Spending countless hours in front of a computer screen enjoying audios or videos being live-streamed from boundaries away than yours is surely one of the greatest technological advancements. But, do you ever wonder how this actually works?
Let us show you the other side of the coin and explain the entire process. Live streaming is a process of collection of data transmission to an encoder that compresses the data and sends it to the video player. This makes streaming channels on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or any other streaming site simple.
Streaming is a professional career now with several top-tier live streamers competing with each other on different platforms. Because of the growing audience on streaming platforms, gamers, teachers, or personal coaches are also earning a living by streaming.
Streaming online requires high-quality hardware like a mic, camera, noise cancellation headphones, and sometimes a tuner. Moreover, you must also have a solid piece of equipment and make the right choice of streaming platform or browser.
Whether you want the best laptop for streaming Twitch and gaming for under $500 or a casual gaming laptop suitable for streaming and day-to-day browsing activities, this article tells all about it.
Recommended hardware specs required in laptops for live streaming
Even though there are numerous recommended laptops for online streamers, do you know the minimum hardware requirement for streaming laptops? If not, read further to find out about it.
Display screen: 15-inches or more
Graphics card: 2GB
RAM: 16 GB
Connectivity ports: Minimum 2
Best Laptop for Streaming Twitch
Before you head to the detailed guide, we would like you to check out the comparison chart below. In this chart, we have mentioned some high-quality laptops that will help you complete the streaming setup you have been dreaming about.
For all the online streamers involved in gaming or live chat, we have mentioned the three best and true gaming laptops. Make the most of the live streaming of your gaming endeavours with these specs-loaded laptops.
Our first product is this incredibly professional live streaming gaming laptop from Acer. Along with a powerful boosting processor for performing heavy activities, this laptop ensures more than enough performance for your streaming needs.
Specifications
Display: 15.6-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 512 GB
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Refresh rate: 144 Hz
CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
Display
Display with 144hz refresh rate is important for gamers and that is exactly what you get with this laptop. The 15-inch display with not-so-thin bezels offers enough field of view to play your favorite games.
The manufacturers know well that an IPS FHD display is superior for streaming and game playing therefore, integrated it into this laptop. The FHD 1920x1080p is responsible for a brilliant visual quality.
As if that was not enough, you will also get an impressive response time of 3 ms. So, enjoy your serious gameplay with utter smoothness.
Processor
Integrated with the 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H, this processor gives ample power for all streaming services. The speed at which the base clock runs is 2.6 GHz which can be boosted up to 4.5 GHz when required.
You can also lower the temperature using the exclusive turbo button located at the keyboard deck’s top-left corner. But, as soon as you enable the turbo mode, the laptop’s fans start running and produce a loud noise.
The turbo mode works exceptionally well in keeping your laptop under the coolest temperature range. However, you won’t be feeling the need for it unless you have done unlimited streaming day and night.
Image quality
Having an IPS panel gives you decent color accuracy and great media viewing capabilities and rightfully so, this laptop offers them all. The Helios 300 is capable of 95.2% sRGB coverage along with 74.8% DCI-P3 and 69.4% AdobeRGB.
You can observe the max brightness i.e., 291 cd/m2 while viewing the screen from the middle. In addition, the contrast displayed at the max brightness is measured to be 772:1. The recommended contrast ratio for gaming is usually between 1000:1 to 3000:1 which makes it kind of a downside of this laptop.
Connectivity
This model of Acer Helios 300 has some great connectivity options including, a USB Type-C port, USB 3.1 port, HDMI 2.0 port, and a mini DisplayPort.
Note: The mini DisplayPort supports NVIDIA G-Sync and also allows you to enjoy a phenomenal 240Hz refresh rate with 3ms response time because it supports the 240 Hz refresh rate.
Performance
The Helios 300 serves high-end performance because of the integration of Core i7-9750H along with GTX 1660 Ti. This combination is powerful enough for bringing real-time streaming and a smooth experience.
Furthermore, its multi-coloured keyboard gives off typical gaming laptop looks and provides a comfortable typing experience as well.
Pros
Upgradable storage
720p built-in webcam
Cons
Low contrast ratio
Poor battery life
Verdict
This low-profile gaming laptop is a great choice for running games like Counter-Strike or Twitch live streaming that too at fast frame rates.
Here is the ultimate crowd pleaser that justifies its expensive price with a load of useful features. Since it comes with a hefty price tag, if you are looking for the best laptop for gaming and streaming under $800, this laptop might not interest you.
Specifications
Display: 15.6-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 512 GB
RAM: 32GB DDR4
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Display
The 15.6-inches display with bezel-less sides gives plenty of screen real-estate and is based on an IPS display panel. There are little to no complaints regarding the visual quality or screen tearing, thanks to the FHD resolution and 7 ms response time.
A camera in laptop can be useful for online streaming/video calling for creators, experienced streamers, and popular YouTubers. This is why the laptop is integrated with a 720p webcam. Though it lacks a built-in VR camera for facial recognition that many streamers require, the 720p webcam works well too.
Not to forget, the anti-glare wide-angle display delivers pure streaming purposes and an exceptional gaming experience.
Processor
Of course, the main reason behind the spectacular performance of a laptop is its powerful processor. The MSI GS65 is equipped with the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750 H series.
The clock speed at which this CPU performs is 3.9 GHz. Moreover, this processor is capable of performing with 20% more efficiency than the older generations.
Image quality
The reason that makes MSDI GS65 one of the best laptops for live streaming on YouTube or any other streaming channel is its incredible image quality. Enjoy the visuals with 100% Adobe RGB and almost 100% sRGB color gamut, thanks to MSI’s True Color 2.0 technology. Not to forget, its 72% NTSC display is responsible for displaying true-to-life colors.
Connectivity
The connectivity layout of this laptop seems to be pretty generous that includes the following ports: USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, USB Type-C port, HDMI port, mini DisplayPort, and an Ethernet port.
Performance
Since this laptop is packed with all the excellent features for online streaming, it guarantees brilliant performance. The epitome of a streaming laptop is its CPU and GPU and amazingly, this laptop has a high-end CPU and GPU.
Also, its Killer DoubleShot Pro, advanced speaker technology, 6-core technology, and per-key RGB are some of the useful features that make it the right laptop for game streamers.
Pros
Luxury graphics processing unit
Excellent performance
Cons
Poor native audio
Verdict
With fast internet with reliable upload speeds and good laptop with all the essential features, you can enjoy some next-level streaming experience. And the MSI GS65 is the bang for the buck laptop for streaming.
This model from Dell G5 is a laptop with an average performance and a few flaws. It would suit entry-level gamers therefore if you are a hardcore gamer, this product is definitely not for you.
Specifications
Display: 15.6-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 256 GB
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Display
This is yet another laptop with a 15.6-inches display and offers a Full HD resolution of 1920x1080p. It is a relatively chunky laptop with thicker bezels that can limit the field of view. Moreover, it overall weighs heavier than usual laptops since it weighs around 5.5 pounds.
Processor
We can see that the manufacturers have kept most of the focus on the laptop’s processor and hence installed it with the Core i7 H series. The 8th Gen processor has the capability of running heavier games and streaming channels smoothly.
Speaking of the image quality, you will get clear images with great details because of the Full HD resolution. However, as far as color accuracy is concerned, the laptop delivers below-par quality. The foremost reason is the 58% coverage of the sRGB color gamut.
Connectivity
There are some great connectivity ports integrated into this laptop that include, USB Type-C Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (PowerShare), HDMI, DisplayPort, LAN, SD Card Slot, and an audio jack.
Performance
In terms of processor and GPU, the laptop works well and runs different games and applications smoothly. But, when it comes to the image quality, poor color gamut, brightness, and color accuracy fade away the crispiness and clarity of Full HD resolution as well. However, it does have an average battery life good for graphics-intensive activities.
Pros
Solid keyboard
Great CPU
Cons
Poor image quality
Bulky design
Low power speakers
Verdict
The most important feature to look for in a gaming laptop is a solid keyboard and good battery life. But, the Dell G5 15 has compromised on other important features a big time. Because of the significant cons it has, we recommend it only for beginners or casual gamers.
Other Laptops for Live Streaming
Couldn’t find what you are looking for? Don’t stress out, we have a lot more products for you. If you are not a professional gamer and want a streaming laptop for different purposes, check out the laptops mentioned below.
Here you got an incredible 2-in-1 laptop with superb features that everyone desires. Whether you want to run heavy applications of software, this laptop would work wonderfully without any trouble. The Surface Pro 6 is probably the smallest laptop for streaming and indeed in our today’s guide.
Specifications
Display: 12.3-inches
Resolution: 2736x1824p
SSD Storage: 512 GB
RAM: 16 GB
CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U
Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Battery Life: Up to 13.5 hours
Display
As mentioned earlier, the display screen measure about 12.3-inches with somewhat thicker bezels. This laptop has a whopping display of 2736 x 1824p at a pixel density of 267 PPI. The 10-point multi-touch makes drawing and working with multiple fingers simultaneously super easy.
Processor
The processor configuration of Surface Pro 6 is impeccable. Having an 8th Gen Intel Core i7, this laptop performs nearly 50% better than its predecessor. Play games, stream movies or videos online, or show off your graphic designing skills with utter smoothness with the Surface Pro 6.
Image quality
Integrated with PixelSense display, the Surface Pro 6 is capable of producing 100% sRGB color space that results in vivid colors. Experience brighter whites and deeper blacks with the amazing contrast ratio of 1500:1.
Connectivity
Connectivity options might not be as generous as other laptops but it does have all the important ones excluding the USB Type-C port. You will get a mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0 port, microSDXC card slot, and an audio jack.
Performance
It would be a lie if we say that the Surface Pro 6 lacks efficient performance. With a powerful processor and brilliant image quality, this laptop is a great deal for its money.
Furthermore, its super-long battery life increases longevity and adds to the multi-core performance. Also, its massive 512 GB SSD storage is more than enough for storing files and videos in whichever format you like.
Pros
Exceptional performance
Huge SSD storage
Multiple modes
Incredible battery life
Cons
Lacks USB Type-C port
Verdict
Considering all the amazing features, the Surface Pro 6 is highly innovative and one of the best 2-in-1 laptops currently in the market. It will allow you to create amazing content so that you can earn unlimited subscribers and views and of course, money.
The ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is a unique-looking laptop for streamers as it comes with a secondary display for checking comments and user interactions. It is an excellent choice for people who stream regularly for a living.
Specifications
Display: 15.6-inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
SSD Storage: 1 TB
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
CPU: Intel core i7-9750
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Battery Life: Up to 5 hours
Display
Want to know what’s better than having a 4K display? Having two 4K-display. Yes, you heard that right. The ZenBook Pro has a ScreenPad that can be used for multi-purposes such as editing, dragging apps or organizing browsers, etc.
Overall, the 15.6-inch screen delivers a display like no one else. Integrated with NanoEdge technology, the ASUS laptop uses a frameless display to provide a 4K UHD resolution with sharp and precise attention to detail.
Processor
The ZenBook UX581 has a powerful hardware processor i.e. 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750H that can handle live streaming, web surfing, and gaming too.
Let’s not forget that the laptop also includes the latest graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. The combination of the powerful processor and advanced GPU makes everything buttery-smooth so whether you want to do 3D modeling, editing HD photos, or streaming in 4K resolution, the ASUS laptop is the perfect choice to have.
Image quality
Boost your visual experience with the ZenBook Pro Duo UX581. The OLED laptop pays the tiniest of attention to details and delivers professional-grade colors thanks to the 133% sRGB and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut.
The laptop has a contrast ratio of 1M to 1 and is also VESA certified to display HDR. Hence it is easy to say that the UX581 produces sharp color and brightness in dark scenarios and movies as well.
Also, it protects your eyes by using Eye-care Technology that reduces the emissions of harmful blue light.
Connectivity
Name an important port and you will find it in the ZenBook Pro Duo. The connectivity layout of this laptop includes Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-C 3.1, HDMI 2.0, and an audio jack. You will also get Wi-Fi 6 for up to 1.2GBps streaming along with Gig+ performance.
Performance
Designed especially for the professionals, this laptop has everything an expert streamer requires and hence performs outstandingly. Moreover, its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, the latest 9th Gen Intel processor, and RAM size of 16 GB altogether contribute to the powerful performance.
Pros
Latest generation processor
Tremendous performance
4K UHD display
Dedicated numeric panel
Cons
Hefty price tag
A little bulky
Verdict
If you are not on a budget and looking for a streaming laptop with the best features possible, look no further than the ZenBook Pro Duo.
If you’re a frequent traveler then owning an ultra-thin laptop would be your utmost priority. Hence; make a solid choice for starting a streaming channel by choosing the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434, which is an ultra-compatible and portable laptop with huge battery backup that will help you in creating engaging content
Specifications
Display: 14-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 64 GB
RAM: 4 GB DDR3
CPU: Intel Core M3-8100Y
Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 615
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Display
The Chromebook is easily the best sleek and shimmering laptop for live streaming. Integrated with a 4-way NanoEdge display, the 13-inch laptop has ultra-slim bezels that ensure the display screen is of 14-inches along with a full HD resolution of 1920x1080p.
The two in one laptop for live streaming has a 360-degree ergo lift hinge that holds your display precisely and also offers a wide-viewing angle of 178-degrees. Also, ASUS managed to fit in a 720p webcam on this portable device to add more value.
Having a featherweight of 3lbs, the laptop is lightweight enough that you won’t get uncomfortable dead leg feeling during the long watching sessions.
Processor
Although Windows-powered machines or macOS-based notebooks are the preferred choices by the majority of the users, the Chromebook OS gives you a different experience with their versatile laptops and convertibles that have a top-end processor and great storing capabilities.
Embedded by Intel’s M3-8100Y processor, the C434 Chromebook is one of the extremely powerful notebooks for streaming or web browsing. The 3.4GHz speed works spectacularly and lets you work on different tabs and applications simultaneously without any difficulty.
Note: The Chromebook includes a limited 1-year free Google Cloud Storage of 100GB.
Image quality
The Chromebook by ASUS has a great display for content creation or streaming videos. The tablet display is full of colors thanks to the incredible 100% sRGB ratio. The touchscreen also oozes out with a vivid and bright contrast ratio of 286nits.
However, we recommend you to not use the display on a bright sunny day, as the reflection is pretty high from the glossy panel. Nevertheless, the laptop does a decent job of streaming videos or watching high-quality content.
Connectivity
There are plenty of connectivity options when it comes to using the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434. The slots include USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Type-A, MicroSD card, and an audio jack.
Performance
THE laptop has extraordinary qualities required for online streaming. Specifications such as 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, Intel 615GPU, and an M3-8100Y processor ensures the laptop works smoothly.
The laptop has a staggering battery life of 10 hours giving the option to work for the whole day with a single charge. Since the laptop is completely convertible, you can also use it as a tablet with the same powerful performance.
Another additional feature to admire about this laptop is the keyboard. The keypad is large and has great spacing in keys making it easy to type. Also, the built-in speakers are loud enough to provide sound for the whole room.
Pros
Elegant slim design
Long-lasting battery life
Includes virus protection
Reasonable
Cons
Fastidious touchpad
Verdict
Due to its incredibly versatile convertible option, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is an impressive laptop to have for streaming. The notebook’s everlasting battery portable design and budget-friendly price make it worthy for streaming.
Over the years Apple has delivered some of the most amazing laptops but nothing ever came close to the Apple MacBook Pro 2019. It is a top laptop with mindblowing specifications and quite frankly, if you have the budget, then you should definitely go for it.
Specifications
Display: 16-inch
Resolution: 3072x1920p
SSD Storage: 512 GB
RAM: 4 GB DDR6
CPU: Intel core i7
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Display
Even though the MacBook Pro 2019 looks similar to the 15-inch model, it still managed to get a bigger display of 16 inches by making use of the slim and thin bezels. This gives the display an elegant look overall
Apple also succeeded in delivering a display that provides crisp and sharp resolution. The MacBook Pro 2019 has a retina display that is powered by True Tone Technology and delivers a remarkable resolution of 3072×1920.
The MacBook laptop is great for general streaming and interacting with others. The 720p FaceTime webcam works efficiently for streaming your content as well as video calling.
Processor
You might be wondering that the Apple M1 comes with an Octa-core CPU that won’t let the frames from while streaming but let us assure you that the Intel Core Processor in MacBook Pro has a strong processing power that allows you to render 3D models, stream live and compile heavy files without any difficulty.
The advanced thermal system uses sophisticated fan blades that increase the airflow inside and speeds up the processing power. This results in the effective cooling of the system and hence MacBook Pro delivers more.
Image quality
The MacBook Pro excels in the quality of an image. With a brightness level of 500 nits and a P3 wide color gamut, the 16-inch Retina display gives you an immersive viewing experience with accurate colors and contrast.
While there are many different laptops for streaming movies on Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu, the WLED backlit display of the MacBook is way better than others which makes it a perfect choice to have to stream videos and movies.
Connectivity
The connectivity options for MacBook Pro include four Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) and a 3.5mm Audio Jack. It also features Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi for super-fast internet connectivity.
Performance
Robust and Powerful. These are the two words we prefer to use when describing the performance of the MacBook Pro. With incredible technical specs like DDR6, Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon GPU, the MacBook Pro is one of the most powerful Apple laptops you will find.
Pros
Retina Display
Powerful speakers
Backlit Keyboard
Cons
Pricey
Verdict
If speed and battery life are your two main concerns, then nothing could go wrong with choosing Apple’s MacBook Pro 2019. Even though it’s a bit pricey, it still is the best bang for your bucks.
HP is known for manufacturing high-quality electronics that fulfill the user’s requirements. The Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop is no different. It is another high-end laptop with some powerful features that are suited for live streaming.
Specifications
Display: 13.3-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 512 GB
RAM: 16 GB DDR3
CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7
Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus (Integrated)
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Display
The Spectre x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop with a 13.3-inch touch display. Not only is the convertible laptop lightweight but also has an almost bezel-less screen that can deliver images and videos at 4K-resolution.
Stream without any hassle with this innovative laptop and interact with others by using the built-in 1080p IR webcam that shows a clear display.
Processor
Equipped with the 8th generation quad-core CPU and core i7 processor, the HP laptop elevates your work to a whole new level. Whether you want fast live streaming or swift web browsing, the x360 has got your back by making use of its class-leading processor.
There is also an option to enable the Intel Turbo Boost Technology that enhances your processing speed however it may affect the duration of the battery life.
Image quality
The thin convertible laptop has an IPS panel which results in providing a wide-angle view with exceptional colors. Moreover, the beautiful OLED 4K screen gives a realistic viewing experience along with a brightness of 400 nits.
Connectivity
The thin and smart notebook has a USB 3.2 Type-A slot on its left side and two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 slots. There is also an input port for the audio jack and micro SD card.
Performance
The HP Spectre x360 is a top laptop for streaming of videos/gaming due to longest battery life and powerful hardware. The 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM and speed up to 4GHz is ideal for any laptop to work smoothly.
Pros
4K display
Impressive battery life
Sophisticated look
Free Mcafee security for 3-years.
Cons
Stiff touchpad
Expensive
Verdict
Overall, the 2-in-1 laptop is great for frequent travelers due to its smart design and portability. The powerful features along with the 4K display makes it an appealing laptop.
This chunky product from Acer is a great laptop for streaming live sports, gaming, education videos, or a lot more. With its powerful CPU and GPU, you can easily run graphics-intensive paid or free live streaming apps as well.
Specifications
Display: 15.6-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 256 GB
RAM: 8GB DDR4
CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce MX150
Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
Display
Even though the 15-inch is bulky, it doesn’t feel heavy on your lap. It is because the weight is distributed evenly throughout the entire device. The bezels are pretty thick as compared to other laptops which could be a downside for users who require bezel-less displays.
Whether you want to live stream games, interviews, or lectures, the Full HD display offered by Acer E 15 is great. The visuals are displayed at a resolution of 1920x1080p that provides great details to the videos.
Processor
For the processor, the manufacturers have installed an 8th Gen Core i5 in the laptop. This processor however doesn’t make it an entry-level laptop but it would not suit competitive gamers. Since intense requires a minimum of Intel Core i7, this laptop could be used for purposes other than game streaming.
Image quality
You do get detailed and sharp visuals but, the color accuracy here is compromised. Though it is not more of an issue for regular web browsing or educational purposes. But, definitely a huge step back for those who are much into gaming, visual designing, or watching movies.
The muted colors are a result of 62.3% sRGB color space which quite low in comparison to other laptops. Image quality consists of HD, QHD, 4K, and UHD, however, this laptop is equipped with FHD. Despite the Full HD display, it fails to deliver above-average color accuracy.
Connectivity
This is another laptop with great connectivity ports such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, VGA, SD Card Slot, and an audio jack.
Performance
Despite poor color accuracy and relatively low RAM i.e., 8GB, this laptop has a solid performance. The credit for its impressive performance goes to its Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 GPU.
Here we present our last product from today’s listing, the Lenovo Flex 4. If you are struggling to find a good laptop for live streaming at an excellent price, this must be it. This incredible 2-in-1 laptop can also be a cheap entry for wannabe live streamers.
Specifications
Display: 15.6-inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080p)
SSD Storage: 256 GB
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 RAM
CPU: Intel Core i7-6500U
Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 520
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
Display
The 15.6-inches display screen gives a luxurious look just like some of those expensive laptops but actually is a budget laptop for gaming and streaming. Its FHD resolution is responsible for displaying visuals with superior clarity.
You will get brighter and detailed visuals of your game or other multimedia with this resolution. IPS display panel is a cherry on top that allows wider viewing angles means, you can view the screen clearly from any odd angle.
Processor
Whether you are a hardcore gamer or software engineer, a powerful processor is a must for both. In order to cater to the needs of everyone, Lenovo has integrated its Flex 4 2-in-1 laptop with a blazing fast 6th Gen Intel Core i7 processor.
The base clock speed of this CPU is 2.5 GHz which can be overclocked to a maximum of 3.1 GHz, which is the max turbo speed.
Image quality
For dazzling image quality, the laptop has utilized an IPS panel that along with offering wider viewing angles, also provides exceptional color accuracy. You will get some pretty bright visuals because of the 250 cd/m2 image brightness of the laptop.
Connectivity
The flexible connectivity options of the laptop include USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, LAN, and an audio jack. There is also a 4 in 1 memory card reader that can be used for SD cards, SDXC cards, SDHC cards, and MultiMediaCard.
Performance
This budget-friendly option for streaming is great when it comes to the overall performance. Intel HD Graphics 520 allows rendering videos in Adobe Premier Pro smoothly with high compatibility with various games.
In addition, it has enough storage for saving and editing HD video i.e., 256 GB. Whereas, the 16 GB RAM can handle any sort of streaming with ease.
Factors to consider before buying the best laptop for live streaming
Since streaming services are used by consultants, doctors, engineers, gamers, and teachers, it is important to get the right product for your work. With an extensive variety of different laptops available, it indeed is a daunting task to find the best one for live streaming.
In addition, the laptop must also support all the programs required for online streaming videos on twitch or YouTube. Check out the important factors to look for in a laptop while purchasing it for live streaming purposes.
1. Display
As mentioned earlier, the minimum display requirement for a good streaming laptop is 15-inches. Though a larger screen can be helpful in multitasking and to open multiple windows side by side, 15-inches are considered enough for mediocre live streaming.
However, if you are looking for a dead set laptop for streaming that can handle modern gaming and streaming needs, try finding a laptop with a larger screen.
2. Processor
It is one of the most important factors to consider while purchasing your main device to do streaming. You must opt for a processor that provides enough power that laptop won’t be buffering, stuttering, or waiting on browsers or apps to open.
You can find two types of processor units in the market i.e., Intel and AMD.
Intel:
It not only offers the best performance but consumes power much lesser. Since gaming and streaming at the same time require an extremely powerful processor, Intel is the best choice for the purpose.
Intel processors provide enough power for playing Far Cry, Tomb Raider, or editing software like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Corel Draw, or AutoCAD. It also loads Windows smoothly for all the applications involved in video streaming to operate.
However, for regular live streaming, a CPU integrated with an Intel Core i5 or higher would work great.
Gameplay streaming on the other hand requires a processor that manages excellent handling while playing resource-hogging games. If that is what you want, the minimum requirement of a processor is a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 or higher.
Whereas, for streaming anything except for competitive games, a CPU with an Intel Core i5 (8th or 10th Gen) with a suitable graphics card and RAM would work the best for you.
AMD:
It is another decently fast processor that promises great performance at a relatively lesser price but with more power consumption. AMD is considered a super powerful processor for regular streaming like meetings, consultations, podcasting, online classes, and interviews.
Looking for a processor adequate for streaming some Netflix or Prime video, faster app launches, shorter boot times, responsive web browsing? Look at the mid-rand AMD processors available.
For gaming-related live streams, check out the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X processor offering brilliant performance along with the best cooling system.
All in all, both the processors offer great functionality with which gameplay and streaming become fun.
3. GPU
Deciding on the best graphics card plays a vital role in the overall performance of your laptop. if you succeed in getting the right you would get the best-in-class performance. Otherwise, even if you have invested in an expensive unit, an unmatched GPU won’t be efficient.
Hardcore gaming requires high-end GPUs you can choose between GeForce RTX and GTX GPUs depending on the compatibility. The GPU should be powerful enough that the 4k video playback won’t stutter and you get faster multi rendering.
But for regular classroom teachings and podcasting, you can get a mid-range GPU or even an Intel UHD graphics card would work great.
4. Resolution
As far as resolution is concerned, you should choose it depending on the intent of use. Since there are panel types that offer different color gamuts, wider or narrower viewing angles, lower or higher pixel density. If you know exactly what kind of streaming you have to do, it would become way easier to find the best display resolution.
The minimum display resolution must be Full HD with 1920x1080p. The main reason for FHD being the minimum requirement is because videos can be streamed on a 720p monitor as well as 1440p and 1080p.
Nowadays, several laptops come integrated with FHD resolution with 4K capabilities which would be great for various streaming services. For example, Youtube uses heavy compression of 4K resolution videos so that you won’t need higher bandwidth or computing power for a raw 4K video.
Touchscreen laptop is the most admired laptop for online streamers which is why many top-tier laptops come with a 4K UHD Nano Edge touch screen display.
Note: These laptops do offer an outclass display resolution but will cost you an arm or a leg.
We have mentioned some great laptops for high-res first-person shooter games in the guide above. Hope you have checked them out.
5. RAM
Here comes another essential factor, the Random Access Memory (RAM). Streamers require’ to operate multiple programs at a single time while streaming and that is where a solid RAM is needed. In order to run heavy applications smoothly, a laptop must have at least 16GB RAM that can pull the load of game playing and streaming.
You will find different generations of RAM storage available in the market. these include DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4. Currently, the 16 GB DDR4 is the latest generation that can tackle any of your streaming needs without any difficulty.
6. Battery Life
This is probably the most ignored factor which sure plays an important part. Every decent laptop for streaming must have loads of battery life because longer battery life won’t disturb your bike sessions (traveling) as well.
Usually, 12 hour battery life is preferred for professional streaming purposes that works perfectly well for educators, life coaches, art instructors, and gaming enthusiasts.
Tip: You can extend the battery life of your Intel processing unit however, it would escalate in price.
7. Cooling System
Another pretty much-ignored factor is the cooling system of a laptop. Logically speaking, the excessive usage of laptops and running intensive applications for prolonged hours can cause the machine to heat up. Therefore, robust heat management is important for a laptop involved in live streaming and demanding gaming.
Tip: Look for a streaming laptop that has a dual-fan cooling system.
Why? Because the dual-fan cooling system keeps the laptop in stable thermal condition way efficiently.
8. Additional Features
Some additional features that add to the overall worth and performance of a streaming laptop include, stylus pen compatibility. This pen is useful for education-related streaming for lectures and online tutors with annotate notes and using pen while streaming.
Also look for fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 4.0 combo wireless, Thunderbolt ports, etc.
Note:Thunderbolt port enables 4K videos transfer smoothly.
Anti-glare is great for gamers since it helps the users to focus more on the screen without any distractive shadows so, it is a plus point too.
Look for fast frame rates as well because these ensure smoother visuals. Remember that 60 fps is reasonably sufficient for online streaming videos.
Streaming requires an excellent camera with a responsive microphone as well and luckily, almost every laptop comes with a built-in webcam. However, most of the webcams have a resolution of 720 which might not be enough for some streamers. Hence, they use DSLR for capturing exceptionally high definition videos, but, streaming DSLR cameras are expensive. So, only opt for it if you don’t have budget issues.
Wrap Up
Streaming is a lot more fun if you have the best device for it. Once you get your hands on the best laptops for live streaming, make sure you focus on other factors as well that enhance the live streaming.
Apart from great content with top-notch visuals, live streaming makes you a lot of money through advertisements and brand endorsements. You must also have a reliable and stable internet connection for fast streaming and online gaming.
The keyboard is an additional yet very useful feature for online streamers. RGB LED keyboard allows different setups for FPS, MMO, and MOBA games so, make sure you look for it.
We believe that our entire article was a great guide for you and helped in finding your best match.
Robert Smith is a technology lover and loves to write about laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, Apple products and anything that's related to computers and games. He is passionate enough that he maintains this blog regarding tech updates on a daily basis.
Robert Smith is a technology lover and loves to write about laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, Apple products and anything that's related to computers and games. He is passionate enough that he maintains this blog regarding tech updates on a daily basis.
