Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?

Anything to do with games at all.
User avatar
Shadow
Member
Joined in 2008
Contact:

PostCould I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by Shadow » Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:54 am

Ok, so this feels like something that should be a fairly ordinary consumer setup, but I can't find anything about it online. It's possible I'm searching for the wrong thing.

I want to have a super-powerful desktop PC somewhere in my house - probably connected to the lounge TV. I then want to use laptops (ideally ones I already own, but I can buy new hardware if necessary) as dumb terminals that connect to it and effectively utilise all the power of the desktop for games and media and stuff, but retain the convenience and portability of a laptop - at least when I'm on my home network.

Is such a thing even possible?

I'd rather not have to use remote desktop, it has its limitations and (I think) would only allow a single laptop to connect at a time.

User avatar
Errkal
Member
Joined in 2011
Location: Hastings
Contact:

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by Errkal » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:25 am

Yeah you can.

Install Splashtop Streamer (http://www.splashtop.com/downloads) on the "Host" PC then on the laptops, tablets etc. install the Splashtop App.

Splashtop lets you stream HD content and games and stuff to other devices. There is an app for Windows 8 and 10 and there is an install you can put on 7 / ubuntu to connect from there, as well as Andro, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire etc.

It also handles the firewall rules etc. so you can stream over the web too.

User avatar
False
COOL DUDE
Joined in 2008

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by False » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:31 am

You are probably best with steam streaming if you want to play games

Image
User avatar
Errkal
Member
Joined in 2011
Location: Hastings
Contact:

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by Errkal » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:32 am

I forgot about Steam streaming! Yeah use that is the games you want to play support it :D

Splashtop is good if they don't.

User avatar
False
COOL DUDE
Joined in 2008

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by False » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:42 am

Latency though, there is always going to be latency

Image
User avatar
Shadow
Member
Joined in 2008
Contact:

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by Shadow » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:06 pm

Splashtop is interesting. Would it allow me to have two devices connect to the one PC simultaneously and do different things? I can't find an answer to that on their site.

User avatar
Errkal
Member
Joined in 2011
Location: Hastings
Contact:

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by Errkal » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:22 pm

That you won't be able to do. The only way to do two things at the same time from different terminals is to use terminal services which won't work for games and needs server OSs

User avatar
Green Gecko
Treasurer
Joined in 2008

PostRe: Could I use laptops as dumb terminals to connect to a desktop?
by Green Gecko » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:07 am

If for any reason you don't like Splashtop you can also try TeamViewer although I think Splashtop is optimised for video performance.

"It should be common sense to just accept the message Nintendo are sending out through their actions."
_________________________________________

❤ btw GRcade costs money and depends on donations - please support one of the UK's oldest video gaming forums → HOW TO DONATE

Return to “Games”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bertie, Christopher, Garth, Godzilla, Monkey Man, Seven, Xeno and 408 guests