A $300 Nvidia streaming box now loses to a cheaper mini computer

Nvidia's Shield TV Pro streaming box now costs $300 after a 50 percent price increase. How-To Geek argues it no longer makes sense for new buyers, because a mini PC (a small desktop computer) can match or beat it for much less. Used mini PCs on eBay run about $150 or less.

What changed

The Shield TV Pro is a box that plugs into a TV and runs streaming apps. It runs on 2019 hardware, but it is still one of the most capable boxes around. It plays any video file, supports most major HDR and audio formats, and has strong AI upscaling, a gigabit Ethernet port and two USB 3.0 ports. The new price is what changes the math.

Where the Shield falls short

• No AV1 support, a newer video format
• No HDR10+ or Dolby Vision 2
• Older Android TV look and menus
• Wi-Fi 5, which can struggle if you cannot use a network cable
• Only 16GB of storage

What a mini PC offers

Newer mini PCs with an Intel N100 chip cost about $200 to $250. The article says that is all you need for a home theater or a home media server. You can install Windows or Linux. Many models have several fast USB ports, and some have room for extra drives. Most let you add memory, while the Shield is stuck with 3GB.

A PC also opens up more uses. Game emulators, which are programs that mimic older consoles, are easier to set up. You can run any media server, not just Plex. Intel chips from the 7th generation on can serve media better than the Shield. You can also run Pi-hole, Home Assistant for a smart home, or a file backup server.

The tradeoffs

Mini PCs lack HDMI-CEC, which lets your TV remote control a device. Many streaming services also limit video resolution and quality on a PC. Netflix, YouTube and YouTube TV work well on Windows, though. You will want a mini keyboard with a touchpad, since a TV remote will not work. The pitch suits power users who mostly watch YouTube and Netflix.

If you already own a Shield

The article says to keep it. Nvidia still sends software updates, which is rare among Android streaming boxes. It is also described as the best Android box for local game streaming and GeForce Now, Nvidia's game streaming service. The case against it is about buying one at $300 today.