Any real advantage of Roku vs PC?

[stuman74]

Please consider my specific use for this. I bought my kids a couple of cheap 24" TVs from Best Buy ($80 each) for their bedrooms and also got a Roku 2 ($60 each) for each of them (haven't opened any of this stuff yet so can be returned if need be). We have Xfinity/Comcast and I don't want to pay for monthly digital cable boxes in their rooms.

In their rooms, each has a Windows 8 PC and 23" monitor as well (no HDMI in on these particular monitors). Speakers of course connected to the PCs.

At first I thought I'd just add the TVs to their room with the Roku's. Then thought, maybe just replace the monitors with the new TVs coupled with the Roku's. THEN thought, what's the point of that? I mean, if I bookmark a bunch of web pages that point them to Xfinity OnDemand, ESPN, Disney XD, Amazon Prime Videos, and Netflix, would they even benefit from a Roku compared to the PC? Thanks!

 

[s44]

Remote controls.

 

[stuman74]

Remote controls.

True. Though, I did also get them a couple of $20 Logitech K400 keyboards (have trackpad integrated) that I thought they can use as well if sitting a little further from the screen.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400r?crid=26

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Remote controls.

You can get remote controls for your PC that work fairly well. I've got mine set up so it works good with Win8 metro.

 

[soulcougher73]

I love my Roku. It covers about 90% of my media watching. Id rather have that as a kid than a PC for media consumption.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

i think the roku 3 uses 3 watts while streaming hd content.

 

[Crow550]

Power savings, clean UI and such.

However a PC with Windows Media Center for OTA recording, Kylo for browsing media sites & Hulu Desktop along with XBMC is good combo too.

The Roku may be easier if you just want to lounge and watch content.... All depends on how you have your PC's setup too....

I believe the Roku may be getting DLNA support sometime soon. It supports Plex right now....

I personally use a PC and Roku for media. Most of the time the Roku as it just works and is simpler.

If you have Comcast Cable you may be able to use the Roku app too.

 

[Anteaus]

Unless you are limited on space, I would add the new TV and Roku and leave the PCs as they are. This way it won't interfere with PC use. I mean, you got the stuff for so cheap you might as well keep and use them.