Cheapest way to get a Windows based HTPC?

[Goose]

I currently have an Amazon FireTV which i'm getting rather frustrated with due to reliability issues with Kodi and Plex so i'm thinking about replacing it with a Windows based alternative. I like the idea of getting a NUC as i'm rather space limited as I already have a m-itx NAS, Tivo box etc etc in the same unit. I dont know a great deal about NUC's so I was hoping someone might throw out a ballpark figure for a complete working system. It'll be wired to my gigabit network so no need for a wireless card or anything and i'm not looking to do anything more taxing than stream 1080p files from NAS. I also have no issue with buying one 2nd hand in order to save some dosh.

Thanks.

 

[Goose]

Bay Trail HDMI stick would fit the bill if you're not expecting it to transcode.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/inte...ndows-8.1-upgradeable-to-windo-fs-010-in.html

Or there's an 8GB/1GB RAM version for £20 less.

Interesting, looks like it's wifi only though, no ethernet? With it being a windows system i'm assuming neither Kodi nor Plex will have to transcode anything.

I went for a Gigabyte brix when i was looking to upgrade my (very) long in the tooth Acer Aspire Revo. After a rather dissapointing experience with the Revo the key was getting a fanless design in as small a form factor as possible.

I have the GB-XM12 (got it on a special offer for around £135) and it has been very good. Using linux mint on it and it can stream movies from my PC, local usb or play streaming services. Recently (and i suspect this may be a driver issue) i have noticed some screen tearing on Netflix and Chrome. Would heartily recommend though. Fanless rules

That looks pretty good, I definitely want to go fanless as my TV room is pretty damn small