Amazon’s lowest-end “smart” TV is $119. It’s really hard to compete with that. They aren’t making money on the hardware, they’re making it on the advertising.
It’s still cheaper than a “normal” TV + Roku or whatever.
I mean, the goal here is to stop being so inundated with ads. There is a cost associated. The cost can be in a more expensive TV, privacy nightmares, or a cheap TV with a cheap setup.
A $200 setup sounds ace to me and perfectly feasible. You could probably lower than by using a Raspberry Pi setup instead. A “decent” TV is going to run into the $400 range once you get 55” or larger, and your laptop/Pi setup can be used on any TV for as long as you want.
Heck, it doesn’t even need to be a new-to-you laptop. I’ve repurposed my last 3 computers to do just this; I was buying a new desktop or laptop anyway, so the old one became my streaming device.
Idk…my mother’s in her 60s and she can figure out this stuff. And plumbers have a fair amount of general know-how. 🤷♀️
Obviously, the TV-to-laptop option isn’t for the general masses, which is why these devices exist. I’m just offering that there are alternatives available to those who are willing.
Amazon’s lowest-end “smart” TV is $119. It’s really hard to compete with that. They aren’t making money on the hardware, they’re making it on the advertising.
You can find small form factor used office pcs for around that price rn.
https://www.amazon.com/HP-ProDesk-Desktop-i5-6500T-Professional/dp/B0868Z5ZHB/ref=mp_s_a_1_8_maf_1?crid=2KBF8MBVTTI4U&keywords=hp+small+pc&qid=1699561331&sprefix=hp+small+p%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-8
There is something to be said about being plug and play though. I understand the appeal.
Yes, but you would also have to buy the TV. So it’s still more expensive.
My bad i misread your comment. You’re correct it would be less expensive to buy a smart tv only.
Yeah, but if you hook up a refurbished laptop that costs like $100, you could still use that via the HDMI rather than the Fire TV “part”.
Take their cheap hardware and then not use what they hope you’ll use it for.
Amazon TV - $119.
Your solution - $100 plus the cost of the TV.
Do you see the issue?
It’s still cheaper than a “normal” TV + Roku or whatever.
I mean, the goal here is to stop being so inundated with ads. There is a cost associated. The cost can be in a more expensive TV, privacy nightmares, or a cheap TV with a cheap setup.
A $200 setup sounds ace to me and perfectly feasible. You could probably lower than by using a Raspberry Pi setup instead. A “decent” TV is going to run into the $400 range once you get 55” or larger, and your laptop/Pi setup can be used on any TV for as long as you want.
Heck, it doesn’t even need to be a new-to-you laptop. I’ve repurposed my last 3 computers to do just this; I was buying a new desktop or laptop anyway, so the old one became my streaming device.
You really expect some 60-year-old plumber who just wants to watch Netflix to figure all that out just to watch it?
Idk…my mother’s in her 60s and she can figure out this stuff. And plumbers have a fair amount of general know-how. 🤷♀️
Obviously, the TV-to-laptop option isn’t for the general masses, which is why these devices exist. I’m just offering that there are alternatives available to those who are willing.