenshots of both the old & new layout so you can see how it looks]

go to the firefox (or chrome) store and install this extension. or just look up 'stylus browser extension' and it should show up

once youve got it installed, click the 'find' button in the bottom right. it should just show you tumblr stuff and if u scroll down a bit itll be there. but if it doesnt for whatever reason, look up the custom dashboard palette and install That One specifically

theres a gear icon. click it. you can change a whole bunch of stuff in here (notably, the color palette of basically everything on the site) but for backgrounds specifically theres this

find whatever image you want to use. it'll probably be the most convenient to find an aesthetic picture off tumblr itself. or, if you have a wallpaper you want to use thats downloaded onto your pc, upload it onto your blog or something. for whatever picture you want to use, right click and select 'copy image link' specifically and then paste it into the 'custom background image url' box and hit save. if it has a https in the link, then it should work out just fine

voila. that should do it. and side note if you want the old tumblr dash layout before they twitter-ized it, heres a post about that & the stylus extension for it

[saleselectronic]

Discover Efficiency with Mini Desktop PCs

Experience the power of mini desktop PCs – compact, yet efficient computing solutions designed for versatile use. From home offices to business environments, these space-saving devices offer seamless performance. Explore the range and find the perfect fit for your computing needs

[tovieplays]

      

NEW MODS VIDEO IS LIVE NOW!!! FOLLOW FOR MORE

 | Visual mods |

*No music notes mod for sims 4: by Krys29 https://modthesims.info/d/540385/no-music-notes-for-sims-4.html

*No Zzz for Sims 4 https://modthesims.info/d/540287/no-zzz-for-sims-4.html

*Missing plumbob by  https://ko-fi.com/s/b737098fd3 

    | Gameplay mods |

*SimCare https://www.patreon.com/posts/simcare-early-91664292 

*Mccc - https://deaderpool-mccc.com/ 

*Weerbesu UI cheats https://www.patreon.com/posts/ui-cheats-v1-16-26240068

*Smarter Pie Menu: Searchable https://www.patreon.com/posts/smarter-pie-menu-81030137

*Steady Sit & Seat Any Sim: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mod-steady-sit-83645525

*Steady Sit & Seat Any Sim: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mod-steady-sit-83645525

*Mini-Mod: Greetings: https://www.patreon.com/posts/nc4t-mini-mod-65202018 

*First Impressions: https://www.patreon.com/posts/44832679 

*Mod: Turn On TV: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mod-turn-on-tv-70261108 

*Control Any Sim https://modthesims.info/d/634595/control-any-sim-v1-2-4.html 

*Healthy living mod : https://www.patreon.com/posts/healthy-living-102663074 

*Autonomy Toggle : https://www.patreon.com/posts/bg-autonomy-31612207 

*Midnitetech power outages mod https://www.patreon.com/midnitetech/posts 

*Midnitetech doom scrolling https://www.patreon.com/midnitetech/posts 

* Nerdy doll Cupids corner lower refresh rate https://www.patreon.com/posts/cupids-corner-108827515 

*UTOPYA Brawling Mod https://www.patreon.com/UTOPYA_cc/posts

*UTOPYA make the bed mod https://www.patreon.com/UTOPYA_cc/posts

*UTOPYA pool table mod https://www.patreon.com/posts/functional-pool-97981170 

*Waronkcc functional cars https://www.patreon.com/posts/61053382 

| Overrides |

*Luxe Gift Box Override by LargeTayterTots https://www.patreon.com/posts/luxe-gift-box-by-104977636 

*Presents Overhaul by Apricot Rush  https://www.patreon.com/posts/day-9-presents-94902582 

*Simkatu Computer Desktop Override https://www.patreon.com/simkatu/posts

*Ceiling replacement by surprise peach https://surprisepeach.tumblr.com/post/625013453550157824/this-replaces-the-ugly-white-ceilings-with-a 

*Pc game override by Ebonix https://www.patreon.com/posts/33560276

*Simkatu override flower arrangement https://www.patreon.com/simkatu/posts

*Dynamus Remote Override https://modthesims.info/m/10185139 

*Nv games Failed Energy Animation https://www.patreon.com/posts/small-mods-69121597 

*Default mop replacement LargeTayterTots  https://www.patreon.com/posts/default-haul-87565236 

| Romance mods |

*Purchase jewelry by rex :https://konansock.tumblr.com/post/751599316869791744/small-mod-purchase-jewelry-on-phones 

*SIMS4 MOD | Kiss-n-Grind 1.6 Waved Kiss https://www.patreon.com/posts/107870579 

*Simkatu cry mod https://www.patreon.com/simkatu/posts

*UTOPYA passionate gifts https://www.patreon.com/UTOPYA_cc/posts

| Cas and lighting mods |

*Vyxated Reflective CAS Background https://www.patreon.com/posts/reflection-cas-93254283

*Weerbesu More columns in CAS https://www.patreon.com/posts/more-columns-in-27751117

*No blu by LUUMIA https://luumiasims.com/post/176043227929/its-been-well-over-a-year-since-noblu-v1-came-out 

*Luumia NoGLO https://luumiasims.com/post/167217001494/i-released-the-noglo-mod-about-a-year-and-a-half 

*Simp4sims simpsetters https://www.patreon.com/posts/overhaul-01-57965057 

*Softerhaze Sunblind https://softerhaze.tumblr.com/post/708700219869691904/sunblind-the-landscape-images-above-excluding 

*K-Hippy K-505 Terrain Mod https://k-hippie.tumblr.com/post/171136399326/k-505-terrain-mod-replacement-4-all-worlds 

*CONTROLLED POSITION MOD by northern siberia winds https://www.patreon.com/posts/cas-tuning-mod-1-81104796 

shout out to all the incredible creators!

@plumlace @deaderpoolmc @twistedmexi @amellce @needcoffee4that @mizoreyukii @pandasamacc @midnitetech @nerdydoll-sims4 @utopya-cc @waronkccs-blog @largetaytertots @apricotrush @simkatu @ebonixsims @nv-gamesgames @vyxated @luumia @simp4sims @softerhaze @k-hippie @northernsiberiawinds

[callmearcturus]

@vmprsm replied to your post “Raw MKV rip of Mission Impossible: Fallout:...”:

Theoretically, if one wanted their own copies of the MI movies safely on a hard drive....where would one go?

​I mean, there is a site where you can acquire a lot of movies via torrent. I tend to use (rot13) 1337k.gb and I got a heavily discounted Windscribe VPN subscription that I use on almost all of my devices.

But my thing is that... I want commentary reels and special features, and sometimes you'll download a movie but the fucking subtitles are either bad or they become desynced over time and I haaaaate it.

So I've been gathering bits and pieces over the past year to get a Plex system going in my house and it works like a fucking DREAM. But it requires some investment. If you just want to have a few local copies of your favorite movies, this is way overkill. But me, I am canceling all of my family's streaming services and pivoting to our Plex.

So what I have for actually getting the files:

I don't have this model but it's similar to this, a Pioneer External Blu-ray Reader. It sits on a little shelf and is connected to my PC by a USB cable. (I think I got mine for around 68 bucks so you can wait for a sale.)

I use MakeMKV which will rip the big honking raw files from a Blu-ray and leave them as matroshka (.mkv) files.

Because these raw files are ENORMOUS, I compress them in Handbrake. Handbrake is wildly powerful, can convert file formats and make them super small. I have my Handbrake set up special to dump all the non-English language subtitles and audio tracks to save space.

(SUPER BONUS TIP FOR HANDBRAKE: If you have a dedicated GPU, you can give Handbrake permission to use it, and it'll compress shit literally 10x faster, love it.)

At the moment, I am using a Western Digital portable 5TB external harddrive because it was one sale and I couldn't beat the price. Eventually, I want to upgrade to two 10TB HDDs so I can keep a full backup of everything I'm ripping. Because this is a bit of a time and energy commitment and I don't wanna lose all my progress here!

At first I was running Plex off my desktop PC and that worked totally fine, but my family hates having to touch my desktop to wake it up every time, so I very recently grabbed one of these guys:

This is a Beelink Mini PC S12 Pro. It is small enough to fit in my hand but it is a speedy little demon that runs Windows 11. (And eventually I am gonna use it to firewall out ads from our entire home network, I'm pumped for that project but ANYWAY.)

The upside of these mini boys is that instead of being a hefty workhorse like my main computer, this is small and has a low-power draw.

So I moved my Plex Media Server to the mini PC, plugged in my 5TB drive of movies, and now everyone in the house can easily stream anything I have added to the library.

This is what it looks like, if you're curious. Any device in the house that runs Plex and is signed in can select any movie or TV show I have and just watch it like it was Netflix or something.

A month ago, I has like.... 65 movies? Now I'm ripping a few and we're gonna break 100 soon.

"But Arc, where do you get so many blurays!"

My local library.

When I lived in Broward County, FL, I had an extravagantly wonderful library system. Tax dollars at fucking WORK, y'all. Now I live in Georgia and the library system is not nearly as good, but I have still gotten my hands on a frankly ridiculous amount of blurays. Every week I'm picking up 3 to 10 movies or shows, taking them home, making good copies, and returning them.

All of this is an investment and it is work. But as someone who built my computer, built my keyboard, cracked my 3DS and PS Vita-- this is fun to me! This is what I love to do. And through doing it, I've seen more movies in the past year than the last ten years put together.

So yeah, I can't recommend this to everyone, but if you wanna get out of your subscriptions and to just have high quality shit on demand, this is what I'm doing.

Cannot stress this enough tho, if this seems interesting to you: wait for sales. All the components here go on steep sale if you wait patiently. Take your time assembling the parts and keep in mind that shit is modular, you can upgrade parts later.

[mutter-official]

Did you see those fancy new framework thingys? (The laptop 12 and desktop)

no i had not but i just looked them up

the laptop 12 looks super cool, depending on my situation after I get out of school I might consider it or whatever its equivalent is by the time i'm graduating; it's nice to see a repairable device with a (theoretically good) touchscreen and stylus

i don't completely see the point of the desktop, i mean it's really just a mini-itx pc that's halfway prebuilt and halfway diy. theoretically then you get the benefits of a prebuild (guarantee that everything fits and works, not having to go through all the effort of picking every individual part, etc.) with the benefits of diy (upgradability, mostly), but personally i don't think it's that much more work to just build smth diy. idk hopefully they sell the case separately because nice mini-itx cases are sometimes hard to come by