Choosing my first Mac...

[5630745]

I spent a good deal of time at the local BB today and I still haven't made up my mind. I do almost everything from my iPhone. I use the local library or my parents house for updates and iTunes. I've never owned or bought a computer. This will function as my main computer from now on. I'd like to find best possible solution with the most diverse options and I'd like to get a year out of the purchase. I don't play games, obviously. I use the WWW for email, browsing, etc. I don't have a desk just my kitchen table and the dresser stand for the HDTV.

The only other electronics I'm running are a new 32 Samsung HDTV and an old Magnavox that plays DIVX:



My brother builds HDTV and DVD's so I can watch on the Samsung since the building I live in has horrible reception. I don't actually watch regular TV and the only time I spring for cable is in football season. I kill it right after the season ends.

I'd like to lose the DVD player and use whatever I choose as it's stand in. The Mag has taken a beating and is ready to retire.

So my choices are:




A 15 Pro, 17 Pro, 20/24 iMac or the Mini. The 13 Pro and the Air are out. The screen is too small for my likeing.

The Mini might work like this:



And give me a HDTV, WWW, DVD player, mobile hub. The wireless keyboard and mouse means I can run these from my table.

The Pro's are so nice though:



The 20 makes a very nice computer:



The 24 is HUGE to me BUT I could sell the Samsung and use the cash for the larger iMac and just run everything through the 24....



Both the 20/24 would use the wireless items. I hate wires.



I may be overthinking this. Thoughts? Spare change? I'm willing to listen to anything.

 

[MacMini2009]

I would the the 2.0GHz Mac Mini and hook it up to that Samsung HDTV plus the wireless mighty mouse/keyboard. Later on upgrade the Mac Mini to 4GB of RAM and a larger/faster hard drive.

 

[cawesjmu]

I think deciding on a budget will help you choose. And if money is not a problem, then just buy the best spec'ed machine available so it'll last you longer.
Sounds like you do a lot from the iphone, so do you need a laptop? Are you looking at the laptop for portability or just so you can sit it next to the TV?
As an outside observer, with no additional info, I'd suggest either the mac mini, or the 24 inch iMac (and sell the TV if you don't want it, or don't have room for it), but this all depends on your budget. The mini might be more versatile even if it's less powerful, because you could still use the TV as just a TV. The iMac needs something like EyeTV to watch football on.
Bottom line, decide how much you can afford and get the best in that price point.