Does this kind of not-a-TV TV exist?

March 1, 2024 11:39 PM

My primary method of watching shows (a 17” MacBook Pro) has recently aged out of the OS the main streaming sites require. I don’t follow tech advancements, but I know many of you do! What are my options when I want something in the realm of 17-20” that I can put away when not in use?

Based on the helpful advice I got from my question about iPads, I’ll likely end up getting a 10th gen sometime soon. Now I’m seeking similar next steps for a primary viewing solution.

I don’t have or want cable—the landlord’s internet is perfectly fine for streaming Netflix and Prime and maybe one other thing. I live in a tiny space. When I want to watch something, I pull the old 17” laptop from under the trunk/coffee table, put it on a stand and recline on the couch to watch. This general approach is unlikely to change. My 13” MacBook is just too small.

I envision something like a portable TV/monitor that isn’t heavy or bulky and can live under the trunk when not in use. Maybe I’d fling shows to it from my iPhone (8) or iPad (10th gen, probably)? Is there something like the 15.6” ASUS ZenScreen that I use as my auxiliary monitor for work, but bigger, with decent video quality, and not USB-c powered by a laptop? Whatever it is would be plugged in to the wall. Not a huge deal if it’s a device that requires me to plug my iPhone or iPad in to it, because the screen sits just 3-4’ from my eyeballs.

At one time I thought about a projector so I bought a mini one to try. It works but the fan is too loud for regular use, I have no logical place for a small projector screen—not something I really want to deal with every time anyway—and I’m not willing to black out my windows.

Does this sort of lightweight monitor/TV that works with my mobile devices exist, and if so, what do you recommend?

posted by AnOrigamiLife to Technology (18 answers total)

Um oh yeah, and sound. What do I do about audio?! I have an old Bose SoundLink Mini. That is all. It may be obvious that I haven’t invested in tech in a very long time. I’m willing to consider all options within reason. I realize that’s a vague statement. Can I achieve my goal under $500?
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 12:22 AM on March 2

TVs have become super cheap. Something like a 19 inch TV is almost identical in profile (weight, thin-ness) to a similar sized computer monitor but cheaper. List of example models from Amazon. (Not a recommendation for Amazon, or any of those specific models - just examples of the sort of thing you can pick up just about anywhere that sells such things.)

The TV will have built-in sound, which is convenient, or you can plug in something better like your Bose or a small surround-sound type setup. We picked up something for $150-ish that is definitely not "theater quality" but is an easy 10X as good as tinny TV sound and also better than headphones.

Personally I wouldn't use the TV's built-in software etc (one reason they are so cheap is they collect and sell all your data). But if you get something like a Roku to plug into it, there you go. You could probably do this for under $200 if you really wanted and definitely under $500.
posted by flug at 1:09 AM on March 2

Roku do a small soundbar that can be used to upgrade the software experience and sound of a small/old/limited TV or laptop.
posted by rongorongo at 1:15 AM on March 2

I'd say just buy a small smart TV (built-in Roku or such) that will connect to the Internet.

Or buy an older Mac. You can buy a 2015 iMac for like... 250-300, and it's got a 21" screen.
posted by kschang at 4:26 AM on March 2

As flug said, a regular ol' TV will work for this. They're not as sturdy as a laptop because they're not designed to be moved around, but I think it'll hold up okay if you don't throw it around.

Also remember the option to hang it on the wall so it can stay in place but out of the way. If you don't like the aesthetic you can hang something over it when not in use.
posted by metasarah at 4:27 AM on March 2

has recently aged out of the OS the main streaming sites require

One option might be simply to use OpenCore Legacy Patcher to update your old laptop.
posted by advil at 4:38 AM on March 2

My living room and bedroom are both set up with computers HDMI'd to televisions. It has worked great for me for many years, I can't imagine liking any other setup nearly as much. I have the full flexibility of my computer! Just big!

My biggest TV pro tip is never connect your smart TV to the internet. Just use it as a monitor and it will never do any of the weird smart tv things.

(Get an inexpensive wireless keyboard+track pad combo if you want to set things up a few feet away then control it from bed/the couch.)
posted by phunniemee at 4:56 AM on March 2

This reddit suggests you can plug the USB-c into a power source rather than the computer. If so, you should be able to go from wall power to a recharging hub to the monitor. I assume this means the program content is transmitted via Bluetooth or similar. But I never heard of a portable monitor until.right now. I did see they come in sizes as large as you might want, but perhaps they are just too expensive.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:59 AM on March 2

Portable monitors are nice for many uses and some of them have built-in speakers but you do need some kind of computer to connect to it, a naked monitor has no way to get streaming video, that's the 'smart' part about smart TVs. The monitor can be powered by any usb-c source, including a wall outlet adapter. Here's an 18.5" refurb on sale for $75! But you'd need a computer and speakers. The Roku soundbar may be a good option for both.
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:09 AM on March 2

Counter to the advice above, do use a smart-tv for this. I have all my tv apps installed right on my Android powered TV including my geforce-now app to play my PC games full screen and my singa app for karaoke. Mics, game controllers, keyboards, headphones, speakers, all Bluetooth to the tv. Hard to find small ones is the main problem.
posted by Iteki at 7:48 AM on March 2

Here's an 18.5" portable HD monitor with built-in speakers. It's slim and weighs considerably less than your 17" MacBook, it should be even easier to store.

It has two USB-C ports and a mini-HDMI port. You can plug one of the USB-C ports into the included wall charger for power, and then you can either plug your phone into the other USB-C port, or get a cheap Chromecast with Google TV dongle to plug into the mini-HDMI port via a cheap adapter. The Chromecast with Google TV can connect to Netflix or Prime and lots of other services directly (and will do pretty much everything a smart TV can), or you can use it to cast wirelessly to the monitor from your phone.
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 8:23 AM on March 2

If 27" isn't too big, you can get something like a Samsung Smart Monitor (and also replace your portable screen, at least at home). They're made to be computer monitors with more smart stuff built in, and can operate as a standalone PC-to-an-extent too, and they have all the streaming stuff built in that you'd want. (Other than Apple TV+ but you don't mention that you use that - however, since it's a monitor too, also easy to connect MacBook or iPad or even a phone, cabled or not as these screens support AirPlay.)

Alternatively: you can get a 24" TV with Amazon fire TV built in for $80. Best Buy via Amazon (and it won't be any differently priced directly at Best Buy if you want to go there and look at it). Then, again, small soundbar to pair with it. (I have a 32" Amazon one of these and the speakers aren't bad but the ancient set of stereo speakers I have plugged into it are still way better.) I saw random-name ones on Amazon for $50 or so and real-brand (Vizio) ones for $100.

Personally, I'd pair this with an AppleTV so that not literally all of my data gets collected but that adds a lot to the cost.

Up thread, rongorgo mentioned the Roku Streambar Pro, and that is a good idea too - if you can get your existing portable screen positioned nicely for viewing you can just plug that into the soundbar. Soundbar would also (usually) work as a standalone bluetooth speaker too, so you could just use it for apartment audio when you're not watching TV.
posted by mrg at 9:14 AM on March 2

Maybe the place to put your effort into is a movable TV wall mount that will let a small TV swing out from a not that visible storage space against the wall into a place that is good for viewing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:38 AM on March 2

I’d get a portable or mini led projector and watch on the wall
posted by meijusa at 10:13 AM on March 2

In case hanging something on the wall is an option, Samsung's "The Frame" TV's do a good job of looking like a piece of art when not in use, and it seems the 32" size is just a bit over $500 right now.
posted by hovey at 10:21 AM on March 2

So much helpful input! A lot to think about. Hanging on the wall is not an option. Whatever I have will be on the coffee table in front of me, and moved underneath it when not in use (perhaps still plugged in to the nearby power strip, perhaps unplugged).

On reflection of the need for audio and various Roku options, I think the most appealing so far are the fully integrated options, so either a thin smart TV or an older ultrathin iMac or similar—the former may have greater longevity since it’s not tied to another OS that will eventually become useless. No need to manage separate audio, multiple remotes, a Roku box, or more than one cord (that said, I wonder which choice would have better sound?). It can’t be a multi-step process to decide to watch an hour-long show. Thanks everyone, I’m learning a lot!
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 6:52 PM on March 2

An option to consider is installing a modern version of Linux like Ubuntu or Manjaro on your existing Macbook. Here is an example of someone who did it and found it worked great.

Three videos explaining how: 1 2 3

The advantages: Free, will always be kept up to date/modern, will almost certainly do everything you need, isn't any (or much) harder than installing or upgrading your existing operating system, re-uses perfectly good existing equipment.

If your MacBook is really old (ie, 2011 or earlier, which it sounds like it is) it is even more likely to work and work well.
posted by flug at 1:33 PM on March 3

Wow. The 18.5" portable HD monitor linked by I Eat Tapas weighs 2.42 pounds while the Samsung Smart Monitor linked by mrg comes in at 14.42 pounds. That's quite the difference.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 3:09 PM on March 4