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All of the Content and More
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Security and Privacy Concerns
Smart TVs are everywhere today; it can even take a bit of work to find a not-smart or dumb TV. Personally, I’m not a fan of smart TVs, and I found a better alternative sitting on a shelf in my office.
1 Easier to Use
Smart TVs come with their own operating systems. Some of these are easier to learn than others, but all of them can be tricky until you are familiar with them. By plugging an old Lenovo laptop with Windows 11 into the TV’s HDMI port, I am using an operating system I’m familiar with. Because I use it for work and gaming, I know how to make adjustments, install new software, and customize it. A small wireless keyboard with a trackpad serves as my remote control.
2 All of the Content and More
A laptop can access all of the content the internet has to offer. That includes all the streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Plex and the rest. It also includes YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, streaming radio stations, and everything you can access with a web browser. With a Bluetooth controller, I can play video games, check email and social media, and do video conferencing in my living room.
3 Take It With You
The laptop is also portable. If you find yourself on the road, take the laptop and controllers for business or pleasure. Plug the HDMI cable into the TV in your hotel room or Airbnb, and instantly have your home entertainment system on the road. You’ll already be signed in to all your accounts and services, so you won’t have to worry about entering passwords on someone else’s machine. You’ll also have all of your files handy and all of your preferences set. That’s difficult to do with a smart TV.
4 Save Money
Smart TVs can be expensive. While there are economy models, the best smart TVs can cost more than a TV and computer combined. A dumb or not-smart TV can still be bought for a few hundred dollars (even less for smaller screens). If you buy a new computer and a TV, the prices might be comparable to a smart TV. But if you use an older laptop, something that would otherwise be gathering dust or on its way to recycling, you’ve saved several hundred dollars for something that is easier to use and has more capabilities than a smart TV.
5 Security and Privacy Concerns
There are serious security and privacy concerns with smart TVs. In addition to manufacturers trying to track everything you do, cyberattacks frequently target smart TVs.
There are also well-documented security and privacy concerns with computers. However, every commonly used computer operating system now comes with some pretty good anti-virus software built in and has privacy settings that are easy to adjust. The same cannot be said for most smart TVs.
If you don’t have an old laptop or something similar sitting around to use, other options are nearly as effective and inexpensive. In the end, though, with smart TVs, you are paying more for something harder to use, less functionality, and less privacy and security. New technology isn’t always better than old.
