Switching my dad to Mac - need some advice

Here's the setup I'd like him to have:

I want to set him up with a Mac Mini, but with dual monitors, and EyeTV Hybrid, so he can watch TV.. and can hopefully just open up the TV app and watch it on one monitor while surfing/emailing/etc on the other monitor.

No prob with the EyeTV, I can just plug that into the Mac Mini and set it up. But the dual monitor support... I suppose I can just get the Matrox DualHead2Go and that will give him dual monitor support? (he has two VGA monitors)

Will that setup work as described?

Anyone? Please?

Your question title should have been something like; Has anyone used a Matrox DualHead2Go on a Mac mini? Matrox's web page says it works back the Mini G4.

Your described setup should work, however, you may be better going with an iMac and just hooking up an external monitor to it. This route may ultimately be cheaper and a better experience for your dad. You also didn't say what size monitors you would be using and the mac mini may not have enough graphics power to drive two large monitors. Just a thought, hope this helps.

These prices are from the apple store(except matrox) in U.S. dollars:
Mac mini: $600.00 _________________ iMac: $1,200.00
Keyboard/mouse: $100.00 __________ Keyboard/mouse: included
2X 20" monitor: $1,200.00 __________ 1X 20" monitor: $600.00
Eye TV: $150.00 _____________________ Eye TV: $150.00
DualHead2Go: $170.00 _____________ DualHead2Go: $N/A
Total: $2,220.00 __________________ Total: $1950.00

As you can see the iMac setup is $270.00 cheaper if you buy everything from apple and you get much more computer for the money. These prices are for the base models of each system. Of course you can save a lot of money if you buy the monitors from newegg.com. The two monitors you already have should work with the mini if you really want to reuse them.

Cool, thanks for the tips, guys.

My dad already has a keyboard and mouse, it's a wireless Logitech setup. Not sure if it will work with the Mac..guess I'd better do some research.

His two monitors are VGA 17" LCDs. Nothing too fancy.

I'll have to ponder on this some more. Thanks again.

Breakdown:

Mac Mini - $800 (the one with the burner)
DualHead2Go - $170
EyeTV - $150
Total: $1120

iMac - $1200
EyeTV - $150
Total: $1350

Hmm, I'm starting to see a clear winner here.

Whatever you do, be careful that you're dad's happy with it. If he's never used OS X before, he might not like it and you'll have wasted a lot of money.

I tried switching my dad over, but gave up because I knew he wouldn't change his paradigms of computers enough to learn a new OS.

Is it YOU who'd like to see those dual screens hooked to a mac and EyeTV or does HE really need them?

Don't forget with the iMac you won't have as many wires and it will be a much cleaner setup. Also you have a lot less that can go wrong with this setup. The iMac will probably last longer than the mini also. Just a thought, hope this helps.