actually considering the same thing! May be the perfect excuse to upgrade to that widescreen monitor I've been coveting. :)

I already "kind of" do this. I have newer digital televisions, but no cable as I am remodeling and have more important expenses. A friend of mine gave me a pair of "rabbit ears" and to my surprise I was able to pick up a bunch of channels for free! If I want to watch something on a channel I don't get I go to a friend's house, watch it on the Internet, or I rent it on Netflix. It works out great and I'm happy to be saving the money!

I have been thinking about this, actually! I don't watch too much television, but I like being in the loop of the news, and a lot of the shows I watch aren't online yet.

In a heartbeat! I'm seriously thinking of multi-purposing my PC monitor as a TV. Why do I need two screens when I never look at them both at the same time? I don't think I'd miss the size at all--before I got my current behemoth I had 13" TVs most of my life, and the monitor's bigger than that by a bunch.

I have a television which I use as a monitor for my Mac Mini. So, I don't really watch TV (save for PBS), but use it to watch the few select shows I like on Hulu or other network websites, and for movies/music.

Yes! I started streaming video online when I moved to the Czech Republic in 2006 and haven't looked at a TV since (in my own place anyway). Most shows are available online (with lovely *limited* commercials) so why cram something else into my already cramped Manhattan abode (basically a 1 bedroom share, i.e., we have no living room). Space matters more than a TV and my Mac laptop "does it all"--from wherever there is a wireless signal. Now, if only all streaming content could be as great as Hulu.com's user-friendly site!

I wouldn't do this because I wouldn't want to overtax my laptop. The more you use it, the more wear and tear on the components - battery, processors, etc. - and my laptop is way more expensive than a TV. Would much rather replace a TV than a computer..

Grace -
Be a Sweetie, and compile a list of websites for watching TV on the computer - other than your basic HULU, CBS, etc., etc. That would be really useful. Thanks!
Windwolf

i've been using my computer as my tv for several years. works fine for me.

did this when i moved into my new place. well, technically i still have an LCD tv, but no cable. i stream/download shows onto my macbook pro and have a DVI --> HDMI cable to connect to my tv and can watch the shows on the larger screen.

and yeah, it does kind of stink not watching things like the innaguration, super bowl, news, etc, but if i really need to watch live tv i can go to a friends.

i did this years ago, and i've never regretted it. i go to a friend's house for "LOST party" every week, and anything else that i'd want to watch is online... truthfully, i think i watch WAY less tv than i would if i had a set, and i'm happy about that.

watching on the computer is just so convenient (no commercials, start and stop whenever you want,etc) i find myslef watching more often than my flatscreen tv. i think i could definately live without it but im not sure the husband would agree!

But then, where would I play my Wii?

P.S. The photo on this post is gorgeous. All that beautiful grey.

I've been thinking of investing in one of those widescreen monitors just for this reason.

Been doing this now for 3 years and it is very much worth it. Bonus side-effect - when I want to watch big, live events, I'm forced to go out and join others at bars, hotels lobbies, friend's houses, etc. I watched the election returns at a Brooklyn theater, for instance, which was exciting and companionable in a way I couldn't have imagined.

i already did this. my apartment is way to small for a tv, and i don't make enough to make paying for cable a good idea. you can find pretty much anything on tv online. and movies, etc.

the only downside - as mentioned is that it is taxing on your computer. ideally i would have an extra display to use to for tv purposes but maybe tv prices will start coming down too.

oh - and streaming things gets kind of annoying if you don't have an ironclad super-fast connection.

but i get by.

One major reason not to watch t.v. on a laptop: being over the age of 40. Your eyes can't take it. I love my flat screen t.v.

In my 500 s.f. apartment, I threw the idea of the TV out the window (as well as the cost) and opted for faster internet service. How many screens can one white living room handle before looking like a security centre or a bar? And for when I do upgrade to a laptop, I made sure I could transition my current furniture to accommodate a screen in the shelving and my small rolling computer table as a bedroom vanity!

I haven't had a tv for three years!

Being in college, I move every year and it just became an added hassle every summer so I donated it thinking I would buy another and never did.

I love not having a tv. Now when people come over we actually talk to each other instead of at a tv. Most people don't even notice I don't have one.

....And I get a lot more work done since I'm not staring at a television instead of at my drafting desk.

I'm actually considering canceling cable... Most of the shows I watch are on the "free" channels that anyone can pick up with an antenna. (ABC, NBC, FOX, CW)

That and my blockbuster subscription, and I wont need to pay $100 each month to Astound!

I am in the process of switching over to a projector. I almost never watch tv, and I mostly use it for movies and the Wii. But it's my roommate's Wii, and once I move out, I'll just need movies and my computer. As for TV? Don't have time for that brain rotting stuff. Give me a good book any day of the week!

sidereel.com

there are so few programs worth watching on tv these days!
Not being a big computer person, i just heard a little blurb about this last wk and was taken by surprise. I am going to look into it tho. Thanks for all the tips.

Do they make a 50" laptop???

In my world, before there was a TV, there was a laptop. I lived without TV for 3 years and then when I did get a TV it was strictly for free (as in bundled in my tuition) movies from the campus library.

Where can I get that throw pillow? Anyone?

we have a tv that we use for Wii and movies, but no cable. so we watch most shows on the internet with our laptops. i like being able to watch them on my own schedule, and we save a ton of money!

I have a flat screen TV, no cable watch only PBS and rent movies. I use my MacBook to watch some TV shows like Damages, Dexter and House or Movies, using both itunes and hulu.

oh that pillow in the picture is great, where from please?

You can now purchase a special usb stick that will allow you to easily watch television stations on your computer (just in case you can't wait until the next day to watch the newest episode of Lost online).

here is one option:

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer Products/PCTV Tuners/PCTV Digital PVR %28DVB-S_DVB-T%29/Mac HD mini Stick.htm

this technology has been around for sometime, but only recently has it become so simple.

I got rid of my TV a few years ago and recently bought a projector for a couple hundred dollars that i can hook my laptop up to and play movies on a 'big screen' against a blank wall. It works really well. I got the Epson EPPLS5 PowerLite S5 Projector which is marketed for office use, but has great clarity and is pretty bright.

Never. A dinky laptop monitor can't compare to my 42" LCD TV. I tried watching a tv show on my laptop once, and the bad picture quality, not to mention the teeny size, annoyed me so much that I wouldn't do it again.

I've never owned a TV and am currently debating getting my first, but I just can't justify the expense. Everything is available online, if not streaming I can download it.

For those of you concerned about missing big events: CNN.com, NFL.com, and many other websites are now streaming live big events like the superbowl and election results and news specials. I saw most of the football I watched this year either live on NFL.com or at the bar with friends.

I got rid of my TV months ago. I hardly watched the thing anyway, and I can watch dvds on my computer. When I really want to see a show I go to a friend's house (we usually have a whole group gathered around the big screen).

I love it because watching TV becomes a social activity and instead of several people all paying for cable and their own equipment, we all just pay our way with food and drink at our friend's house. So far it's worked great.

I've been using my laptop as my all-purpose entertainment center for years now. Being one of those weirdos who was raised without TV, I see no reason to change :)

I also spend way more time on my computer than the tv. We get like 5 channels and 2 of them are in spanish but have the good movies on it but no subtitles......so not really missing out on too much.

It is nice to get live news however, whenever there are helicopters circling you can almost always turn it on and see what's going on and the inauguration...business like that. But I don't think it'd be worth getting cable. But I think they maybe streaming from the local tv station's websites.

I have an HP entertainment laptop with a tv antenna and its own remote. I watch whatever I want on it and save money too. I use an Optoma projector we bought for a couple hundred dollars and plug into the computer when we want to watch movies or shows as a family like American Idol,Chuck, Monk, etc. These use the antenna that came with the laptop. We got a blockbuster subscription for $16 a month and always have a movie to watch. The projector actually saves space because you can put it on a table an shine it on the wall. My husband and I can bring it into our room and watch movies on the big screen in our bed. HGTV has lots of design shows available when I need my fix of those.

Simply, no. Not an awesome way to have movie night. Or a Wii party.

There's no satellite or cable in our house. A hacked AppleTV takes care of TV viewing. When want to watch something, we want it quality, so a laptop screen won't cut it. Just on planes. :)

Might be doable for singles... not so much for families.

I already use my laptop for my tv/dvd player -- I don't have to pay for cable or have an ugly black box looking at me all the time. I do wish for one sometimes when I want to have friends over for a movie, but overall I like it.

I've been using my laptop for watching movies and television since before I digitized my CDs and sold 'em, since before I got rid of my land line, since before blu ray became the next betamax.

Unless I come up with the dough to build a theater style screening room, I'm planning on sticking with the laptop.

And I love what Netfix is doing with movies/television on demand.

I did this for years.

I only broke down and bought a giant TV when I decided to start playing console games. Now it's kind of painful to watch shows on my laptop.

My computer is my bedroom tv. Ever since I discovered the magic of computer tv (I can watch and google at the same time), I have regretted the money I spent on the 40" lcd in the living room. It's great for dvd night, but so not worth the premium. If I had it to do all over again, I probably would have skipped the lcd tv.

Appletv, cable companies, and television manufacturers: wake up! Add web browsing to tv's or they will go the way of dinosaurs.

I like my "30 Rock" with a side of eBay.

I'm waiting for the "wireless" invention -- where EVERY techy gadget is wireless, such as the lcd tv, stereo, coffee maker, xbox etc.
That means I can pick up the wireless tv and carry it with me to the loo!!! (;

It's so funny to me to read posts from people who are proud to not "waste" time watching t.v. on a television, but feel no guilt about watching it on a computer. Or spending time surfing, blogging and posting on a computer. If ever there was a time suck.... oh, my God, is that the time????

(alinear, very funny post.)

I've got a TV, but no cable. Works for me. My laptop is too small to really watch all the time.

I probably would, were it not for the fact that a good bit of my VHS collection is out of print and might not ever become available on DVD.

Nope. I like watching TV and movies on our 92" projector screen with our 5.1 sound.

I have done it for a year now -- never turning back!

We bought a 24" widescreen monitor (husband is a graphic designer) and an ikea desk on castors. We wheel it in to the living room from the office/dining room and have had many movie/tv nights with about six people. We download or stream everything online. Yes, even flight of the conchords, the daily show, bsg, sarah's house, it's all out there.

Biggest plus: getting rid of huge TV in small apartment
oh, and NO COMMERCIALS!

Only downside: having to wait up to 24 hours from time of broadcast to be available online

we have a tv, but it really only gets used on the weekend if there is a movie we want to watch. And because I'm in Canada and do not have access to watch the tv shows on the network sites, I will continue downloading them until it is possible. And I think I seem to prefer watching them on my laptop instead of the tv--I could easily stream them from the laptop to the tv, but its just fine on the little 13 inch screen, so why bother?

Oh, please! In our house the 1080p projection tv rules! Blu-ray discs won't even play on a computer, and the screen resolution even for ordinary broadcast tv is like having very bad eyesight! Computers are for one thing, tvs are for another. (But I respect your choice to have an inferior viewing experience, if that's what you prefer.)

I've already done this. It's been at least a year since I've had a TV. I don't miss it one bit.

Conchords premiere was online two weeks before its network premiere on HBO. And there are numerous sites online that stream HD cable and international shows.

I'm a certified TV junkie who watches everything from Tila Tequila to The Wire, and I've been doing the no-TV thing for a long time. Internet's cheaper than cable, and the quality is good. No commercials. Doesn't require much space: good for a studio apartment. Portable. No need to rely on "when things are on." For me, it's no contest. When I get more space in the future, it'll be nice to have a TV, but until then, I am set.

I am moving soon, so I had to sell my TV last month. Now that I am watching my favorite shows online, I am not in a hurry to buy a new TV in my new apartment. Plus, thanks to TV-lessness, I discovered the Arrested Development and fell in love with it. You can even watch Remington Steele!

As for special events, i don't watch football and I can go to my friends' Oscar party.

I love my Wii setup, so no getting rid of the TV (also preferred for watching movies and my yoga DVDs), but if I could get ESPN, ESPN2 and The Tennis Channel on my computer I'd ditch cable in a heartbeat. I've got XM radio, which gives me cable news audio (from many sources); I find I often prefer just listening to the news to watching it. I'm another person who uses the MacBook as a "second TV" for the bedroom.

I second Windwolf's request to whoever it was who knew a lot of sources for online TV to please compile them; the standard Hulu/Fancast et al are wearing a tad thin.

I've been doing this since June and I must say, although I can watch Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert and my hubby can watch his House ... I miss Mythbusters and Design on a Dime and Anthony Bourdain and PBS the most. These you can't get on hulu - it seems like - although I don't have enough time to dig around enough to find the shows I want. I wish there was a way to pay for the shows/channels you wanted. I only like PBS and Discovery but don't want to pay $75 for a season of Anthony Bourdain. So it's mixed.

I have no TV at home, and I use my laptop for all movie/DVD watching purposes. I am in the processof saving up for a bigger screen that I can connect to my laptop, so that I can watch it leaning back in an armchair instead of sitting in a chair.

My younger X-Box obsessed brother would throw a riot! (As would I, if you tried to take my Nintendos away. Have you ever tried to hook up a SNES to a laptop? Seriously.)

As well, a lot of the stuff I watch is on cable (Discovery, Discovery Science, Lifestyle, Comedy Channel, stuff like that) and isn't readily available online. Overseas stuff I can mostly find online (like Doctor Who and Torchwood), a lot of it I can't (I can't find Mythbusters ANYWHERE online!), and almost all of the Australian stuff is nigh impossible, aside from some of the 'bigger' shows which I don't watch anyway (with the exception of my favourite show, Good News Week, which I can only watch on a tiny 400x250 window. No thanks!).

yes. do it. now tv is like picking up a book. get earphones. and I love the ever expanding streaming netflix list. cable is expensive and just ugh now, not amazing and surprising which it used to be (anyone catch the c-span loooooong pan down the line on the opening day of Moscow's first MacDonalds?)

also a movie on a laptop on a bed tray table is more immersive than your flatscreen across the room (flatscreens are never big enough, right?), restores the experience of falling into a movie.

It is a lot easier to avoid commercials with a typical DVR than it is with Hulu or any of the other major networks online. You can pay for downloadable programming, but the cost could get pretty high depending on your viewing habits. You could pirate programming, but that takes considerable time and resources to manage...

Yep, we haven't owned a TV in years. We watch on either the main PC or laptop. It is great to be able watch when we want to watch something, and no adverts either! great!

I'm actually in a no-TV situation, and have recently decided that I really want a television again. I have my laptop, and a desktop as well, and while I do use my desktop to watch movies and occasional TV shows, I find that I'd rather sit on my couch and watch a movie on the TV instead of in my desk chair or on my bed. For me, it's definitely a comfort issue: because the computer is where I do homework, and a portion of other work and hobbies, I think it's nice to get away from it, too.

Now the question is... what do you recommend? I used my TV for watching movies only, then sold it when I recently moved. I am looking for a 24" or larger monitor to use with my macbook pro in my studio apartment. I love my Mac, but I like to watch video on a bigger screen.

I've been TV free since I moved to San Francisco three years ago. During that time, my set-up has evolved from a single laptop to an Apple cinema display that is hooked up to a kick-ass, inexpensive mac mini.

Now, the epitome of laziness is a wireless keyboard and mouse to control my TV and music from the couch.

Lifehacker compiled a list of the most popular sites a while back. It included:

Hulu
Surf the Channel
SideReel
BBC iPlayer
ABC*, CBS, and NBC, Discovery's sites

iTunes lets you cherry pick from their huge selection (Mad Men!). Buying one season of the Tudors is far cheaper than subscribing to a year of Cinemax.

After all this, if you still like your cable, check out eyeTV. Its an HDTV tuner and cable for your Mac and can also act as a DVR and provides a Program Guide.

*For the record, ABC's player is the most annoying player ever because it makes you click continue after the commercial. If you don't have a wireless mouse, that means getting off your touche to click. Grrr. Damn them and their Grey's Anatomy brain candy.