TV and computer combination

dorian · Guru

TV and computer combination

BBN2 · Veteran Member

There are a number of responses to your question, the best one depends upon your intended usage.

Yes, modern TVs have a HDMI port which will hook up to your brick, I have just been using my caravan TV to a get a Raspberry Pi up and running. However the resolution on mine is not good at 1366x768, a decent monitor will be at least 1920x1080 and that difference really shows. My TV was adequate for the short term, limited monitor use I needed but, no way, would I tolerate it as a long term monitor.

Your brick looks good but a little expensive have a look at "industrial PCs" too.

Consider also a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse.

Given the desk space and power usage you will have with the above equipment I'd suggest a notebook computer instead; I recently bought a Dell 14", I5, 16GB, 256GB from an ebay reseller of corporates for $400 delivered. That was six months ago and it's fine - it came with W11 but I installed Linux as a dual boot and, almost, never use windows.

Also note: caravan TVs are not great on 12V nominal, if the supply drops to 11.9V you'll have issues.

Dick0 · Guru

I have used an inexpensive Hitachi 40" 1080p TV as a monitor to my home Win 11 PC for several years. Excellent HD results.

I use an Englaon 32" 1080p TV, when caravanning, as a monitor to my Win 11 notebook and, also, cast from my Android mobile. Excellent HD results.

dorian · Guru

Thanks for the advice. It does appear that a laptop makes more sense. I would just need a HDMI cable for an external monitor, and a wireless mouse and keyboard to achieve the same end. I can't find a similarly featured laptop for a comparable price, though.

Whenarewethere · Guru

These little computers don't use much energy. Even then you would need to be doing 3d rendering or similar for it to be running flat out.

Also they are a far less "valuable" target. Easier to hide somewhere & or physically lock onto something.

dorian · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Also they are a far less "valuable" target. Easier to hide somewhere & or physically lock onto something.

That's another good point. I could always leave it hooked up. Less clutter, less hassle. Thieves may not even recognise it for what it is.

Dick0 · Guru

dorian wrote:
Thanks for the advice. It does appear that a laptop makes more sense. I would just need a HDMI cable for an external monitor, and a wireless mouse and keyboard to achieve the same end. I can't find a similarly featured laptop for a comparable price, though.

IMHO,

The mini computer is a better way to go when travelling... compact, fully peripheral featured (no need for external Hub) and 12v input to complement the 12v TV. No 240v inverters required.

Add mouse, keyboard and HDMI cable and you are all set to go. A i3 pc is under $300.00 on Aliexpress and Temu. No need for a costly Laptop or Notebook with less features.

The other advantage is, use one at home and, also, take it with you when travelling.

BBN2 · Veteran Member

Take a look here:

https://www.australiancomputertraders.com.au/laptop-computers/

I bought my Dell from these people and am happy with the transaction.

The Dell uses 200Wh/day which is probably about the same as your brick.

However if all you want from the computer is to surf the net and use a word processor, spreadsheet etc then consider buying a used Raspberry Pi for about $100.

dorian · Guru

AliExpress is full of fakes. I've seen fakes on Amazon, too.

For example, this seller is offering an Intel Core I3-6100 Mini PC with 16GB RAM and 2048GB SSD for AU$330:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012692383572.html

Try to buy a 2TB SSD for less than that.

Here are obvious fakes, or very stupid pricing:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012636081627.html

1TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD -- AU$158

2TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD -- AU$173 -- + $15

4TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD -- AU$183 -- + $10

-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 23rd of July 2026 01:09:30 PM

BBN2 · Veteran Member

I would not entertain buying this sort of product from Ali Express or similar, nor memory or a hard drive.

These people are about as cheap as it gets in Oz:

https://www.centrecom.com.au

So if someone on Ebay or Ali is much cheaper it's likely a fake.

----

Again, depending on what you want it for consider a tablet/keyboard -

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011558463521.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011907430212.html

I have a very similar unit bought from Alldocube on Ali and it now accounts for about 95% of my computing needs. It's also my mobile phone, At 2560x1600 the display is excellent and the sound is great too, also the screen is large enough to watch videos. I can connect a 2TB hard drive if necessary although the 128GB + 256GB SSD drives integral to it support most of my needs.

Of course you could go for any tablet and a Bluetooth keyboard, I did that for a while and it worked well.