Using an Ultrabook for a HTPC

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dneill99

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Jan 6, 2014
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So I want to build a HTPC and my wife wants a new Laptop. So I figured I could kill 2 birds with one stone.
I'm currently using an Android Gbox with an external 4tb HD and XBMC. Pretty simple setup. Put all my media on the drive and XBMC plays them.

However when it comes to other services like youtube and netflix the android box can be a pain in the butt. Plus it often lags when playing videos, and can't play them in 1080p.

So my question is, can some of these Ultrabooks in the Sub $800 category handle being primary docked to a TV, HDMI out, and just playing movies (1080p) and the occasional NES Rom or Steam Indy game (Rogue Legacy)

Then when my wife wants to sit on the couch and skype, go on a trip, or just browse the internet she can just undock it and have at it.
An example.
http://www.amazon.com/Vivobook-V500CA-DB31T-15-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Laptop/dp/B00COQGHXM/ref=sr_1_4?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1389043360&sr=1-4
 
Solution
jaguarskx
Yes. Generally speaking you can use a laptop to dual as an HTPC. Just keep in mind the laptops have limited storage capacity. My 4 year old HTPC has 4TB of storage devoted to media (4 x 1TB HDDs). A laptop typically maxes out at 1TB, so which is fine unless you want to build up a library of media.

It actually recommend something like the following 15.6" Toshiba P55-A5312 for $630. It has a 4th generation Haswell Core-i5-4200u CPU @ 1.6GHz and can Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz and a 1080p screen. It also has a 750GB HDD which is plenty of storage, however, it is not an ultrabook. However, it is not an ultrabook...
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jaguarskx

jaguarskx

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Apr 19, 2006
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Yes. Generally speaking you can use a laptop to dual as an HTPC. Just keep in mind the laptops have limited storage capacity. My 4 year old HTPC has 4TB of storage devoted to media (4 x 1TB HDDs). A laptop typically maxes out at 1TB, so which is fine unless you want to build up a library of media.

It actually recommend something like the following 15.6" Toshiba P55-A5312 for $630. It has a 4th generation Haswell Core-i5-4200u CPU @ 1.6GHz and can Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz and a 1080p screen. It also has a 750GB HDD which is plenty of storage, however, it is not an ultrabook. However, it is not an ultrabook.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-15-6-34-laptop-6gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-prestige-silver/1724808.p?id=1219061404395&skuId=1724808

The reason while I recommend you look at it is because it has WiDi (wireless display). Laptops / ultrabooks with WiDi transmits a signals to a WiDi receiver connected to the HDTV or any other display (purchased separately). Therefore, you do not need physically connect the laptop to the HDTV.

Additionally, I believe you should be able to set the HDTV as an extended display which means you can use the laptop for other things while streaming video to the HDTV. That means you can work or surf while watching TV.
 
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dneill99

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Jan 6, 2014
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10,510


Thank you for the info.
While I was positive a laptop would make a great HTPC, I was concerned about the processing power of a sub 600 dollar Ultrabook running HD movies and Audio smoothly on a 60inch tv at 1080p. Something my current andriod HTPC solution does not handle as nice as I had hoped.
Storage isn't really an issue for my movie library as that will be stored externally. So I was leaning toward the SSD for the OS.
Also thank you for the WiDi info, that is more elegant and might be cheaper then getting a docking station, and would allow me a better option to browse something like youtube from my couch using the laptop instead of my wireless keyboard/mouse combo.
 
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