I built my own streaming box, and it beats every smart TV I've owned
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An old Ryzen 5 laptop with 4GB RAM was repurposed into a streaming box that outperforms modern smart TVs, which typically ship with weak decade-old processors and 1-3GB RAM. Windows was kept instead of Android TV or Linux because it has working drivers and full streaming app support without DRM issues. Streaming services were installed as web apps, Kodi was connected to a Jellyfin library for local media, and KDE Connect turned a phone into a remote trackpad. The TV itself is now used only as a display, with its smart features disabled via basic TV mode.
Table of contents
An old laptop has everything a streaming box needsTurning Windows into a television interfaceUsing my TV for what it was intended forQuestions this post answers
How can I turn an old Windows laptop into a streaming box for my TV?
Connect the laptop to the TV over HDMI, set the TV as the only display at its native resolution and highest supported refresh rate, and route audio output through HDMI. Install streaming services as web apps so they appear like normal apps in the Start menu, use Kodi connected to a Jellyfin server for local media, and pair a phone via KDE Connect to use it as a trackpad and remote control. daily.dev surfaces more home-lab and DIY hardware projects for developers building their own setups.
Why is an old laptop better than a Raspberry Pi for building a DIY streaming box?
An old laptop already includes everything needed, such as Wi-Fi, built-in storage, an HDMI port, its own power supply, and a cooling system, so nothing extra needs to be purchased. A Raspberry Pi requires sourcing a case, power supply, storage, and other accessories separately, making a repurposed laptop a simpler all-in-one option for a streaming box. developers comparing repurposed hardware options can find more DIY project breakdowns on daily.dev.
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