Looking to replace TV and computer with Mac

[TheLastSpartan]

Okay, so right now I use a Windows laptop, and I am currently looking into changing to mac. I have used a macbook before, but it crapped out on me. What I am wanting to do right now is use Apples incredible displays, whether it be an imac, thunderbolt display or cinema display, as a replacement for my TV. I don't plan on using cable, I just want to use netflix online and use a USB blu-ray player to watch blu rays. Would I be better off buying a macbook air+display, imac, or mac mini+display? I would like the portability of the macbook air, but at the same time I would kind of want something more powerful. I guess I don't really know completely what I want, just something to browse the internet, watch movies and such. Thanks!

Also, what is a good size screen? Is the 27inch that much better, or is 21inch good enough, or even the 24inch I am considering, is it good?

 

[RedCroissant]

Okay, so right now I use a Windows laptop, and I am currently looking into changing to mac. I have used a macbook before, but it crapped out on me. What I am wanting to do right now is use Apples incredible displays, whether it be an imac, thunderbolt display or cinema display, as a replacement for my TV. I don't plan on using cable, I just want to use netflix online and use a USB blu-ray player to watch blu rays. Would I be better off buying a macbook air+display, imac, or mac mini+display? I would like the portability of the macbook air, but at the same time I would kind of want something more powerful. I guess I don't really know completely what I want, just something to browse the internet, watch movies and such. Thanks!

Also, what is a good size screen? Is the 27inch that much better, or is 21inch good enough, or even the 24inch I am considering, is it good?

I would definitely go with the iMac. It's interesting because I am currently doing what you want to do. I sold my TV, PS3, AppleTV2, and my entertainment center and now rely solely on my iMac for entertainment in the living room.

Because of this, I would recommend the 27". My 20" is great and the display is awesome, but it's slightly too small to watch in the living room. I would also recommend buying computer speakers and an EyeTV Hybrid. I know you said you weren't going to worry about cable, but with internet coming through coax as a digital signal, you can't help but get a few HD channels because of this and there really is no way to stop it from happening according to my cable company. I didn't even have a TV plan and still got all the basic channels and a few HD ones. I was able to watch the olympics and it was great.

Have fun with it!

 

[Futuresgreen]

I'd buy the new MacBook Pro with retina display and use that to mirror everything onto a Apple TV linked to a standard decent tv.
Anything less than the MacBook Pro retina using mountain lion doesn't mirror everything (That's what I've understood and has been he main reason I haven't upgraded from lion this year).
Other thing is unless you really need the laptop is stream from an ipad to Apple TV linked to main TV.

If you live in UK, you don't have to pay your tv licence even though you own a tv, as long as you do not watch live tv. You can still watch everything else but not live.

 

[TheLastSpartan]

I would definitely go with the iMac. It's interesting because I am currently doing what you want to do. I sold my TV, PS3, AppleTV2, and my entertainment center and now rely solely on my iMac for entertainment in the living room.

Because of this, I would recommend the 27". My 20" is great and the display is awesome, but it's slightly too small to watch in the living room. I would also recommend buying computer speakers and an EyeTV Hybrid. I know you said you weren't going to worry about cable, but with internet coming through coax as a digital signal, you can't help but get a few HD channels because of this and there really is no way to stop it from happening according to my cable company. I didn't even have a TV plan and still got all the basic channels and a few HD ones. I was able to watch the olympics and it was great.

Have fun with it!

How would the 24inch suffice? A 27inch is a bit out of my league as far as paying goes, really a 24inch is too but I could probably scrounge enough money together selling all my stuff I don't use/want anymore. I would do the monthly payment thing but I am only 18 and don't really understand how it would work, plus I don't want to dabble in credit stuff really since I know so little about it.

 

[RedCroissant]

How would the 24inch suffice? A 27inch is a bit out of my league as far as paying goes, really a 24inch is too but I could probably scrounge enough money together selling all my stuff I don't use/want anymore. I would do the monthly payment thing but I am only 18 and don't really understand how it would work, plus I don't want to dabble in credit stuff really since I know so little about it.

Yes, the 24-inch would suffice. How much is in your budget?

And I do use my 20" iMac in the living room, I just wish that it was slightly larger and had better sound than it does. It's great at desk but not when you're a few feet away from it on a couch.