If you think you have to go out and buy a brand-new system to run Plex on, you’re sorely mistaken. Here are seven devices that you might have lying around the house that you can turn into a Plex server without spending a single cent.
Old desktop computer
It’s probably got way more power than you think it does for this
If you’ve been using computers for any length of time, you probably have an old desktop stashed away in a closet somewhere. The thing is, it might be old by today’s standards for running the latest version of Windows, but it’s actually the perfect Plex server.
Going as far back as 6th Generation Intel processors, which came out over a decade ago, you can actually build a pretty solid Plex server. You see, most Intel processors have what’s called an integrated graphics card, or iGPU. This iGPU has a technology on it called Quick Sync, and that’s exactly what Plex leverages for transcoding.
So, if you have an old desktop sitting around, you should definitely install Ubuntu on it and get a Plex server up and running. Even if Microsoft doesn’t support it anymore, Linux does, and it can do way more than you think it can.
Old laptop
Your old laptop can do more than just collect dust
Just like that old desktop, your old laptop can actually handle running Plex quite well. Similarly, going back to the 6th Generation Intel processors you’ll find plenty of horsepower to handle your Plex needs.
Laptops actually have quite a bit of power when it comes to running things like Plex and other Docker containers. You’d be surprised. You don’t need anything ultra-beefy, just something made within the past 10 years that was mid-range for its time.
I’d just recommend disconnecting the battery if you plan to keep it plugged in 24/7, that way you’re not worried about it bloating and becoming a hazard down the line.
Old Mac mini
Apple’s old mini desktops pack a punch for transcoding
Apple’s old Mac mini (or MacBook) computers weren’t powerhouses of their time, but the processors they used are perfect for Plex. Just like the above systems, many older Mac minis shipped with Intel processors, making them ideal candidates for running your Plex server.
This makes them an ideal candidate for running your Plex server. Depending on what year Mac mini you have, you might even have Thunderbolt 3 available, which is a great way to hook up a large DAS (direct attached storage) array.
Really, the Mac mini falls in the same line as that old desktop or laptop you have lying around. It’s got way more power than you think it does when it comes to running a Plex server.
NAS
You’re already using it to store files, so why not use it to run Plex?
Now we’re getting out of the realm of “old stuff sitting unused in a closet” to “things that are plugged in and doing other tasks.” Your NAS is the perfect place to run a Plex server if you aren’t already.
If you have a modern NAS, there’s a good chance it either has a decently-powerful Arm chip in it or an Intel processor. Either way, both are solid for running a Plex server.
Intel processors benefit from the same Quick Sync function I mentioned above. Either way, both are solid for running a Plex server, though you’ll definitely want an Intel processor for transcoding streams, while Arm chips are excellent for Direct Play.
Either way you slice it, your NAS is already powered on 24/7, and it’s where you’re likely storing your files anyway. So, why not spin up Plex on it?
Raspberry Pi
Stop letting it sit in a drawer unused
You’d be surprised what a Raspberry Pi can do with Plex. While it’s not an ideal Plex server, as it simply doesn’t have a ton of power for transcoding, it can easily handle direct playback of most media files.
I wouldn’t really recommend using a Pi as your primary Plex server at home. However, where a Pi becomes extremely useful is for watching Plex on-the-go. An external hard drive with optimized media on it and a Pi is all you need to watch Plex from a hotel room while you’re on vacation this summer.
NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
It’s where you watch movies anyway, might as well let it run a Plex server too
NVIDIA’s SHIELD TV Pro is actually the only streaming media player capable of running a Plex server. This actually makes it the perfect place to run your Plex server.
The SHIELD TV Pro is already plugged into your TV, and where you watch your movies and TV shows from. So, adding an external hard drive to it just lets you turn it into an always-on Plex server for other TVs in the house to stream from. It’s the perfect scenario.
Your main computer
You’ll barely notice it running
Plex has actually become quite efficient on modern computers, meaning you can keep Plex running in the background on your main system and barely notice that it’s there. Sure, if dozens of transcodes happen at one time, you’ll probably notice. But, with normal Plex use, you won’t even realize it’s there.
The benefit to running Plex on your main computer is it’s already on 24/7 and likely wired into an Ethernet connection. That means you won’t have to change your habits to run Plex, and there’s no extra hardware needed. You just simply install Plex on your desktop, configure it, and it’s ready to go.
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With Plex, you can keep a single, unified Watchlist for any movie or TV show you hear about, on any service—even theater releases! You can finally stop hopping between watchlists on all your other streaming services, and add it all on Plex instead.
Plex can really run on just about anything
While I listed seven different types of systems here, Plex is capable of running on almost any computer. It doesn’t need a lot of horsepower to run, and the only intensive thing that it does is transcode.
If you optimize your media library, then you can even limit how often it has to transcode, meaning it can run on really just about anything. So, no matter what old hardware you have lying around, if it can run Linux and Docker, you can run Plex.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
