26 Best Laptops For Twitch Streaming And Films in 2022 - Student Beans Blog
- Lydia Kah-Pavlou
- May 5, 2022
- 23 min read
If you’re looking for streaming laptops for either streaming on Twitch or a laptop for streaming movies and TV shows, you might feel overwhelmed with the choice.
There are plenty of great streaming laptop options, from Chromebooks to Windows laptops and more compact models to those with larger screens. If you’re looking for streaming laptops for gaming, there are some great affordable options as well as top end of the spectrum laptops, or if you just want laptops for streaming movies we’ve picked out some of the best choices for all budgets.
Check out our top laptops for Twitch Streaming and films below.
Best overall laptop for streaming
If you’re looking for streaming laptops for streaming on Twitch and gaming, speed is important so the Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 is a good all-around choice for this. It has a refresh rate of 165Hz and a screen designed to reduce blue light emissions so you can concentrate on your game or stream.
You’ll be able to stream or play your favourite games uninterrupted and the Alienware Cyro-Tech Cooling Technology will help to optimise your gaming performance and stop your laptop from overheating thanks to the clever technology. For gamers, this is an innovative gaming laptop with tonnes of features to improve gameplay and performance along with a customizable lighting system.
What’s in the box:
1 x Alienware m5 Ryzen Edition R5
1 x power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 8 GB DDR4
Processor: AMD® Ryzen™ 7 5800H
Storage: 256 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: 1 2.5Gbps rated RJ-45 Ethernet port
Battery life: unknown
Battery type: 1 lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 2.1 x 1
Audio connections: 1 x global headphone jack
Webcam: Alienware HD webcam
Colour: Dark side of the moon (black)
Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Ti, 4 GB GDDR6
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6
Screen type: 3ms, ComfortView Plus
Touch screen: No
Pros
Under £1000, if you’re on a budget
Specifically designed for gaming and streaming
Specs can be customised to suit your needs
Cons
Not the best specs compared to others on this list
Get a student discount at Dell
The Nitro 5 from Acer is a dynamic gaming laptop designed for maximum speed and storage. The advantage of purchasing a gaming laptop over a PC is that it’s portable so you can play and stream anywhere, and the Nitro 5 is designed to optimise your performance wherever you are. The Acer CoolBoost™ technology is designed to increase fan speed by 10% and CPU by 9% allowing you to easily manage and monitor your fan speeds and temperatures.
What’s in the box:
1 x Nitro 5 AN515-57-56RF Gaming Notebook
1 x Lithium-Ion Battery
1 x AC Adapter
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows
RAM: 16 GB, DDR4 SDRAM
Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-11400H processor Hexa-core 2.70 GHz
Storage: 512 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet port
Battery life: 8 hours
Battery type: Lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI port x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Graphics card: GeForce RTX™ 3050Ti- 4 GB GDDR6
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
A good all-around gaming laptop
Impressive specs for the price
Cons
Might be expensive if you’re on a budget
Get a student discount at Acer
Best overall laptop for watching movies
If you’re looking at streaming laptops just for streaming movies and Netflix, the IdeaPad 5 is a great option for entertainment. The large screen covers more surface area than the average laptop, meaning that the visuals are pushed to the edge and the borders are minimised making the screen feel even bigger than it is. The Dolby Audio™️ speakers also allow for a high-quality listening and watching experience.
You’ll also be able to benefit from optimal security options with the IdeaPad 5 as it comes with fingerprint unlocking and a privacy shutter on your webcam to help prevent hacking.
What’s in the box:
1 x IdeaPad 5
1 x adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 8 GB DDR4-3200MHz
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 5500U Processor (2.10 GHz up to 4.00 GHz)
Storage: 256 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: no
Battery life: up to 12 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 1.4b x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Platinum Grey, Graphite Grey, Light Teal
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Affordable and budget-friendly
3 colour choices
Good for working and entertainment
Cons
Not the most impressive specs
For streaming movies and TV, the Acer Aspire 7 is a great option for both the display and its speed. The 15.6-inch screen has a large body-to-screen ratio for enjoying your favourite TV shows or movies, and Acer Colour Intelligence and Acer ExaColour help to enrich the visual experience.
The Acer Aspire 7 is also a powerful laptop that could work well for gaming and streaming, even though it’s not marketed as a gaming laptop, so if you want a laptop that does both this is a good choice.
What’s in the box:
1 x Aspire 7 A715-42G-R3El Notebook
1 x Lithium Ion Battery
1 x AC adapter
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows
RAM: 16 GB, DDR4 SDRAM
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 5500U processor Hexa-core 2.10 GHz
Storage: 512 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
Battery life: 10 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI port x 1
Audio connections: none
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6
Screen type: LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Big screen for streaming movies
Ethernet port
Fast charging
Cons
Mid-range of price for quite basic features
No headphone jack
Get a student discount at Acer
Best 14-inch laptops for streaming
If you’re looking to splash out and invest in a gaming laptop for streaming, the Razer Blade 14 has everything you could ever need and is at the top end of the spectrum when it comes to streaming laptops. The specs are impressive and the super-thin design means that it’s easy to transport around, so you can stream or game anywhere.
The processing power can handle the most resource-hungry games smoothly and the battery life is up to 10 hours, so you don’t have to worry about running out while you’re not at home.
What’s in the box:
1 x Razer Blade 14
1 x power adaptor
Technical specifications:
Operating system: Windows
RAM: 16 HB DDR5- 4800MHz
Processor: AMD Ryzen™️ 9 6900HX Processor
Storage: 1TB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: 10 hours
Battery type: 1 lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 2.1 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Graphics card: NVIDIA®️ GeForce RTX™️ 3060 (6GB GDDR6 VRAM)
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
One of the best laptops for gaming and streaming thanks to the impressive specs
Cons
Expensive
The Alienware x14 has an impressive range of specs for a 14-inch laptop and if you’re looking to spend a bit more money on streaming laptops, this is a solid choice. As with the majority of Dell laptops, you can customise and choose the processor, operating system, video card, memory, hard drive and more so you can really customise it to suit your needs, but there are a lot of great universal features too.
As the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop, it comes with a powerful battery and cooling system to allow you to easily play or stream anywhere. The visuals and sound are also impressive and you can get the most out of this laptop for both streaming and working in creative industries.
What’s in the box:
1 x Alienware x14 Laptop
1 x adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 6 GB, LPDDR5
Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-12500H
Storage: 512 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: unknown
Battery type: 6-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 1 headset jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Lunar Light (black)
Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050, 4 GB GDDR6
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: ComfortView Plus NVIDIA G-SYNC
Touch screen: No
Pros
Can be customised and upgraded to suit your needs
Cons
Expensive
Get a student discount at Dell
Best 14-inch laptops for watching movies
If you want a laptop for streaming movies but also for working, the HP Chromebook is a nice option thanks to the large screen to body ratio, stereo speakers and long battery life. Designed with binge-watching in mind, it comes with up to 11 hours of battery life, and anti-glare panel so you can watch outside or while travelling, fast charging and a fanless design so you don’t need to worry about noisy overheating.
With this HP laptop being a Chromebook, you’ll also benefit from built-in apps and millions of downloadable Android apps to help you work and relax better.
What’s in the box:
1 x HP Chromebook 14a-na0007na
1 x 45 W USB Type-C™ power adapter
Technical specs:
Operating system: Chrome OS
RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4-2400 SDRAM
Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4020
Storage: 64 GB eMMC
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: up to 11 hours 45 minutes
Battery type: 2-cell lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: unknown
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: 1 x headset jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Ceramic white and natural silver
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: No
Pros
Chromebooks are good for productivity and working
Anti-glare panel so you can watch while outside
Long battery life
Affordable
Cons
Not the most impressive specs if you want to use your laptop for things other than streaming movies
Get a student discount at HP
The Acer Aspire 1 comes with up to 20 hours of battery life, so you can enjoy streaming movies and working all day long with zero interruption. The FHD display has a 75.77% screen-to-body ratio so you’ll always have a great view of whatever it is you’re watching.
This is a great affordable laptop for anyone on a budget who really wants to enjoy streaming movies, YouTube or TV.
What’s in the box:
1 x Aspire 1 A114-61-S06B Notebook
1 x Lithium Ion Battery
1 x AC Adapter
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 4 GB, LPDDR4X
Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 7c processor Octa-core 2,40 GHz
Storage: 64 GB
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: no
Battery life: up to 20 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: White
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Affordable
Long battery life and fast charging
Cons
Not the most impressive specs
Get a student discount at Acer
Best 15.6-inch laptops for streaming
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i laptop is a smart gaming laptop for streaming and playing. You’ll be able to download and access over 100 high-quality PC games on Windows 10 with Xbox Game Pass for PC for a low monthly price and enjoy playing them as the Gaming 3i laptop is engineered to bring a quiet gaming experience without your laptop overheating.
Other benefits include a spacious keyboard layout, a slim build and powerful processors and impressive specs for its purpose.
What’s in the box:
1 x IdeaPad Gaming 3i laptop
1 x adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 8 GB SO-DIMM DDR4
Processor: 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-10300H
Storage: 256 G
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: up to 7 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 1 x headphone port
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Chameleon Blue and Onyx Black
Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Affordable for a gaming laptop
Decent specs for a good price
2 colours to choose from
Cons
Not the best battery life
Might not be powerful enough for every game you want to run
The Razerblade 15 is everything you’d expect from a high-end gaming laptop, with a bigger 15.6-inch screen. You’ll be able to run pretty much any game and complete any high-powered task with ease, thanks to the processor and performance speed.
Specifically designed for streaming and gaming, the vapour chamber cooling allows the laptop to quietly and efficiently dissipate heat and keep your system running smoothly.
What’s in the box:
1 x Razer Blade 15
1 x 230w power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 16GB DDR5 4800MHz dual-channel memory
Processor: 1.8GHz 14-core Intel i7-12800H processor
Storage: 1TB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet port
Battery life: 6 hours
Battery type: 1-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: unknown
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Graphics card: NVIDIA®️ GeForce RTX™️ 3060 (6GB GDDR6 VRAM)
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080 (most common)
Screen size: 14 (always measured in inches)
Screen type: IPS LCD (could also be OLED/Backlit/LED etc)
Touch screen: Yes/No
Pros
High-end and premium quality gaming laptop, so if you play a lot of games or plan to stream from your laptop it’s a good investment
Cons
Expensive if you’re on a budget
Best 15.6-inch laptops for watching movies
The Dell New Inspiron 15 is a great everyday laptop and can be customised to suit your needs as you can choose the operating system, hard drive, memory and graphics. If you’re going to be using your laptop for streaming movies the ComfortView software helps to reduce harmful blue light emissions to make your eyes comfortable while watching. It’s a great budget-friendly option with a host of features that can help to make your viewing experience more enjoyable.
What’s in the box:
1 x New Inspiron 15
1 x power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 4 GB
Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4020
Storage: 128 GB
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: unknown
Battery type: 3-cell lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 1.4 x 1
Audio connections: headset port x 1
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Platinum silver
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: 1366 x 768
Screen size: 15.6
Screen type: LED Backlit
Touch screen: No
Pros
Affordable
Good for streaming movies and carrying out basic tasks
Cons
Not the most impressive specs so probably not a great option if you plan on using your laptop to work as well as streaming movies
Get a student discount at Dell
The Lenovo Yoga 7i is a 2-in-1 laptop, so you can use it as a tablet to enjoy streaming movies and TV shows in bed or on the go. The FHD screen has 100% SRGB colour accuracy and a front-facing Dolby Atmos® Speaker System to help you enjoy your movies better.
The long battery life makes it a great option for travelling and it comes with a whole range of smart features making it a great laptop for working as well as entertainment.
What’s in the box:
1 x Lenovo Yoga 3i
1 x power adaptor
1 x Lenovo Digital Pen
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Processor: – Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 Processor – Quad-core – 2.8 GHz / 4.7 GHz – 12 MB cache
Storage: 1 TB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: No
Battery life: up to 14 hours
Battery type: 4-cell lithium-polymer
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Slate Grey
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: Yes
Pros
Comes with Lenovo Digital Pen and is touchscreen
Long battery life
Impressive overall specs
2-in-1 so it’s great for streaming movies
Cons
Not designed for gaming
On the more expensive end compared to other Lenovo laptops
Best 17.3-inch laptops for streaming
Gaming laptops are often bulky and heavy but the Lenovo Legion 5 is thin and light with amazing battery life to last you all day long, wherever you are. You can benefit from Xbox Game Pass on your laptop and get access to 100s of games for a small monthly fee and the immersive visuals will exchange your gaming experience.
If you’re looking for a bigger screen to enjoy when you’re streaming and playing games, the 17.3-inch widescreen FHD display has up to 72% NTSC colour accuracy for amazing detail while you’re playing.
What’s in the box:
1 x Lenovo Legion 5 17.3″ Gaming Laptop
1 x Charger
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 16 GB DRR4
Processor: – AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Processor – Octa-core – 3.2 GHz / 4.4 GHz – 16 MB cache
Storage: 512 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet port
Battery life: up to 7.9 hours
Battery type: Lithium polymer
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 2.1 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Phantom Black
Graphics card: – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 – 6 GB GDDR6
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 17.3
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: No
Pros
Large and high-quality screen
Slim and lightweight despite the screen size
Impressive overall specs
Cons
Expensive
Might be too large to carry around if you travel a lot
If you’re after a 17.3-inch screen for your gaming laptop and want to invest your money into a more expensive model, the Razerblade 17 is definitely worth the money. It’s a high-end laptop for gaming and streaming with an impressive range of specs to take your experience to the next level, whether you’re playing a game yourself or watching a livestream.
What’s in the box:
1 x Razer Blade 17
1 x power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 32 GB DDR5 4800MHz dual-channel memory (slotted)
Processor: 1.8GHz 14-core Intel i9-12900H processor, Turbo Boost up to 5GHz, with 24MB of Cache
Storage: 1TB
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: 2.5Gb Ethernet
Battery life: unknown
Battery type: 2-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti (16GB GDDR6 VRAM)
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 2560 x 1060
Screen size: 17.3
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: No
Pros
Premium gaming laptop with impressive specs and big screen
Cons
Very expensive and designed for professional streamers, you could get cheaper laptops that still have decent specs
Best 17.3-inch laptops for watching movies
The Acer Aspire 5 has a narrow border with a 81.61% screen-to-body ratio and a colour-rich FHD IPS display making it perfect for streaming movies and tv shows.
It’s a fast laptop with plenty of space and productivity tools, so it’s great for working on too. It also comes in 5 colours, so you can choose one which best suits your personality and personal style.
What’s in the box:
1 x Aspire 5 A517-52G-72RR Notebook
1 x Lithium-ion battery
1 x AC adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 processor Quad-core 2.80 GHz
Storage: 1 TB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet port
Battery life: 8 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Silver
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 17.3
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Big high-quality screen for streaming movies
Good specs to accommodate using your laptop for other things such as working
Cons
Not the best battery life
Not the cheapest laptop
Get a student discount at Acer
This HP laptop is a great all-around option if you’re looking for a laptop to enjoy entertainment on. The 17.3 inch screen is full HD so you can enjoy your favourite movies and TV shows on a bigger screen than the standard size laptop.
Other benefits include fast charging, a powerful processor and graphics, Amazon Alexa built-in and it’s also made from sustainable materials like ocean-bound plastics.
What’s in the box:
1 x HP-cp0009na Ryzen™️ 3
1 x adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 8 GB DDR4-2400 MHz
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 3250U (2.6 GHz base clock, up to 3.5 GHz max boost clock, 4 MB L3 cache, 2 cores, 4 threads)
Storage: 512 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: up to 8 hours and 15 minutes
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: unknown
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Evening blue
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 17.3
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Fingerprint unlocking
Affordable
Cons
Not the most impressive overall specs
Get a student discount at HP
Best Windows laptops for streaming
The Razer Book is a great Windows laptop if you want to stream and play games, but also work and enjoy movies too. It’s designed for productivity with up to 10 hours of battery life, so you can jump onto video calls, stream and watch your fave Netflix shows all day long.
You can also benefit from a touchscreen, an individually lit keyboard, facial recognition to unlock your laptop and advanced sound and display.
What’s in the box:
1 x Razer Book
1 x power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4x
Processor: 11th Gen®️ Core™️ i5-1135G7 Quad-Core Processor
Storage: 256 GB
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: 10 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Quartz
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1200
Screen size: 13.4
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: Yes
Pros
Multipurpose laptop for streaming games, movies and working
Touchscreen
Facial recognition
Cons
Expensive
The Lenovo Legion 7 is a Windows laptop that’s perfect for both gaming and streaming in your downtime. Some notable features are access to Xbox Game Pass, Legion Coldfront 3.0 to ensure your laptop stays cool and doesn’t overheat, the innovative Legion TrueStrike Keyboard and a large TrackPad.
This is a more expensive option, but if you’re interested in a gaming laptop that has an impressive range of specs and is going to see you through many future years to come this is a great choice.
What’s in the box:
1 x Lenovo Legion 7
1 x power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 (3200 MHz) x 2 – 32 GB maximum installable RAM
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor – Octa-core – 3.3 GHz / 4.6 GHz – 16 MB
Storage: 1 TB M.2 SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet port
Battery life: up to 8 hours
Battery type: 4-cell lithium-polymer
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI 2.1 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Storm Grey
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 – 16 GB GDDR6
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 2560 x 1060
Screen size: 16
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Really good specs for gaming
A large screen for streaming
Cons
Expensive
Best Windows laptops for watching movies
The Dell New Inspiron 16 can be customised in terms of the operating system, video card, memory, hard drive and more so you can suit it to your needs. It’s a really good all-around option for streaming movies and TV shows and benefits from a bright and dazzling display and ComfortView software which eliminates harmful blue light emissions, so you can watch all day long.
What’s in the box:
1 x Dell New Inspiron 16
1 x power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 5625U 6-core/12-thread Processor with Radeon™ Graphics
Storage: 256 GB
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: unknown
Battery type: 4-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: HDMI 1.4 x 1
Audio connections: headset jack x 1
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Platinum silver
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1200
Screen size: 16
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Mid-range in terms of price
Can be customised to suit your needs
Designed for watching movies
Cons
Might not be a great option as a laptop for working or streaming
Get a student discount at Dell
The Acer Swift 1 is an ultra-thin laptop that is perfect for travelling due to its thin and compact nature. It has a 14-inch screen with an 84% screen-to-body ratio for optimal viewing and Acer ExaColour and BlueLightShield to reduce the strain on your eyes whilst you’re watching TV and movies.
With a battery life of up to 15 hours and fast charging, it’s a really great option for anyone who wants to watch movies while travelling or not at home and benefits from fingerprint unlocking for maximum security.
What’s in the box:
1 x Swift 1 SF114-34-C9PX Notebook
1 x Lithium-Ion Battery
1 x AC Adapter
Technical specs:
Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 4 GB, LPDDR4X
Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4500 processor Dual-core 1.10 GHz
Storage: 64 GB
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: 15 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI port x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Silver
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: LCD
Touch screen: No
Pros
Affordable
Decent laptop for streaming movies and working
Cons
Wouldn’t be good for streaming on Twitch or gaming
Fairly basic specs compared to other streaming laptops
Get a student discount at Acer
Best Apple laptops for streaming
While Apple laptops aren’t traditionally favoured or preferred for gaming, the latest Apple MacBooks come with a strong M1 chip which allows for greater flexibility than previous options. While a MacBook isn’t the best idea if you’re a serious gamer, the MacBook Pro M1 has a lot of features that could be beneficial to you thanks to the supercharged M1 chip for optimum speed and performance.
With up to 20 hours of battery life, fingerprint unlocking, powerful graphics and OS apps pre-installed the MacBook Pro M1 is a nice all-around laptop for whatever your needs are.
What’s in the box:
1 x Apple MacBook Pro 13.3″ (2020)
1 x 61 W USB Type-C power adapter
1 x USB Type-C charging cable (2 m)
Technical specs:
Operating system: MacBook OS Big Sur
RAM: 8 GB
Processor: Apple M1 Chip Octa-core
Storage: 512 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: No
Battery life: up to 20 hours
Battery type: Lithium polymer
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Silver or Space Grey
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 2560 x 1600
Screen size: 13.3
Screen type: Retina Display
Touch screen: No
Pros
Apple M1 Chip
Good for working in creative industries and productivity
Fingerprint unlocking
Long battery life
Pro features
Cons
Not designed for gaming or streaming
Best Apple laptops for watching movies
If you just want a MacBook for streaming movies and watching TV shows, the Apple MacBook Air M1 also benefits from the M1 chip but is better suited (and more affordable!) for those who aren’t in the creative industries.
The MacBook Air is perfect for watching movies but also for working and benefits from the majority of the same features as the MacBook Pro M1 just at a slightly more affordable cost for those on a stricter budget.
What’s in the box:
1 x MacBook Air M1
1 x 30 W USB-C power adapter
1 x USB Type-C charge cable (2 m)
Technical specs:
Operating system: MacOS Big Sur
RAM: 8 GB
Processor: Apple M1 Chip Octa-core
Storage: 256 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: No
Battery life: up to 18 hours
Battery type: Lithium polymer
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Gold, Silver or Space Grey
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 2560 x 1600
Screen size: 13.3
Screen type: Retina Display
Touch screen: No
Pros
Fingerprint unlocking
Good for streaming movies and working
Benefits from MacOS apps
Long battery life
Cons
Not many, but is fairly expensive for what you get for your money
Best Chromebook laptops for streaming
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook that has a great display and could be well suited to streaming. While Chromebooks might not be the first option as a gaming laptop, it has a great screen, sturdy build and strong performance as well as a long battery life.
What’s in the box:
1 x Chromebook Spin 713 CP713-2W-54PK 2 in 1 Chromebook
1 x Lithium-Ion Battery
1 x AC Adapter
Technical specs:
Operating system: Chrome OS
RAM: 8 GB, DDR4 SDRAM
Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-10210U processor Quad-core 1.60 GHz
Storage: 128 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: 10 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: No
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 x 1
Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Grey
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 2256 x 1504
Screen size: 13.5
Screen type: IPS LCD
Touch screen: Yes
Pros
Touchscreen
Powerful processor
Mid-range in terms of price
Cons
Chromebooks aren’t normally recommended for gaming or streaming on Twitch
Get a student discount at Acer
This HP Chromebook is a good choice if you want to stream Android app games. It’s got a clear display and good speakers and if you opt for the more expensive model you’ll get a bigger screen for optimal playtime.
While Chromebooks aren’t the best overall choice for gaming and streaming, this laptop is affordable and is good for anyone on a budget who enjoys light gaming occasionally and wants a multipurpose laptop.
What’s in the box:
1 x HP Chromebook x360 12b-ca0006na Convertible laptop
1 x Power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Chrome OS
RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4-2400 MHz RAM
Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4020 (1.1 GHz base frequency, up to 2.8 GHz burst frequency, 4 MB L2 cache, 2 cores)
Storage: 64 GB eMMC
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: up to 13 hours and 15 minutes
Battery type: 2-cell Li-ion polymer
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: 1 x headphone jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: White and silver
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1366 x 912
Screen size: 12
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: Yes
Pros
Touchscreen
Can be used as a tablet
Affordable
Cons
Smaller screen size
Not the most impressive specs compared to other steaming laptops on this list
Get a student discount at HP
Best Chromebook Laptops for watching movies
If you like to stream movies or TV shows while you’re in bed a 2-in-1 convertible laptop is a great choice as you can use it as a tablet while you’re lying down and when you don’t really need to use the keyboard. The long battery life means it can last all day and you’ll be able to benefit from built-in Chrome OS apps to help boost productivity if you’re using your laptop for working too.
What’s in the box:
1 x Chromebook Spin 511 R752TN-C32N 2 in 1
1 x Lithium-Ion Battery
1 x AC adaptor
1 x Wacom stylus pen
Technical specs:
Operating system: Chrome OS
RAM: 4 GB, LPDDR4
Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4020 processor Dual-core 1.10 GHz
Storage: 32 GB SSD
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: 10 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: unknown
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1366 x 768
Screen size: 11.6
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: Yes
Pros
Touchscreen and comes with a stylus pen
Can be used as a tablet
Affordable
Cons
Smaller screen size
Get a student discount at Acer
If you’re on a budget, the Lenovo Chromebook S345 is a nice option for streaming and watching movies. This is an easy to use laptop which benefits from built-in Chrome OS apps to help you enjoy games, work and TV effortlessly. For a budget laptop, the specs are decent and it would be a nice option to work from occasionally too as well as using it primarily for entertainment.
What’s in the box:
1 x Lenovo Chromebook S345
1 x Power adaptor
Technical specs:
Operating system: Chrome OS
RAM: Up to 8GB DDR4
Processor: Up to 7th Generation AMD® A6-9220
Storage: Up to 64GB eMMC
WiFi: Yes
Ethernet: unknown
Battery life: up to 10 hours
Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
Disc drive: No
Memory card reader: Yes
HDMI: unknown
Audio connections: 1 x headphone jack
Webcam: HD webcam
Colour: Black
Screen specs:
Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14
Screen type: IPS
Touch screen: Yes
Pros
Touchscreen
Affordable
Cons
Not the most advanced specs compared to other streaming laptops on this list
Can you Twitch stream with a laptop?
Yes, you can stream on Twitch with a laptop. If you’re specifically looking for streaming laptops with the intention of using Twitch, a gaming laptop is probably your best option as it will be designed to accommodate streaming smoothly with zero interruptions.
What’s the best laptop for live streaming?
If you’re looking for streaming laptops and aren’t sure what the best laptop is here are some good brands for gaming:
Alienware
Razer
Lenovo Legion
Which laptop is best for Netflix?
If you just want a laptop for watching movies on free websites such as Streamlord or paid services like Netflix or Disney+, your requirements are a bit different for streaming laptops designed for gaming. You won’t need to fork out on a laptop model that’s so expensive, so you can just focus on finding a laptop with high-uality audio and visual displays. Some good streaming laptops for Netflix include:
Lenovo
Dell
Acer
HP
Apple MacBook Air
Which laptop has the best video quality?
Streaming laptops will vary in screen size and quality. If video quality is one of the most important factors for you when purchasing a new laptop, be sure to compare the specs between laptops that you’re considering and check out the screen type and resolution as this will massively impact the quality of the display.
How to start streaming on Twitch
If you’re buying a streaming laptop with the intention of becoming a Twitch streamer, the idea can be daunting for a newcomer. To start streaming on Twitch, really all you need is a good-quality streaming laptop, a Twitch account, a microphone and headphones and the passion to play your favourite games.
After more in-depth advice on laptops and accessories? Check out our laptop buying guide.
