Just starting to think about this so hoping for some guidance on pro's / con's. Essentially I have two ageing desktops that are approaching replacement time. I am starting to think about replacing them with some sort of client / server setup. Main reasons behind this line of thought are:
- reduce the size of the desktops (ie no more big black / white box under the desk). The current desktops take up a lot of space.
- better portability between having both a desktop and a laptop, in particular having a program available where-ever we sit down rather than locked to a machine. Maybe also better portability between home and away.
- maybe ditch the desktops completely and just have laptops / tablets?
- scalability, for example making a third desktop when the kids get old enough becomes add a third login to the server and that person could sit down at any of the desktops with their own stuff.
- don't want to spend megabucks on gaming laptops but want to still be able to game in all its HD glory when I have the time, so keep the power in the server and let it do all the hard work.
- might be able to get some better redundancy, ie if one of the clients breaks down can login through the other client and still have everything. Though that clearly needs thought about how to provide the redundancy in the server at the same time because if server crashes everything stops working.
Would prefer to be using windows. I don't know why, force of habit and ignorance probably. But if different OS makes it easier to achieve please say so, happy to look at anything at this stage.
I guess I kind of like the thought of a 'desktop' being a NUC (or equivalent) screwed to the back of a 30" monitor and still being able to do everything that I do now on a full powered desktop. And then being able to sit on the lounge with a laptop or tablet and still have the same things available (network permitting of course).
I'm not really sure that any of this is possible in a home context without going to some massive overboard industrial type setup, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask the question.
All feedback greatly appreciated.
Game streaming is still in it's infancy but the market is growing. There are two methods:
Wifi, ie streaming to a smaller device at home from a PC (this is the one most growing)
- For a "lag free" experience you need a solid router configuration (ie 5ghz)
- Your Streaming PC has to be able handle it
Streaming over the Internet
- You need a super solid connection
- The list of PC providers is very small at the moment (note Gaikai was acquired by Sony)
http://toppersworld.com/top-10-alternative-apps-to-onlive-de…
- The PS4 has this (note Gaikai)
http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/gaming/playstation-now-1…
Neither of the solutions are solid replacements for a proper HD gaming machine - in terms of having a virtual desktop experience you're looking at running a remote desktop somewhere which is probably around $50/month minimum. I would look at ways of buying a HD gaming desktop but in a smaller framer (something bigger than a NUC but smaller than a full desktop case). A lot of them can look quite attractive.