Sunday, November 17, 2013

How to Mount a Laptop to a Flat Screen TV


Follow these instructions to make a homemade bracket to mount your laptop to a flat screen TV as part of a home media center setup.

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Investigate. What bolts does your TV require? Search your manual (or the web) for how to mount your TV.
  2. 2
    Measure your laptop's width. Your vertical pieces must be longer by about an inch so you will be able to slide the laptop in and out.
  3. 3
    Measure your laptop's height. It will have to fit between two bolted together angle irons.
  4. 4
    Measure your laptop's length. Make sure to leave room to open your CD drive and for any cables you need to attach!
  5. 5
    Ensure the parts all fit together as planned.
  6. 6
    Build a box. Thread the 12mm bolts up through the angle irons so that it fill be as flush as possible to the tv when completed
  7. 7
    Attach the second bottom piece. This will create the holder for the laptop itself.
  8. 8
    Attach your mount to the TV. Use the 20mm bolts and secure to the top two VESA mounts on your tv.
  9. 9
    Enjoy!

EditTips

  • Make sure you set your laptop to do nothing when you close the lid.
  • Get a nice wireless keyboard/mouse which is strong enough to go through the TV.
  • Secure? This laptop fit snugly in the bottom, however if yours is more svelte you can attach some 550cord using a slip knot and tighten as necessary.
  • Make sure you only are using the external display (the TV.)
  • Turning on/off is a pain. Allow your laptop to sleep and allow it to be woken by USB devices.
  • Depending on the size of your tv and weight of the laptop you should ensure this will be stable. A lower center of gravity is always better.
  • Some TVs put out more heat than others (Plasma>LCD>LED) I haven't noticed any cooling issues but, it is something to take in to consideration
  • Get a USB IR receiver and a universal remote that supports HTPC's (the URC-WR7 is GREAT)

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