Best Laptop For Streaming

If you want to stream your games, then you might be looking for the best laptop for streaming.

Streaming has become an integral part of the gaming culture and it’s growing exponentially. Every gamer can try their hand at streaming with the same device they use for gaming as long as they have a good internet connection.

Of course, there are some laptops that excel at video streaming more than others thanks to specific factors. In this roundup, we will take a look at the best options for both gaming and streaming.

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Top 3 Best Laptops for Streaming Comparison

How We Choose the Best Gaming Laptops for Streaming

In order to choose the best laptops for streaming, we analyzed various factors that can be beneficial for both gaming and streaming on the same device.

The CPU and GPU are at the heart of any gaming laptop and it is no surprise that they play an important role in video streaming as well. We selected laptops with high-end CPUs and GPUs fit for this activity.

We also laid a focus on the type of encoding that is available to the best laptops for streaming. Laptops with better GPU encoding such as NVENC were given priority. HD IPS screen options and IPS display are also great for any video platform.

The battery life is crucial to any laptop and the same is the case with a gaming or streaming laptop. We also prioritized laptops that were lighter and easier to carry around.

Thermal management of the laptop components was crucial in the making of this list. Nobody wants their laptop to overheat while gaming or streaming.

Finally, the price-to-performance factor was the key deciding point in our roundup. Laptops that maximized the value proposition were placed higher on the list.

With these factors in mind, we have curated a list of the very best video streaming laptops. Let’s jump right in.

Top 11 Best Laptops For Streaming Reviews

1. Alienware M17 R4 – Editor’s Choice

Size: 17.3 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-10870H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD| Battery: 2.5 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

Dell’s Alienware branch is synonymous with some of the very best gaming laptops and desktops in the OEM space, therefore, it is no surprise that the Alienware M17 tops our list as the Editor’s Choice.

Kicking things off with the CPU, it is an 8-core Core i7 processor from the 10th Gen Intel lineup. It can clock up to 5GHz with Turbo Boost, which is nearly the same as what you can achieve on a modern desktop CPU with no thermal restraints.

If you are interested in using GPU encoding for your streams, then you are also in luck thanks to the powerful RTX 3070 GPU in the Alienware M17. With this GPU, not only can you play all the latest demanding games on high-ultra settings, but you can also stream them simultaneously using the Nvidia NVENC encoder.

Dell’s Alienware M17 competes with a lot of other gaming laptops in this price bracket. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 gives it a solid run for its money, however, the Alienware is much more balanced in its approach. The MSI GL66 is another option in this category, but it falls a bit short in features as compared to the M17.

Video streaming is not fun unless you are enjoying the gameplay yourself, and with the 17.6-inch 1080p 144Hz display of the M17, you are bound to have loads of fun.

While the video output might be excellent, the Alienware M17 is a bit let down by its audio system. The speakers are mounted on the bottom and they do not sound very good.

The Alienware M17 has a battery life of just 2 hours according to Dell, which is quite terrible when compared to other options on the list.

Granted, it is a really high-end, powerful gaming laptop, but 2 hours is just unusable as battery life. The laptop is also pretty heavy, weighing in at 6.5 pounds.

Keeping these factors in mind, as well as the astronomical price of the Alienware M17, it is clear that this option is not for everyone. However, if you just want the best of the best in terms of gaming and streaming, and do not want a lot of portability, then the M17 seems like an ideal laptop choice.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 8/10
• GPU Performance: 9/10
• Display: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo SE – Best Premium Laptop for Streaming

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD storage | Battery: 5 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 300Hz

If you think that most gaming laptops are the same, then the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo SE is here to change your mind. ASUS thought outside the box to create this laptop, which has not one but TWO screens in one chassis!

The advantage of the second display is that you can bring up any additional window or task on that display while you play games on the main display.

Speaking of the main display, it is not a slouch either. In our recommended variant, you get a 1920x1080p panel with a 300Hz refresh rate. That is incredibly smooth and ideal for competitive multiplayer games such as CS: GO, PUBG, Valorant, etc.

The second display can be used for your streaming controls and maybe any diagnostic data that you might require for your stream. You can also quickly manage the settings of your stream using the touchscreen display, which is much more intuitive than using the main display for everything.

The 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 5800H is an absolute powerhouse of a CPU that delivers unprecedented performance if you want to opt for CPU encoding. However, it is recommended to use the NVENC encoder of the RTX 3060 instead.

There are probably only a few modern games that will give any sort of trouble to the RTX 3060. This GPU is a little less powerful than the RTX 3070 in the aforementioned Alienware M17, but it is certainly not anything to scoff at. Rest assured, you will be able to play and stream your favorite modern titles at high refresh rates with this graphics card.

The ASUS Zephyrus Duo SE competes with a few laptops in this premium price category. The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is a similar dual-screen laptop but the Zephyrus Duo is geared more towards gaming and streaming. The Razer Blade 14 comes close in terms of specs, but it does not offer the unique dual-display feature.

Although it is a huge laptop, the Zephyrus is still relatively more portable as compared to other bulky gaming laptops on our list. It is a 15-inch laptop that weighs around 5.5 pounds, so you can expect to move it around a bit when you need to.

The battery life is rated at around 5 hours which is downright average, although you might be able to look past it thanks to the two displays.

There is no webcam on the laptop either, which is odd. Furthermore, thanks to the second display, the keyboard has to be pushed downwards to make room. This means that the keys sit at a really odd angle that is unlike what you may be used to.

Overall, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo SE is a unique product that definitely warrants its place as our pick for the best premium laptop for streaming. It is wildly expensive, however, so it is certainly not the ideal choice for every user.

However, there are no other laptops on the market quite like this one and if you want to experience a dual-screen laptop as of right now, the Zephyrus Duo is your best bet.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 8.5/10
• GPU Performance: 8/10
• Display: 9/10
• Value for Money: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

3. ASUS TUF Dash 15 – Best Budget Streaming Laptop

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-11370H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 12 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

If you are looking for a more budget-oriented option for streaming, then the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is our pick. The selected variant falls just under $1000 and provides excellent value for the money in terms of gaming and streaming.

The TUF Dash 15 comes with an 11th Gen Core i7 processor which will aid you in CPU encoding while streaming. The 8 threads of the CPU are clocked at 4.4 GHz, making it easier for you to manage multiple tasks at once.

ASUS has combined this processor with the Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics card which is equipped with 4GB of VRAM. While the RTX 3050 Ti is not the most powerful member of the RTX 3000 family, it is certainly a capable graphics card.

The Nvidia GPU will also equip you with features such as ShadowPlay, Reflex, and NVENC encoding.

In the budget category, there are some laptops that compete with the ASUS TUF Dash 15. The Acer Aspire 7 and MSI GF65 are similar offerings under $1000 that can be considered as well. You may also stretch your budget a little bit with the Gigabyte G5 KC or Acer Nitro 5 variants that fall just over the $1000 mark.

There are other great features of the TUF Dash 15 too. You have one Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port on the side of the laptop which is an amazing feature at this price point. The Thunderbolt connection can be used to connect high-speed peripherals and even displays that require a lot of bandwidth.

The battery life of the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is rated at 12 hours, which is very healthy for a gaming laptop. You can expect around 4-5 hours of gameplay on a full charge, as a rough estimate. However, there are some cons of the TUF Dash 15 too.

While the 1080p 144Hz display is pretty good on paper, the quality of the panel is rather lackluster. The color reproduction is subpar and the dynamic range could have been a lot better as well. Furthermore, the keyboard lacks RGB lighting, which is a minor thing but still noteworthy.

All things considered, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is an incredible value pick and certainly one to consider if you want the best budget laptop for streaming. It does fall a bit short in areas such as display and GPU performance, but the overall package is just too good to ignore.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 8/10
• GPU Performance: 8/10
• Display: 7/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

4. Acer Nitro 5 – Best Performance Laptop for Streaming

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX | GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD| Battery: 8 Hours| Resolution: 2560×1440 | Refresh Rate: 165Hz

The Nitro series is aimed at bringing premium specs to the mid-range market, but our variant of the Acer Nitro 5 is not particularly value-oriented. In fact, it is quite an expensive laptop but that is warranted since it has the most high-end specs of any laptop on our list.

Kicking things off with the monstrous AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, this 8-core processor can clock up to 4.6GHz and is one of the very best mobile processors available right now. In fact, its performance can be quite similar to the desktop AMD Ryzen 7 5800X in many games.

The extra cores and high core clocks of the Ryzen 9 5900HX will allow you to multitask quite efficiently.

However, that is probably not the best idea since the Acer Nitro 5 is equipped with the RTX 3080, one of the fastest graphics processors on the market.

You can expect to run almost any modern game at 1440p with high-ultra settings, at more than 100 FPS at all times.This might be important as the display provided by Acer on this particular laptop is rather impressive as well.

The 1440p 165Hz panel provides you with the best of both worlds in terms of screen resolution and frame rates. This is exactly the kind of panel you want to pair with an RTX 3080.

Another positive aspect of the Nitro 5 is its welcoming battery life. The battery is rated for 8 hours of moderate use which is higher than average when compared with similar gaming laptops.

The Acer Nitro 5 competes with several other laptops in this price bracket. There are other laptops like the MSI Stealth15M and MSI GL66 that fall in a similar price category but have inferior specs and the Nitro 5 offers a better value.

All is not perfect, however, as the build quality aspect of this laptop is rather underwhelming. The overall design language does not do this laptop any justice, and the materials used are mediocre at best. The specs are premium but the body certainly does not feel like it.

Conclusively, the Nitro 5 is one of the best laptops for streaming that you can buy, albeit at a steep price point. It might be worth it, however, if you take full advantage of the premium specs that are offered by this laptop.

The Acer Nitro 5 is our pick for the best performance laptop for streaming, thanks to its high-end performance.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 9/10
• GPU Performance: 9.5/10
• Display: 8.5/10
• Value for Money: 4.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

5. Acer Predator Helios 300 – Best Robust Laptop for Streaming Videos

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H | GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 6 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

The Helios 300 has some high-end specs coupled with an attractive design which is a trademark of the Predator brand.

Acer has equipped the Helios 300 with the 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor, which is a 6-core chip. It can turbo up to 5 GHz depending on the power and cooling conditions available.

It also allows CPU overclocking which is a bonus, since enthusiasts can squeeze a bit more performance out of the Intel Core i7 CPU if they want to.

Thermals do become an issue however when you are overclocking a laptop since there is not a lot of cooling potential in that limited space. Therefore, the overclocking feature and clock speed ends up being more of a gimmick. Nevertheless, the CPU is more than powerful enough for streaming even at stock settings.

The Helios 300 is also equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, an incredible mid-range GPU that can handle pretty much any modern game you can throw at it. The 3060 comes with all the unique Nvidia features such as Reflex and NVENC which can aid your streaming and gaming experience.

Acer has provided a standard 1080p 144Hz display for the Helios 300 which pairs perfectly with the RTX 3060. With this combination, you should be able to play most modern titles at around 100-144 FPS depending on the graphics settings. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are welcome additions to the spec list.

In this price bracket, the Acer Predator Helios 300 has competition from quite a few laptops. The Asus TUF Gaming F15 and ASUS ROG Strix G15 are the competing options but the Helios 300 offers better specs at a competitive price tag.

The build quality and design of the Acer Predator Helios 300 are rather impressive and really separate the laptop from other offerings in this price bracket. The Predator design language is iconic, and the materials used in the construction of the chassis give it a premium feel.

Acer claims a battery life of around 6 hours on the Helios 300, which is downright average in gaming laptops. Competing offerings from ASUS and Razer may offer a better battery life with similar specs. It also weighs around 5.5 pounds which puts it on the heavier side when it comes to gaming laptops.

While the Acer Predator Helios 300 is not cheap by any means, it is still a more affordable choice than the Alienware and ASUS offerings mentioned above. It offers a balanced experience all-around, and thus earns our title of the best robust laptop for streaming.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 8.5/10
• GPU Performance: 8/10
• Display: 7/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

6. Razer Blade Pro 17 – Best 360Hz Streaming Laptop

Size: 17.3 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H | GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 7 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 360Hz

The Blade Pro 17 by Razer is an incredible gaming laptop that has a unique trick up its sleeve. Not only does it have excellent specs for gaming, but it also has an extraordinary 360Hz display that will elevate your gaming experience to the next level.

Starting off with the internals, the Blade Pro 17 is packed with some high-end specs. The 10th Gen Core i7 processor has 8 cores and a boost clock of 5.1 GHz which is exceptional for a laptop CPU. This processor can handle CPU encoding and multitasking without a hitch.

Especially since the CPU is paired with a great mid-range Nvidia GPU, the RTX 3060. Our selected variant uses the RTX 3060 since it provides the best balance of price and performance for streaming as well as gaming.

The RTX 3060 will not break a sweat when it comes to GPU encoding using the NVENC encoder. It can also play all the modern games at high framerates, even at high-ultra settings.

Speaking of the framerate, you will need that solid performance to satisfy the extraordinary display performance of the Razer Blade Pro 17. The 1080p 360Hz display is unlike any we have seen in gaming laptops on our list.

Even in the desktop space, there are not a lot of monitors with a 360Hz refresh rate apart from some specific eSports-focused panels.

The Blade Pro 17 separates itself from the competition thanks to its excellent build quality and design. The materials feel premium, and the overall design language of the laptop is clean and minimalistic. This is exactly what Razer is known for in the laptop space.

The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is present in a similar price bracket, although the Razer offers better specs and a way better screen than the Strix option. The Blade is also a better value option than the competing MSI GS75 Stealth.

All is not perfect with the Razer Blade Pro 17, however, as the battery life is downright average at 7 hours.

The laptop also weighs around 5.5 pounds which is deceptively heavy for a Razer Blade laptop. Furthermore, the keyboard lacks a number pad which may be a nuisance to some users.

Overall, the Razer Blade Pro 17 is a very interesting choice for a gaming and streaming laptop. Although it is a bit pricier than its competitors, the selected spec with the RTX 3060 provides a decent balance of price and performance.

The presence of a 360Hz display makes it our pick for the best 360Hz streaming laptop as well.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 8.5/10
• GPU Performance: 8/10
• Display: 8.5/10
• Value for Money: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

7. Lenovo Legion 7i – Best Lightweight Laptop For Streaming

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD| Battery: 7 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 240Hz

Lenovo laptops are synonymous with business and office work, so most consumers do not think of Lenovo when looking for the best laptop option for streaming. However, the Lenovo Legion 7i is a really impressive offering that is worth considering for this use case.

Under the hood, the Legion 7i is equipped with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 6 cores that can clock all the way up to 5GHz. That is a really impressive turbo clock for a laptop CPU, provided the limited cooling potential.

This processor shouldn’t break a sweat while streaming, even if you are using CPU encoding like h264.

Teaming up with the Intel Core i7 processor is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 GPU, which comes from Nvidia’s Turing lineup. While the RTX 2070 is still a very powerful GPU by modern standards, it loses a few points in efficiency and features.

Still, you will be able to run all the modern games at high-ultra graphical settings while getting around 60-144 FPS depending on the game.

Lenovo has equipped the Legion 7i with a 1080p 240Hz display which is a huge advantage for a gaming laptop. This can improve your gaming experience exponentially as 240Hz provides a significant advantage in competitive multiplayer games as well. The RTX 2070 should definitely be able to handle lighter multiplayer titles at this refresh rate.

The Alienware M15 R4 and the ASUS TUF Dash 15 are the closest competitors in terms of specifications, but the Legion is a bit cheaper and offers a bit more value. The Acer Predator Helios 300 and TUF Gaming F17 slot in under the Legion in terms of price as well.

The battery life of the Lenovo Legion 7i is rated at around 7 hours which is quite mediocre for a gaming laptop. You will need to keep your charger with you if you plan to take this laptop somewhere. Speaking of portability, the Legion 7i weighs around 4.6 pounds which is lighter than most other gaming laptops.

Lenovo’s design language is quite random across their lineup, but the design of this laptop is rather impressive. Despite being a gaming laptop, there are sleek lines and sharp corners which make it an attractive chassis. There are hints of RGB lighting here and there as well.

Conclusively, the Legion 7i is another great option for streaming despite the high price tag. Its decent display paired with its unique, lightweight chassis makes it an interesting pick in this category. It earns our award for the best lightweight laptop for streaming as well.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 8/10
• GPU Performance: 7.5/10
• Display: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 6/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

8. ASUS ROG Strix G15 – Best Built Laptop for Streaming

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 12 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

Our next pick in the lineup comes our way from ASUS with their ROG Strix G15 gaming laptop. This laptop separates itself from the competition by offering a unique focus on build quality as well as performance. This is why it earns our “Best Built Laptop for Streaming” award for this roundup.

As far as the processor is concerned, there are no complaints to be had. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is a flagship mobile CPU from the red side, and it can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it.

The 8-core behemoth will not break a sweat when executing multiple tasks at once. It is a pretty power-hungry CPU, however, so long-term cooling might be a bit of a concern.

Pairing up with the 5900HX is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 which is an upper mid-range GPU from Nvidia. This pairing will allow you to play and stream any modern game at 1080p at 60 FPS or higher depending on the graphical settings.

The laptop’s screen allows for a 1080p 144Hz experience, which should be possible with the RTX 3060 in select titles.

The MSI GL66 and the MSI Stealth 15M laptops are quite similar in terms of specs and pricing, however, the ROG Strix G15 takes the lead due to its excellent Ryzen 9 5900HX processor along with its impeccable build quality.

ASUS has rated the battery life of the G15 to be around 12 hours which is quite impressive for a gaming laptop. You should be able to get a decent gaming session with this battery life without worrying about charging.

The laptop weighs around 5.1 pounds though, which is a bit on the heavier side. Another nuisance is that there is no webcam on the laptop. This is not something you see commonly therefore it is a bit of a weird decision from ASUS.

All in all, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 is another great option for streaming and gaming if your budget allows it. It is not tremendously expensive if you look at the bigger picture, but still, it is certainly not a value-oriented laptop by any means.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 9/10
• GPU Performance: 8/10
• Display: 7/10
• Value for Money: 5.5/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

9. Lenovo Legion 5 – Best Value Laptop for Streaming

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 8 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 120Hz

You don’t have to break the bank to get a decent laptop for all of your streaming. The Lenovo Legion 5 is a budget-oriented option that offers plenty of performance and a host of useful laptop features that will help you start streaming in no time.

Under the hood, there is an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H 6-core processor that can clock up to 3 GHz on all cores. The core clock might be a bit low, but the high IPC of the Ryzen architecture makes it a very potent mobile CPU. You should be able to stream a lot of modern titles with a few adjustments to the settings.

An even better idea is to use the Nvidia Turing NVENC encoder in the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics processor. This is a mid-range GPU that is able to handle a lot of modern games at 1080p 60 FPS on medium to high settings. The GPU encoding will take the load off your CPU and allow for a smoother stream with fewer dropped frames.

The Lenovo Legion 5 is probably the best streaming laptop you can purchase in this price category. There are some competing gaming laptops like the Acer Aspire 5 and the Gigabyte G5 KC that fall in the same price bracket, but the Legion 5 takes the superior position due to its excellent value proposition and CPU/GPU combo.

Although the laptop uses the previous generation’s internal components, the performance level is perfectly acceptable therefore it can be a great choice for streaming modern games. The option of 8GB RAM might hurt your multitasking experience a bit so you would have to be careful with background processes while streaming.

Lenovo claims a battery timing of around 8 hours which can be claimed as average for laptops in this category. The Legion 5 is a bit heavy as well, weighing in at 5.5 pounds so it is certainly not the most portable laptop.

Overall it is certainly the best value pick for a streaming laptop. If you want to start live streaming without taking a massive hit to your wallet, this is the laptop to get.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 7/10
• GPU Performance: 7/10
• Display: 7/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

10. ASUS TUF Gaming F17 – Best Entry Level Streaming Laptop

Size: 17.3 inch | CPU: Intel Core i5-10300H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 6 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

Another amazing entry-level option for streaming is the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 which can help you get started on the path of streaming without completely blowing the budget.

Sure, the combination of the Intel Core i5-10300H and the GeForce GTX 1650 Ti might not be the most powerful one for streaming, but it can still get the job done. What is even more important is that this laptop offers a particularly high value for streaming, so it can make this activity accessible to more consumers.

The GTX 1650 Ti is decidedly entry-level at this point, and the GPU encoding might not be very strong or efficient by today’s standards. However, you will still be able to stream many modern games by mixing the settings a bit. You can also try to stream lighter multiplayer titles that put less pressure on the GPU in the first place.

Being a budget-oriented laptop, it does face some competition in this price range. A variant of the Acer Nitro 5 is a bit more expensive but can be had with an RTX 3050, however, it loses in other key aspects such as CPU and Storage specifications. The Acer Aspire 7 gaming laptop also comes close in terms of value but offers relatively weaker specs.

It has a full sized keyboard, dual speakers, a backlit keyboard, and USB Type-C ports. There is also a 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack.

ASUS claims a battery life of around 6 hours on a full charge which is quite mediocre for a laptop in this category. Furthermore, the laptop has a tendency to quickly heat up while gaming, which points to issues in the cooling system design.

Still, the overall package that is offered by ASUS in the TUF Gaming F17 is enough to earn it the title of the best entry level laptop for streaming. It is a solid choice on a budget if you are willing to put up with a few compromises on laptop features.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 6.5/10
• GPU Performance: 6.5/10
• Display: 7/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 7/10

11. MSI Alpha 17

Size: 17.3 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5600M | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD| Battery: 9 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz

The MSI Alpha 17 is another affordable option to start your video streaming experience. Unlike the laptops we already discussed, this MSI offering uses an AMD mobile GPU for its graphical processing power.

AMD’s Radeon RX 5600M is somewhat of an entry-level GPU that can provide a decent 1080p gaming experience for lighter titles.

Paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, which is an 8-core CPU, you have a pretty capable gaming laptop with video streaming even though the internal components belong to the previous generations.

It has HDMI port options, several USB ports, and ethernet port selections for internet connection.

For streaming, the AMD built-in GPU encoder is quite a bit weaker than the Nvidia NVENC encoder, so you might have to rely on CPU encoding for a better quality live stream.

Be aware of high temperatures, however, as the MSI Alpha 17 does have some difficulty in that department while gaming.

A variant of the MSI GL66 can be had for a slightly higher price tag, but the performance level is quite similar therefore the Alpha is preferred due to a better value. Gigabyte’s G5 KD offers a better GPU and impressive build quality, but the price-to-performance ratio does not match up to the Alpha 17.

MSI claims a battery life of around 9 hours on a full charge which is relatively impressive for a gaming laptop. On the flip side, the Alpha 17 weighs around 5.1 pounds making it one of the heavier laptops on our list.

Conclusively, the MSI Alpha 17 is worth considering if you are looking for a budget option to begin streaming. It is our pick for the best basic laptop for streaming due to its simplistic approach to gaming and streaming at a competitive budget.

RATINGS:

• CPU Performance: 7/10
• GPU Performance: 6/10
• Display: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 7.5/10
• Overall Rating: 7/10

Best Laptop for Streaming Buyer’s Guide

If you are in the market for a streaming laptop, it can be quite a daunting task. Game oriented laptops are notorious for their endless gimmicks and useless marketing jargon. So it can be quite difficult to analyze which laptops are best for online gaming and streaming videos.

You need to look for an HD display, an ethernet port and Wi-Fi for internet connectivity, Turbo Boost Technology and more. Here are a few factors you need to keep in mind while shopping for a streaming laptop.

Graphics Processor

The graphics processor or GPU is arguably the most important part of a laptop for streaming. Not only does it handle all the graphics processing of the game you’re playing, but it also handles the GPU encoding that is necessary for the stream.

In 2022, you should aim for modern GPUs such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 series for the ultimate streaming experience. You can also go for the Turing-based RTX 2000 series graphics cards, but anything older than that is likely to cause issues when playing games in terms of stream output.

AMD’s offerings are quite a bit weaker than Nvidia’s in terms of GPU encoding, so it would be best to keep them off your priority list. Intel UHD graphics are also a good option.

The CPU

CPUs handle artificial intelligence, world design, particle physics, and some animations in games but more importantly for us they handle most of the background tasks while gaming and video streaming.

It would be wise to get a modern 6-core or higher Intel Core/AMD CPU within the last two generations. These CPUs can handle modern games fairly well and can provide you with plenty of performance for multitasking.

If you want to use the H.264 encoder, an 8-core CPU like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX should be prioritized.

Battery Life

Gaming laptops are notorious for their poor battery lives, but if you want to stream for extended periods of time away from a charging port, then you need to focus on the battery life as well.

Look for a battery life of more than 6 hours, at least. Manufacturers use different rating systems for their laptops so these ratings aren’t necessarily comparable. Especially when you have multi-display setups or IPS display. It is wise to err on the side of caution.

Portability in Streaming Laptops

Due to the powerful components and their cooling systems, these laptops are quite heavy. However, if you want to be on the move then the laptop weight becomes key.

It is possible to look for a powerful laptop under 4 pounds if you want to have a portable experience. Most high-end laptops, however, might tip the scales at over 5 pounds.

FAQs:

What to Look for in a Laptop for Streaming?

You should look for the laptop’s CPU and GPU specs as these components are the most important for streaming. A modern, faster GPU will help you stream more efficiently at a higher output. A high quality dedicated graphics card and high audio quality are best as well.

Is CPU or GPU More Important for Streaming?

The GPU is more important for streaming than CPU if you use GPU encoding for your stream (which is recommended). If you use the traditional H.264 encoding, the burden falls on the laptop CPUS.

Should I Get a Laptop or PC for Streaming Tasks?

You can stream on both PC and laptop. A PC certainly offers better thermal performance but most laptops offer better portability. The best laptops for streaming can hold up to even the most powerful gaming PC.

How Much RAM Do I Need to Stream Videos and Streaming Games?

You will need a minimum of 8GB RAM for streaming, although 16GB is very common among streamers. Even 32GB is now being recommended for modern games’ processing power, as well as to stream movies and live streaming.

Are MacBooks Good for Streaming?

MacBooks are not particularly good for streaming since they are designed for creative and productivity tasks. Online gaming sessions and streaming are not their strong suit, despite the anti-glare display and graphics performance.