Would You Replace Your TV With Your Laptop?

When a friend was about to move into her new studio apartment last weekend, the first thing she did was get rid of her (very) old television set. This move was prompted by not only the "going digital" switchover happening this year, but also due to a lack of space in her new place. However, what surprised us the most about her chucking the set is that she's an avid television viewer. Her explanation: "All the good shows right now are on the network sites anyway...what's the point of keeping a TV when I can watch it all on my laptop with less commercials?"

But what about special events, like the Super Bowl or the premiere of Flight of the Conchords? "I'll bring over a six pack of beer to your house and we can watch 'em on your television!"

Now that more televised media is available online, would you (if you watch television, that is) consider replacing your set with your computer? Weigh in below...

[ Photo from Living Etc ]

Originally posted by Grace at Apartment Therapy Los Angeles

Comments (11)

i wouldn't mind replacing my tv for a 30" display but not for a laptop...

posted by FightTheFuture on February 2nd 2009 at 7:43pm
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I can't imagine giving up a medium to large high definition TV with DVR for watching TV on a laptop.

Sure, if I miss a show, watching an episode on laptop is a nice safety net.

As a primary device for watching TV on - forget about it.

I love the HD.

posted by sfmitch on February 2nd 2009 at 8:47pm
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My husband and I haven't given up our TV completely, but downsized from cable (with all the premium channels) to basic cable (basically anything under channel 11). We both watch a lot of cable, but nearly everything is available online. Even HGTV and History put nearly all of their shows on their site, it was just a no-brainer and it saves us a lot of money.

I think it depends on what type of laptop you have though; some are much better for watching tv than others.

posted by groupie on February 2nd 2009 at 9:31pm
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Yep, already did. We haven't had an actual TV for 3 years. It's really cut down on the amount of watching crap just because it's there. Now we watch only the select few shows that we are really interested in. There's no cable bill and our living room isn't oriented around a big rectangle in the corner of the room.

posted by charmac on February 2nd 2009 at 10:30pm
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I haven't had cable for almost 10 years, and last year I got rid of my tv and got an EyeTV hybrid for my Mac Mini. It's attached to a 24" monitor, so it's not a huge screen, but a bit bigger than a laptop. I don't miss my regular tv at all.

posted by nat on February 2nd 2009 at 10:51pm
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Sure there's shows available online, but sports are my major concern. Gotta watch my baseball. Sure, though, MLB.TV is only $50/season.

posted by gas0line7 on February 3rd 2009 at 12:57am
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I got a hybrid going on in ourr apartment, we have a t.v. set to watch dvds, however we don't subscribe to any cable service and now with the new digital system in place, we don't get anything at all. I like being "unattached," since it hasn't impacted our social life, however I think my boyfriend secretly wants a huge HD t.v. and DVR. (^_^)

posted by meesa on February 3rd 2009 at 2:42am
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I gave up my tv about 4 years ago I have a PC with a 22" screen and a tuner card that acts as my DVR and home theater, but watch more DVDs and video on my 14.1" tablet than anything...yeah and haven't had cable in 15 years.

posted by barturtle on February 3rd 2009 at 11:57am
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Once the over 60 crowd realizes that the internet isn't just a fad and starts embracing that technology I think TVs that are dedicated televisions will start to become obsolete. As it is, I watch 90% of my "TV" on my imac.

posted by EmmieB on February 3rd 2009 at 12:18pm
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Already TV-less. I get what I want via bittorrent, but I don't watch much television anyway.

While there are times that nothing is more appealing than turning my brain off and watchin' some tube, it usually just feels like a waste of time.

posted by pyneapple on February 3rd 2009 at 6:44pm
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What about replacing your computer with a tv. Me and my boyfriend wanted a big screen tv but we already had a laptop, regular computer and an old computer that was conected to our dated crt tv. so we sold the old computer and bought a desktop comp, and a 42 inch Lg lcd tv. so on one screen we have cable tv and we can surf the net. I'm not much of a computer person so I dont know if a explaned it well.

posted by noa on February 16th 2009 at 7:01pm
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