Is it feasible to use a laptop as a monitor or to build a PC in a laptop case?
Posted by breadpan00@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Hey everyone — I'm pretty much completely inexperienced with this sort of thing. I've explained my situation a bit more in detail below but if you don't want to read all that, basically, I'm looking to either connect my laptop to my PC in such a way that I can use it as a monitor/keyboard or if that's not possible to maybe build a PC that can be used in a similar way to a laptop in the future and I'm looking for advice on if these are ideas worth pursuing
For context, I'm disabled and I spend most of my time in bed (among other things, I have POTS so I try to elevate my legs, sitting in a normal chair for too long makes my symptoms worse hence preferring to sit in bed.) This has resulted in me pretty much never using my actual PC and only really using my laptop, which limits the kinds of games I can play and my options when it comes to game development. I feel like it's a waste. I can't currently afford to buy a gaming laptop or anything like that, I am low income
I used to have a bed desk but the bedframe I have at the moment goes all the way to the floor so I can't currently use one and when I was using it, I couldn't change position comfortably without bumping the desk and making my monitor move around and more generally I just found that I'd usually end up sitting in weird positions that ended up hurting my back when I was using it so a bed desk/monitor setup is also kind of out.
I've also tried connecting my PC to a TV screen, but that's also not great because it's then difficult for me to do anything besides play video games on it (eg, writing, coding, 3D modelling) because I can't look too closely at the screen
Tldr, considering my disabilities, my priorities are that I can easily set up/put away my computer from my bed and that I can move around freely in bed while I'm using my computer so I don't get pain from being in one position for too long. I don't mind if the setup is unconventional and it doesn't need to be portable, I'm fine with keeping my laptop plugged in all the time. I don't mind if most of the actual PC components are stored in a normal PC tower that's connected to a laptop that mostly functions as the interface, if that makes sense. Currently, the best option I'm aware of for me is using a laptop but if it's not possible to use a laptop as a monitor for a PC, I'm open to any other suggestions people might have (besides "wHaT's WrOnG WiTh A DeSk" when I've explained what's wrong with a desk. I'm not looking for medical advice, I'm looking for PC advice)
Anyway if you read all of that thank you and thanks in advance for any suggestions 😄
green_cars@reddit
have you considered a monitor arm that mounts to your bed? between that and either a bed desk (im not 100% sure what that is, but if its just what it says on the tin i think that might work) or one of those use your laptop from a bed/couch boards for a keyboard and mouse, that sounds like it should work? if you’ve tried that and that doesnt work, please explain so we can brainstorm further.
using a laptop as an external monitor is not really feasible, or at least you wont have a great experience, and putting desktop components in a laptop chassis will either have them overheat or just become bulky and heavy. i’m quite convinced that the problem here is just positioning and adjustability of the peripherals, rather than the pc itself.
breadpan00@reddit (OP)
I have, I think I'd like to get something like this one day but at the moment the kind that would be renter friendly is kind of expensive for me (I can't work so I'm on a pretty tight budget). I'm going to look into trying to use an ethernet cable as someone else suggested for now
Thanks for explaining about using a laptop chassis with desktop parts, I think in the future if I ever do build a proper custom setup I'll just have the parts in a PC tower and run the cables up to one of those mounted arm things as you suggested
TheOriginalKrampus@reddit
This. If your goal is to be able to use your computer from multiple places in the same room, then it's probably the most feasible to just keep the important guts of your PC in a tower somewhere in your bedroom, use a wireless mouse (maybe even one of those alternative mice that are stationary and you just roll a ball instead of moving the mouse) and keyboard, and have an alternative monitor setup.
There's moveable stands on casters where you can have your keyboard and mouse, to move into multiple positions.
An adjustable monitor arm would be great too. Though maybe not all that accessible in setting up.
Or, honestly, just get a laptop. Unless you need to be able to do really heavy duty computing or high-end gaming, laptops are great. I recently made the switch from a desktop to a laptop. My old PC had a 9700k and a 3080, so while my laptop has less powerful graphics (4070) the CPU is actually a little bit better than my desktop (7940HS). And there's much more powerful laptop CPUs with more cores and cache as well.
I got a big 17" one too, so high res screen, plenty of storage space (2 M.2 slots, most smaller non-gaming laptops don't have as many storage options), and upgradeable RAM slot.
Using a laptop opens up a whole host of accessibility options too, such as mobile stands and mounts. And you can still take advantage of things like ergonomic keyboards, mice, and big monitors. When I am at my desk, I can plug my laptop into my old 27" monitor from my desktop as a second monitor. So you can still opt for a big-ass monitor on an arm mount if you want.
vlegionv@reddit
All these naysayers saying no or going with nuclear options lmao with only one person even mentioning the single solution that's free, and can start using NOW.
apollo and moonlight.
https://github.com/ClassicOldSong/Apollo (this goes on your pc)
https://github.com/moonlight-stream/moonlight-qt/releases (this goes on your laptop).
If you can ethernet both, it'll be flawless, but it's perfectly usable on wifi.
Apollo is nicer then sunshine because you can set it up to cut the monitors on your PC and only use your laptop as the monitor with matching refresh rate and resolution.
breadpan00@reddit (OP)
My internet can be a bit slow but if I were to connect my PC and laptop with an ethernet cable and use these that sounds like it would basically do exactly what I want, I think I'll give this a go. Thanks so much for the help 😄
Pitabreadlake@reddit
If your desktop currently better, try using “Remote Desktop Protocol”, essentially you’ll be using your desktop’s resources instead of laptops. Steam also has their steam link app and it’s built in to the normal steam app, so when you’re gaming you can game on your desktop through your laptop and you can also add games from other apps like EA or epic to the steam app so you won’t need to fiddle with all the apps and what not just for gaming.
Pitabreadlake@reddit
But the answer to your question is, yes you should be able to use your laptops screen as a display for a desktop, the keyboard and touchpad should be plausible but you’ll need to hack a result together
inide@reddit
Get a big tv as your computer monitor, and a lapboard. I use a Corsair K63 lapboard
With those you can use a pc from anywhere in the room comfortably.
gutyex@reddit
Remote desktop over local network is pretty good, especially if both machines can do gigabit wired networking. Assuming both machines are running Windows, there's some guides online to tweak settings for better performance.
For playing games Steam's remote play is also very good these days.
OwlCatAlex@reddit
Have you looked into a portable monitor instead? They are lightweight screens you can attach to your desktop with a long cable and set on the bed/in your lap like a laptop.
kjc113@reddit
While I think a getting the monitor mounted on a long swivel arm will give you the most flexibility, if that doesn’t seem like it will work well then you could consider getting yourself an external GPU for your laptop. Doesn’t help with the CPU but could still need up the performance you are getting
HappyAffirmative@reddit
If I were you, I'd get yourself a wireless keyboard and mouse, one of the ones that you can use on your lap. That + a VESA Mount monitor arm that you can mount to your wall or bed frame or something. That should give you plenty of opportunity to get comfy and still game on your PC properly
s00mika@reddit
You can stream apps and games from your PC to your laptop using steam remote play. I think it can also stream the whole desktop. And other programs like remote desktop also exist which can be used for anything beside 3D stuff.
MtnMaiden@reddit
Go wireless keyboard and mouse.
As for your monitor. Just get a sturdy VESA mount and have it swing on a post.
Plenty of mounts that you can swivel and rotate your display on.
IanMo55@reddit
No and no unfortunately for you.