I have a Hauppauge USB TV tuner, which costs under $40. Comes with software to record and manage what it receives, which is digital TV off the air. It's about the side of a typical USB "stick". It's got the capability of working with an infrared remote, but I've never tried that.
Windows Media Center is included with the Windows 8.x "pro" upgrade, and provides a better interface to watch, record and play OTA tv. I think the Pro upgrade is about $100. You can get it at BestBuy.
So - yes you can. Personally I'd find the laptop screen a bit small for watching much TV. But for folks who watch streaming video on cell phones, I guess a laptop screen is like Imax.
al
