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Entertainment Technology

PCs in the Living Room? 78

Posted by Cliff from the comfortable-and-portable-yet-unobtrusive dept.
mwebert asks: "OK. I figure a large number of my fellow Slashdot readers have encountered this same scenario, so please respond. Right now, we keep our Dell Inspiron notebook on the corner of our coffee table in the center of our living room, accessing our home wireless network, and allowing the user to see the TV and multitask their little heart out. (Yay, IMDB!) That said, sitting on the edge of the couch (or worse, the floor) is getting old fast. Of course, I could get a true desk, but I don't want it to face the wall or corner, and I don't want it to turn the decor of my living room into a dentist's office reception area. I'm looking for a handsome (yet unobtrusive and functional) rolling workstation, preferably with a shelf/drawer or two. I've checked out http://www.anthro.com/ - but their offerings look pretty utilitarian, don't they? Any other ideas?"
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PCs in the Living Room? More

PCs in the Living Room?

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  • Meh. I've been using the end of the couch for 2 years. It works great with an optical mouse. :)
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
    • He said he's using a laptop/notebook computer.

    • Re:Laptop (Score:2, Insightful)

      by PlasticMonkey ( 863080 )
      Aww dude, you're gonna get flamed :-/ , brace yourself!
      RTFA 'n' all that...

      However why doesn't the guy place the laptop on his lap? Seems a hell of a lot easier than buying a rolling table solution to me and he should still be able to multitask.

      The only reason I can think of him not wanting to place the laptop on his knees/legs/movement enablers is if he's worried about his penis getting burnt, in which case there are solutions available.
      • I don't think using a solution on your burnt penis is such a great idea. It would be better to AVOID the penis burn altogether, hence the need for the table.

      • Re:Laptop (Score:3, Interesting)

        by yuri benjamin ( 222127 )
        How about placing one of those breakfast-in-bed trays or dinner-at-the-TV trays on his lap, and putting the notebook/laptop on that?

        • Lap Desk (Score:2, Informative)

          by Anonymous Coward
          Actually, I used to use a laptop on the couch and in bed a bit and found that a "lapdesk" worked really well. They are cheap, protect you from burns, and (can be) quite comfortable.

          Here are some ideas of what I am referring to:
          http://www.organize-everything.com/lapdesks.html [organize-everything.com]
          http://www.organize-everything.com/laptraywhite.ht ml [organize-everything.com]

          One note: The ones that have sides are more comfortable since they rest on the couch/bed and don't even touch you lap (depending on your size of course...)

          The one I had (from Bed, Bat
    • And if he had even more money to spend, he could get a bigger place to live. But he's got what he's got, so why waste everybody's time with answers to questions not asked?
      • And if he had even more money to spend, he could get a bigger place to live. But he's got what he's got, so why waste everybody's time with answers to questions not asked?
        Huh? What you're saying seems a little trollish to me, but surely something like an iLap would be cheaper than a rolling table
  • What I've been using for 2 years
    • Ditto this. It is what my wife uses--a wooden and rather attractive/decorative model that optionally folds/stores away when entertaining guests. Heck, sometimes she even eats off it.

  • Consider non-permanent (Score:3, Interesting)

    by bill_mcgonigle ( 4333 ) * on Saturday August 13, 2005 @05:38PM (#13312909) Homepage Journal
    I've got a pretty small living room, so no room for the rolling cart. I just recently ordered a TableMate [amazon.com] folding table which slides under the couch when it's not in use. Hasn't arrived yet, so no review here, but there are some user reviews on the linked page.
    • I've been using one of these for about two years as an

      a) end table

      b) laptop on the couch (the angle adjusts so you can angle it towards you, very comfortable) and

      c) for eating in front of the TV

      Highly recommended!

  • Um. Simple. (Score:2, Informative)

    by Seumas ( 6865 ) *
    I have a couple "buffet" tables (the long brown kind with the folding legs that you see in office buildings) from OfficeMax. You can get them for about $40 each. I stuck them in my living room in front of the widescreen television - about where most people would put their sofa (I dont' have a sofa or loveseat or recliner or anything).

    Then, I put my chair in front of the desk.

    Then... I do my computer stuff at the desk. And I can watch TV at the same time.

    As far as decor.. who cares. Are you Martha Stewart? U

    • Re:Um. Simple. (Score:1, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      and just how long have you been single?

      • Re:Um. Simple. (Score:3, Funny)

        by Seumas ( 6865 ) *
        Since about the time I decided I was going to go with "Utilitarian Male" decorative motif. :)

        And yes, every female that ever enters the abode threatens to (re)decorate the place.

        And no, I don't let 'em. :)

        And yes - I'm single.
        And yes - I get laid.
        And yes - I like being single.
        And yes - I like spending money on toys rather than dropping $5,000 on a decorative fucking lamp.
        • And yes, every female that ever enters the abode threatens to (re)decorate the place.

          Speaking as a female that just bought a kitchen table (the only table in the place) exclusively so I could cook dinner and be on IRC/slashdot at the same time, if you want to break your streak, I'll come over. ;)

          (And yes, for quite some time, my office chair was the only seating. Save for the step. It was built-in. Does that count against me?)

          Now there's a bookshelf, but it's got Sparc rackmount hardware on the bottom

  • All sorts of stuff. (Score:3, Funny)

    by Halfbaked Plan ( 769830 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @06:02PM (#13313067)
    I have a pile of Dell Optiplex mini-tower machines in the living room. The pile of Beige G3 Macintoshes has been moved to the second bedroom (storage room). There's also a dual Pentium 3 Proliant server (rackmount version, kitchen chair mounting method) in the living room.

    Isn't this Slashdot? What's with 'living room decor' type questions? The important question is wether the living room should have a raised floor or not.

  • Simple (Score:5, Funny)

    by clone22 ( 252516 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @06:02PM (#13313075)
    Just make a table out of fedex boxes, the cable spool of the new millennium.

  • Better coffee table (Score:4, Informative)

    by Nutria ( 679911 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @06:04PM (#13313090)
    At an "unfinished furniture" store, we (wife & I) found a coffee table where the "upper flat part" of the table is on spring-loaded hinges.

    Thus, if you are sitting at the edge of the sofa, you lift up the top of the table, and it pivots up to you.

    Very handy.

  • White Trash Coffee Table (Score:3, Informative)

    by Anne_Nonymous ( 313852 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @06:14PM (#13313129) Homepage Journal
    Y'all need a white trash coffee table [feldmanfurniture.com], boy. Whoo-hoo! You c'n get 'em in a variety of styles an' prices, an' they look plum elegant in most any doublewide.

  • living room PCs (Score:3, Interesting)

    by mabu ( 178417 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @06:18PM (#13313138)
    Interesting topic.

    I am the bane of my family because I tend to build systems in the living room, with the intent of moving them elsewhere in the house, but they end up staying in the living room much longer than originally planned. In the past I made efforts to accomodate a PC into the main home entertainment area. I got a large monitor from government surplus that doubled as a computer/tv monitor and I could switch back and forth from the PC to the TV, but that didn't satisfy the need to run both. I've thought about a coffee table that might have a monitor buried underneath a glass top -- that sounds kind of cool, but I think the angle you'd have to arch your neck to see the monitor might cause some strain. So I end up with a monitor or a laptop on the coffee table. What I've done is put wheels on my coffee table so I can roll it close to the sofa if I want to mess with the PC while laying back, or sit on the floor at the foot of the sofa and work the tv and the computer. That has proven to be the most versatile setup for me so far.

  • This is easy (Score:2, Insightful)

    by LBt1st ( 709520 )
    Just get rid of the TV. Problem solved :)

  • Coolpad and a Lap (Score:3, Informative)

    by JPyObjC Dude ( 772176 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @06:27PM (#13313168)
    If you don't mind using a touchpad, I strongly suggest getting a coolpad and just lap your laptop.

    http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=P A241U [targus.com]

    The Coolpad is probably the best money I have spent on a product for my laptop usage. By positioning differently for different conditions. ie. laying down in bed, leaning on steering wheel while parked, or just on a desk).

    JsD

  • laptop cart (Score:2, Informative)

    by Vacendak ( 717163 )
    I use my laptop in my living room just like you. My wife bought me this for Xmas and it works great for me. http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/S taplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051 &langId=-1&productId=101575&cmArea=SEARCH [staples.com]
  • Move the couch foward. Problem solved. Move it back when you're done. Not being sarcastic, just trying to save you a little money until you get a proper table...
  • ...Lap desk. That's right, a lap desk. Allows you to use a laptop on your lap without the potential for groin burn.
  • My company make these touchscreens for various government departments:

    http://www.mrgsystems.co.uk/graphics/lcdsignage/CD 2_75_small.jpg [mrgsystems.co.uk]

    They're lovely. I've got a HTPC setup in my lounge, with a server that has dual tuners and has icecast so I can listen to my tunes at work. I need to steal one of these screens for my playlist :D

    Unforuntately it seems it's headed for a life of displaying meetings in a government building :(

  • a 'keyboard' stand (Score:3, Informative)

    by Alrescha ( 50745 ) on Saturday August 13, 2005 @07:00PM (#13313279)
    I use one of these:

    http://www.thehumansolution.com/45170.html [thehumansolution.com]

    Which is a Balt Key-Rite keyboard stand. It's more than roomy enough for a large laptop.

    A.
  • wasn't there some awful fold up "tv" tray that was advertised on TV that might work for something like this?

    I know i ridiculed the slobs in the commercial when I saw it originally... but having my "lap" toasted by my laptop makes me think it's not such a bad idea after all

    *shrug* Anyone remember the name to that as seen on TV doohickey
    • wasn't there some awful fold up "tv" tray that was advertised on TV that might work for something like this?

      Yep. I got one. It's not a bad solution at all. I have a sanctum sanctorum where I spend most of my computing time, but every so often the wife will want me upstairs for something, so i'll plug in the wireless card and go a-roaming. The table is a useful tool.

      I like that rolling keyboard stand -- seen them in the Frontgate catalog too for about a hundred bucks, but that "awful fold up TV tray" is
  • man you guys are way behind! I ran into this problem 5 years ago...did the laptop on the armrest thing until my back started growing sideways..All this time thinking of a simple solution to exactly the problem described above..I Had several temporary ideas set up..one snapped..one got in the way too much..and some that were just too plain ugly to keep around. This couch office is a functional prototype. It is by far a proper design. But it works..for hours a day i do my design work from this couch! http://w [xs4all.nl]
  • While I doubt you will do this, if anyone here does, please post to /. about it:

    Combine it all into one extreme setup: Twin DLP projectors mounted on the ceiling, projecting onto a custom curved surface ultra-wide screen (like a section from a huge torus - there is a company that makes these for theaters, but you could probably custom build it as well). The screen should extend from the ceiling down to around .5 meters or so off the ground. Build a dual-head video card media server to drive the projectors.

    • Twin DLP projectors mounted on the ceiling, projecting onto a custom curved surface ultra-wide screen (like a section from a huge torus - there is a company that makes these for theaters, but you could probably custom build it as well).

      That would require special optical lenses on the projectors. Normal projectors are designed to focus on a flat screen, if you want to project onto something not flat you need a lens that can match the curvature of your screen.
      • I figured anybody actually doing this would realize this, perhaps I should have noted it. For the homebrew builder, though, such lens would be very pricey. In that instance, there have been software-based distortion lens effects created, though typically only for certain game engines (I think Quake 2 had such a mod available for CAVE-like displays that were curved). Perhaps some code like this could be hacked into a display driver filter in some manner...
    • That setup looks nice. I would probably choose to pass all the functions of the gadgetry under the sofa to another server on my LAN, but what the hell, you've got an elegant solution, and my house might be a bit bigger than yours.
  • This is an very attractive little desk [homeofficesolutions.com] that is perfect for a laptop and even has a comfortable place to put your mouse as well. It easily moves around and has a nice height adjustment. Not the cheapest solution but one that will last quite some time.

    Best regards,

    Doc

    In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. - George Orwell

  • Check if there's a custom cabinet shop in your area. They can probably build you something to your specs for a few hundred dollars. If you have them build it unfinished and finish it yourself you can save a bit. I had an A/V cabinet built a couple of years ago that fits right in with the rest of the house. Adjustable shelves, knockouts for cables hidden hardware; it looks like it came with the house.
  • here's what I'd do if I were you: I'd get a nice piece of wood that's fairly thin (1/4", 3/8" thickness), polish it both sides, and cut it to a width of your laptop plus about 8". Then put the laptop on the board and the board on your lap. You'll even have room for the external mouse. Or, maybe cheaper and simpler, a $15 external PS/2 keyboard from RiteAid with a 6' cord, so you can put the keyboard on your knees, the mouse on the couch and not have to be on the edge of the couch. Only trouble is the distan

  • I know its simple but.... how about just replacing your television with a computer... reduces your daily intake of hypnosis and makes for great conversation (now that your having one)...
  • Well, the Ikea stuff is only "just okay" in my book; they are pretty vanilla. Also, limited room for external HDs, speakers, etc. Also, I'm dedicated to using my laptop on a surface. My awfully-toasty Inspiron 8500 would leave me hairless (let alone sterile). So here's what I'm considering:

    1) Target has a $99 desk option:
    http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-3/qid=11 24060528/ref=sr_2_3/602-7908088-6117466?_encoding= UTF8&asin=B0000YJ0GG [target.com]

    2) ...and a $39 (on sale) chair option:
    http://www.target.com/gp [target.com]
  • I just sold off an HTPC and a file server. Just this desktop now, and I'm considering hocking it and my two 20" LCDs and getting a solid, yet affordable notebook.

    I just realized that I was missing a lot of life during the last couple of years while I was busy timeshifting TV programs, ripping DVDs, and serving worthless web pages nobody visited.
  • Here [levenger.com] at Levenger [levenger.com] is a nice solution. It does not have any shelves or drawers, but it is designed to hold a laptop (or books/papers, etc) for working on a couch or chair. Very nice quality stuff at Levenger.
  • Just use TV-out on your TV. No monitor at all. (Drop VNC server into startup so you can VNC in from another computer in case the TV-out gets turned off.)

    Get a wireless keyboard and a recliner. Recline. Keyboard fits in lap well. If the recliner has big cushy arms like mine does, the keyboard and other remotes fit there as well.

    Don't use a mouse; use a trackball. You wont need a mousepad, and, much more importantly, you wont need a place to PUT a mousepad either.

    I actually have 2 keyboard and 2 mi

  • Seriously, get a tablet PC. They're as powerful as most laptops and much more comfortable to use while lounging on a sofa.

    I got mine 6 months ago instead of getting a 2nd desktop and have never looked back. I no longer buy newspapers to read on weekends. I have the cradle set up and connected to the (LCD) TV so if I want to watch video or read on a bigger screen I just pop the tablet into the cradle and navigate with a wireless mouse.

    They're also very comfortable for anyone to pick up and use. We've had non

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