help with macs please

[bellebud]

dd12 asked for a Mac for her Christmas gift. We were going to re-do her bedroom this year and get her a flat screen tv. Can we use a Mac as a tv too (for movies at least)? She wants the kind that sits on your desk (not a laptop).

I'm hoping we can combine the 2 (tv and Mac) as 1 big gift for her.

I don't know anything about Macs... help please

 

[cmwade77]

There are ways, but if you are getting a desktop, you will need to get a monitor anyway. Most Flat Screen TVs can be connected as monitors, so why not just get a flat screen TV and use it is a monitor? Just get ones that support as high of resolution as possible.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I'm assuming she wants an iMac, where the monitor and screen are all the same unit? iMacs have a DVD player and so you can use it to watch movies, and you can also use the iMac to stream video (like, Hulu or Netflix). I don't assume that you would want to wall mount it? That part would be pretty tricky as they're pretty heavy and you would still want "close up" access to the screen for reading print, etc.

I have an older 20 inch iMac and though I mostly use my MacBook for day to day stuff now, we still have the iMac set up in our bedroom and occaisionally use it as a second TV to watch movies.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

My personal suggestion (depending on DD's age and what she would need it for) would be to get a Mini-Mac and a flat screen tv with high resolution. Best Buy is authorized Mac and they sell TV's so you could get some consultation there. I'm not sure I've ever seen a Mini-Mac there, though. Mini Mac's are not expensive at all, fairly powerful, very stable, and can be connected to most screens. I would speak to an Apple rep about what kind of connection you need to look for in a TV and then start your flatscreen shopping.

 

[Shutterbug]

(Edited)

I was also going to suggest the mac mini but I just remembered it has no disc drive. Another words it doesnt have a way of playing CD's or DVD's or Blu rays, or even installation discs.

If you went the way of the Mac mini plus HD tv combo, you would still need to buy a blu ray/dvd player in order for her to watch those.

 

[bellebud]

OP here...

yes, she wants the iMac (the one where the computer is in the screen). I didn't know what to call it. And we want her to be able to watch dvd's on it (and netflix would be a nice bonus, but not mandatory).

we're not mounting it on the wall - it's going to sit on her desk.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!! We'll go to Best Buy to take a look.

 

[Lynne M]

Yes, absolutely, she can use an iMac to watch movies. I use mine as a second "TV" in the bedroom. I watch DVDs, Netflix, Hulu, and shows streamed from network websites. All of the major networks offer recent episodes of their shows to watch online, and you can watch them full screen.

Screen resolution is excellent, no need to buy an HDTV. You can even get a remote, so she can adjust the volume. If she has an iPhone or iPod Touch, there's a free Remote app.

 

[bellebud]

Yes, absolutely, she can use an iMac to watch movies. I use mine as a second "TV" in the bedroom. I watch DVDs, Netflix, Hulu, and shows streamed from network websites. All of the major networks offer recent episodes of their shows to watch online, and you can watch them full screen.

Screen resolution is excellent, no need to buy an HDTV. You can even get a remote, so she can adjust the volume. If she has an iPhone or iPod Touch, there's a free Remote app.

great! she has an iTouch and an iPad. good to know there's a remote app. thanks!!

 

[cmwade77]

Sorry, I was assuming the Mac Mini with an external DVD drive. Please be aware that Macs cannot play Blurays.

If you go with the iMac option, you can always buy a TV tuner card (they plug into the USB port), you can usually get one that is Mac compatible for around $40. Just be sure to get one that is compatible with your type of cable service or if you us an antenna has a digital tuner.

Another option is to get free boxee software and it can become a boxee when she wants to watch something. There are thousands of channels. There are also many similar programs, all with different channels available.