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+--- Thread: apple tv or mac mini? (/showthread.php?tid=88724)
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - Will Collier - 11-30-2009
Yeah, for a reasonably savvy Mac user, I'd say Mini all the way (I have one in my own entertainment system), but for Mom, the ATV is a better bet.
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - SDGuy - 11-30-2009
My answer - neither! Don't confuse her with this "technology" stuff. If she's anything like the majority of people I know of that generation (born in the 1930s or earlier), it'd be a losing battle for you to explain how to use the thing.
There are already solutions out there which she is already familiar with and should have no problems operating:
[spoiler=Video on Demand]
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Home Music System]
[/spoiler]
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - davester - 11-30-2009
SDGuy wrote:
My answer - neither! Don't confuse her with this "technology" stuff. If she's anything like the majority of people I know of that generation (born in the 1930s or earlier), it'd be a losing battle for you to explain how to use the thing.
I think you're severely underestimating older people. My mom didn't start using a computer until she was in her 70s. My next door neighbor is in his 70s and is an active and highly respected nuclear physicist who I was having a conversation with yesterday regarding the merits of various ways to obtain internet access.
On the other hand, the 20-somethings in one of the offices I work in are absolutely clueless about computers and the internet.
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - edgarbc1 - 11-30-2009
davester wrote:
The original post says that edgarbc1's mom doesn't use a computer at all. My understanding is that an appleTV is primarily a companion product to a computer and is of limited utility without a computer to stream from. Also, if she wanted to use frontrow to get TV shows or any other content from the internet would require an internet connection. It seems to me that it might make more sense to look outside the apple sphere for the functionality requested.
good point...
I was planning to set up an old iBook (thanks StingMe!) as an
interface to appleTV. No internet connection is required will
only be playing home movies and ripped CDs.. she has
a DVD player which she is capable with.
thanks for all the input!
E
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - Shakes - 12-01-2009
Would you consider a WDTV Live?
For me it was between a ATV or the WDTV Live and couldn't be happier with it.
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - AAA - 12-01-2009
put a poll on this thing. And make one choice something that all the whiners can choose, too!
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - Article Accelerator - 12-01-2009
Apple TV is an appliance. It is dead easy to use and maintain and does not require a computer host at all (but it should have an Internet connection). It seems to me its the right choice in this case.
The original post says that edgarbc1's mom doesn't use a computer at all. My understanding is that an appleTV is primarily a companion product to a computer and is of limited utility without a computer to stream from.
Not true and hasn't been since "version 2."
for home movies of my baby and other kid
and music server through the TV speaker system
Apple TV is still a great choice. Mom can dial in your photos from flickr or MobileMe, your videos from YouTube (privacy is available), and music from Internet radio.
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - guitarist - 12-01-2009
I think viewing the advantages of an Apple TV from the point of view of skill is misleading.
note: a lot of advanced users prefer an Apple TV. Full-fledged computer geeks and mac-addicted tech-heads enjoy having an Apple TV in living room, integrated with their Home Theater, and prefer not to use a computer, hooked up to Hulu, or Front Row, or whatever, to watch movies and TV shows.
Apple TV is a choice among advanced geeks as well as beginners.
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - Speedy - 12-01-2009
TiVo.
Re: apple tv or mac mini? - silvarios - 12-01-2009
If she doesn't have computer access, how would your mom set up an iTunes account (if she wanted access to the iTunes Store) and does she even have internet access?
I must be missing some piece of the puzzle.
Nathan