"Portable TV" Laptop Alternatives?

[PeteCress]

This is probably in the vein of http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39669, but I didn't want to try to hijack the thread.

I'm still searching for a replacement for the wife's 5 or 7" portable analog TV. Intended use is out on the back patio or in the yard. AC hookup is tolerable. AC plus a coax is not.

Tried Radio Shack's offering at $200+, but if fell short - both in power management and ability to tune channels without excessive breakup.

I've got an Asus 901 that seems to work pretty well using Client (for non-HD) or Shifter (for HD) over WiFi.

That's making me think that some sort of mini-laptop with built-in WiFi and at least as much processing power (preferably a little more...) as the Asus 901 is the logical solution.

On the existing analog device, both sound and picture are poor, but the user is happy - so the bar is low quality-wise.

Where it is high is UI-wise.

"On", "Off", "Channel", "Volume"..... These are the ideals, although probably not attainable.

The closer, the better though....

I can see setting it up so turning the device on boots up the system and starts Client or Shifter in full-screen mode.

From there, it seems like a touch screen would be optimal, but a remote would work.

Anybody been here?

[gplasky]

I had a friend of mine pick up a recertified HP from eCost.
Hp Pavilion DV7-1025nr
$749.00
Even though it's a little overblown for your use it (tv tuner you don't need) comes with a 9600M nVidia that should handle your HD with using the SageTV PC Client. But with HD the key is going to be your wireless conenction also. This comes Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN so make sure your wireless router supports N. But again, too far away or if the walls are too thick you may have issues with HD. The other plus is this comes with a built in consumer IR remote that is credit card thin and actually stores into the side of the laptop in its own slot. And it ain't no netbook-17" widescreen and almost 6 lbs.

Gerry

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by gplasky

... the key is going to be your wireless conenction also.

I think I've got the WiFi pretty well mapped out using the Asus 901 (also "N").

Did the friend give any indication of what real-world battery life has has been?

Here's another alternative: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220009

Touch screen.....

I think I'll start looking to see what's available in the way of touch-screen mini-laptops.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

I think I've got the WiFi pretty well mapped out using the Asus 901 (also "N").

Did the friend give any indication of what real-world battery life has has been?

Here's another alternative: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220009

Touch screen.....

I think I'll start looking to see what's available in the way of touch-screen mini-laptops.

Over 2.5 hours on battery life. (You could always keep it plugged into AC)On that one at newegg I'm not too sure how well that Intel GMA 950 is going to work for your HD recordings-especially any h.264.

Gerry