The short version is that a spare Windows laptop can do a lot that a streaming stick can't. It can also be fussier about connections, controls and 4K playback.
What the author actually did
Burgess says he was tired of underperforming streaming boxes and sticks. He plugged an old laptop into his TV and used it for streaming, web browsing, multitasking and self-hosted media. He claims it handles 4K streams and tricky Jellyfin and Plex files. He gives no laptop model, CPU or GPU, Windows version, sample files or network measurements. Treat this as one machine's experience, not a guarantee for any old laptop.
His comparisons with the Fire TV and the Nvidia Shield Pro are also assertions, not benchmarks. The idea that a laptop beats current streaming devices is plausible, but it isn't verified here for every model.
Wired or wireless: the author chose a cable
Wireless was the first option he considered. He lists Miracast, Google Cast, and Sunshine with Moonlight. Sunshine and Moonlight are usually used for game streaming, but he says they can also stream a desktop. In his tests the wireless options cut out or buffered, and reliability varied by laptop and TV.
He settled on a USB-C-to-HDMI cable. He says it was more reliable and never buffered. The cable is long enough that he can sit in front of the TV without it getting in the way.
Two caveats apply:
- He doesn't say whether his laptop's USB-C port supports video output. Not every USB-C port does.
- He doesn't identify the cause of the wireless problems. It could be the display link, the network or something else.
If you want to try wireless anyway, Microsoft's guide says the TV or display must support Miracast. Microsoft's steps are to turn on the display, press Windows logo key + K, and pick the display from the list. If you use a Miracast dongle, make sure it's plugged into the display first. That is a documented option, not a promise that every PC and TV pair will connect.
Controlling a PC from the couch
Burgess says he has several ways to control the setup:
- An IR remote.
- Bluetooth controllers.
- Mobile apps for specific services.
- A Bluetooth keyboard with a built-in trackpad.
He says a keyboard and trackpad make typing URLs and passwords much easier than a Fire TV remote with an on-screen keyboard. He also likes having his password manager and browser extensions available. He calls the Fire TV's Silk browser slow and hard to navigate with a remote.
Multitasking, and where Windows tools fit
On the multitasking side, he says he can keep a browser, Instagram, YouTube and Plex open at once and arrange them with Snap layouts or PowerToys FancyZones. He admits that some modern games and other demanding tasks are too heavy for the older laptop. He doesn't say which Windows version he runs.
Plex, Jellyfin and a more appliance-like feel
He can watch from his Plex or Jellyfin servers in a browser or a client app. He says he can move files between drives or reclaim Jellyfin storage while a video plays. When he wants fewer distractions, he uses the Jellyfin Media Player or Plex HTPC apps. They let him use a remote or gamepad for a more traditional streaming-box experience. How well that works depends on the remote or controller. He keeps a mobile app or keyboard as a fallback.
Plex's own support documentation lists Plex HTPC as a receiver-only app. That means it plays content but can't control other Plex apps. Plex's list of receiver apps also includes Fire TV. This matters if you plan to cast from a phone to the living room PC.
Flex Launcher for a TV-style home screen
He also mentions Flex Launcher. The project's README describes it as a customizable launcher with a TV-friendly "10-foot" interface. It is meant to let you start apps on a home theater or couch gaming PC with a TV remote or gamepad, without a keyboard or mouse.
Some details from the project's documentation are worth knowing:
- It runs on Windows 10 or 11, and on Linux.
- It uses an INI config file, which matches Burgess's description of editing a file to add and reorder services.
- It doesn't decode IR or CEC signals itself. Remote signals must be turned into keyboard presses by the OS or another program.
- Gamepad controls are built in but disabled by default. You switch them on in the config file.
- The README says the project is mature, with no new features planned. The author is putting new effort into a separate launcher project and will keep fixing bugs and updating dependencies.
The 4K reality check
Burgess says the laptop can run 4K streams. Plugging a laptop into a 4K TV doesn't guarantee that, though. Netflix's Windows requirements show how many things have to line up:
- A fully updated Windows 11 PC and Chrome 117 or newer.
- A Netflix Premium plan, the tier that includes 4K.
- A supported GPU, such as an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or newer, or an AMD Radeon RX 400 series or later, with a compatible Intel or AMD processor.
- Microsoft's HEVC Video Extensions, which may need to be installed.
- A 4K display at 60 Hz, with HDCP 2.2 support on any external display connection.
- Playback quality set to Auto or High in the account settings.
If any part of that chain fails, Netflix falls back to 1080p. One report notes that an old adapter or incompatible display connection between the computer and the screen can block 4K by itself. That makes the cable and adapter a bigger deal than it looks. A cheap USB-C-to-HDMI cable could quietly cap you at 1080p.
These are Netflix's rules. Other services have their own, so check each one before assuming 4K works everywhere.
A practical checklist if you want to copy this
- Confirm the laptop's video output. Check that the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode or has an HDMI port. Burgess doesn't say whether his does.
- Pick the cable with 4K in mind. If you care about 4K, look for 4K/60 Hz and HDCP 2.2 support. This is my inference from Netflix's requirements, not something the author tested.
- Set the display mode. Microsoft says pressing Windows logo key + P lets you choose PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend or Second screen only. For a living room setup, "Second screen only" is a likely choice. That's my suggestion, not Microsoft's.
- Choose a control scheme. Options include a keyboard with a trackpad, a gamepad, or a remote mapped to keystrokes if you use Flex Launcher.
- Pick your interface. Use a browser or web apps for flexibility. Use Jellyfin Media Player or Plex HTPC for a couch-friendly experience. Add a launcher if you want a Fire TV-like home screen.
How it compares, and the trade-offs
| Area | Fire TV (per the author) | Old laptop PC (per the author) |
|---|---|---|
| Browser | Silk, slow with a remote | Full desktop browser, extensions, password manager |
| Multitasking | Limited | Multiple windows, Snap layouts, FancyZones |
| Media servers | Plex and Jellyfin apps, USB drives | Browser or desktop clients, plus file management |
| Controls | Remote | Keyboard, trackpad, remote, gamepad or phone |
| Convenience | Appliance-like | Needs setup and a cable |
The trade-offs are real. A laptop is bulkier, needs a cable run, and can be noisier. Burgess himself says he often prefers a TV-style launcher but still finds the keyboard and mouse appealing. It also won't turn on and off as neatly as a dedicated streamer.
There is also a missing piece. Burgess wishes his laptop had an optical drive for Blu-ray discs. He doesn't cover external drives or disc-playback software, so that question stays open.
Bottom line
Repurposing a spare Windows laptop as a living room PC is a reasonable way to get a full browser, multitasking and flexible media access on a big screen. A wired connection was the most reliable choice for the author. If 4K matters, check your GPU, cable, display and service requirements first. Don't take "does everything a Fire TV does" as a given for your own hardware.