Next, I’m struggling to figure how connecting a laptop to a tv is more convenient than a built in app. I have done every type of TV setup but no extra devices has always been a lot simpler than more devices.

It is infinitely more convenient for me.

Having to navigate through an obtuse UI just to open an app, then search with an on-screen keyboard by moving the cursor with a D-pad on the remote is just awful. Besides, a lot of smart TVs don’t allow you to sideload which forces you into either ads or subscriptions for a lot of things.

I have my desktop sitting next to the TV, already plugged in, so when I want to watch something I just turn the TV on, search for whatever I need on definitely legal website, download it in a definitely legal way, open mpv with subs and start watching.