Is there a turnkey solution?
I have seen my friends using PC or XBox as video server for their HDTV. I have also read many discussions in this forum about doing the same with the Mac mini. However, these still look like trial and error DIY projects. Is there a turnkey solution for average consumers with little computer knowledge? Apple has been very good at targeting the less technical computer users. e.g. the iMac series targets users who just want to turn it on and use with little configuration.
It would be nice if Apple would come up with a Home entertainment bundled package for Mac mini. It would be reasonable to expect a HDTV as the only display to the system and hifi audio such as coaxle or optical audio out etc. And of course bluetooth keyboard and mouse should be standard in the bundle because the users is expect to be using the system on the couch in front of a big screen TV. With the baby boomer generation getting older, many affluent old folks are sitting home watching their bigscreen HDTVs. Such a turnkey systems would introduce the Apple to the living room as an entertainment / Internet appliance instead of a computer.
I heard that Microsoft is trying to do the same thing with the XBox 360. The Mac mini seems to be at the right price for such market. Is Apple planning to get a piece of the pie?
It would be nice if Apple would come up with a Home entertainment bundled package for Mac mini. It would be reasonable to expect a HDTV as the only display to the system and hifi audio such as coaxle or optical audio out etc. And of course bluetooth keyboard and mouse should be standard in the bundle because the users is expect to be using the system on the couch in front of a big screen TV. With the baby boomer generation getting older, many affluent old folks are sitting home watching their bigscreen HDTVs. Such a turnkey systems would introduce the Apple to the living room as an entertainment / Internet appliance instead of a computer.
I heard that Microsoft is trying to do the same thing with the XBox 360. The Mac mini seems to be at the right price for such market. Is Apple planning to get a piece of the pie?
20" 2.1GHz iMac G5 iSight, Sage iMac G3, PowerMac 7600, 128K original Mac, Mac OS X (10.4.2), 500G HD, 1.5 Gig RAM, iPod 20G