Laptop for Entry Level HTPC

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MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#101011 22-Apr-2012 22:02

Is it possible to use a laptop for HTPC?

I've been costingf up an entry level HTPC build - internet and media playback but no high performance gaming seems likely to cost me around $1,000 to build.

On a good day $1,000 will get me an i5 processor with plenty of RAM and HDMI out.

It seems to me that this would achieve what I want?

Mike

mikebails

97 posts

Master Geek

#613456 23-Apr-2012 08:28

The main drawback would be TV tuners... With a laptop you'll have to use a USB one and having multiple tuners would by a bit of a pain.

Also, another thing to consider will be HDD capacity. At best you'll get 2TB out of a laptop.

So depending on what you'll be using the HTPC for, a laptop might work - but not particularly flexible.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#613641 23-Apr-2012 13:33

Thanks for your reply. Freeview is built into the TV, and I never have time to watch anything I record, so I won't be recording.

I forgot to mention that I'll be installing NAS also, so the media files would not have to be stored on the laptop - just the cheapest version of windows 7 I can get away with and XBMC.

Main use would be playing dowloaded or streaming music and video through hometheatre system.

Mike

mikebails

97 posts

Master Geek

#613644 23-Apr-2012 13:36

Are you going to be doing more then streaming media? If not, why not go for something like a Boxee Box?

Laptop would be handy for other uses.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#613789 23-Apr-2012 16:34

I prefer a HTPC or laptop because then I have access to the entire internet, my choice of browser, media providers etc.

Set top internet boxes like boxee as far as I can tell constrain users to particular content providers and browers, use geo-fencing etc.

Mike