ATV vs Mini

I use my mini to watch all of my streaming content, and it works great for that purpose. Both the mini and ATV have sufficient graphics power to play full HD content. Both have HDMI/Optical audio output so I'd call it even. As long as you have decent reception with a 802.11n or wired ethernet setup, you should be set. Your streaming experience is much more likely to be impacted by your ISP speeds and any throttling they might do on websites like Netflix.

To my knowledge, there is no built in AirPlay functionality built into OSX. I think there is third party software to do such a thing but honestly I'm not really familiar. If you are thinking of using the mini for messages/email/web, the basic model will do just fine.

I like using the apple keyboard and trackpad, so something like this http://www.amazon.com/MeshWe-Bluefi...&sr=8-1&keywords=apple+keyboard+trackpad+tray looks like a really slick way to interact with the mini from the couch.

The mini is a nice little machine, but I guess you have to decide if the additional OSX features is worth 6x the price of an ATV + an input device

cynics said:

Long story short I'm planning on buying another AppleTV OR a Mac Mini. However I'm curious to hear from those you that have both and use the Mini for like you'd use an AppleTV.

How is the video/audio quality in comparison for streaming web based content (Netflix, HBO, Hulu, etc)?

Is there any functionality to use AirPlay from an iOS device on the Mini?

If I were to use a Mac Mini is there any spec I should upgrade too knowing that its only going to be used for playing media and light computer use (iMessage, Safari, email, etc)? i.e. Faster processor, more RAM, etc

What keyboard with built in mouse cursor control comes highly recommended?

Anything I should just know about before doing this, things I'm not asking?

Excuse me for asking a question I know has been brought up often but through searching questions I have are from threads that are fairly old.

Thanks in advance. Btw, I may or may not wait for the new Mini. I'm in no rush so I can wait as long as I want.

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You cannot use the Mac Mini for Airplay. If you have another Mac, the ATV will probably be a better choice.

If you want to stream media to a Mac Mini as you would with an Apple TV, look into AirServer. It works rather well for it.

If you want a machine that does all, and for a very long time (>10 year), with zillions of uses and totally flexible on the software part: get a Mini
If you are a movie purist that dies for proper 24p support and DTS center sound, get a mini
If you want a quick fix that works smooth as butter on the GUI, and you're more of a spinster with a new gal every 2 years: get the ATV. It will die on you in 3-4 years, not because the hardware fails, but because the software will render it useless.

And if you already have an iMac: a HDMI cable for the iMac will deliver better than the ATV does. In the end an ATV is nothing more than a wireless HDMI cable.

Intell said:

If you want to stream media to a Mac Mini as you would with an Apple TV, look into AirServer. It works rather well for it.

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Intelli -- Does Airserver support Desktop Mirroring? AKA if I'm on my Macbook Pro, can I stream my OSX desktop to a Mac-Mini or or PC running Airserver that is connected to my TV?

Thanks.

Yes, AirServer supports AirPlay Mirroring.

Intell said:

Yes, AirServer supports AirPlay Mirroring.

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How's the quality? Does it lag a lot?

The quality is very good and it can be better than the Apple TV's. It doesn't lag very much, about the same as the Apple TV does. Of course, the network type and speed it critical to minimizing lag.

If you have an iMac I would suggest you stick with the ATV and wait and see what Apple may release in terms of an updated ATV if you want to upgrade something.

I have both ATV and Mac Mini and the Mini is often connected to the TV for general use and for media streaming. Both work well but obviously the Mini is more felxible but if I had to space to have the Mini located permanently elsewhere with it's own monitor I would just steam to the ATV hewnce my suggestion. I don;t have enough media library to warrant the Mini as the full time library manager. I do find the ATV can drop out when streaming from another device (I assume hosue WiFi issues).

I use APple magic mouse and wireless keyboard with my Mini and they work very well inc when it's connected to the TV