12-11-2019, 08:22 AM
Fair warning, this laptop is not a true substitute for a chromebook. The OS options right now all have some limitations and quirks. Folks like MrFixIt do sterling work (much appreciated), but the scale of Raspeberry Pi's popularity means the OS and its software are very stable relative to Pinebook Pro (PBP).
That warning aside, if you or the recipient are comfortable with Linux, I don't see why you couldn't use the laptop as a media server. My feeling is you would be better served by one of the other pine products if that's your main use case; probably a single board computer of some kind.
For mixed usage, I think the PBP is great. I personally have used the LibreOffice install that comes with MrFixIt's default OS to do some quick work from home and it performed OK. I bought a generic combination USB-C hub with HDMI and USB-A and it works great for a second display. Given it's Linux, I was a little surprise when I plugged the hub and HDMI in and the second screen immediately worked. I'd put aside an hour for debugging.
That warning aside, if you or the recipient are comfortable with Linux, I don't see why you couldn't use the laptop as a media server. My feeling is you would be better served by one of the other pine products if that's your main use case; probably a single board computer of some kind.
For mixed usage, I think the PBP is great. I personally have used the LibreOffice install that comes with MrFixIt's default OS to do some quick work from home and it performed OK. I bought a generic combination USB-C hub with HDMI and USB-A and it works great for a second display. Given it's Linux, I was a little surprise when I plugged the hub and HDMI in and the second screen immediately worked. I'd put aside an hour for debugging.