What really annoys me...

[pankakes123]

I just started saving for a new computer. I would really love to buy an iMac, because I've always been a huge Mac fanboy. Like everyone says, or at least I say, once you go Mac, you never go back.

Anyway, the computer will function for my ultimate media machine. Video editing, movie watching, and gaming. Something really pisses me off about the iMac though, and I thought a rant was in order. The way my gaming setup is right now, I would love to just have the iMac sit on top of the shelf with my current gen games, which is on the side of the room pretty out of the way. There is no room to have a whole PC setup on that shelf though, so I really want to connect my gaming computer to my 40 inch HD TV because that way I wouldn't have to have a seperate area just for the computer, and I could just set the computer aside and run everything on the Tv with a wireless mouse and keyboard. BUT, iMacs DONT have an HDMI port or monitor port! Why?! I know the whole gimmick of the iMac is that it is an all-in-one but really? You can't hook it up to a TV at all? The Mac Mini isn't powerful enough, and the Mac Pro is way to expensive. This really annoys me. What about you guys? I hate to say it, but I might have to go PC to fit my needs. Gonna really miss Macs, but of course I'll still have my Macbook Pro.

[Hazerd]

Go PC, iMac's are too expensive for what you get, sure its all in one, but i think your trying to choose style over substance.

My opinion!

[pankakes123]

Yeah, PCs are definitely more practical. I'll probably have to go with a PC. I just absolutely love Mac OSX, and how smooth Macs function in general.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

If you want to game, do not get an iMac.

I enjoyed my time using Macs (for 3-4 years), but I've found I prefer a Linux Mint/Windows 7 on PC. Lion was thoroughly disappointing, and a PC is just a lot more flexible.

If you want to stay with Apple and have your gaming too. Get a decent desktop (about 700 for a mid-range) and an older Mac Mini (the 2009 models are nice and cheap). Most new monitors have multiple inputs, and with a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, you can have a nice clean setup with both computers.

[isiolia]

You can connect Mini Displayport cables to the Thunderbolt ports on the iMac, and in turn Mini Displayport to HDMI adapters (among others). This is the one Apple offers in their store.

That said, it's a poor choice for a gaming machine. iMacs use laptop hardware. The best they get for a GPU (currently) is a 6970M, which is effectively an underclocked HD6850. A decent card, certainly, but not for a $2000+ rig, and not for driving a 2560x1440 display. The lower end models are even worse. Granted, there should be an Ivy Bridge revision soon, so by the time you're ready to buy things will be different, but I doubt the design priorities will have changed.

For what that'd cost, you could buy a Mac Mini (you know, if you just gotta have OS X), and build a gaming PC besides. If you're comparing to the $1200 model or something, well, don't plan on much gaming either way

Like everyone says, or at least I say, once you go Mac, you never go back.

Meh. I've used Macs since the early 90s, I bought my first in '96, but I've almost always had a machine running Windows as well, if not Linux/Unix too. They all have their pros and cons. I usually just buy Apple laptops to complement PC desktops.

[D.D.D.]

Yeah, PCs are definitely more practical. I'll probably have to go with a PC. I just absolutely love Mac OSX, and how smooth Macs function in general.

Build a hackintosh.

[pankakes123]

Well, to be honest, the iMac would be a side gaming platform. I already have a 360 and Wii for current gen gaming. However, I thank you for your input and I think I will get a PC. I'll be building one though, because crap like Alienware is the most overpriced thing in history.

[CRTGAMER]

There is no room to have a whole PC setup on that shelf though, so I really want to connect my gaming computer to my 40 inch HD TV because that way I wouldn't have to have a separate area just for the computer, and I could just set the computer aside and run everything on the Tv with a wireless mouse and keyboard.

See if you can borrow a Laptop and do a test run. The 40 inch HD should display the computer screen fine, but weigh in if marathon browsing online is feasible compared to a higher resolution computer monitor. Since you are tight on space, a laptop though more expensive would give more versatility in hooking to the TV or at the kitchen table for just browsing. The OSX iMac does not have the Spyware issues of Windows, but the PC will give the most bang for the buck.

Can you put a more descriptive title in the Subject line of the OP? It makes for easier to see what your Thread is about when listed in the Forum Index.

[sabrage]

Don't build a Hackintosh... building a system to emulate another system is such an inefficient way to play games. I don't think the driver support is stellar on a hackintosh so you'll have to do your research.

[D.D.D.]

Don't build a Hackintosh... building a system to emulate another system is such an inefficient way to play games. I don't think the driver support is stellar on a hackintosh so you'll have to do your research.

IIRC, there's nothing to emulate; a hackintosh is just building a to-spec PC but allowing it to run MacOSX.