6.This article is primarily aimed toward Windows, Mac, or Linux users who plan to run Plex Media Server on a regular computer. Keep in mind that you have more ways to turn a Raspberry Pi into a media server and one of those ways is with Emby. If you have a spare Raspberry Pi sitting around gathering dust, turn it into a Plex media server.

Just don't expect to transcode 4K content. The Raspberry Pi is probably the best solution. The web is full of users looking for advice on the best cheap device to use as a Plex media server in hotels and offices. However, the Raspberry Pi also has some massive upsides, the most notable of which is portability. That's well short of Plex's recommended requirements for the Media Server app: an Intel Core i3 processor and at least 2GB of RAM. The Raspberry Pi 3 uses a 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and 1GB of RAM. The Raspberry Pi 2 has a 900 MHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU along with 1GB of RAM. The most notable downside is the lack of CPU power. Raspberry Pi devices have some very unique advantages and disadvantages when you're using them with the Plex Media Server app. These benefits include lower power consumption, lower costs if you're buying a new device, and, frequently, lower noise.

They have a few important benefits over regular desktops. Mini PCs are often overlooked as potential Plex media servers. You don't want to be in the middle of working on an important document only for your fan to kick in because your wife and kids are all watching Plex on different screens. The same caveat about using your primary machine applies, however. If you're expecting several people to access your Plex media server at the same time, it is probably the best solution. Even a mid-spec desktop computer will comfortably be able to handle everything Plex can throw at it. The most significant benefit of using a desktop is power.

If you're using an old laptop, make sure you buy a cooling stand. Overheating could quickly become an issue. It's not recommended to run Plex on your main laptop. However, if you've got a semi-old device lying around, it's worth considering. As such, ancient, underpowered laptops might not be suitable.

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