# Need Cheap Notebook Suggestion to Connect to TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596 "2012-01-06T04:26:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/1 "2012-01-06T04:26:34Z")
A family elderly needs a decent cheap basic notebook, netbook (or desktop) to leave it connected to a TV to watch online movies & shows. Any suggestions? BTW, a friend has a Vista Pro licensed for 10 that I could install. TIA ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/2 "2012-01-06T04:52:53Z")
I have an [Asus 1015PEM](http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-1015PEM-PU17-BU-10-1-Inch-Netbook-Blue/dp/B0042TS7GE/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325825417&sr=1-4) notebook that is very highly rated. I watch movies and TV series on it from Amazon through my router without any problem at all. They only run about $270. It comes with 1GB RAM, but is easily upgraded to 2GB via a removable panel cover on the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/3 "2012-01-06T05:34:05Z")
Thanks. Did you get a refurb or used? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/4 "2012-01-06T05:58:30Z")
What sort of online content do they intend to watch? Because if it’s stuff like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Vudu, etc. they might be better off getting an internet-capable device like a Roku box or a networked Blu-Ray player. If they don’t need the computer functionality, it would certainly be cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/5 "2012-01-06T06:02:01Z")
Some suspicious site’s that offer’s free overseas programs and such. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/6 "2012-01-06T06:05:06Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > What sort of online content do they intend to watch? > > Because if it’s stuff like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Vudu, etc. they might be better off getting an internet-capable device like a Roku box or a networked Blu-Ray player. If they don’t need the computer functionality, it would certainly be cheaper. Good suggestion. I picked up a Roku LT at Amazon for $50 and love it. The Lt requires wi-fi, if you need a ethernet connection their top of the line box with a wired connection is $90 at Costco or Sam’s Club. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/7 "2012-01-06T06:20:57Z")
I would suggest an [SMP-N200](http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666382666) Streaming Media Player. Works with practically any TV (HDMI not needed) and lets you use stuff like Netflix, Hulu, Youtube etc. It is wireless, but you can also use a LAN cable. It’s also pretty good looking - very sleek and small. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/8 "2012-01-06T08:12:32Z")
> [@brittekland](#): > > Some suspicious site’s that offer’s free overseas programs and such. Well, if you need actual websites that require a browser, then a Roku or similar streaming device probably won’t be any good. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-notebook-suggestion-to-connect-to-tv/608596/9 "2012-01-06T08:36:13Z")
You could most likely get a desktop a lot cheaper, especially if you are willing to go refurbished or even used. Pretty much anything with a dual core will be enough for this use. For example, [this computer](http://compare.ebay.com/like/170707604878?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y) would seem to be enough, as long as they don’t plan on keeping a bunch of recordings on that small hard drive. Heck, since you have an OS, [this one](http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Compaq-dc5800-Tower-Computer-PC-Intel-Pentium-Dual-Core-E2180-2-0GHz-2GHz-/180753461151?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D170707604878%26ps%3D54) might be enough. I’d also suggest buying a wireless keyboard and mouse for it.