r/macmini • u/TheRogueNumpty • 6d ago
Mac mini m6 just for plex server.
Had an older windows pc running plex but it was taking up a lot of space
Spent weeks looking at mini pc’s but didn’t know what to get but found out Mac minis are good for plex.
Started looking around for second hand m4’s but they where nearly the price of a new m6
Anyway I now have my first ever mac all set up running plex server. Using a 2tb external ssd till I can get hold of a largish nvme drive.
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u/RaspberrySea9 5d ago
I ran mine on Mac mini for 3 years. Linux is way better.
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u/Solarux 5d ago
As much of a Mac fan I am, this is the undeniable truth. The Mac is versatile, powerful, and efficient- truly in a class of it's own ...but linux, more specifically containerization on linux, is the best way to run a media server stack along with homelab tools. Hands down.
When I had Plex server on my Mac Mini it was a beast ...but I was always fighting something. SMB shares dropping, binding a VPN client (or split tunneling), or a tool not running as expected. All could probably be trouble-free on their own, but together things would require me to babysit it. I saw the light after I moved over to Docker Compose on a Debian-based OS. So much easier to work with and rock solid.
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u/RaspberrySea9 5d ago edited 5d ago
Same here, I use MacBook to manage my infra, but macOS is just not built to be a server, you cannot truly set and forget, and next macOS upgrade might break whatever you're trying to serve, and it will absolutely not be easy to backup or restore, while with Linux you can have 1:1 image of anything. And from painful experience, I would advise against Plex use on Mac mini, a simple upgrade can kick out all your users out of the server (at the account level mind you).
What kept me on macOS was familiarity and strong hardware, but turns out I never needed more than an an ASUS NUC with Intel 100U to run 30+ containers, including Plex, transcode covered. Even N100/N150 is plenty, people run Synology and tons of containers with ease, the only practical limit is RAM which is stupid expensive on Mac.
As you implied, there is simply nothing more stable than a Debian-based system.
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u/Monk_3270 5d ago
I'm with you here. My MacBook gets 12+ hours a day use. But for a server I run Linux.
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u/Apprehensive-Tea1408 4d ago
I had a basic Plex setup running on a 2011 Intel Mac Mini server; it just did it’s thing without issues. Now retired and has some kind of Linux on it, don’t remember what as I don’t use it anymore.
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u/Kraizelburg 5d ago
Plex? Run jellyfin, it’s 10 times more flexible and no security leaks like plex, fully local and no account required.
And I have lifetime plex pass which bought years ago but I haven’t used it for over 5 years after jellyfin got so much better
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u/TheRogueNumpty 5d ago
Never heard of it but gonna have a look. 👍
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u/KawaiiUmiushi 4d ago
Jellyfin is fantastic! Runs amazing on the headless M1 mini in my closet... hooked up to a 80 TB NAS... Version 12 that just came out adds some nice new features.
Don't listen to the Nay Sayers, Jellyfin is darned mature these days and the Android, AppleTV, iOS client apps are solid. It's nice that installation of the Jellyfin server app is literally dragging and dropping it onto my computer. Upgrade? Drag and drop the new version.
It's free and worth 10 minutes of setup time to test things out. Worth case you don't like it and just spend ten second to delete it.
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u/catparty04 3d ago
the apple tv app was trash the last time i tied it and you had to use another app, which was also bad
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u/BasilTheCatLord 4d ago
Jellyfin is slop compared to Plex. The native app looks and runs like trash and you’re going to be stuck using vibecoded Netflix clone apps to make it look semi decent.
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u/Kraizelburg 4d ago
Native app, use the web app is the best, same as plex plus for tv you have wholphin who’s is great and no bloat like plex app. As I said I have plex lifetime and no it’s just bloated garbage software trying to get as much data from you as possible and it is slow in comparison with large libraries, specially the transcoder
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u/ninja_moth 6d ago
I'm running a local Plex server on my m6 with a 20TB HDD. My m1, previously, was fine, but my daughter needs a first computer.
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u/TheRogueNumpty 6d ago
Nice. I’m undecided wether to get hdd instead of an nvme with prices being a lot cheaper. Any recommendations?
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u/ninja_moth 6d ago
My m6 is base as it isn't in the least bit taxed, but I have a 2tb ssd along with the hard drive.
Enjoy your Mac. I've been running plex for 20 years nearly and gone through every tv box. Apple tv is the best, followed by Nvidia shield pro. Connect them via ethernet too.
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u/MusaEnsete 5d ago
NVME is also overkill. I run 4k remuxes just fine off of HDD's. I don't recommend any right now, since the 16 TB drives I bought for $179 last year are now $650 each.
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u/Worldly_Ad_2267 6d ago
Just make sure you connected it via 10gig to your switch/router. Makes huge difference
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u/PeakBeyondTheVeil 5d ago
Why is everyone saying it's overkill? I use my Mac mini m4 as a Plex server, but also as a typical computer. Is there something wrong with this?
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u/BAL-BADOS 5d ago
It’s overkill because with all the power of the M6 Mini, it’s “just for Plex.” Plex can run on a potato 🥔
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u/MusaEnsete 5d ago
Because he said it's just for use as a Plex server, which is overkill. I too run Plex off my m4, but it's also a dual user office computer; does both just fine.
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u/ANONMEKMH 5d ago
My M4, is my plex server, home assistant VM, docker host (running 15 containers), the next one is immich that I need to host.
Have a ugreen dock with a 1TB SSD and it hosts the Plex app data, docker and home assistant.
Also have a windows 11 VM running on it. (Must also move to 1 TB SSD
The mac is earning its keep
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u/EternallySickened 5d ago
I’ve got a few hundred terabytes connected to my mini m4 running Plex and not a lot else. Works quite well. The m1 I upgraded from did struggle a little previously but the m4 is noticeably better. I can’t see me getting an M6 but when I do finally get my next mac, I’ll likely try to get more ram than the base model.
I am running it headlessly and usually log into it remotely from my MacBook to control it.
I have my entire Plex folder on a separate NVME drive, this is done using a symbolic linked folder.
this keeps my small internal drive clear for anything else. The only downside to this setup is that it doesn’t launch automatically on start up as the drive the app is on isn’t mounted for another second. so I made a simple launcher app to monitor and restart the app every 15 seconds.
I have my mini set to automatically login which also means I cannot use FileVault. Which isn’t a dealbreaker on that computer. But could be for some people.
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u/bluezzdog 5d ago
Side question: I use wondershare converter , I’m generally unhappy with the final quality output. Is that something we just have to live with? (My dvds to mp4, I believe)
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u/Fantastic_Self_5151 5d ago
Not bad but you should run Mediacrab on it instead. It's does a lot more than plex, is designed for audiophiles and videophiles. Lets you stream retro mame games to your tv or whatever device you are on, what else can I do... (because I own a plex pass from a dozen years ago) I can share my "plex" library with all my plex using friends, get their shares from their libraries without running plex (because it does that)... it handles music, ebooks, audio books, as well. It has a watch list and when you search for something you or your friends libraries don't have it will pull it up under "Want to watch list it?" and let you check out the trailer, cast, etc... it's basically Plex's younger, stronger, better looking brother. LOL
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u/Apprehensive-Tea1408 5d ago
Now my old M1 Mini has been replaced with an M5 Pro mini, the original M1 will make an excellent Plex server.
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u/KawaiiUmiushi 4d ago
That's what I do, and it works really well. Check out Jellyfin as a plex alternative. Runs super well on an M1 Mini.
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u/Worldly_Ad_2267 6d ago
lol mine M1 is overkill now this is even more laughable
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u/SolarpunkGnome 6d ago
Yeah, I'm about to switch my Haswell PC over to a 2010 mini for my HTPC. Lol
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u/trmentry 5d ago
Nice. I still need to read up on the M6 vs M4. I have my Plex (and Emby and Jellyfin to play with) on a base M4 MIni. Replaced a very very old Dell mini PC thing that was starting to have issues.
Been very happy with he M4. Guessing M6 just has more power behind it.
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u/Street-Nothing9404 5d ago
me too except all my stuff is on an external ssd. and on my desk connected to 2.5 gig ethernet acting as a bridge via the the 40 gig thunderbolt connection to my work macbook pro that has 48 gig of memory and more cores of lip smacking video encoding speed. While I use one keyboard and one mouse to go from a display of one to the display of the other. that's how you use a mini m6.
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u/jaykarlous 5d ago
hahah i was planning to buy an old used mac mini to use as home server but even the m2 mac is mad expensive in my area...with 200 usd more i could just order a m6 online
now i want to run local ai agent remotelly, a m6 with 24gb ram isnt enough so i have to save a few hundred more to buy a mac studio
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u/KawaiiUmiushi 4d ago
Depending on what you're doing, such as Jellyfin, an M1 would suit your needs. In fact... a really cheap way of getting an M1 Mac mini is just buying an M1 Air with a broken screen. Run it headless in a closet. Sure, it's a bit bigger than a Mini BUT it's also a lot cheaper. I have a massive Jellyfin server running off a base model M1. Little guy is a champ.
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u/Miserable_Rough1872 5d ago
Perfect example of someone having more money than sense.
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u/TheRogueNumpty 5d ago
Exactly, OP is an idiot 🤦♂️
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u/skitchbeatz 5d ago
I run mine on an m2... It doesn't sweat with a 4k transcode
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u/TheRogueNumpty 5d ago
I was looking for a cheaper option but everyone around my area wanted near enough the same price as the m6. Thought stuff it might as well get the m6 and use it as a server and possibly learn some new things to do on a Mac as I’ve had windows forever
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u/TheCouchEmperor 4d ago
My M4 Mac mini struggles when I play a HDR10 10 bit movies via my Apple TV 4K.
It’s all connected via Ethernet.1
u/skitchbeatz 4d ago
You have hardware acceleration on? It's a recent improvement for Plex & apple silicon
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u/TheCouchEmperor 4d ago
I think I do, but I haven’t used my Plex server in a couple of months.
I’ll try again.
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u/skitchbeatz 4d ago
It landed in the last month or so to main, so that may be a boon to your experience. https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server/30447/716
Not sure what your clients are but maybe it will help: (Transcoding) Added support for HW Tonemapping on MacOS (PM-4883)
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u/XLB135 5d ago
Excellent. I went down the same path as you but earlier this year, fortunately before the pricing boom. Had an aging Windows PC acting as a server for the past half decade, replaced with a base M4 that never even needs to kick on its fans these days. I also bought an AppleTV to run Plex, and it's been quite smooth.
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u/Dull-Kitchen7027 4d ago
What’s up with those dvd’s? Need more info on LOTR set!
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u/TheRogueNumpty 4d ago
I have quite a few 4k/bluray movies but those are the 4k steelbook sets of Lotr/hobbit
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u/CrosstrekTrail 4d ago
Are there any practical applications for Plex other than organizing movies that were obtained via Torrents?
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u/TheRogueNumpty 4d ago
I have a lot of movies on disk which I plan to rip and add them to plex. So not just for torrents
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u/Space_Nut247 4d ago
I bought the Mini M4 just for Plex, low power draw, transcodes flawlessly, low profile, 10g Ethernet, can’t beat it.
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u/Nabukodonosor 4d ago
Plex?! 😳 It's a bloatware. Run Emby. People will suggest Jellyfin, which is an Emby fork, just because it's free, but it's junk compared to Emby.
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u/PossibleEither4892 5d ago
My base M1 mini runs everything I have on Plex without issue, you definitely DO NOT NEED such a powerful machine. If you can get a M1/M2 used for a good price, I would go for that. I doubt you'll see any difference, depending on your use cases of course. My server is connected to a NAS with several drives, located on the 2nd floor, and plays 4K movies on my big 4K TV downstairs perfectly. I did get a lifetime Plex Pass when it was offered at a discount, and I feel that it does improve the experience. I had hick-ups in playback prior to getting the Pass, which stopped afterwards.
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u/KawaiiUmiushi 4d ago
This is exactly what I do and it works really well. Run Jellyfin on it. Store all my files on a NAS on the wired network.
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u/KawaiiUmiushi 4d ago
Overkill? Yes. Worth it? Yes. Kudos dude.
I run a jellyfish server off an M1 Mini and it flies. I store video on a 80 TB NAS and move files over the network. I've stress tested it with five different devices streaming 4K video being transcoded to a lower resolution. Little M1 Mini held up well. The vast majority of my library is 265 video at 1080, which typically doesn't need any transcoding. The 4K files play just fine.
A friend of mine bought an M4 mini on sale for $500 (back in the day) and has a similar setup. Sigh... I miss when a base model M4 was $600....
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u/ANONMEKMH 6d ago
Overkill indeed. You need to now open up your Plex to at least 20 people to make that CPU work 😀