I’ve been using a couple pi 3 and 4 but now as I’m giving into plex more and cutting the cord (dvr software) the pi’s are slow (can’t transcode). I see the nucs but if become too fond of Linux. I see $400 qnap etc nas can run my software but I feel like I’m overplaying for the nas, which i don’t want. I guess im looking for a “arm nuk”
Thank you
Odroid?
I assume you could run Linux on a nuc as well.
Nuc with Linux, Synolgoy NAS? Depends on what you plan to do with your next step up? I invested in a Synolgoy based on the Intel vs. ARM for more compatible Docker containers to run pi.hole, EMBY and other items. My old pi's are now just lab boxes to test things out before they go on the Synology.
I THINK running intel complicates things
For me it depends on your expertise and openness to change. Certain platforms may be better suited to certain tasks, but, for me, I wanted to support of countless articles and the experiences of others to assist me in making the leap to acquiring my first rpi. Granted I had base-level experience in using Linux for work in a previous job, but it was still a step up for me in some respects. If you are comfortable branching out to a different platform, then kudos for taking that step...
Sounds like a technical transition isn't an issue 
I've run Linux on NUCs for years. No issues.
However Plex can be hungry if your doing on the fly transcoding. I run mine on an i3 board with ZFS and 12TB of raw storage.
S
The transcoding on Intel is much better than ARM in the Synolgoy.
If I go the nuc route how’s that work. Do I use different programs? Example sonarr is for arm, won’t I need a special intel one?
No, Ubuntu Server, Debian, whatever, mainline distros are usually X86 first.
S.
Looks like you lit a fuse....
So the nuc would run “raspberry pi” software? Is it easy to make headless?
Ah, programs...sorry. yeah you'll need apps compiled for X86. Most Linux apps are. Theres only a few that are ARM specificity my experience.
S
Yes very easy to be headless with Debian and other distributions. Just like the Pi.
So like sonarr, radar nbzget would work?
Google is your friend for these questions. As stated there is the core CPU (ARM, x86, etc.) and then the operating system that supports that architecture, then the add on software that needs to support the OS on the CPU. Most projects support the mainstream OS's and their underlying CPU/instruction sets.
How “powerful” is a $150 used nuc compared to a pi. I run hassio, homebridge, pihole, and plex spread over 2 pi’s. Could I get rid of the pi’s?
Need to know the model number but I would say that even a entry level Nuc is faster at most tasks than a Pi and supports a faster IO bus networking and disk.
Yes.
I use unraid and run all of this as docker containers.
I’m in no rush, I can wait for an eBay deal. For $150, what model should I look out for?
Download the Hubitat app
