Here are some things to consider when deploying a PC or Mac to the observatory.
Choosing a Mini PC
A reliable mini PC is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a remote astrophotography setup. Your telescope can have a great mount, camera, focuser, and optics, but if the computer controlling everything is unreliable, the entire system becomes unreliable
At AstroPeak, we recommend keeping things simple. You generally do not need a powerful gaming PC to run a telescope. Programs such as N.I.N.A., PHD2, ASCOM, SharpCap, and most equipment-control software have relatively modest computing requirements.
For most remote imaging systems, we recommend a Windows 11 mini PC with:
Intel N100/N150 or better processor
16 GB RAM or more
512 GB SSD or larger
Gigabit Ethernet
Multiple USB 3.0 ports
Windows 11 Pro
BIOS support for automatic startup after power loss
Our Favorite: MeLE Quieter 4C
One of our favorite computers for remote astrophotography is the MeLE Quieter 4C. The Quieter 4C is available with Intel N100 and N150 processors, Windows 11 Pro, SSD storage, Gigabit Ethernet, USB connectivity, and — most importantly — a completely fanless design.
Fanless computers are particularly attractive for observatory use because there is one less mechanical component to fail or become clogged with dust.
The N100/N150 class of processor also provides plenty of performance for a typical imaging computer running N.I.N.A., PHD2, ASCOM drivers, plate solving, autofocus routines, and remote-desktop software. For most AstroPeak systems, 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD is a great starting configuration.
Other Good Options
MeLE isn't the only manufacturer making suitable mini PCs.
MINISFORUM also produces several compact systems using Intel's low-power processors. The UN100P, for example, uses the Intel N100 and is available with 16 GB of RAM and SSD storage. MINISFORUM also provides driver packages and support downloads for the system.
Beelink is another popular mini-PC manufacturer. Systems in this general performance class can also work well for telescope control.
You don't necessarily need to purchase the exact computer AstroPeak recommends. The important thing is choosing a system designed to reliably run Windows and your astronomy software unattended.
Ethernet Is Strongly Recommended
Even if your mini PC includes Wi-Fi, use Ethernet for a remotely hosted telescope whenever possible. Every AstroPeak pier is provisioned with a wired Ethernet connection, so take advantage of it. A wired connection removes a potential point of failure and provides a more consistent connection when remotely accessing the computer or transferring large amounts of imaging data. This becomes particularly valuable with modern cameras producing large FITS files throughout the night.
Automatic Restart After Power Loss
This is one of the most important features of a remote imaging computer. Look in the computer's BIOS for a setting commonly called something similar to:
Restore on AC Power Loss
AC Power Recovery
State After Power Failure
Auto Power On
Set this option so that the computer automatically boots up when power is restored. Without this setting, a power interruption could leave your telescope computer sitting at AstroPeak completely powered off even after electricity has been restored. For remote astronomy, you should never have to physically press the PC's power button after an outage.
Test this before sending your system to AstroPeak. With the computer running, disconnect its power supply. Wait a few seconds and reconnect it. The computer should automatically boot without anyone touching the power button.
Don't Go Too Cheap
There are dozens of extremely inexpensive mini PCs available online. Saving $50 or $100 isn't necessarily worth it on a computer you're planning to operate hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Reliability matters more than raw specifications. We recommend purchasing from an established mini-PC manufacturer that provides BIOS updates, drivers, and support rather than selecting an unknown computer solely because it has impressive specifications for the price.
Don't Waste Money on a High-End Processor
When trying not to "go too cheap", it's easy to go too far in the opposite direction. You generally don't need an i7 or Ryzen 9 processor just for telescope control. Your mini PC isn't processing your final PixInsight images. Its primary job is controlling equipment, capturing images, guiding, plate solving, focusing, running automation, and transferring data. An Intel N100 or N150 system with 16 GB of RAM is surprisingly capable for this workload.
A more powerful computer can make sense if you're running unusually demanding applications, operating multiple cameras simultaneously, doing live stacking, or performing significant processing directly at the observatory. For a standard automated imaging rig, however, we'd rather see you spend the additional money somewhere else in your system.
Storage Matters More Than You Might Think
We recommend at least a 512 GB SSD, and 1 TB can be worthwhile if your camera produces particularly large files.
Remote imaging can generate data quickly. A high-resolution camera capturing hundreds of exposures across multiple filters can consume a significant amount of storage. You don't necessarily need to permanently store your data on the observatory computer, but additional SSD capacity gives you breathing room if you don't immediately transfer every night's images. Avoid configuring a system where one or two nights of imaging can completely fill the drive.
Configure Everything Before Shipping Your Telescope
Whatever mini PC you choose, completely configure it before sending your equipment to AstroPeak. Install:
Windows updates
N.I.N.A. or your preferred imaging software
ASCOM Platform
Equipment drivers
PHD2
Plate-solving software
Camera software
Mount drivers
Remote-access software
Then connect your entire telescope and run it. Ideally, complete several full nights of automated imaging from home before shipping the system. Also test the computer's automatic power recovery by physically disconnecting and reconnecting its power.
In the End, Reliability Beats Performance
When choosing a computer for remote astrophotography, don't ask:
"What's the fastest mini PC I can buy?"
Ask:
"What's the computer I can trust to sit at my telescope and run unattended every night?"
For most AstroPeak customers, our preferred formula is simple:
Intel N100/N150 or better + 16 GB RAM + 512 GB SSD + Gigabit Ethernet + Windows 11 Pro + automatic power recovery.
A system such as the MeLE Quieter 4C checks those boxes while also providing the benefit of fanless operation. Your telescope computer doesn't need to be exciting. It needs to turn on, stay connected, run your equipment, and work every night without you thinking about it.
Mac
Macs aren't typically used for controlling an astrophotography rig, but frequently can make a good substitute for an iPad for managing ASIAIR, Seestar, StellarMate, or Stellavita controllers. iPad apps run natively on Macs that have Apple Silicon processors — those are the ones with "M" in their name, like M2 or M4.
One way in which having a Mac on your pier does offer some "control" choices is if you're using ASIAIR or the Seestar app. It can be difficult to view your pier camera with the ASIAIR, and it's impossible with the Seestar app. If you put a Mac on the pier and plug your pier camera into it, you can use ASICap (free from ZWO) to view it (assuming it's a ZWO camera).
A Mac on your pier also makes file management a little easier. You can transfer files to the Mac then use Dropbox or rsync to copy files to the cloud or to your devices at home.
Finally, it gives you the option to do image processing on your pier so that your home PC or Mac never has to handle all the individual FITS files.
Telescope Control with Your Mac
Very few people use Macs as control computers for their rigs, but we'd be remiss not to mention this possibility. KStars/Ekos, INDIGO A1, and some other lesser-known apps will run on your Mac. We don't recommend them not because they won't work, but because so few people use them that you'll be on your own. If you have trouble, you will have to tell us how to fix it.
Mac Models
The Mac mini is perfect for mounting on your scope or on your pier. You can either have us tie-wrap it directly to the pier or provide a slide-in mounting bracket such are used under a desk. We can mount the bracket to the pier and simply slide the mini into it. Depending on what you're doing with the Mac, you should get one with as much memory and storage as you can afford. And as mentioned above, you're looking for a mini with an Apple Silicon, "M-series" processor.
Used or Refurbished Macs
Apple offers refurbished Macs in their online store. You'll save about 10%-15% and it will be a recent model. You can sometimes find them on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, but exercise caution on those sites.
Automatic Restart After Power Loss
Unlike PCs, all Macs can be set up to restart after a power loss and log into your user account. Older minis require the power loss to be "unexpected". That is, if you tell the computer to shut down, it will shut down and you won't be able to turn it back on remotely. But if you have an M4 mini running macOS 26 or later, you can configure it to restart on all power loss types and subsequent restoration. So you could shut it down cleanly from the Apple menu, then turn off the power on your Kasa power strip. When you turn the power back on, the Mac will boot up and log into your account.
Again, like with a PC, you should test this behavior at home before sending your gear to AstroPeak. That way, if someone needs to push the power button or enter a password, you'll be there to do it.
Minimum Configuration
With Windows PCs running NINA, we can help you choose minimum memory, storage, and processor specifications. With a Mac, it depends on what you'll be doing with it. You should be able to figure it out based on the software you need to run.