Seeking Hardware Recommendations for Wall Mounted Touchscreen for Remote HA Dashboard

LOL… Told ya, my iPad hardly functioned as a brick (Not big enough to stop the boat from drifting). HA Interface requires IOS 15.0 or later. Updated, it rests peacefully at 12.5.7 Go figure.

While the HA app doesn’t work, I was able to get Safari to load up on 12.5.7 on my iPad Mini. It’s not the greatest experience, but it does work for basic control of things (lights, switches, scenes, etc). Some custom cards won’t load (due to Safari being ancient), but I created a specific dashboard with just minimal elements to use. That seems to help.

@code-in-progress Thanks. I was able to use Safari to load my HA. You are right on the money with your comment that it was not a great experience. I thought it was funny how much was not visible because of the age of the device. I do appreciate the support of the community offering alternative quests.

But I still seek information for HA on a 24" to 36" touchscreen display on or in wall mounted HA Dashboard. Am I really the first to have such a vision?
Does anyone have advice for a fellow HA community member that wants to bring the Home Assistant Smart Home to the next level?

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There are 24" and 27" Android tablets on Amazon. An android tablet with the Fully Kiosk Mode app is a proven, reliable, and well documented solution. All you need is a tablet large enough to meet your requirements, which is the only novel aspect of your project.

That said, I don’t see any reason why a PI driving a large touch-screen monitor wouldn’t work, there just aren’t a lot of people doing it. Most folks don’t have that kind of available wall space or enough spouse-approval-factor-credits for a project that big. :wink:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY2FPBV5?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_GT2HPC0MX3ZD79ZF8S4V

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Any touch enabled monitor would work, from professional brands like Dell or Asus, to cheap external monitors off your favourite Chinese site.

You’d obviously need to have separate hardware to run the OS (and no, this can’t be the same server that you’re using to run HA). Depending on your mounting space and whether you intend to use it for other apps, anything from a small intel stick to a Raspberry pi 5 hidden behind the monitor will do.
Hell, you could even go all out and get a micro pc (something in this form factor) if space and cooling requirements aren’t an issue.

There’s a few threads on this forum about this, but if you want specific model recommendations, there’s plenty of posts on the Home Assistant Facebook group. Good luck!

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I would personally recommend “Wallpanel”.
I run a tablet with Wallpanel and it exposes the tablets sensors to mqtt. I then use an external motion sensor to send “screen on” command to the tablet.

Fully can also do this but i found it was easier with Wallpanel.

Or the app YAKK for android. It turns screen on at detected motion.

I tried this initially but it worked like crap. Probobly differs from tablet to tablet though.

It works perfect on all mine. I will bet I know the issue which took me sometime to solve for various flavors of Android. You must enable “Display over other apps” and many devices block this ability … like period … like it’s offensive because it says “You cannot set that on because it causes too much battery use”.

I mean, it’s my tablet … who disables it without a chance for the consumer to make the decision?

BUT … you can override the manufacturer’s locked settings.

I had to go all the way to step 4 here and use the Android SDK to do it.

@ShadowFist,
I like your idea of the MiniPc. In fact, I think it will be easier than the Pi5. :orange_heart:
With the many advisory reports of tablet problems from being constantly powered, I think it is the way to go… Would have any recommendations for a touchscreen thin enough to wall mount? I am hoping for 24". Thanks for collaborating :thinking:

No personal recommendations for a touchscreen from my end, but do have a search in the HA Facebook group I linked to earlier. Plenty of recommendations there already

@ShadowFist Thanks for you assistance. (I don’t do FaceBook :closed_lock_with_key:)
Today I completed the purchase. Thanks to everyone that took the time to contribute…
Here is the chosen configuration…
Dell OptiPlex 7040 MFF with Intel Quad Core i5 6500T 2.5Ghz and 16GB DDR4 Ram.
ASUS VT229H 21.5" 1080P Monitor with 10-Point Touch Eye Care.
And of course it would be incomplete without a VESA Quick Release Monitor Wall Mount.
Not bad for $360, I was expecting double that.

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I’m in a similar position, so I’ve read this with interest.

Just a couple of silly questions;
Is the Dell the server or accessing the server on other hardware?
Is the Asus monitor just a monitor (connected to the Dell) or is it more like a tablet driven by android acting independently like a tablet would?

Thanks for any clarification in advance!

Greetings!
I am happy to provide the details…

  • Is the Dell the server or accessing the server on other hardware?

The Dell OptiPlex 7040 MFF, is a standalone PC, But it has access to the Server that is hosting Home Assistant. Additionally, it is set to automatically display my Dashboard(s).

  • Is the Asus monitor just a monitor (connected to the Dell) or is it more like a tablet driven by android acting independently like a tablet would?

The Asus Monitor is a TouchScreen connected to the Dell OptiPlex. I chose this option because it is much larger and easy to see. I needed touchscreen because the only thing visible is the screen, it would be awkward to have keyboard or mouse on such a display interface. Many have commented that it could be done cheaply using a tablet; I chose not to go the cheap route, instead, it is Super Reliable and large enough to see from across the room.
Additionally, if you like the build but have not decided where to hide the PC, check this out on Amazon, you cam mount it directly behind the monitor. MFF Mount Bracket
@tvns, If you need any additional information feel free to contact me.

Thank you, that makes perfect sense now!

I am just deciding how to go about remotely viewing dedicated dashboards. My mini PC is the server which I can locate anywhere, so it may end up with the solar install once that’s done.

I’ve been more focused on whether I want a tablet, android display, or some other display to use for the remote dashboard.

Really appreciate the details and clarification you provided! Thanks agajn.

What OS do you install? Windows?

Yes, I am using Windows. The Dell OptiPlex MFF (Micro Form Factor) PC came with the OS installed. I was so impressed with how this project turned out that I built another for in my work shop.

Another option for anyone who is looking to do this would be using a raspberry pi 5. Install nvme storage and flash the pi with base android 14 (many tutorials), then get Google play store. Running the base install of android would give you the functionality of using a tablet such as play store apps and fully kiosk, and would remove the inconvenience of a battery in a tablet. Hook this up to a wall mounted touchscreen monitor and your set. Most android software for raspberry pi supports USB camera/webcam that you could hide in the monitor frame and use for auto-waking the screen. This method may use less power and be more responsive than Windows. Just a suggestion!

I have the same project and I read all the posts with great interest.
Thanks @007DJ for kick starting and driving this topic.

I’m curious, when you say it cost you $360, what currency are you using? US$?
I’m in Australia, AU$360 seems very affordable.
Thanks

US
Touch Screen what the highest. Mini PCs are low priced.