Another approach with a laptop is to plug-in a second screen.
The price for a new 20" monitor is under $100.
Garage sale / Thrift shop prices should be in the $20-30 range for one in decent shape.
[Your bargaining mileage may vary.]
An old [and 'dumb'] flat-screen TV usually has a VGA input -- DVI / USB / HDMI if you're lucky.
Plug the old TV into your laptop and, voila, you have a 'smart' TV.
uhh... it IS important to make sure that whatever connection the second screen needs also works with the laptop.
[This is the embarrassed voice of experience speaking.]
