Mini + TV as only Computer

I have the new Mini on order but don't have it yet. When I do get it I plan on using it with my LCD TV. I currently have a 2009 Mini which is connected to the same TV using a DVI to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable. Everything works just fine. My main uses are email, internet, occasional games playing and movie watching. The new Mini with allow me to get rid of the adapter and have a direct HDMI connection and hopefully multi channel sound.

The only issue is that the TV is much further away then if I was sitting at a desk with a monitor on it so text in particular can be hard to read. That said technically you should have no problem. Having said that different TV's behave differently when a computer is connected to them especially using HDMI. There is no way of knowing if you will have issues or not until you try it.

 

I use my mini this way. It's ok but the tv is setup for, well, tv so the computing experience is sub par. I use a VNC connection to my iPad frequently so I don't have to occupy the tv when using the computer.

 

I tend to either do that (using Splashtop) on my iPad or just use my iPad more, so I can watch TV at the same time. Using a dedicated computer display even a smaller one is probably going to give a better computing experience but I'm happy with my setup the way it is. It's not really practical for me to have a separate computer display so using my HDTV is an acceptable alternative. I don't do any graphic design, video editing or multi media production so I have no need for a smaller higher resolution display.

 

I used my 2008 mini hooked up to my 37" LCD tv. Switch back and forth between the computer and TV while I had cable, and then when I dropped cable, it was for computer and my Apple TV. I had no problems with this set up. If I was watching TV or a movie on the screen, I would just whip out my iPad or iPhone to browse the internet or check email. I thought it was a great set up and plan on keeping it the same when I get the new mini.

 

I've been using it on my 40 inch tv as well.

Though, I have a weird set up.

Currently, its in my bedroom sitting on my long dresser (the tv).

I have my computer chair and a small fold out table in front of it as a mock shift desk. I have the resolution at 1080p.

If I'm sitting further back on my bed, I will generally switch to 720p so the text is more readable (if i'm reading stuff).

Just leave the monitor resolution/display button the top banner, it's an easy switch.

HOWEVER, to make it easy for you, if your not gonna sit in front of it as a monitor, set it to either 720p or 480p so things can be readable from your sofa or what-not.

 

So for someone who's using the computer mainly as a terminal for some slightly more computer-y tasks (website updates via iWeb, larger volumes of email, some use of iPhoto -- minor photo edits and the Christmas book for the grandparents, serving iTunes content and maybe a few other things), this is an acceptable setup, then?

Will generally be seated at the foot of our bed, a few feet from a 37" TV screen, and occasionally six or seven feet back (if I ever decide to use it for gaming or whatever). Is there any sort of application where a TV is totally unsuitable?

Really strongly thinking about upgrading from an old iMac, and it would be nice to put our computer in our bedroom to reclaim some of the space my desk has stolen from the dining area

 

Another plus is you can skip the menus and forced trailers on DVDs.

 

I did this for a few years and it's not all it's cracked up to be. The mini is a spectacular media center and server, and the new ones are pretty powerful, but it's hard to couch surf on the web with this set up, no matter how big of a tv you have. You'll eventually want to get an iPad or a MBA for web surfing.