Can i do this with a mac mini

[Forensickle]

recently made "the switch"
have a macbook pro and an ipad.

but the desktop is now dead... and i was looking at getting an apple tv too...

so would it be possible to have a mac mini hooked up to my TV to use, more or less, as an apple tv (and can you get a remote for it if so?) AND have it hooked up to a monitor to use as a desktop?

Also, would i be able to stop moving hard drives around, and have them all hooked up to the mini, and access them wirelessly from the macbook and ipad?
or would i need the lion server one?

and what would i need to do it? other than just the off the shelf mini

thanks

 

[lickitysplit]

You can do everything you asked. I use mine as a HTPC primarily. You can use the HDMI out to the TV then also have a Display Port adapter hooked up to a desktop monitor. I'd guess you can just run the displays as mirrored so that if you want to sit at the desk you can use it like normal. I'm no expert but I'm fairly certain you can just attach all the drives and "Share" them over the network.

 

[pagansoul]

I have my mini attached to my HDTV using the HMDI. I have an external WD 2TB drived attached to the mini via a USD port. The WD drive has a few 'full ripped' DVDs. I have a wireless keypad and mouse and sit with my notebook tray if I want to surf. I tend to use it more for Hulu and Netflicks and streaming off Amazon.

 

[lukebar]

Remote for MacMini

There are several apps available that allow you to use your iPhone or iPad as a remote control for your Mac hooked up to a TV. I use Hippo Remote. It has several presets to work with common applications like eyeTV. (You definitely want to get an eyeTV device if you plan on watching OTA or cable TV using your Mac.)

Plus, I never have to hunt around for the remote any more! (Although my wife and I do have occasional battles of dueling remotes since we both have iPhones!)

 

[bigbowlofjelly]

You can use the Apple Remote on mac mini

 

[redscull]

Mac mini cannot output sound simultaneously to HDMI and audio out jack. You mentioned hooking yours up to a tv and a monitor. When you're using a monitor, are you going to be ok with the sound coming out of the tv speakers?

You don't need the server version of Lion for anything you mentioned.

I have a new mini hooked up to a 1080p tv, and it is a pretty cool little setup. Though not actually useful for all that much since I don't stream with Netflix (no selection) or rip my movies (I prefer the quality of discs). I had to use a bluetooth keyboard/mouse that I borrowed from work to get it set up, but now I control it 100% exclusively via HippoRemote from my iPhone/iPad.

HippoRemote is pretty cool. The input isn't quite as responsive as a bluetooth keyboard/mouse (e.g. it'd be terrible for any kind of gaming or productivity needs), but it's great for surfing, using iPhoto and iTunes, stuff like that. It is limited to working only for the first user that logs in (in case you're the type that likes to have multiple users on a computer - that's a no go with hippo). And its keyboard doesn't work inside Parallels (haven't tried vmware).

One thing a mini can't do that an Apple TV can is mirror your iPad's display. Just in case you were wondering.