27" 5K iMac as Bedroom TV

[davidjearly]

I'm planning to order one of the 27" iMacs, mainly to use as a media hub and bedroom TV (using online streaming services and iTunes). I would be ordering the model with built-in wall mount.

Has anyone got any pictures or opinions about such a setup? Any tips? I'm thinking the base 27" model with 1TB Fusion Drive upgrade is the best bet. I'll also use the iMac for some photo editing and browsing, but this is a secondary use. The primary use is media streaming for our bedroom.

I'll likely mount the iMac on a tilt/swivel bracket, but not sure about wall positioning. Because I want to use the iMac as computer on occasion, I don't want it to be too far from the bed. Our side wall is about half a metre from the side of our bed, and I'm thinking that it would be mounted fairly close to the headboard end, so the iMac can swing out and allow us to do a little bit of TV watching on a lazy morning. This would also allow fairly comfortable use as a computer, albeit for a short amount of time.

I'd appreciate any comments from people with experience of this.

Thanks!

 

[Sirmausalot]

You may want to purchase one with a VESA mount adapter. http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/imac-vesa You MIGHT need a professional to install it. Unless you're super handy.

I'm planning to order one of the 27" iMacs, mainly to use as a media hub and bedroom TV (using online streaming services and iTunes). I would be ordering the model with built-in wall mount.

Has anyone got any pictures or opinions about such a setup? Any tips? I'm thinking the base 27" model with 1TB Fusion Drive upgrade is the best bet. I'll also use the iMac for some photo editing and browsing, but this is a secondary use. The primary use is media streaming for our bedroom.

I'll likely mount the iMac on a tilt/swivel bracket, but not sure about wall positioning. Because I want to use the iMac as computer on occasion, I don't want it to be too far from the bed. Our side wall is about half a metre from the side of our bed, and I'm thinking that it would be mounted fairly close to the headboard end, so the iMac can swing out and allow us to do a little bit of TV watching on a lazy morning. This would also allow fairly comfortable use as a computer, albeit for a short amount of time.

I'd appreciate any comments from people with experience of this.

Thanks!

 

[Cody1992]

Why would you not just add a monitor instead? Do you really watch that much 4k content, or any at all really? I think you can get a much better viewing experience for much less, unless you're dead set on having the computer itself right next to your bed there are plenty of streaming options.

But hey if cash is no object then go ahead, this can surely be done.

 

[DavidConrad]

1080p leaves much to be desired at full screen on the 5K.

 

[Textureboy]

1080p leaves much to be desired at full screen on the 5K.

^ This

 

[driftless]

This is the stupidest idea I have read in a while. You can get a Samsung 4K 40" for about ~$700, why would you a fantastic computer do be a dumb monitor?

 

[pat500000]

Gotta get that 27 inches mac in the bathroom..dope.

 

[mtneer]

Why not just get a 4KTV?? If you must stream internet based content, hook up an Apple TV or a Roku to the TV. Will be cheaper than the 5K iMac solution....

 

[davidjearly]

Ok, perhaps I wasn't clear in my original post, although I'm sure it was evident for those taking the time to read it properly.

The primary use of this iMac will be media. There is still a secondary use for it to be an iMac, for general computing. That's why a TV and media streamer of some sort will not suffice.

In terms of 1080p not looking great on 5K, that just an extension of the problem all 4K sets have. I've demoed 1080p content on it and I'm happy with it.

Other reasons for not getting a TV and streamer:

I want to use this to stream music to two AirPlay speakers simultaneously.
I want to have zero additional hardware boxes, zero cables beyond the iMac power cable and a flush wall design when not in use.
I need computing functionality as a second option.
There's no monitors on the market with an aesthetic profile close to the iMac, in my opinion.

So, back to it, has anyone got any experience of using an iMac in this way?

 

[pjfan]

You were clear - this setup ought to look excellent. I buy all my wall mounts/brackets from monoprice.com, however, TV's dont have the same elegance as an iMac. I think I would be going with Bretford mount -- not sure if they have a Tilt version, however. Either way - Solid products from Bretford. Start there.
http://apple.bretford.com/products/p/mobileproadjustablewallmount/

Fusion might be a great setup. Personally, I would lean towards all SSD... As this is your only media device in the house, I suspect you will have a lot of content stored locally on the iMac. With the elegant design and wall mount, you definitely won't be adding any external storage.

All your other specs ought to handle everything just fine.

On a side note - Not sure how you're going to edit photos from your bedroom. It's hard for me to imagine as it simply wouldn't work for our masterbedroom. Maybe if you have a standing setup, where keyboard and trackpad fold out from the wall - that could be nifty.

 

[Cody1992]

I don't think it's a question of whether or not you need to have a media centre, what I am saying is that you should not use the iMac as one, because it's not, well it can be, but its terrible expensive for what you are getting. If I were you I would look into maybe getting a mac mini with a large drive to store media and then stream it to whatever monitor you desire. You did say the computing part was an afterthought, and honestly, I can't see using a computer in bed for anything other than movie watching or browsing to be a pleasant experience. The question is whether or not you NEED to be able to control this "media" hub of yours directly from bed. Would you be against standing up and getting back to bed after choosing whatever movie? Hell, if you use an Apple TV that might not even be necessary.
Anyway, I said this before and i'll say it again, YES, this would work, I would just reconsider if I were you, actually I wouldn't consider it at all.

Again, do you watch much 4k content? The only thing I can think of that you might watch regularly in 4k would be sports.

There aren't any monitors on the market with the aesthetic profile of an iMac because it's an AiO, not just a monitor.

Not trying to dissuade you, just trying to add perspective to your ideas. Something that would be functionally similar.

 

[driftless]

You were clear, I still think that it is an idea that is not well thought out. Most of us sit an arm's length from our iMacs, not ideal TV watching. Even for a bedroom, 27" is awful small to lie on a bed and watch TV. You don't need an iMac to stream music to airplay speakers, I do it all the time with an iPad or you can use an iPhone. The iMac no longer have a remote. Frankly, the Apple TV is a better tool than using an iMac to watch TV.

 

[fathergll]

So, back to it, has anyone got any experience of using an iMac in this way?

I never heard of it used that way. The only time I could think of it working if I was in an incredibly cramp studio in say Manhattan/London where my small bed was actually against the wall and the computer could swing out from there at an arms length away. If your setup is small enough it could work(you might need to post a diagram or an actual pic to get better responses).

 

[davidjearly]

Ok, so you guys are still not getting this. Obviously, I wasn't clear.

I said in my original email that the iMac would be 0.5m from the side of my bed. I envisage swinging the iMac out from the wall, positioning it adjacent to the side of the bed when in use for media, bringing it in closer for me sitting in an upright position when in use as a computer (limited use, as described previously, but essential nonetheless).

I also said I need to stream media to multiple airplay sources simultaneously, so no iOS device of any kind will not do.

I wouldn't want a larger than 27" TV in our bedroom.

I also said that I don't want media boxes and streamers with additional mess attached to a TV. I want one screen, everything built-in, no cables, no extras. In addition, nothing else gives the multitude of options that a Mac/PC has in terms of streaming. I want to be able to steam anything to this, not just some pre-installed channels on a media box.

 

[driftless]

OK, you have an atypical physical environ and unique preferences. Please post pics when you get it set-up.

 

[ericv]

Ok, so you guys are still not getting this...

I totally get it, and I think you are insane, but I've done crazier things...

Just remember in your first post you said... "Has anyone got any pictures or opinions about such a setup?" The key word in your question was OPINIONS. I saw this post last night and decided to let it go, but don't push back on people if they have the opinions you asked for.

My opinion is: get an iMac to be a computer, get a TV to watch movies and TV. Get an AppleTV or Roku and use Plex. I'd get both, as I might be crazier than you.

 

[McGiord]

. I think I would be going with Bretford mount -- not sure if they have a Tilt version, however. Either way - Solid products from Bretford. Start there.
http://apple.bretford.com/products/p/mobileproadjustablewallmount/

This mount is solid but have very limited reach and mobility.

I am going to hang my new iMac 27" with the Omnimount PLAY25X, in my room but in a small office space, not at the bed.
http://www.omnimount.com/mountfinder_results/manufacturerid/949/modelid/43124/

I am still waiting for the new iMac, the mount and the input devices to play with them and see how well the set up works for me.

A couple of things you need to consider to use the iMac from the bed is the keyboard and the trackpad or mouse, are you planning to have another mount or tray for them?

I found the traditional trackpad to require a solid surface to be able to make a traditional click, unless you enable the tap functionality for it to recognize the button clicks without an actual depress of the mechanical button, because of this I believe the Force touch (whatever it's called) will require also the new trackpad to be on a solid surface.

I also use this to input to the Mac with my iPhone: http://hipporemote.com/lite

The new iMac with the right configuration promises to be a nice Mac.

For what you want to do, you can install a 4K TV instead and have the AppleTV connected and hanged on the back of the TV and do AirPlay from your Mac to it, therefore you can still perform what you want with better TV watching experience and have the iMac located at a more comfortable workstation.

Can you post a sketch of what you want to accomplish therefore we can provide better suggestions or help?

 

[DavidConrad]

Why not connect a Mac mini to a 4K tv?

 

[davidjearly]

I totally get it, and I think you are insane, but I've done crazier things...

Just remember in your first post you said... "Has anyone got any pictures or opinions about such a setup?" The key word in your question was OPINIONS. I saw this post last night and decided to let it go, but don't push back on people if they have the opinions you asked for.

My opinion is: get an iMac to be a computer, get a TV to watch movies and TV. Get an AppleTV or Roku and use Plex. I'd get both, as I might be crazier than you.

The opinions would be great, if they were based on the requirements I've stipulated in every post I made in this thread. I don't want people telling me to go for something that I have already ruled out. That's crazy, or insane as you put it.

Thanks.

In response to the other post, I'm not convinced I have atypical requirements or physical environment. It's not uncommon to have a bed only 0.5m from a wall. It's not uncommon to want everything in one device, with no additional mess or wires.

I'm now looking at floor stands as a different solution. These would give me the option of using the iMac in a traditional sense as well as next to the bed for viewing media.

 

[davidjearly]

Why not connect a Mac mini to a 4K tv?

For the reasons I've already outlined several times.

 

[ericv]

The opinions would be great, if they were based on the requirements I've stipulated in every post I made in this thread. I don't want people telling me to go for something that I have already ruled out. That's crazy, or insane as you put it.

Thanks.

In response to the other post, I'm not convinced I have atypical requirements or physical environment. It's not uncommon to have a bed only 0.5m from a wall. It's not uncommon to want everything in one device, with no additional mess or wires.

I'm now looking at floor stands as a different solution. These would give me the option of using the iMac in a traditional sense as well as next to the bed for viewing media.

Though crazy, you are not alone. I solved the "no good docks for my rMB" by buying a $3,000 iMac. I think most people are just trying to be helpful (and a bit rational).

 

[fathergll]

I'm not convinced I have atypical requirements or physical environment. It's not uncommon to have a bed only 0.5m from a wall. It's not uncommon to want everything in one device, with no additional mess or wires.

Quick question. What solutions did you see when you used google(assuming you tried searching first)?

 

[fathergll]

try looking into this. I think it's just a matter of getting the wall mount setup

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-arm-options-for-new-27-imac.807142/page-8

 

[DavidConrad]

Why do you need to use a computer in bed? If you tell us this, then maybe we have an idea of what you're doing with it.

Projection screen that drops down from the ceiling with a mac mini connected to a projector that you hide in some piece of furniture.

If you're really hellbent on this iMac plan (seems you are) that means the cash is no problem (because this is ridiculous). Why not get someone to customize a mount that drops from the ceiling out of a sliding hatch so that it completely disappears when you're not using it in bed to surf the dark net?

 

[driftless]

Yes, why would you want to do that set-up? I can see that set-up if you are bed ridden, or a sloth.

Obviously your preferences differ from mine, I am going to unwatch this thread and let us comment.