Which laptop for parent as tv/movie consumption?
Discussion
background
Dad owns a laptop that's at least 8 years old or so. It's a very basic asus bought from currys, entry level, isn't even dual core and I'm sure the screen is 720p and looks like crap, runs windows. he has a samsung/android phone. Birthday coming up end of the month and feel it's due an upgrade
usage
He basically uses it as a TV/movie watcher. 99% he uses Netflix or VirginTV for watching things. 1% is just normal web browsing so it doesn't need to be anything high spec. I've never seen him use anything other than the web browser.
Sound is not important as he pairs it with his bluetooth speaker, or sometimes his bluetooth headphones.
Storage is not an issue as he doesn't keep files on it or save things to it.
It's basically a TV/media consumption thing. weight is irrelevant as it's not carried around places, but rather just sat on a table. I used to own an OLED xps15 about a decade ago and really loved the screen.
what I'd like to get
As huge spec isn't important I feel what is important is a large screen (16" at least) that has good visuals for TV and movie watching. As all he does is tv/movie watching.
I'm willing to go via a chromebook or alternative OS if it means that a better screen is cheaper. I don't mind getting something that might be 1-2 years old if it stands out as having a great screen (as long as its new).
I feel as though a big and pleasurable screen is what will appeal to him most
what i don't want to get
something used/ebay. but don't mind something refurbished if it's something with a killer screen.
budget
in the region of £500+ or so (I'm just throwing that in the air), but I really don't mind spending a little more of something really stands out, like having OLED or miniLED (or just a quality screen) as he will probably be using the thing for many years without fuss.
other considerations
I don't mind the idea of maaaaybe getting a small monitor with good visuals and perhaps buying a mini PC. But i think for now a laptop that prioritises a large nice display is key.
key points
- big display that has good par visuals for tv/movie watching
- storage not an issue
- performance enough for netflix/virgin TV watching & light web browsing
Dad owns a laptop that's at least 8 years old or so. It's a very basic asus bought from currys, entry level, isn't even dual core and I'm sure the screen is 720p and looks like crap, runs windows. he has a samsung/android phone. Birthday coming up end of the month and feel it's due an upgrade
usage
He basically uses it as a TV/movie watcher. 99% he uses Netflix or VirginTV for watching things. 1% is just normal web browsing so it doesn't need to be anything high spec. I've never seen him use anything other than the web browser.
Sound is not important as he pairs it with his bluetooth speaker, or sometimes his bluetooth headphones.
Storage is not an issue as he doesn't keep files on it or save things to it.
It's basically a TV/media consumption thing. weight is irrelevant as it's not carried around places, but rather just sat on a table. I used to own an OLED xps15 about a decade ago and really loved the screen.
what I'd like to get
As huge spec isn't important I feel what is important is a large screen (16" at least) that has good visuals for TV and movie watching. As all he does is tv/movie watching.
I'm willing to go via a chromebook or alternative OS if it means that a better screen is cheaper. I don't mind getting something that might be 1-2 years old if it stands out as having a great screen (as long as its new).
I feel as though a big and pleasurable screen is what will appeal to him most
what i don't want to get
something used/ebay. but don't mind something refurbished if it's something with a killer screen.
budget
in the region of £500+ or so (I'm just throwing that in the air), but I really don't mind spending a little more of something really stands out, like having OLED or miniLED (or just a quality screen) as he will probably be using the thing for many years without fuss.
other considerations
I don't mind the idea of maaaaybe getting a small monitor with good visuals and perhaps buying a mini PC. But i think for now a laptop that prioritises a large nice display is key.
key points
- big display that has good par visuals for tv/movie watching
- storage not an issue
- performance enough for netflix/virgin TV watching & light web browsing
Big iPad. Can go to 13inches.
If he likes Samsung, and understands that logic, a big Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Goes upto 14.6 inches I think.
Personally find a 11 inch iPad perfect for media consumption. My laptops are too unwieldy and I would never preference them to watch films and surf the net. I found the big iPads unwieldy as well, my hands couldn’t type comfortably on them, but if your dad has big hands, he might manage fine,
If for some reason he likes to sit at a table and watch it and portability isn t a factor, you could get an AIO.
https://www.currys.co.uk/computing/desktop-pcs/des...
A 24 incher won t be hard to move around. You probably want to pay attention to the monitor specs though.
Alternately, many tablets including the iPad and Galaxy Tab will connect to an external display these days. Could buy a USB C monitor, put it on the table. If he is taking a s
t, he can watch the tablet on the bog, If he is sitting down at his table to watch, he can connect up the monitor.
If he likes Samsung, and understands that logic, a big Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Goes upto 14.6 inches I think.
Personally find a 11 inch iPad perfect for media consumption. My laptops are too unwieldy and I would never preference them to watch films and surf the net. I found the big iPads unwieldy as well, my hands couldn’t type comfortably on them, but if your dad has big hands, he might manage fine,
If for some reason he likes to sit at a table and watch it and portability isn t a factor, you could get an AIO.
https://www.currys.co.uk/computing/desktop-pcs/des...
A 24 incher won t be hard to move around. You probably want to pay attention to the monitor specs though.
Alternately, many tablets including the iPad and Galaxy Tab will connect to an external display these days. Could buy a USB C monitor, put it on the table. If he is taking a s
t, he can watch the tablet on the bog, If he is sitting down at his table to watch, he can connect up the monitor.Edited by wyson on Wednesday 6th August 06:08
A decent screen to suit and a micro PC hidden behind it?
Example that bolts directly to the visa mounts?
https://amzn.eu/d/gyiZxsb
Example that bolts directly to the visa mounts?
https://amzn.eu/d/gyiZxsb
Edited by Mr E on Wednesday 6th August 08:27
Not sure why devices with small screens are being recommended when the main requirement seems to be a big screen - it is mentioned a number of times.
I don't think I'd go mini PC as you then need the extras of a keyboard, screen - and probably more real estate required, plus he is used to a laptop. The main advantage of the mini PC is a larger screen, and I'd also stick to Windows as that is what is being used already.
Few options direct from Asus:
I don't think I'd go mini PC as you then need the extras of a keyboard, screen - and probably more real estate required, plus he is used to a laptop. The main advantage of the mini PC is a larger screen, and I'd also stick to Windows as that is what is being used already.
Few options direct from Asus:
- £399 - Vivobook 16 (M1605) - 1920x1080, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U
- £499 - Vivobook 16 (X1607QA) - 1920x1200, Qualcomm Snapdragon X
- £599 - Vivobook 17 (X1704) - 1920x1080, Intel Core i5-1334U
wyson said:
Well, a tablet is a far superior experience, for the OP s requirements.
I m either on my TV or my iPad to consume media. Never my 16 inch Macbook Pro.
You're flat out told a tablet is not a suitable option yet you just don't listen.I m either on my TV or my iPad to consume media. Never my 16 inch Macbook Pro.
Clue by four, this is for the guys dad. As you get older your eyesight tends to get worse. A big screen means you can sit further back instead of uncomfortably hunched over a small tablet.
I've really stopped using my tablet. It's last job was being used on a plane and it was terrible. Once it breaks I'm not going to bother replacing it.
It seems that what he already has is perfect, except for the dated screen and perhaps not enough power.
Surely the obvious answer is to get another basic Asus from Currys which will come with a modern screen and CPU?
I'm not sure why this is even a question, unless I'm missing something.
Surely the obvious answer is to get another basic Asus from Currys which will come with a modern screen and CPU?
I'm not sure why this is even a question, unless I'm missing something.
nvubu said:
I don't think I'd go mini PC as you then need the extras of a keyboard, screen - and probably more real estate required, plus he is used to a laptop.
Wireless keyboards with pointing device control of almost any size you want are cheap and readily available. The primary aim is tv/video. Screen first, bolt something to it to make it work.
Laptops are always a compromise for portability and battery, neither of which is a concern here.
nvubu said:
- £599 - Vivobook 17 (X1704) - 1920x1080, Intel Core i5-1334U
John Lewis have an I3 model of that Asus with 8GB for £500 although that will fine for his use case I think it's worth spending the extra on a I5. 2.1 KG will be quite portable. Showing my age I still think a 17" laptop will be a 5KG lump.
There are laptops with 360 degree hinges that advertise themselves as good for movies as they can be propped up but in my experience (I've had two) it's a bit of a gimmick and not worth restricting yourself to.
You can see from this pic that if you want to set it at a comfortable viewing angle you tend to put it at the angle you'd be using a laptop at anyway.
You can see from this pic that if you want to set it at a comfortable viewing angle you tend to put it at the angle you'd be using a laptop at anyway.
What about this Acer Swift Go 16:
https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/acer-swift-go-16-c...
Display gets excellent reviews although compromises have been made in other areas. Although not areas that should affect your Dad's use. Will he use headphones or external speakers as this laptop, and others in this bracket, tend to have average to poor sound?
https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/acer-swift-go-16-c...
Display gets excellent reviews although compromises have been made in other areas. Although not areas that should affect your Dad's use. Will he use headphones or external speakers as this laptop, and others in this bracket, tend to have average to poor sound?
Definitely consider a Chromebook, my wife has one she uses a lot to watch TV in the kitchen and it's ideal for it. A fair bit cheaper than a windows machine, a brand new 15.6" Asus can be had for around £250. Obviously they're not idea if you want to install various bits of software, but I assume he's watching TV through websites like iPlayer.
One thing on screens, most modern laptops are touch screen, and that usually means they have quite a shiny screen, and normally covered in fingerprints, so you can get a lot of reflections. My Dell can be quite annoying to watch things on if you don't get the angle just right. For watching TV you're better off with a matt finish screen. I'd recommend trying to have a look at a few different models and seeing what the screens are like for reflections.
One thing on screens, most modern laptops are touch screen, and that usually means they have quite a shiny screen, and normally covered in fingerprints, so you can get a lot of reflections. My Dell can be quite annoying to watch things on if you don't get the angle just right. For watching TV you're better off with a matt finish screen. I'd recommend trying to have a look at a few different models and seeing what the screens are like for reflections.
wyson said:
Well, a tablet is a far superior experience, for the OP s requirements.
I m either on my TV or my iPad to consume media. Never my 16 inch Macbook Pro.
Before iPads were a thing, I used to do the same as the OP s dad on a 15.6inch laptop.
Name a tablet that has at least a 16" screen, which is the minimum requirement by the OP.I m either on my TV or my iPad to consume media. Never my 16 inch Macbook Pro.
Before iPads were a thing, I used to do the same as the OP s dad on a 15.6inch laptop.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 6th August 11:24
skyebear said:
What about this Acer Swift Go 16:
https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/acer-swift-go-16-c...
Display gets excellent reviews although compromises have been made in other areas. Although not areas that should affect your Dad's use. Will he use headphones or external speakers as this laptop, and others in this bracket, tend to have average to poor sound?
I would've gone for the vivobook until you showed me this. Perfect. I'm jealous infact as I would've liked that OLED display on my legion 7 but they weren't around at the time I bought mine.https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/acer-swift-go-16-c...
Display gets excellent reviews although compromises have been made in other areas. Although not areas that should affect your Dad's use. Will he use headphones or external speakers as this laptop, and others in this bracket, tend to have average to poor sound?
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