PC hardware forum: Advice on specifications for computer used for TV viewing?

Any i3 or better, 4GB or better with a video card with dedicated video memory with HDMI and the DVD player and of course Windows 7 should be fine.

WiFi is nice but can be trouble for some if the distance to the WiFi router is too far. It's all about location and what's between you and the router. It rarely is the hardware choice unless it was some rare 2 dollar thing.

Windows 8 might be OK if we add the start button back in. http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ for example and there are others and free ones as well. We'll get a few Windows 8 machine just in case we get asked if our apps run on it but for now we see that Windows 9 will be fine.

For me I went simpler with an Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7 to the HDTV but this falls short on what you want to do but I thought I'd toss this in.

With that out of the way, let's look at the top sellers at amazon.com for desktops. Stores have drank the Windows 8 Kool Aid so my bet is you may not get what you want there.

-> http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Computers-Accessories-Desktop/zgbs/pc/565098

At NUMBER 2 I see http://www.amazon.com/HP-P7-1490-Pavilion-Desktop/dp/B009X8EC90/ so read the buy comments and see what you think.
Bob

As you're using your OLD PC and got what you wanted, anything newer is going to do this as well of similar specs. You need to pay attention to your current cable setup and be sure that is also similar to what is offered in a new setup. While, I'm inclined to go Win7 also, Win8 provides the same answers. If you go through the trouble of Win7, Win8 will be just as much, so decide which maybe less of a headache for you. Also, if Win7, you can upgrade to Win8 later. With the setup(cable) they should provide anything newer if need be because you have a new PC if applicable or they may swap over the items that are part of thier setup to new PC. That service should offer what it takes via the support website, the needs of continued service -OR- they send someone out to do this or instruction "YOU".

DVD movies will play nicely provide the DVD drive is there. The other half of this is the player s/w, but at least Windows media will handle that OK.

Since most newer PC will have globs of HD space, consider how much you need, but typical offering should be 1Tb or better. If you need more, then buy with new PC as part of it, but 2Tb should do well. if you save or store personal movies or offline movies then that will take HD space.

Win7, 4gb ram, Intel cpu( I perfer), DVD drive, 1Tb HD(at least) and ports(ethernet, USB, etc), video(card? 512mb ram or better) otherwise on-board video supports 512mb or better. It appears you want a "desktop" to replace your old Gateway, so run away from tablets, laptops or netbooks, unless that suits you, but most of those would be better with Win8 and touchscreen if decided upon. Shop online of local stores(check for deals either way).

tada -----Willy

Thanks very much to to R. Proffitt and Willy for the advice!

Couple follow up questions:

1. I'm not up to speed on HDMI technology but understand that's the connection I need to make between the new computer and Samsung flat screen TV we have (as opposed to the parallel port cable I'm currently using). When I look at the specs for the HP desktop that R. Proffitt provided a link to, I don't see anything about HDMI ports or cables. Is there another name for it?

2. As far as hard drive space, we don't download movies- pretty much stream everything when we watch the TV (or use DVDs). So I don't plan on getting a ton of hard drive space. But am I going to regret this because I'm not thinking of where entertainment technology is headed? Or is hard drive memory cheap enough that I should just go ahead and get a good amount of hard drive space (say 1 TB) anyway?

Couple clarifications- Internet connection is via DSL and WiFi is a must since there's no phone jack near the computer.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the quick and informative responses! I think I'm good to go.