Are you looking for the best laptop for streaming videos with services such as Twitch or YouTube? Do you want to be able to engage your audience for hours while doing what you love?
Streaming is a pretty complex area. In order to succeed at this task, you’ll ideally need a laptop that can stay on for as long as possible. Apart from this, if you want to run heavy games, you should look for a powerful computer, with a good graphics card and an advanced processor.
In this article, you’ll find a list of the best laptops for streaming, which are at the same time budget-friendly and powerful.
Table of Contents
Best Laptop for Streaming On Twitch of 2020
| Ranking | Name | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Nitro 5 |  (4.6 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 2 | Acer Aspire E 15 |  (4 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 3 | HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop |  (3.8 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 4 | ASUS VivoBook S | (3.8 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 5 | Dell Inspiron i7559 – 2512BLK |  (3.7 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 6 | ASUS TUF Thin & Light |  (3.5 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 7 | Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop |  (3.9 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 8 | ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition Gaming Laptop |  (4.2 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 9 | Razer Blade 15 |  (4.3 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 10 | Dell XPS 13 9360 | (4 / 5) | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
1. What is live streaming?
Streaming is a technique that allows users to enjoy music or video files without having to download them on their computers. They just need to connect their computer to the Internet, and they can watch the document live.
From the point of view of the content creator, streaming lets him share what he’s doing with his audience in real-time, instead of making him upload a video or sound file on the Internet. The most common variation of streaming is live videogame streaming, where a player allows other people to watch him while he’s immersed in a game. However, there are other variations, such as with music or radio, or streaming in the context of a YouTube video.
Streaming is also what you do when you’re enjoying a movie in a service such as Netflix, or listening to music in Spotify.
2. Laptop Requirements for Streaming
The best laptop for streaming is one that is not only powerful enough to run whatever game or software you want to share with your audience, and with a high – enough quality so you can see videos in the best possible resolution, but also has a battery that lasts long, is easy to use, and preferably is compact and lightweight enough that you can take it with you wherever you go.
A good streaming computer should also have a big enough screen, and all the connectivity options you’ll need if you want to share high-quality videos with your followers or enjoy movies and series on your TV. For that reason, you’ll need a laptop with a good WiFi antenna and LAN port, as well as HDMI output in case you want to play on a big screen.
3. The thing to Consider Before Buying Best laptop for Streaming on Twitch:
Before we dive into the best laptop for a streaming list, let’s see what exactly you need to focus on while choosing a model that’ll fit your requirements in the best way.
(i) Processor, GPU, RAM, Weight, Screen, Battery Life, Expandability
As we’ve seen, A Frist thing a good streaming laptop needs is enough to power so it can run all the games and software you want to share with your viewers, and that can reproduce all kinds of media contents, even if they are in 4K or HD. At the same time, however, you need to choose a model that’s at least moderately lightweight and compact, while still having a decent battery life.
Finding the perfect balance in these aspects will depend on the type of streaming you want to make, your budget and your personal preferences. If you want a laptop that’s very powerful but you don’t care too much about it is comfortable to carry around, your choice will be completely different than that of a person who prefers a cheap and lightweight computer even if it’s not very powerful.
(ii) Internet Connection, Router Range, HDMI output
On the other hand, before choosing a specific model you need to make sure the one you like has all the capabilities it needs to allow you stream videos and audio files without a problem. In this regard, the main areas you need to focus on are its Internet connection (which is defined by the quality of the laptop’s antenna), and if it has LAN and HDMI connections or not, in case you want to enjoy your favorite series, movies or videogames on your TV.
Best Laptop for Streaming on Twitch Reviews: Updated 2020
To help you choose the best laptop for streaming no matter what your budget or your preferences are, we have made a list with ten of the best options in the current market. Each of them has different pros and cons, so you’ll be able to find a laptop that fits your needs perfectly.
1. Acer Nitro 5 Laptop Review
The gaming laptop Acer Nitro 5 is a perfect choice for streamers who want to share their gameplay with their audiences and watch their favourite movies in Full HD without spending a lot of money. It includes an 8th generation Intel QuadCore i5 Processor with up to 4.0 GHz, which can beat the performance of some i7 alternatives.
There are several options when you purchase the Acer Nitro 5: you can choose between a 1 TB SSD hard drive that will maximize the speed of your computer, or a 2 TB HDD that’ll give you extra memory space. On the other hand, this laptop incorporates an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, with 4 GB of RAM, which makes it able to run even the most advanced videogames.
With up to 5.5 hours of battery life, and a 15.6” Full HD screen, the Acer Nitro 5 is a pretty good option for a videogame – loving streamers. However, it weighs 6 lbs, which can be a bit too much if you plan on carrying it around all the time. Apart from this, it includes all the connections and ports you can ask for in a streaming laptop, making it one of the best choices available.
- Good quality at a reasonable price
- Very interesting specs, including memory and power
- 15.6” Full HD screen
- A bit too heavy
- Although the processor is good for the price, if you want to play new games on the maximum resolution you should probably aim for an i7.
Editor NOTE: The Acer Nitro 5 is a very well – balanced streaming laptop. For a reasonable price, you can get a computer that’ll allow you to complete almost any task you can think of in an easy and reliable way.
2. Acer Aspire E15 Laptop Review
If you choose the ACER Aspire E15 for your streaming purposes, you’ll find that although it doesn’t stand out for any character, in particular, it is a very well rounded computer. With an 8th Generation Intel Core i5 – 8250U processor which offers up to 3.4 GHz, and which can be upgraded to a more powerful i7 version, it can reproduce almost all kinds of media files you can think of.
This streaming laptop has 8 GB of RAM memory, and a 256 GB SSD hard drive, which makes it extremely fast for a computer of its category. Its 15.6” Full HD screen will allow you to see your favourite content in the best way and share it with your audience.
However, the ACER Aspire E15 is a bit bulkier than some other options in this list of laptop reviews for streaming, which can be a problem for users who want to take it with them everywhere they go. On the other hand, its price is considerably lower than that of most alternatives, so it can still be a pretty good choice for some streamers.
- It’s cheaper than most streaming laptops
- Pretty powerful and fast
- 15.6” Full HD screen
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
- It’s a bit bulkier and heavier than some other options on this list
- Although pretty powerful, it will not allow you to enjoy the newest videogames in Full HD
Editor NOTE: The ACER Aspire E15 is a good option for users who don’t want to spend a lot of money and want a reliable, well – rounded computer. It is powerful enough to run most apps and reproduce all kinds of media content, although it can be a bit limited for extremely demanding tasks.
3. HP Pavilion Laptop Review
The new HP Pavilion is a budget gaming laptop that will allow you to share your gameplay with your audience and reproduce your favourite movies and series in Full HD without breaking the bank. With its 8th generation Intel Mobil Quad – Core i5 processor at up to 4 GHz, it can run most videogames with ease; especially when you consider it 8GB SDRAM memory and 1 TB HDD.
The HP Pavilion includes a 15.6” Full HD screen, which allows you to enjoy your favourite games and share them with your audience with the best quality, thanks to its NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 with 4 GB of dedicated RAM. It also includes all the connections you can think of, as well as a very attractive design, including a backlit keyboard so you can enjoy your games even at night.
Being a gaming laptop, it is a bit bulkier than other options on this list. However, it only weighs 4.85 lbs, so you can still take it with you wherever you go. All in all, it’s a very well balanced streaming laptop, and one of the best options you can get for under $700.
- Relatively cheap compared to similar options
- 15.6” Full HD screen
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphic card
- 8GB of SDRAM memory
- A bit bulkier than other options on this list
- As is usually the case with gaming laptops, its battery life is not very long
Editor Note: The new HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop is one of the best laptops for streaming you can get for under 700$. It includes everything you need to play even the newest videogames as long as you don’t care about 4K graphics, and it is small enough so you can take it with you anywhere you go, so you can enjoy your favourite content anywhere you go.
4. ASUS VivoBook S Laptop Review
The new ASUS ultrabook joins great specs and components with a very competitive price. With an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor with up to 4.0 GHz, and an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphic card with 2 GB of dedicated RAM, it can be used for streaming any kind of content you can think of.
Although it only has 256GB of internal storage capacity, it mounts an SSD hard drive, which combined with its 8GB of RAM memory makes it a very fast and powerful computer. It has a 14” Full HD screen, and only measures 12.8” wide and is 0.7” thin, so it can be taken anywhere you go without any kind of problem.
Its design is both beautiful and durable, having a full metal cover, and mounting a backlit keyboard with a fingerprint sensor, something that’s not very common in ultrabooks under $800. It also incorporates all the connections you’ll need for your streaming purposes; its extended battery life will allow you to work long hours wherever you are.
- Very thin and lightweight, with a full metal frame
- Good battery life
- Intel Core i7 quad-core processor
- 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD hard drive
- Cheaper than most ultrabooks with similar specs
- The screen can be a bit too small for some people
- Although powerful, it will not allow you to play the latest videogames in Full HD or 4K resolutions
Editor Note: If you’re looking for a good ultrabook that is not only cheap but also has some good features, the ASUS VivoBook can be exactly what you’re looking for. Powerful, thin and durable, it will allow you to stream any kind of content with ease, for less than 800$.
5. Dell Inspiron i7559 – 2512BLK Laptop Review
The new Dell Inspiron i7559 – 2512BLK is a gaming laptop that can be used for all streaming purposes. With its Intel Quad Core i7 – 6700HQ 2.6 GHz Processor, it can run even the most demanding videogames; and with the aid of its NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB graphic card, it can do so even in very high resolutions.
This streaming laptop incorporates 8 GB of SDRAM, so you can use it for multitasking without any kind of problem. Also, it mounts hybrid drive storage (a mix of an HDD and an SSD), so it is not only fast but also has a very good storage capacity.
As it is designed to play videogames, the Dell Inspiron i7559 – 2512BLK excels in areas such as design (with a backlit keyboard so you can use it even at night), cooling capacity, and a very accurate touchpad; but it is also a bit bulkier, heavier and with a shorter battery time than some other options on this list. However, overall, it is a pretty well-rounded option, perfect for more game-oriented streamers.
- Very powerful and fast computer
- The mix of an HDD and an SSD hard drives
- Nice design, with features such as a backlit keyboard
- Excellent cooling capacity
- Bulkier and heavier than some other models
- Its battery life could be longer
Editor Note: If you’re looking for a cheap gaming laptop that you can use to share your gameplay, and stream your favourite movies and series, the Dell Inspiron i7559 – 2512BLK can be the perfect option for you. Sturdy, beautiful and powerful, you’ll be able to use it for whatever task you have in mind.
6. ASUS TUF Thin & Light Laptop Review
ASUS has joined the contest for the best gaming laptop with its new TUF Thin & Light model. With a weight of only 5.07 lbs and a pretty thin frame for a computer in this category, it is portable enough to take it with you everywhere you go; and at the same time, its specs make it a good option for those users who want to enjoy even the newest games without having to spend a lot of money.
The ASUS TUF Thin & Light mount the 8th Generation Intel Core i5 – 8300H processor, and a GeForce GTX 1050 2GB graphics card. Both components allow you to play most modern games, although they will have some problems if you want to enjoy them in 4K resolution. However, with 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage capacity, you’ll be able to stream every content you can think of.
On the other hand, this streaming laptop has a 15.6” Full HD screen, mounted in a very aggressive and attractive frame with strokes of red colour and a backlit keyboard. It also incorporates dual fans with anti-dust technology, so you’ll be able to use it for a long time if you take care of it.
- Durable and resistant, with anti-dust technology and dual fans
- Pretty powerful for a computer at this price
- Very lightweight and thin for a gaming laptop
- Attractive design and good price
- While lighter and smaller than other options, it’s still quite bulky
- Its processor can be a bit strained if you intend on playing the newest games at max resolution
- Not the best battery life
Editor Note: The new ASUS TUF Thin & Light is an affordable gaming laptop that will allow you to stream your favourite content without having to break the bank. It is also a good mix of portability and power, so you can enjoy your favourite video games and see whatever movies and series you like no matter where you are.
7. Acer Predator Helios 300 Laptop Review
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a gaming laptop that will allow you to reproduce all kinds of high – definition content without breaking a sweat. With its 8th Generation Intel Core i7 – 8750H 6 – Core Processor, which runs at up to 4.1 GHz, and a 16GB RAM memory, it is one of the fastest streaming laptops in the market right now.
This computer incorporates a 256GB SSD hard drive, which adds even more speed to its functioning. However, if you think this space won’t be enough, you can always buy another SSD hard drive and mount it into its 2.5-inch slot. At the same time, the Acer Predator Helios 300 uses an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card with 6GB of RAM, which will allow you to play any game you want and reproduce all your favourite content.
Moreover, this streaming laptop is designed with both functionality and style in mind. With an all-metal chassis, a backlit keyboard so you can play games or watch a movie even in the dark, a dual all – metal aeroblade fan cooling system and up to 7 hours of battery, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of the best options you can buy today.
- Very powerful, with top – tier components
- Attractive and functional design
- Pretty good battery life for a gaming laptop
- Heavier and bulkier than other options
- Price is a bit high
Editor Note: The Acer Predator Helios is one of the best gaming laptops available nowadays. If you want to have a computer with a lot of power so you can play the newest videogames apart from watching your favourite movies and series, you can’t go wrong with this device.
8. ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition Gaming Laptop Review
The ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition is a gaming laptop that is at the same time powerful but comfortable. With a weight of only 5.6 lbs, it’s one of the lightest 15.6” computers in this category, which makes it a perfect option for people who want a powerful device they can take everywhere with them. Its great battery life also assures you that you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite content no matter where you are.
This streaming laptop mounts an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 – 8750H six-core processor, which runs at up to 3.9 GHz. When you add that to its NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4GB graphics card, you end up with one of the most powerful computers of this type. Moreover, it incorporates both a 128 GB SSD and a 1 TB SSHD hard drives, which will give you both huge storage capacity and speed.
But the ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition is not only extremely functional: it is also beautiful. With a very interesting design, durable keys so you can use it for years on end without a problem, anti-ghosting technology, and a backlit keyboard, you can’t go wrong if you choose this computer.
- Very lightweight for a gaming laptop
- Powerful and fast
- Extremely good memory and battery life
- It’s still heavier and bulkier than other types of streaming laptops
- A bit pricier than other options on the list
9. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop Review
When it comes to gaming laptops, Razer has always been known for its top – tier products. However, with the new Razer Blade 15, they have really created something unique and special. This computer is powerful enough to run absolutely all high – quality games, while at the same time being compact and portable enough to even compete with some ultrabooks.
The Razer Blade 15 comes in different versions. The basic one mounts an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max – Q Design graphics card, and an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 – 8750H six-core processor, with a dual 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD hard drive to give it both speed and capacity. It also has 16 GB of RAM (expandable to up to 32 GB), a 15.6” Full HD screen, and a weight of only 4.48 lbs thanks to its compact frame.
However, the more advanced version of the Razer Blade 15 surpasses even this quality. In its 0.78” body, it includes a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 9750 six-core processor and the new NVIDIA GeForce 2060 RTX at 16GB of RAM, as well as a 512 GB SSD disk for maximum speed. With its aluminium body and good battery life, this computer is one of the best options in the market for very demanding customers.
- One of the best overall streaming computers in the market
- Very powerful and durable
- Lightweight enough to compete with some ultrabooks
- It’s much pricier than most other options on the list
10. Dell XPS 13 9360 Laptop Review
The last entry in our list of the best laptop reviews for streaming of this 2020 is dedicated to the Dell XPS 13 9360. Its design reminds of an ultrabook, although it is a bit bulkier than most laptops in this category; but with a 13.3” screen, it is small and light enough so you can take it with you everywhere you go.
The Dell XPS 13 9360 incorporates an Intel 8th Generation Quad – Core i5 – 8250U quad-core processor at 3.40GHz, and a 128GB SSD hard drive with 8 GB of RAM memory. Therefore, although not as powerful as some of the other options in this list, it can run almost any app and media content you can think of.
Regarding its design, it includes a backlit keyboard, and only weights 3 lbs. It also incorporates all the ports you’ll need for your streaming purposes, as well as an HD Webcam, which can be pretty useful if you want to create your own videos and share them with an audience.
- Pretty powerful for a cheaper ultrabook
- Beautiful and durable design
- Portable enough, with good battery life
- More expensive than other options with similar features
- Pretty bulky and heavy for an ultrabook
How to use a laptop for streaming
In order to stream content to your computer, you only need to choose which providers you want to use, registering to them, and either downloading their official software or enjoying their content directly online. This can be done, for example, with apps such as Netflix, HBO, Spotify or YouTube.
If, on the other hand, you want to become a streamer and share your contents with an audience, you need to find the proper platform for you. Some of the most popular options are YouTube and Twitch, where you can upload live videos that your subscribers can see in real time. However, if you want to pursue this option, you’ll probably need some extra gear, such as a headset or a good microphone, a sound card, and a video capturing software.
Top Brands of laptops for streaming
As you have seen in our list, there are many different options for people who want to stream content, whether as consumers or producers. Depending on their needs, different brands will offer the best deals. Some of the most popular options are the following:
- Apple
- Asus
- Acer
- HP
However, there are other, less-known brands that can also offer good quality for a fraction of the price. Your choice will depend on how much money you want to spend and what exactly you’re expecting to get.
How to connect a laptop to the TV for streaming
What best way of enjoying your favorite series and movies than on your TV screen? The best streaming laptops include an HDMI port, that can be used to plug your computer to your television so you can enjoy your content there.
On the other hand, if you have a Smart TV or a streaming device such as a Chromecast, some of the most advanced laptops allow you to share your screen directly with your television, so you don’t even need to use any cables.
How to optimize laptop for streaming
Streaming is not a very demanding activity unless you want to share content with your audience that’s related to heavy programs such as new videogames. For that reason, you’ll only need to do some minor adjustments if you want to enjoy your favourite content in the best way.
Streaming quality will depend mostly on your Internet connection’s strength. This means that you need to make sure you’re not downloading anything while you’re watching your favourite content and that there are a few devices connected to your provider as possible. At the same time, you should either stay as close as possible to your WiFi router or directly use an Ethernet cable.
Streaming Laptop vs Desktop? Which one is better
Although both desktop computers and laptops can be used for streaming, most users prefer to buy a device on the second category, as they give more flexibility and can be taken anywhere. However, the choice depends greatly on the person’s lifestyle and preferences.
For a person that travels a lot and uses his streaming device on the go, a laptop will always be the best choice. In this case, something like an ultrabook or a hybrid computer will probably be a good choice. However, for a user that mostly stays at home and only wants to watch movies at night, buying a desktop computer can allow him to save some money and get a device with better specs.
Frequently Asked Questions While Buying Laptop for Streaming On Twitch: FAQ
Q1.What exactly is streaming?
Streaming is a technology that allows users to enjoy video and audio files in their devices without the need to download anything. This translates into more free space in a computer, as you don’t need to store huge HD video files in your internal memory in order to enjoy them.
However, it also means that you’ll need to be connected constantly to the Internet in order to be able to watch a movie or listen to music.
Q2.Is streaming legal?
As streaming is becoming more and more popular thanks to services such as Spotify and Netflix, some users are beginning to wonder if enjoying contents in this way is completely legal. After all, they don’t pay to watch a movie or listen to a song, so at first sight, this can seem a bit shady.
However, streaming services pay for the rights to offer their users a movie or song. Usually, the person has to pay a small fee (whether monthly or annually), or has to watch ads in order to cover the company’s operating costs.
Final Words:
Although most normal laptops can be used for streaming, there are some models that are optimized for this purpose in particular. In this article, you’ve seen a list of the best streaming laptops of 2020. Once you’ve chosen the one that fits your needs, you only need to go to a store such as Amazon, order it, and start enjoying your favourite contents.
