Please keep it simple

BrianT

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Brian
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I am fed up with plugging my laptop into my TV, with all the wires etc it's very crude.. I have been to a couple of shops but each time hit a communication problem; I am fed up with salesmen who know my requirements better than I

Hence.

The smallet box possible that contains the innards of a PC. No, I don't require mega anything, as long as it will " Surf the net" get BBC ! Player and a few E mails, that'll do. Storage etc is incidental, I file any snaps on the memory cards upon which they were taken, photo editing? Don't believe in it.

Apart from this a capability for using such a device with a remote wireless connected keyboard just about sums it up.

In other words a " black box" plugged into a TV (the TV is alright it's the latest Panasonic) controllable from the comfort of my armchair, with no wires except for the PC to TV. No, I don't want a zillion things of RAM , I don't want disk drive whatsits etc............................even if a knew what they were.

I suppose the cheapest option might be if it were possible to operate my Sony Vaio from a remote wireless keyboard but Idon't think that's possible.

Brian.
 
get a ps3, you can do all that in HD and its your bluray player too
 
A Mac Mini seems like a good shout to me. It is a tiny box that can sit just under the TV discreetly or in the cupboard out of the way.
You can use Apple wireless Keyboard and Mouse and it will do everything you need it to do as long as you can get on with Mac OS X.

Pop into PC World or Currys etc and go to the Apple Desk, they will be able to show you how it will all work and exactly what you need to get going. Wont be your cheapest option but it will do exactly what you want effortlessly.
 
Have you tried a wireless keyboard with your Sony?

Failing that a I would agree a Mac Mini would be an answer. Wireless keyboard and mouse would work OK. Don't worry about different OS you'll pick it up in seconds.

Why not nip down to KRCS at the Merrion centre and have a chat. Failing that a trip over the Pennines to the Mac shops in Manchester. I've always found people in Mac shops helpful and tend to sell you what you want.
 
Another vote for the Mac Mini, there are plenty of people using them for this, the front row software that comes with Mac OS X makes them ideal for this.
 
The mac mini is good, I have one too, but there are pc equivellents called Eec pcs that are just as small, however the mac comes ready use if you buy the wireless options
 
I know you said you wanted something with "the innards of a PC" but if you have the SOny Vaio you don't really need another PC from what you say you will use it for. I think that a wireless media player will allow you to use the Sony to play what you want on the TV. If so, why go for a mini mac - they are relatively expensive.

With a media player you use a remote to access your PC content. For some info see: http://www.trustedreviews.com/multi.../Western-Digital-WDTV-Live-HD-Media-Player/p1 . You can get them for anything between £60 - £500.

We have a Vaio and are just waiting for the sales to get going before we hunt for one.

Good luck.
 
its hardly a fully functional pc though its for media, no email and web browsing
 
Another vote for the Mac Mini, there are plenty of people using them for this, the front row software that comes with Mac OS X makes them ideal for this.

:plusone:

We use ours like this as well.
 
I use my Wii for doing this on my TV, I should invest in a wireless keyboard to go with it though.

It also has a BBC iPlayer channel now too.
 
Unfortunately the Wii's internet channel is terrible, so hard to use and and doesn't work very well with most sites.

But iPlayer is fairly good, had no problems while i was using it.
 
mac mini, pretty much plug and play, add a wireless moude and keyboard and your good to go :)
very easy to setup and just as easy to use.
infact i think you will only have 2 wires, one for power, and one to conect to tv, then a wireless dongle/plug for the mouse etc.
 
Ps3 slim. 120 gig internal memory, blu ray, photo, music, internet browser, bbci player built in. £250 too. By far the best option
 
WOW, great response.....thanks everyone, the responses got the grey cells working..

I did decide on the Mac and called in at PC World to buy one. after a brief chat with the excellent salesperson ( Yes really) I left with the Microsoft Wireless keyboard kit. Up and running, cost? £32.

It might not be the best but..........it works.

Brian
 
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