[jesusbristow]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I"m a fairly informed Mac user, but the Mac Mini vs. AppleTV 2 thing gives me a real headache. I need both of them, or maybe just one of them, but I can't get my head entirely around it.

Some questions. Don't be intimidated by the number of them. If you know the answer to one or two, off the top of your head, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks in advance:

1. First of all, I'd like a Mac hooked up to my recently purchased 46inch Samsung 1080p HDTV. Specs here:

LN-T4665F LCD TV - televisions SAMSUNG

My first question would be: can this even be hooked up? (Based on what I've read, I believe the answer is yes. Yet some Apple Store employees told me it doesn't have the graphics card to really run a big TV, or any TV. Confusing.)

2. Once hooked up, will resolution be decent, or disappointingly fuzzy/cheesy?

3. Will I be able to stream TV shows off the web (ABC.com, for instance) and get reasonable quality?

4. By buying a Mini instead of an Apple TV, do I lose the rental side of things? Or does FRONT ROW/ITUNES on the Mini accomplish the same?

5. I install RAM on all my Macs, but this thing is a bit scary. Is it easy enough to double the ram myself? I'm looking at pulling the RAM out and making this a 2 gig puppy.

6. At this recent MacWorld, Apple didn't release a Mini-killer, as in releasing a hybrid AppleTV/Mac product. This would indicate to me two things: a.) they're not interested in making the AppleTV a web surfing product, and b.) perhaps the Mini isn't at the end of it's line after all. Do you agree?

7. Considering that last question, would you advise me to wait for an updated Mini?

For those who help me, most sincere thanks. Having difficulty getting my head completely around this.

[mduell]

1. Yes, buy a $10 DVI-HDMI cable and something appropriate for your audio connectors (probably minijack to RCA, also $10). Just like connecting to any other 23-24" LCD monitor.

2. Should be crisp as any computer LCD monitor. Googling suggests it has an option to avoid overscan.

3. Mostly no. Legally streaming TV over the internet is by and large low quality (sometimes less than SD, always less than HD) and often Windows only.

4. HD rentals are AppleTV only, but you can still do SD rentals. Sucks when your primary display is HD.

5. It's kinda painful, but with some time and putty knives it's certainly possible. See ifixit.com for a guide.

6. Fark if anyone can guess what Apple's product strategy is. I expect to see the ATV become cheaper (software updates + price drops, no hardware changes) and the mini to become more capable (desktop HDD, etc).

7. The Mac mini is at about the end of its product cycle, but it's hard to predict what Apple will do with it and when. I'd just buy a refurb of today's model.

[jesusbristow]

Thanks for your replies. That answers everything.

[mduell]

I wasn't feeling intimidated.