Smart TV alternative to laptop?

Slinky_Malinky

Hi all,

I have only ever had a desktop PC and have been wanting to get a laptop so that I can get rid of the pc desk from the lounge. I have just been looking at Smart TVs on John Lewis website and it struck me that if I can use the TV to surf the net then I could manage without a PC. Could I just buy a keyboard & mouse then use the TV as my computer? Or if not then maybe connect my existing PC to the smart TV ( I have an EEE PC which is the size of a paperback so quite compact) PC is mostly used for forums, online shopping, ebay. I would want to load music from CDs to my MP3 player so guess I would need an external disk thingamybob, no probs can get one for about £40.

Given that I would probably spend £400ish on a laptop then for an extra one or two hundred I could kill two birds ands get a spanking new TV too.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick about surfing on the TV? PLease don`t mock me if I have, I am a techy dinosaur

Cheers,
SM

Dave_C_2

As far as my Samsung smart TV is concerned:

Pros

• Easy access to youtube, netflix, Iplayer etc. so don't need PC for watching catch-up TV etc.
• Can share pictures and audio between PC network and TV
• Smart TV is new so should improve
• Didn't pay any extra for smart TV
• Memory stick in USB interface is good

Cons

• Can't surf the internet because there is no built-in browser
• Clunky interface to some sites such as facebook and twitter, neither of which I use.
• No keyboard have to use the remote - as per texting before touch screens
• No mouse
• Samsung Allshare software is pants. For example cannot view pictures from PC as slideshow with music

I think other smart TVs are the same


Recommendation:

• Buy a Windows 7 laptop with HDMI output
• Buy a TV with HDMI input
• Buy a HDMI cable
• Use your TV as a 40 inch monitor and speakers - brilliant

Dave

Slinky_Malinky

Thanks Dave, I did indeed have the wrong end of the stick re browsing the net! Your option of a lappy plus HDMI sounds perfect, plus I would have the disk drive needed for ripping my CDs too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Still a bit jealous of your TV though as it was the Samsung I was lusting after

techspec

If you don't want to be tied to the HDMI cable - try the Q-Waves Quick Link for around £30

Dave_C_2

Slinky_Malinky wrote: »

Thanks Dave, I did indeed have the wrong end of the stick re browsing the net! Your option of a lappy plus HDMI sounds perfect, plus I would have the disk drive needed for ripping my CDs too.

Please remember that this is only one opinion based on one smart TV (Samsung UE40D5520). Other (more expensive) smart TVs apparently do come with a keyboard.

Come on Guys, surely I'm not the only MSE forum member with a Smart TV!

Smart TV is a brand new technology and firms will be rushing to add smart TV to their product range. As is usual in these cases, the user interface is the usual botched job, not up to scratch because there is not yet enough incentive to improve on it. On the plus side it should be easy to update via the internet.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

No problem, happy to be of some help.

Dave

Gazpablo

We bought a Samsung Smart TV a couple of months ago and it has a very good picture. It is connected wirelessly to our router upstairs and so using BBC iPlayer for example is very good. Also we have Sky and Sky anytime+ which connects wirelessly to the router. The use of the browser is however, clunky and entering text via the TV remote control is a pain. Frankly Samsung gives the impression that all this is "work in progress" and I don't think the Smart TV route is the way to go at the moment - better to stick to a laptop.