Thank you for the context.
I honestly expected that to be exactly that, overly alternating (at least from a stand point of majority of users) passwords. I was just curious as the grievance felt very case specific.
That’s certainly a problem I thankfully do not encounter, our Mac users use their O365 logins just like our PC users. If they forget it, they don’t need my help changing or checking it. I haven’t encountered the wifi at login issue, though. That probably piqued my curiosity the most. Our Macs use web auth for login by default (with option to use locally cached password instead) and it requires an internet connection to work. If the mac’s couldn’t/didn’t connect, most wouldn’t be able to login. I could absolutely see this being an issue in a new place where no internet connection has been established before the issue, like a hotel or airport.
They all have a JIC hidden local account too, though. If OPs MDM tools include this option, it could be helpful for the cited scenario(s)
Since you’ve mentioned you want a single computer to play media you already have, I’d so forget Plex. Sure it can be used in this manner but it’s overkill. Plex, and other software like it, are best used for streaming from server to client(s).
Building on the Ras pi suggestion, I’d say take a look at osmc on an rpi. (If you go the rpi route, I’d also suggest dropping a lil more cash to have it boot/run from something other than an SD card, ext hd and nvme SSD are both better boot drive options. SD cards have a tendency to bite the dust after a while in single board computers)
Also, since you mentioned being unaware of the steps you should follow to get something like this running, here’s a quick guide on how easy it is to get osmc running: https://learn.littlebirdelectronics.com.au/guides/create-a-htpc-media-centre-with-raspberry-pi