WOW. Some of you had questions; some of you were rude. I'll answer all of it.
"do not get a 2011 model."
This is because of Radeongategood advice, thanks for reminding me of that.
"If it's "exclusive" as you say, why not get a small TV and an internet connected player? That would be cheaper, easier to obtain and probably give you a better viewing experience overall."
Except it doesn't. I have a 15" MBP I currently use on that coffee table. I love the fact that I can close it and put it away simply. No small TV I have heard of actually vanishes.
"Yes, or get a 23/24" in monitor, it can be had for under $200 these days."
Yes, if I had no sense of aesthetics or design in my apartment. And in my apartment, a laptop dedicated to viewing is a lot better for me than a 23" monitor. I actually have an old 23" Apple displayI don't want to use it for this.
"This is wrong in so many ways."
Jesus, you're damn rude. But pleasetell me.
"Display is wrong aspect ratio (16:10) for TV"
By "TV" I mean I use it to play all sorts of media, many of which are movies.
"low power TN display technology is good for energy saving but has limited viewing angle which isn't good for TV viewing."
I'm using a 15" for this purpose now, and it's great. And I like the energy savings. I abhor giant ****ing TVs. I don't understand how everyone has learned to live with them.
"Attached keyboard makes it awkward to use as a TV, much better would be monitor + Roku (or other box) or monitor + Mac mini with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse if you really need VLC."
Well, of course I need VLCI bittorrent a lot. (Gasp! Shock!) Again, none of you know my NY apartment. I don't want a damn monitor in the living room except when I am watching video. I certainly don't want more bluetooth keyboards and micejesus, it would be so cluttered.
"It takes away a 17" MBP from someone who really needs one."
Who are you, a humanitarian? You don't answer any of my actual questions, and then I'm supposed to not buy a used 3, 4, or 5 year old computer for fear that a more deserving person should have it? Bizarre.
"An SSD won't increase the speed of Hulu, Netflix, or VLC."
It will help compensate if the device runs the OS more slowly, which is why I mentioned it.
If any of you wishgo back, look at my actual questions, feel free to get back to me with answers.
And thanks for reminding me about the 2011 debacle, the helpful people who did that instead of telling me how everything I want is bad and wrong.