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[daw840]

How hard is this? I have a MBP, 2 iPhones, an Apple TV, an Airport Extreme, and an old desktop PC.

I want to build a PC myself and am interested in the customizable aspect of PCs over Macs but I really like the Apple world. My plan has always been to replace the old PC with a nice iMac but lately I've been thinking about building a nice PC with a good SSD and video card but I don't have any idea how I would blend those into my current network. I want to be able to use it as a media center of sorts, to be able to stream to my TVs and sound systems. Is this possible? I know there are ways to boot into PC mode in a window on an Apple computer, but is this possible in the opposite? To use the airplay functions of other devices with a PC?

 

[Stumpokapow]

There are no real hurdles related to integrating a Windows machine into a predominantly Apple household. Streaming with Windows as a source, either through iTunes as an AirPlay transmitter or through standard file-sharing protocols (SMB), is no problem.

 

[mynameismyname]

Airplay from iTunes works fine, just make sure you install the Quicktime component. Then you can drag any movie files you have into iTunes and they'll show up on your Apple TV.

You'll be fine. PCs are great fun.

Spoiler

They have Titanfall.

 

[daw840]

There are no real hurdles related to integrating a Windows machine into a predominantly Apple household.

Really? I would be able to use the various Apple TVs that I have around the house with it? As a media center of sorts?

 

[Stumpokapow]

Really? I would be able to use the various Apple TVs that I have around the house with it? As a media center of sorts?

Well you're still pretty vague on what you hope to do, but yes. Windows supports iTunes as well. Windows iTunes does the same things Mac iTunes does.

 

[CheesecakeRecipe]

you can buy used towers from the last gen Mac Pros for like $70-$100

no one will know

 

[daw840]

Well you're still pretty vague on what you hope to do, but yes. Windows supports iTunes as well. Windows iTunes does the same things Mac iTunes does.

I guess what I mean is I can literally extend my screen from my MBP to my tv via the Apple TV. Is that sort of thing possible through a PC?

 

[PseudoKirby]

Just bootcamp all the macs to windows, youll be better off.

 

[fredrancour]

First thought:
If it were a non-macbook laptop for one person and a bunch of other people with macbooks, I would say that the pc guy would have an amazing life because no one else would be able to steal his charger. I've seen so many mac-charger thefts drive people nuts.


Doesn't actually sound relevant to you, though.

I doubt you can use mac features via your pc. I don't think there's any kind of reverse-bootcamp.

 

[The Broken Ska Record]

I'm streaming music from my Windows PC to my Apple TV right now. Super easy.

Of course, I can't figure out file sharing between my desktop and MBP! But I haven't tried too hard to fix it.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Just bootcamp all the macs to windows, youll be better off.

Yeah, no.

The only thing running windows is my gaming PC. Can't wait till steamOS blows up so I can banish that headache from my life forever.

 

[mynameismyname]

Of course, I can't figure out file sharing between my desktop and MBP! But I haven't tried too hard to fix it.

in the finder, press cmd+k, then enter smb:// followed by your PC's IP address. it should be smooth sailing from there.

 

[xxracerxx]

Just bootcamp all the macs to windows, youll be better off.

What? Why would he do that?

 

[mynameismyname]

What? Why would he do that?

standard anti-Apple drive by. learn to ignore it.

 

[railGUN]

Introduce it slowly, so the Apple crew doesn't gang up on it. Try keeping them in separate rooms at first, and then start leaving the door open, etc. and let them congregate.

 

[SPDIF]

Yeah, no.

The only thing running windows is my gaming PC. Can't wait till steamOS blows up so I can banish that headache from my life forever.

You'll probably be waiting a long time. Also, something tells me a Linux based OS isn't going to be any less headache inducing then Windows.

 

[Hoo-doo]

You'll probably be waiting a long time. Also, something tells me a Linux based OS isn't going to be any less headache inducing then Windows.

Yeah, probably not. But i'd exclusively use it for gaming anyway.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

Introduce it slowly, so the Apple crew doesn't gang up on it. Try keeping them in separate rooms at first, and then start leaving the door open, etc. and let them congregate.

I laughed pretty hard hahaha

 

[kehs]

You should hackingtosh all your pcs, youll be better off.

 

[TwiztidElf]

I introduced an Airport Express to our mixed (predominantly Windows) house yesterday for music streaming and couldn't be happier. It works amazing.

 

[entremet]

Airports are pricey but rock solid. Never had any issues with them.

Mac laptops, Wintel Desktops is an amazing combo.

 

[daw840]

Airports are pricey but rock solid. Never had any issues with them.

Mac laptops, Wintel Desktops is an amazing combo.

That's kinda what I'll be shooting for. A gaming/media center PC and everything else apple.

 

[Souless_PJ]

I guess what I mean is I can literally extend my screen from my MBP to my tv via the Apple TV. Is that sort of thing possible through a PC?

http://www.airsquirrels.com/airparrot/

 

[acksman]

My household is mixed.

For the PC's to stream get http://www.airsquirrels.com/airparrot/


I would invest in a small NAS like Synology that can be your home base for files. That way you can connect SMB/AFP with the Macs and PC can connect. You can also setup Streaming from there using Plex (Not supported on Apple TV without hack) or setup a iTunes server.

I did skip the Airport and bought a Asus RT-AC68U and flashed with it with DD--WRT. This gave me a ton more options for configuration.

http://www.asus.com/Networking/RTAC68U/

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

[TheLaughingStock]

You'll have to pay money I believe to mirror everything just like your Mac. Shouldn't be a big deal since you're building a PC.