Hey folks, I've got this older Dell laptop with a dual core i7-6700, probably around 8GB to 16GB of RAM. The screen is useless, but I was thinking of using it to upgrade my basic Firestick Lite for a better smart TV experience on my 1080p LED TV. I don't want anything too complicated—just a straightforward interface with big buttons for a few apps like Stremio, a web browser for streaming, YouTube, and Boosteroid for game streaming. Also, it would be amazing if I could use my Firestick's Bluetooth remote to control it, although I'm guessing turning it on and off via the remote isn't feasible, right? What Linux distro and software would you recommend for this simple setup? Thanks!
3 Answers
I'd also recommend AlmaLinux. It doesn't need frequent updates and runs Stremio perfectly! It's a solid choice if you want something reliable.
I'd suggest going with Linux Mint. That's what I did when my brother faced the same issue. Instead of a Firestick, try using a wireless keyboard with a touchpad (Logitech has some affordable ones). Just connect the laptop to your TV via HDMI. This way, you can enjoy the full power of a PC while still keeping it simple for TV use. Plus, you can install an adblocker in your browser!
Yeah, I did something similar. Just a heads up, getting YouTube to work can be a bit of a hassle, so be ready for some frustration with that one! You might want to check out Kodi as an alternative. I used Debian as my base because it doesn’t require a lot of updates, but really any distro should work fine.
Totally agree! I have a bunch of keyboard/mouse/remotes for my setup. I really recommend getting a Bluetooth or 2.4GHz keyboard and mouse; you can find those at places like Target or Walmart.