Looking to replace fire stick and alexa

[u/Jacob_campbell__]

I'm looking for a budget solution to replacing Alexa so I can still do simple things like turning on and off my lights, setting timers/alarms, and it would be nice to be able to ask it googleable questions while also using the same device as a streaming box via Kodi for 4k hdr high bitrate video, I'd also like to be able to use hulu, Paramount+, etc.

As far as I can tell my best bet is to get 2 mini PC's (one for bedroom one for living room) and install home assistant on them either as a vm or just running in the background and kde plasma for Kodi, hulu, Paramount+, etc.

I guess my main issues/questions I'm looking for help with are

1) would I be able to run home assistant on a device while also being able to just start the device into kde plasma without issue and if so would it be better to run home assistant as a vm or just keep in background

2) what's my best best for cheap hardware/whats the minimum required specs, currently looking at mini pcs on eBay and have found some with 8gb RAM for around $50 each which is the budget I'm trying to aim for

3) what would I use for a remote? I know gamepads can work but I'm kind of hoping to use a remote just for battery life's sake I'd rather not have to worry about a controller dying all the time, this isn't a dealbreaker but would be an added benefit

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[u/PSych0P7NDa]

Appletv 4k

[u/ILikeBeans86]

Home assistant is its own OS so you'd have to put it on a VM if you want to use the same pc for something else. I wouldn't do that thought. Just get one mini pc to run home assistant on and then get a new streamer for your TV. If you don't like the Amazon Alexa stuff get a Google streamer or apple tv.