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laptop for streaming

10 Best Laptops for Streaming in 2024: Latest Models

Now that laptops have gotten even more affordable – with considerably more power, many gamers are turning to laptops for their live streaming sessions.

Of course, the biggest benefit over a full-blown, custom-built PC is their portability, which makes them a dream for content creators living and working between multiple locations.

Below, we will cover the best-performing budget and high-end options on the market right now.

Rocking the latest 30-Series GPUs and 12th-Gen CPUs, all of these laptops are very capable of your streaming needs.


What is the best laptop for streaming?

1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 – 2022

Display: 16” Mini LED | Screen Resolution: UHD (2560 x 1600) | CPU: 9 7945HX| GPU: GeForce RTX 4090| RAM: 32 GB DDR5 | Storage: 4 TB SSD | Battery Life: 9 hours | Weight: 5.47 lbs

The Zephyrus Duo 16 is one of the most innovative 16-inch gaming laptops to date. As you can see, its standout feature is a full-width, “ROG ScreenPad Plus” secondary display. This intelligently doubles your workflow possibilities, allowing you to game, stream, and create more efficiently.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 - best streaming laptop
(Image credit: ASUS)
Pros
  • Powerful CPU/ GPU combo
  • Seemless folding design
  • Superior Mini-LED display
  • Secondary touch display
  • Excellent for streamers
  • HD webcam
Cons
  • Primary screen not touch
  • A little heavy

Design

ASUS has implemented their secondary screen incredibly well. For starters, it not only tilts up 13° when you open the lid but also pulls back towards the main display on a sliding mechanism. This helps eliminates the gap between the main display and seamlessly melts the two screens together.

Due to the secondary display being a matte, 4K IPS panel (that measures 14” in length), the viewing angles are excellent. Moreover, with a native 3840 x 1100-resolution, it gives you enough extra screen real estate to place two 7.75-inch, 1920 x 1100 windows directly above the keyboard.

For live streaming on the move, this is a game-changer. The extra space is perfect for pinning your OBS and Discord chat without having to carry around an additional portable monitor. On top of that, we also love that it’s a touchscreen, which opens up a whole new layer of functionality.

In terms of functionality, the second screen is no gimmick, either. Much like a dual monitor setup, it works as an extension of the main screen so you can easily drag across windows. Besides having your programs or apps side by side, one-third splits or full-screen windows are entirely possible.

Display

As for the main display, this is a QHD (2560 x 1600) 16:10 Mini-LED panel that runs at 165 Hz. We like that it’s both Nvidia G-Sync and FreeSync compatible and that it has a speedy 3ms response time. Although it has a similar anti-glare finish, unfortunately, this one isn’t touch-responsive.

In terms of image quality, the primary display on the Zephyrus looks wonderful. For specs, you’re looking 100% DCI-P3 and 1100 nits of brightness, so it’s suitable for creators, too. Though the ScreenPad Plus is not quite as bright (at 500 nits) or high in contrast, it still looks extremely good.

Performance

Packing an 16-core, 32-thread Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics, the Zephyrus can handle the most intensive tasks. This kind of setup has no problems hitting the highest frame rates while gaming and streaming, as well as some serious speeds for things like 3D rendering.

If you do need some extra power for rendering after your stream, overclocking the graphics card is always an option. When in manual mode, it’s possible to give GeForce RTX 4090 an extra 20 watts of sustained power. That allows you to bring the max TDP up to a ridiculous 165 watts.

Additional hardware + I/Os

Accompanying the CPU and GPU is 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2 x 4 TB SSD, and a per-key RGB keyboard. Uniquely, the keyboard pushes to the front of the bed and comes with a trackpad to the side. Due to losing the palm rest, it does feel a little unfamiliar to begin with and may take some time to adapt to.

Finally, having a wide selection of ports is a dream come true for steamers. Those wanting to expand the viewing experience even further will appreciate having a DisplayPort and an HDMI 2.0b. As a result, it’s possible to host two more monitors on either side when the opportunity arises.  

Overall, thanks to its groundbreaking dual-screen design and a ridiculous amount of power, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 comes out on top as our best laptop for streaming. It’s unique, versatile, upgradeable, and perfect for all kinds of different situations.


2. Alienware M15 R7

Display: 15.6″ IPS | Screen Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440)| CPU: i7-12700H| GPU: GeForce RTX 3070 Ti| RAM: 32 GB DDR5| Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 8 hours | Weight: 5.34 lbs

The Alienware M15 R7 is the latest edition to the M series family. Built with a focus on raw power, it features a 14-core, Intel 12th-Gen i9-12900H processor and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics. Additionally, it comes with a raised maximum TDP and updated CryoTech cooling.

Alienware M15 R7 - Second best streaming laptop
(Image credit: Dell)
Pros
  • Solid gaming performance
  • Crisp and vibrant colors
  • Good input devices
  • Magnificent keyboard
  • Extensive illumination
  • MUX switch
Cons
  • Plastic touchpad
  • Poor speakers

Design

Aesthetically, the design of the unit closely resembles the previous iteration. On the back of the chassis is a rim of RGB lighting with the majority of the ports inside. The RGB lighting synchronizes beautifully the Alienware logo on the lid, as well as its per-key Alien FX RGB keyboard.

The Dark Side of the Moon color scheme is also the same, with a sleek dark grey finish. Constructed from a combination of plastic, aluminum, and magnesium alloy, the overall build quality of the chassis is high. However, we did notice some slight flex to the lid and the keyboard.

Display

The display is a 15.6″ IPS panel with a 2K QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution. This has a mighty 240 Hz refresh rate and a 2ms response. Thanks to the due to the QHD resolution, the visuals are incredibly sharp. Moreover, the screen has a slight matte finish to it, which helps to keep reflections down.

As for the colors, these are nothing short of spectacular. With a color gamut of 100% sRGB, 87.6% Adobe RGB, and 99% of the DCI-P3 space, the colors are accurate and vibrant. Moreover, with 400 nits, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, the screen is bright and the blacks are deep with brilliant depth.

Performance

To boost performance, Alienware has raised the maximum graphics power on this latest generation. While the M15 R6 with an RTX 3070 maxed out at 125 watts, the same graphics card in the M15 R7 is now capable of 140 watts. When combined with the CPU, it can now support a total TDP of 170W .

The result is an extremely powerful laptop. The NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti GPU can handle the FPS without breaking a sweat, and the i9-12900H calculates the game logic smoothly. During our testing on multiple games, the stream never slowed or stuttered, even during the most intense moments.

Cooling performance

Thanks to Alienwares’ Cryo-Technology and the use of Element 31 liquid metal. The temperatures were also impressive. During heavy usage, the GPU and CPU never came close to overheating. At room temperatures (22°C), the CPU stayed below 75°C and the GPU never rose above 85°C at any given time.

If you’re wondering what Cryo-Tech is, this consists of fan blades that are 37% thinner (than the previous M15 laptops), along with wider heat pipes. Moreover, Element 31 is the industry’s first thermal interface material in a traditional paste that encapsulates liquid metal.

Additional hardware + I/Os

In terms of memory and storage, the deal comes with 32 GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe NVMe, SSD. If you wish to upgrade the RAM, the M15 R7 uses standard SO-DIMM slots so you can easily increase it to 64 gigs. Additionally, there are two M.2 slots capable of handling up to 4 TB of high-speed SSDs.

Finally, the majority of the ports are on the back of the chassis inside Alienwares’ stunning rim of RGB lighting. Here you will find a USB Type-C, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a Type-A USB 3.2. Additionally, two more USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports are on the side to bring the total up to three.

Overall, the Alienware M15 R7 is an incredible gaming/ steaming laptop that performs flawlessly. It’s not only fast and silent but also super attractive.


3. Razer Blade 15 Advanced (2022)

Display: 16” IPS | Screen Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440)| CPU: i7-12800H| GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti | RAM: 16 GB DDR5 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 9 hours | Weight: 4.43 lbs

The Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a slim, premium gaming laptop designed for cutting-edge performance. Featuring a 14-core, 12th-Gen i7-12800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 TI graphics, it provides the ultimate streaming experience that content creators crave.

Labeled the world’s “thinnest 15.6-inch (RTX 30-series) laptop”, remarkably, the aluminum chassis measures just 0.67-inches thick. Nevertheless, it’s still robust with outstanding build quality all-round. Although the unit is built like a tank, surprisingly, it only weighs 4.4 pounds.

Razer Blade 15 Advanced - Third best laptop for Streaming games
(Image credit: Razer)
Pros
  • Solid build quality
  • Thin, sleek design
  • 240 Hz, QHD display
  • Plenty of ports
  • MUX switch
  • 1080p webcam
Cons
  • Low brightness
  • Shallow keyboard
  • Pricey

Display

This quad high-definition model equips a 240 Hz QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel that’s capable of a lightning-fast 2.5ms response time. Moreover, NVIDIA G-Sync synchronizes the graphics and monitor. As a result, you can expect smooth, tear-free images for a seamless playing experience.

Straight away, you will appreciate the vibrant IPS display that offers wide viewing angles. In terms of specs, it features a wide color gamut covering 100% of the DCI-P3 space. Unfortunately, one compromise you’d have to make is the low brightness (275 cd/m2), making it one of the dimmest displays measured in this bunch.

Performance

As for performance, the Blade 15 (2022) Laptop is perfect for gaming/ streaming or running memory-hungry video editing programs. We found it could handle multiple programs and applications simultaneously without any lag. This included multi-tasking OBS, Discord, and running the game itself all while live broadcasting to Twitch.

Low temps are crucial for any high-powered, streaming laptop. Fortunately, the Blade 15 employs a custom vapor chamber and cutting-edge thermal materials. As a result, it operates quietly and efficiently to dissipate excess heat. We found it can heat up during heavy loads but nothing overly alarming. The peak temperature during our testing was 86 degrees C (186.8°F).

Features + I/Os

Just as you might expect with any Razer laptop, the Blade 15 Advanced integrates plenty of gamer-centric features. It comes VR-ready, has Chroma RGB, as well as THX 7.1 spatial audio. The speakers are pretty good for a laptop as well, and all RGB is fully controllable via the Razer Central software.

Finally, there’s a decent number of input ports on the Blade 15. This includes three USB ports, a headphone port, two USB-C ports, and an HDMI port. Moreover, for those who plan to use it for editing purposes, there is a built-in SD Card slot so you won’t need to buy your own adapter.

Overall, if you’re searching for the total package, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a superb choice. It’s awesome for playing games, streaming on Twitch, or streaming QHD movies.


4. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022)

Display: 15.6″ IPS | Screen Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440)| CPU: i9 12900H| GPU: GeForce RTX 3080 Ti| RAM: 32GB DDR5| Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 10.5 hours | Weight: 5.07 lbs

The ASUS Scrix Scar 15 (2022) is the top-performing gaming notebook from the ROG Strix family. Built ready to take on any serious challenge, it features a powerful 14-core, 12tth Gen i9-12900H processor, as well as a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card with 150W of dynamic turbo boost.

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
(Image credit: ASUS)
Pros
  • Solid gaming performance
  • Crisp and vibrant colors
  • Good input devices
  • Magnificent keyboard
  • Extensive illumination
  • Mux Switch
Cons
  • Plastic touchpad
  • Surface gets hot
  • Poor speakers
  • No webcam

Design

Compared to the more reserved ROG Zephyrus G15, the Scar 15 has a vastly more gamer-centric design. Curving around the front of the laptop is an RGB under-glow strip, and there’s plenty of RGB on the keyboard, too. Moreover, on the rear of the chassis is a swappable “Armor Cap” accent piece.

Although the chassis construction is mostly plastic, ASUS has opted for a metal lid. This adds to the overall build quality of the unit and looks quite sleek with its trademark stamp. Weighing 5.07 lbs., it’s approximately one whole pound heavier than the Zephyrus G15 and 0.29-inches thicker (1.07”).

Display

The 15.6-inch, anti-glare display is virtually identical to the one on the Zephyrus G15. Similarly, this has a WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Moreover, it boasts an equally high 240 Hz refresh rate, as well as a rapid 3ms (G2G) response time for the smoothest, blur-free images.

We also like that this is an IPS panel with strikingly accurate colors. For specs, you’re looking at a 100% sRGB coverage, 88% Adobe RGB, and 99% DCI-P3. As a result, the display is not only great for streaming games but also for content creators who are looking to do some design work, too.

Performance

The performance is where the ROG Strix Scar 15 really shines. Unlike the Zephyrus G15 which has a TGP of 120W, the Scar 15 jumps that number up even further with a max 150W TGP. During our testing, this resulted in a 15% boost in FPS between the two models.

Unlike the ROG Zephyrus G15, which had an average of 92 fps while testing on Halo Infinite at its native QHD resolution (high settings), this number was closer to 105 fps with the Scar 15. On other games we tested, it averaged 110 fps on Deux Ex Mankind and 115 fps on Tomb Raider.

Thanks to ROG’s intelligent cooling system (with six heat pipes and dual-arc flow fans); you’ll also be glad to know that the Scar 15 offers impressive thermal capabilities. After an initial spike in temps, the GPU remained below 81°C. As a result, you won’t have to worry about overheating.

Features + I/Os

In contrast to the G15 (2022 model), unfortunately, the Strix Scar 15 hasn’t been upgraded with a webcam. This could be a deal-breaker for some streamers, though; an external webcam is always an option. Moreover, instead of having six speakers (like on the G15); another minor con is that it just has four.

Finally, for inputs and outputs, the ROG Strix Scar 15 carries a similar set of ports to the Zephyrus G15. The only real difference is that it comes with one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C instead of two. This is because it replaces the other one with a Thunderbolt 4 (due to being an Intel model).

Overall, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) is an insanely fast gaming laptop with lots of streaming power. While the ROG Zephyrus G15 is a slightly different breed of laptop, we do recommend this one above its close competitor the MSI Raider GE66.


5. Lenovo Legion 5i Pro – Gen 7

Display: 16” IPS | Screen Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1600)| CPU: i7-12700H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti| RAM: 16 GB DDR5 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 8 hours | Weight: 5.49 lbs.

The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is a solidly built gaming laptop that offers pro-level performance. It carries an octa-core, sixteen-thread, Intel Core i7-12700H processor capable of a 4.7 GHz boost clock. In addition to 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, and a high-resolution GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card.

Lenovo Legion 5i Pro – Gen 7
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Pros
  • Solid build quality
  • Gorgeous, bright IPS panel
  • Roomy 16-inch display
  • Major gaming muscle
  • Good cooling performance
  • Mux switch
Cons
  • Trackpad is sub-par
  • Poor RGB brightness
  • RGB effects a bit laggy
  • Quite heavy

Display

The Legion 5 Pro prides itself as the world’s first 16” WQHD gaming laptop with a 165 Hz refresh rate. Compared to smaller 15-inch options, the 16:10 aspect ratio is a welcome approach. That gives you even more screen real estate to play on.

Having a larger 16” IPS display wouldn’t be such a big deal if it didn’t look drop-dead gorgeous. Fortunately, the screen quality and colors are unbelievably good. Most importantly, it excels for its impressive 550 nits of peak brightness and 1,300:1 contrast ratio.

The high brightness and contrast ratio means that this screen delivers excellent vibrancy and nuance, especially in lighter areas. That’s going to benefit streamers who enjoy taking their laptop outdoors, as visibility issues from the sunlight will be less of a problem.

In terms of colors, the 5i Pro renders 100% sRGB color gamut, 71 Adobe RGB, and 73 DCI-P3. While the high sRGB gamut can produce virtually every color for mainstream games, the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 gamut is lacking. As a result, it’s not very suitable for HDR movies or design workloads.

Performance

Performance-wise, the core components have more than enough power for streaming and gaming simultaneously. Moreover, the 64 GB of high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM helps run multiple applications and browser tabs smoothly. It’s not going to let you down in this regard.

During our testing, the 5i Pro plays fast, even at QHD. For RDR2 it managed 70-80 fps on ultra-settings easily. Moreover, for less demanding games like Valorant, that jumped up to 165 fps on max settings. The temps were good but the fans do get a little loud, though not a huge problem.

Keyboard

Another selling point of the Legion 5 Pro is its TrueStrike RGB Keyboard. This is a full-size keyboard with a dedicated section for the arrow keys. As for the typing experience, we particularly like that soft-landing switches have a natural, tactile feel. The slightly concave keys are a nice touch, too

Let’s not forget the RGB backlighting that span’s across 4-zones and looks stunning as it shines through the legends. What’s nice is that you can synchronize the colors with the logo on the front of the chassis. This is possible either with the Corsair IQ software or by tapping the FN and L keys.

Features + I/Os

Besides RGB backlighting, other features include a pair of 2W Harman speakers, Bluetooth/ WI-FI, and a 720p webcam (with an e-shutter). We have to say, we’re a big fan of the shutter, especially for streaming purposes. Simply close it up when you’re done to prevent any “live” accidents.

Finally, the connectivity is decent. On the right-hand side, you’ll find a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, the e-shutter switch, and a 3.5mm mic jack. Moreover, on the left, there’s a USB 3.2 Type-C port. The rest of the ports are on the rear, including 2 x USB-A/ 1 x USB-C, which is handy for cable management.

Overall, if build quality, screen quality, and power are most important to you; then there’s a lot to like about this laptop for streaming.


6. ROG Zephyrus G15 (2022)

Display: 15.6” IPS | Screen Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440)| CPU: Ryzen 9 6900HS | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080| RAM: 16 GB DDR5 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 9 hours | Weight: 4.19 lbs

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is a versatile gaming ultrabook that combines power and portability. Equipped with an 8-core, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU and a GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, it’s capable of all your professional workflow needs as well as blazing through current-year titles.

ROG Zephyrus G15
(Image credit: ASUS)
Pros
  • Outstanding performance
  • Lightweight and stylish design
  • High-refresh rate QHD panel
  • 90W battery with long life
  • Dependable battery life
  • Mux switch
Cons
  • No numeric keypad
  • Lower TGP

Design

The design itself is sleek, streamlined, and light enough to fit into a backpack. Built from magnesium alloy and aluminum, ASUS has created a sturdy laptop while reducing the weight to just 4.19 lbs. At 0.78″, the thickness is also very competitive when compared to other leading laptop brands.

To offer a flexible viewing experience, the G15 employs a 180° “ErgoLift” hinge. Unlike a conventional laptop hinge, this lets you flip the screen all the way back to share with a group. The hinge design also raises the rear of the laptop to give the keyboard a more ergonomic typing angle.

Display

Opening the laptop reveals its 15.6-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440), 16:9 display. The display has a high 240 Hz refresh rate and a rapid 3ms (G2G) response time. The high refresh rate results in lovely smooth images, while the low response time minimizes motion blur for precise target tracking.

You’ll be glad to know that this IPS panel has strikingly rich colors that are sure to draw you deep into the action. For specs, you’re looking at a 100% sRGB coverage and 350 nits of brightness. The wide color gamut lets you see your games and media in the best possible way.

Performance

Compared to the previous generation, the TGP of the Zephyrus G15 (2022) is very similar. The total GPU power comes in at 100W plus 20 watts of dynamic boost. While that’s not quite as powerful as the ROG Strix (on this list), it’s still more than enough power for cranking out the high-frame rates.

In terms of performance, this laptop has no problems running modern titles at its native QHD resolution. When playing Halo Infinite we found that its runs at a very strong 92 fps on high settings. This then hovered at around 124 fps on the less demanding campaign.

Thanks to ROG’s intelligent cooling system (with six heat pipes and dual arc flow fans); you’ll also be glad to know that the G15 offers impressive thermal capabilities. On a turbo load, we found that the GPU temperatures remained below 75°C. As a result, you won’t have to worry about overheating.

Features + I/Os

It’s worth pointing out a few extra features that we particularly like from this hardware. For starters, the new G15 2022 model now includes a 720p webcam with Windows Hello support. Additionally, the six Dolby Atmos surround speakers are some of the best you’ll find on a laptop.

Finally, for inputs and outputs, the ROG Zephyrus G15 includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-As and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C that support DisplayPort / power delivery. Additionally, there’s an HDMI 2.0b, one 3.5mm combo audio jack, a card reader, and an RJ45 Ethernet jack.

Overall, the ROG Zephyrus G15 (2022) is a thin, portable laptop that’s excellent for streaming and video editing.


7. MSI Raider GE66 (2022)

Display: 15.6″ IPS | Screen Resolution: QHD (2560 x 1440)| CPU: i9-12900HK| GPU: GeForce RTX 3070Ti | RAM: 16 GB DDR5| Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 7.5 hours | Weight: 5.24 lbs

The MSI Raider GE66 (2022) is a heavy duty-gaming machine that closely rivals the ASUS ROG Strix Scar. Featuring a 14-core, i9-12900HK processor and GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics, it combines some of the most powerful hardware to reach the pinnacle of performance.

2022 MSI Raider GE66
(Image credit: MSI)
Pros
  • Extremely powerful
  • Built like a tank
  • Beautiful display
  • RGB lighting
Cons
  • Dim screen
  • Shortish battery life
  • Heavy

Design

Much like the Strix Scar, the GE66 design has plenty of gamer flair but doesn’t go overboard. Across the entire front bottom lip of the chassis is a Mystic light strip with panoramic aurora lighting. This synchronizes beautifully with a SteelSeries RGB backlit keyboard.

Constructed from high-quality materials, the build quality feels noticeably robust. There’s very little flex to the keyboard deck, and the lid doesn’t have much flex either. We also like the MSI has cleverly re-enforced the hinges with geometric cladding, which is sure to extend the lifespan. 

Display

For the display, the MSI Raider GE66 boasts a 15.6″ IPS panel with a native 2K (2560 x 1440) resolution. Tailor-made and highly optimized for gamers, it has a 240 Hz refresh rate and a rapid 3ms (G2G) response. As a result, you can expect smooth on-screen visuals with very little motion blur.

Compared to some of the other high-end options on this list, the screen’s color accuracy is a little weak. For specs, we recorded 94% sRGB, 65.2% Adobe RGB, and 63.1% of the DCI-P3 space. Moreover, ours did need some color calibration out of the box, though this was easy to fix through the Dragon Center software.

Performance

On the plus side, the MSI Raider GE66 makes up for this with its excellent power and performance. Using Dynamic Boost 2.0. The RTX 3070 Ti GPU gets up to 140W TGP and a total 195 watts TDP with CPU + GPU combined power.

In terms of benchmarks, the RTX 3070 Ti gave us a score of 140% on the 3DMark Time Spy test. Moreover, Firestrike came in at 25006, which is one of the highest modern-day scores we’ve ever seen. Due to this, we can highly recommend this laptop for gaming and streaming on Twitch.

Cooling performance

Keeping thermals at bay is a combination of “Phase Change Liquid Metal Pad” tech and “Cooler Boost 5” cooling systems. You’ll be glad to know, this means that MSI has used a liquid metal compound on the Core i9 CPU, as well as larger fans and heat pipes to ensure maximum cooling performance.

When the system is not under a heavy load, the CPU has a resting core temperature of 51°C. This did however increase to up to 85°C during our Firestrike test. Similarly, the RTX 3070 Ti had low 52-degree Celsius core temps but did a better job of staying cool, only going up to 68 degrees-C.

Inputs + Outputs

Finally, the MSI Raider GE66 has an extensive amount of inputs and outputs on the left, rear, and right sides of the chassis. On the left-hand side, there’s a Kensington lock, a USB 3.2 Type-A, a USB Type-C Mini-DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm combo jack for your headset/ mic.

Then on the rear of the laptop, we have another Mini DisplayPort, a USB Type-C thunderbolt connection, an RJ45 jack, a standard HDMI output, and one more USB 3.2 Type-A port. Finally, on the right side, there are two more USB 3.2 Type-A connectors and an SD card reader.

Overall, those searching for a fast and powerful laptop for streaming games first and foremost should consider the 2022 MSI Raider GE66.


8. MacBook Pro 16

Display: 16.2″ Mini-LED | Screen Resolution: 4K (3456 by 2234)| CPU: Apple M1 Pro | GPU: Apple M1 Pro | RAM: 16 GB DDR5| Storage: 512 GB SSD | Battery Life: 21 hours | Weight: 4.7 lbs

The Apple MacBook Pro (2021) is a 16-inch inch laptop built for those who need to be productive. It carries a 10-core CPU with 16 integrated GPU cores and 16 gigs of DDR5 memory. Additionally, it stands out for its premium features and incredible twenty-one-hour battery life.

MacBook Pro 16
(Image credit: Apple)
Pros
  • Excellent performance
  • High build quality
  • Stunning mini-LED display
  • Exceptional battery life
  • High-quality 1080p webcam
  • Plenty of ports
Cons
  • Slow response time
  • Obtrusive camera notch
  • Difficult to upgrade components
  • Large/ heavy

Design

Slim, sleek, and suitable for all situations, the design is just as we’ve come to expect from Apple. For dimensions, it measures 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches, which is typically smaller than a standard 16-inch laptop. This is partly due to having such small bevels (0.25’) surrounding the edges of the screen.

Constructed from solid aluminum, the build quality is especially high. There’s virtually no screen wobble, the hinges are rigid, and we only noticed minimal flex after pressing down on the keyboard. While it might be on the heavier side (4.7 lbs.), the quality is well worth the price.

Display

The 16.2-inch “Liquid Retina XDR” display has a 4K (3456 by 2234) resolution that runs at 120 Hz. If you’re wondering what Liquid Retina XDR is, this is essentially Mini-LED technology with 10,000 local dimming zones. As a result, you can expect an exceptional HDR experience.

The screen itself can reach 1600 nits of brightness and sustain full-screen brightness up to 1000 nits. However, for the vast majority of the time, this screen performs at 500 nits. This is because 500 nits (cd/m2) is the standard for SDR content that is not available to watch in HDR.

Nonetheless, the screen looks bright and beautiful in both HDR and SDR situations. The 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio results in darker blacks with a wider range of light that has more detail in the shadows and highlights. If you plan to stream hi-res HDR movies on Netflix, this laptop is a great choice.

It may come as no surprise that the MacBook Pro is perfect for all your design work needs. With 99.9% sRGB coverage, 85.5% Adobe RGB, and 99% DCI-P3, the color accuracy is superb. As a result, it’s ideal for working with software like Photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, and Premiere Pro.

Performance

The M1 architecture (10 core CPU and 16-core GPU) opens up a completely new level of performance for pro users. Programs boot up fast and many applications can run at once flawlessly. Couple that with the dedicated encode and decode media engines (that support H.264, HEVC, and ProRes codecs), and even the most ambitious streaming tasks will never be a problem.

Although this hardware wasn’t necessarily built for gaming, it’s still capable of some light fun. The integrated GPU is comparable to a GTX 1650 Ti so it can still reach some decent frame rates on 1080p games. Diablo III, CS: GO and several others can run at 60-100 fps or better at high settings.

Features

For casual streaming with friends or even work, we have to say that some of the integrated features on this laptop really are quite excellent. The Full-HD camera is above average quality and the speakers are some of the best on a laptop you’ll find. We can confidently say the same about the microphone, which sounds very natural and clear.

One thing you will notice about the camera is that it’s not on the screen actual bezel but instead takes up some space on the top of the screen itself. For those people who don’t particularly like the notch, it is possible to turn on a black bar at the top to make this disappear. Conveniently, it also disappears when you view things like videos in full-screen mode.

Inputs and outputs

Lastly, for I/Os, we have a charging port, two Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack that can support high-impedance headphones. Then, on the right-hand side, there’s an SD card slot, a third Type-C Thunderbolt 4 port, and HDMI 2.0 than can drive up to 4K HDR @ 60Hz.

Overall, the MacBook Pro 16 is a well-made, professional product that’s perfect for steaming and editing.


9. HP Omen 16

Display: 16.1″ IPS | Screen Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440) | CPU: i7-11800H| GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070| RAM: 32GB DDR4| Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 9.5 hours | Weight: 5.11 lbs

The HP Omen 16 is a reasonably priced, “all-rounder” gaming laptop that can handle multi-thread loads. As the successor to the Omen 15, it comes with a slightly wider screen. Moreover, under the hood is a powerful 8-core, Intel Core i7-11800H processor and an RTX 3070 graphics card.

HP Omen 16
(Image credit: OMEN)
Pros
  • Clean, subtle design
  • Fast CPU/ GPU performance
  • USB 4 with Thunderbolt 4
  • Easy maintenance
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Slow response time
  • Wobbly screen
  • Plastic build
  • Quite noisy

Design

Aesthetically, the Omen 16 has a generic design that makes this laptop suitable for taking to work/ college and streaming during a lunch break. As you can see, it has a contrasting matte black and white interior/ exterior. Also on the exterior of the chassis is Omen’s distinctive diamond gradient logo that lights up and looks quite sleek, though, you can turn this off when needed.

The build quality of the Omen is overall decent but we do think it could be better. For instance, the hinges look to lack stability and almost seem to struggle with the increased screen size. Due to this, any accidental knock on the screen can result in quite a bit of wobble.

Display

In terms of display, the HP Omen 16 (2022) uses a 16.1-inch IPS panel that supports a higher 2K resolution. This runs at 144 Hz but does suffer from a slower 7ms response time. Furthermore, while the 100% sRGB shows good color coverage, it only has a below-average 300 nits of brightness.

Although the response is somewhat on the slower side, this is not going to bother the majority of people, particularly for casual use. Competitive gamers and established Twitch streamers however might want to look towards a faster option. Of course, that will come at a more premium price tag.

Performance

Even so, the specs on this laptop are not going to hold streamers back massively. The 8-core, 16-thread CPU is more than sufficient to handle your FHD gameplay via the x264 encoder. We can say the same about the RTX 3070 GPU running on NVENC for even greater visuals.

As for the gaming performance, the HP Omen 16 is a solid fit for 1080p gaming with new titles. There are lots of games that will run perfectly at the display’s native 1440p resolution at 60fps, too.  Though, for streaming, you’ll probably want to stick to Full-HD to avoid any drops in frame rates.

Keyboard + I/Os

The keyboard is probably one of the most eye-catching things on HP Omen 16 (2022). This is a full-size, 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard that includes a Numpad. Due to being full-size, the key distancing is reasonable. Moreover, the keypresses feel fast and snappy with nice elastic feedback.

Finally, the Omen 16 has a vast amount of external I/O ports, including a USB-C with Thunderbolt 4. In addition to this, there are three x USB 3.0 Type-A’s, an RJ-45 jack, and an HDMI 2.1 Mini DisplayPort. We also like that there’s a multi-format SD card reader for quick access to your files.

Overall, whether you need a laptop for streaming games, video calls, or Netflix, the HP Omen 16 is a versatile choice.


10. ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2022)

Display: 15.6″ IPS | Screen Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)| CPU: i7-12650H | GPU: GeForce RTX 3070 | RAM: 16 GB DDR5| Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery Life: 8 hours | Weight: 4.85 lbs.

The Asus TUF Dash F15 is an affordable, lightweight gaming laptop that offers fantastic efficiency and battery life. Built for streaming and multitasking with ease, it boasts a 10-core i7-12650H CPU (capable of a 4.9 GHz boost), NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics, and 16 GB of DDR5 RAM.

ASUS TUF Dash F15 - laptop for streaming games or video editing
(Image credit: ASUS)
Pros
  • Thin and light
  • Excellent battery life
  • Good thermal management
  • Thunderbolt 4 port
  • Affordable price
Cons
  • Soldiered in RAM
  • Leaves fingerprints
  • Noisy fans
  • No webcam

Design

In terms of the design, the TUF Dash F15 has a stealthy grey finish with a metal lid and a standard plastic interior. At 4.85 lbs., the weight is on the lighter side, which makes it great for gaming on the go. Moreover, at 0.88”, the thickness is super-slim, allowing it to slide right into a backpack.

Compared to last year’s model, the new chassis design is 4.5% smaller than the previous generation. Despite this, there’s still plenty of room for a full desktop-size keyboard with four hotkeys and a larger touchpad. Impressively, ASUS has increased the touchpad size by 26%.

We also like that the layout is well-spaced-out and easy to adapt to. The keys themselves have very soft tactile feedback, making them a great choice for gaming. As for the touchpad, this feels nice too. Gestures work fine, the palm rejection works well, and there are no ghost touches.

Display

This particular model of the TUF Dash F15 has a 15.6″ Full-HD resolution screen with a 300 Hz refresh rate. The high 300 Hz refresh rate is a big selling point, making for buttery smooth, tear-free motion in all your games. Moreover, the low 3ms response time is also very competitive.

Although this is a budget laptop from the ASUS TUF line-up, the display’s color accuracy is nothing to scoff at, either. For specs, you’re looking at 100% sRGB, 75.35% Adobe RGB, and 300 nits of brightness. While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for design work, the 100% sRGB gamut coverage still allows you to see the colors exactly as the game developer intended.

Performance

Thanks to the 10 core, 14-thread CPU boosting up to 4.7 gigahertz and lightning-fast DDR5 4800 megahertz RAM, the ASUS TUF Dash F15 is an excellent choice for everyday work and play. With this hardware, the laptop boots up very fast, and tasks can complete very quickly.

Let’s not forget the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU putting out 140 watts of horsepower behind your games, too. This includes 115W of core power + 25W of dynamic boost. For streaming, that amount of power is a dream come true, allowing you to take full advantage of the high refresh rate.

As for thermals, the five-heat-pipe setup from ASUS performs quite well. After one hour of continuous Cinebench testing, peak time temperatures were around the 96°C range. Under a stress test, however, the temperatures were in the range of 80°C to 86°C, which again is pretty good.

Inputs and outputs

Finally, we appreciate that the Tuff 15 has all the I/Os you could possibly want. On the left side is an RJ45 LAN port, an HDMI port, a TB4 port, a USB-C 3.2 port, a USB-A 3.2 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Then on the right side, you get a Kensington security lock and another USB-A port. 

Currently, the ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2022) is the best budget laptop for streaming games or video editing.


Can Laptops be Used for Streaming?

When you think of a laptop for streaming, the odds are, you’re thinking about downloading video on Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+. However, there’s far more to streaming than downloading video. Streaming also includes uploading data during video calls, hosting webinars, or broadcasting games.

Uploading streams only requires basic hardware, which most laptops are capable of. However, when you’re running intensive programs alongside the stream, the laptop will require more power. The problem is that extra power will come at a higher price tag.

What Specs Do I Need for a Streaming Laptop?

If you just want to stream video content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube, then a budget laptop is more than sufficient. However, if you want to run Twitch streams and play high-end video games while you stream, then you’re going to need a lot more bang.

For Twitch streaming, you will need to pay attention to how you are going to encode the stream and how this will affect your resolution and frame rate. If you’re encoding with x264 then a 9th-gen i7 processor or AMD Ryzen 7-4800H will provide a playable FPS at 1080p resolution and above. 

Alternatively, 20-series GPUs have more than enough power for NVENC encoding. Of course, you can make sacrifices on that but you’ll want to a GPU that can run no lower than 30 FPS, 720p as a minimum. 

As far as RAM is concerned, you should set 8 GB as your absolute minimum but focus on something more along the lines of 16GB if you want to ensure a certain level of efficiency.


How to Choose a Laptop for Streaming

CPU/ GPU

Your focus should be on a 9th generation (8th at the lowest), Intel Core i7 processor. Games are getting more and more intense, and playing them while streaming requires even more power to encode the game and stream.

RAM and Storage

Although you can go lower (if you’re trying to pinch pennies), you should aim for 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. To store the short-term data, RAM is necessary for a laptop to operate properly. Moreover, additional storage is crucial if you plan on saving your content. 

Display

Your display size only matters so much as it’s important to you, though your resolution will affect your viewers. A 14” screen with a Full-HD resolution is perfectly appropriate as a minimum standard. Streaming in 2K or 4K however will require a faster internet connection.

Performance/ Cooling performance

How the laptop performs is one of the most important factors, though this will largely be down to the hardware “under the hood”. Keep in mind that it’s not just gaming/ streaming performance you should consider, but also cooling performance, too.

Features

The ideal streaming laptop should incorporate several important features that are necessary for streaming. A high-quality webcam will allow you to broadcast live video in real time. Additionally, a decent microphone and set of speakers will assist in capturing your voice and generating sound.

Connectivity and Ports

The most important ports you should look for are USC-Type-C or Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed transmissions of data. Having multiple USB ports will allow you to connect several devices.

Moreover, HDMI 2.0, and Displays Ports will allow you to connect multiple displays for extra screen real estate. Besides this, the latest Ethernet ports/ Bluetooth connectivity is important for the highest bitrate during the stream.

Price

If you just want to stream Netflix, you don’t have to worry much about price, however, if you want to game and stream or stream your games on platforms like Twitch, you’re looking at a greater expense.

For a streaming laptop with mid-tier specs, you’re looking at spending around $1,500. However, if you want to lay everything out on the table and go for broke, that price point can expand to $2,500 pretty easily.



We hope you found a laptop for streaming on this list.

Click here for the best Cheap Streaming PCs!

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