Laptops and Video Games

First of all, I want to apologize if this is a really dumb question. I will admit right now that I know very little about computers in general. So please, if you answer this, I'm going to need layman's terms for just about everything. Okay, now that we've got that clear.

I'm headed off to university next year and I'm trying to figure out how to minimize cost and space usage. I'm not a big TV watcher but I am pretty attached to my game consoles. So what I'm wondering is if it's possible to use my computer as a TV and hook the consoles up to that. And then what I'd need to have in order to do that.

Thanks!

 

Yes it is possible to watch TV on your computer. If it's going to be your sole source of entertainment and you don't plan on moving it around much I would recommend you get one with at least a 15.4" screen and optimally a 17" if space will allow it. In order to watch TV on it you will have to either a) get a notebook with a TV Tuner card built in or b) buy a TV tuner card or external TV tuner unit to plug into the notebook from a company like Avermedia. Either option will allow you to both watch TV and play games with your console through it. Be aware though that some brands/types of TV tuners apparently tend to cause stuttering with game consoles so make sure you do a little research before you buy one.

Hope this helps.

 

hooking up a console to a laptop screen is going to be a real pain, especially since you're not that good with computers. If you want to tell us about your console and computer we can help you. I can give you some links if you want, all you have to do is ask.

 

Do you have a desktop computer or a notebook? This might sound stupid but we need to know to help. Sorry for double posting guys.

 

i think you'd be better off just getting a laptop to do your work on and a small LCD TV to hook your consoles up to. you can find 20" LCDs for like $300 american or cheaper if you look around. it will be much less of a headache. and that way you can get a smaller laptop to carry around with you and hook it up to your TV to do actual work on at home.

 

This is the best idea yet, And you can also hook that LCD TV up to your laptop and use it as a secondary monitor. I'd look at some of dells 20" widescreens.

 

I actually don't have the computer yet, but it will be a notebook. What exactly, I have absolutely no idea. I haven't even begun looking at that. (I was planning on basing it on what exactly would work best with my video games haha.)

But basically I should be looking at getting a TV as well as a laptop? Oh man. Okay. So I should check out small LCD screens. As for the computer itself, what kind do you suggest? I'm planning on playing PC games on it (but not that much) as well as using it for schoolwork and internet.

 

depends on how much you are willing to spend and what kind of graphical performance you will want for whatever games you plan on playing, so you need to give more information.

 

Try posting a new topic in the What to Buy section and fill out the FAQ as the body of the post. You will get many more replies.

 

Thanks, I'll do that.

I appreciate all the help guys.

 

Just to confirm, definately possible, I play my PS2 on my laptop.

Works like a charm (Avermedia PCMCIA card).

 

And you don't experience any lag or anything?