Computer to Watch TV Confined to Bed

Question

I'm confined to bed for at least six months. I've got my iBook G4 on the hospital table but it isn't powerful enough to watch most tv shows, i.e. Dancing with the Stars. In the evening Hubby connects the mac to our standard definition tv so we can watch (sort of) a show from Hulu. We're sure the cable 5 Mbp connection is good so we are discussing getting a new mac BUT from what I've read here that sweet little 13" isn't a good choice, nor the 15". It sounds like a 17" is required for HD because of the GPU (not sure what that is). BUT I don't want 17" "lap top". Should I be looking at a PC for video? and keep the iBook for our computer needs? (Not even sure there are small -- hospital-table size -- PC's good for video.)

Answer 1

Ok but do you want to watch from a laptop perched on your lap or perhaps on a bedside table? If you want to use your broadband to watch HULU TV on a bigger screen then yes, a 17" MacBook Pro would work but it is a bit overkill. Now if it is in your lap you're going to have to rest it on your thighs because it is a bit too big to watch TV full screen from your lap.
That being said - you'd need an internet connection, preferably a direct connection via ethernet to the MacBook Pro because WiFi - tho- good and possibly applicable, runs slower and you'd probably get screen freezes if you connected via WiFi (altho it is entirely plausible and the best advice for running a 17" MBP).
Now if this were me in your situation I would purchase a second iMac for the bedroom - of course you'd have to have it within arm's reach so you could open your browser and get to Hulu to watch your favorite programs but for the price of a 17" MBP you could probably purchase a 24" iMac cheaper either new or refurbished. BTW, Nothing wrong with refurbished, these are just machines that are returned to Apple for one reason or another and fully checked out and placed on sale at a reduced price. Its not as though the machine is returned to a third party company that uses questionable parts to fix a problem, Apple simply replaces the bad part with one of their own parts, thoroughly checks the machine, gives you a nice warranty and sells it at a nice lower price.
A 24" screen is HUGE and can be seen from across the room but you are dealing with watching television through a browser and not directly over the air through digital signal. And you are dependent on receiving that signal over the internet which can be good and bad (good with a direct connection, could be troublesome with WiFi and a bit more expense). Maybe that's your concern?
WiFi. Do you have WiFi in the house or do you know? I don't think standard iMacs come with a built-in Airport Express card (mine doesn't) and that means you'd have to buy a WiFi router i.e., Apple's separate product called Airport Express (AE). Your internet cable connects directly to the AE and broadcasts a signal about 300 feet - enough to take your MBP out to the barn and watch Hulu if you had one (:-)).
I hope this information is helpful. I'm shooting from the cuff here because I'm not thoroughly understanding your wants/needs and what you've got to work with.
One other thing: ever hear of EZTV? Google it and take a look. I'm not sure the forum will allow me to discuss it here.
John
There are many variables here that it is hard to pre-guess your aim and/or intentions.