When the Lumiere brothers first showed their masterpiece; motion films, to the world in 1895, the world was set ablaze with this extraterrestrial concept of being able to watch actors play out situations and emotions right in front of you. Whether it was the 19th century or the 20th, this flame has continued to grow exponentially along with the need to watch movies with comfortable, portable laptops. Today we’re going to be looking at some of the best laptops for streaming movies and shows; budget, and high-end.
Since you’ve come here looking for the best laptops to stream movies on, look no further! From sleek designs and the most stunning displays to laptops that give you the biggest bang for your buck, you’ll find the powerhouses we’ve scoured the internet for to make you feel like you’ve been transported into a personal theatre. Get ready to stream, download, and watch your favorite content and movies in breathtaking quality without breaking the bank. Keep reading to find the best laptops to watch movies!
Why should you have a laptop for streaming movies?
Having a laptop to watch movies instead of a T.V., smartphone, or PC has a plethora of advantages.
Portability. The very feature of a laptop has defined an entire industry. Laptops do not require any sort of cables besides a charger, meaning laptops can be taken with you on the go. Whether you’re in bed on a Saturday night watching your favorite movies or in any other medium of travel such as a plane, train, or a coffee shop, a laptop comes in handy for consuming content.
When you buy a laptop to watch movies, it is often more cost-effective than buying a separate device specifically for streaming movies. Laptops can be used for other tasks, such as work, school, or gaming, which makes them a more versatile and cost-effective option. Another reason why you consider viewing our list and deciding on the best laptop to watch movies on for yourself is productivity while multitasking. This results in higher levels of productivity as you can watch a movie while also working on a project, browsing the internet, or chatting with friends.
One study, conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2019, found that “people who use laptops are more likely to multitask and to be more productive than those who use desktops.” The study, which involved almost 1,000 participants, found that people who used laptops spent more time on task-related activities and less time on non-task-related activities than people who used desktops.
Moreover, with advancements in technology, laptops now come with high-fidelity speakers, 4k displays with refresh rates close to 300 Hz, and vibrant colors. Such features provide an astounding, comfortable experience comfortably. Whether it’s connecting speakers or
headphones, you cannot limit what you can do to improve your streaming experience.
That is precisely why you must find your own best laptop to watch movies on!
What makes the best laptop for streaming movies?
Before anything, let’s talk about some software and hardware aspects of a laptop meant for watching and streaming movies.
There are 4 main factors to consider while looking for the best laptops for streaming movies:
- Display: When you’re looking for the best laptops for streaming movies on, a good display is crucial. A high-resolution display, such as 1080p or 4K, will ensure that the picture is sharp and clear, while a good contrast ratio will make the colors more vibrant and the blacks deeper. A larger display size also allows for a more immersive viewing experience. Additionally, a display with good viewing angles will ensure that the picture looks good even when viewed from off-center. A touchscreen display also opens up the possibility of interactive and engaging experiences.
- Processor: A processor handles the functionality part of streaming movies, i.e, the clicks you make, playback, the pages you load, and handling multiple tasks at once. Make sure you never cheap out on the processor or at least don’t get an incredibly low-end one. If you’re looking for the best laptop to watch movies on, this is the part you shouldn’t cheap out on.
- Battery Life: You’re at the climax of a movie, and all of a sudden, your laptop screen switches to black in an instant. A laptop with good battery life is essential so you can watch your favorite movies and shows without any sort of interruption. Additionally, a solid battery makes sure you don’t miss out on any streaming experience while on the go.
- Sound quality: The speakers on a laptop may not be as powerful as those on a dedicated home theater system. Therefore, it’s important to have good-quality speakers or headphones to ensure clear, crisp sound while watching movies.
Some other miscellaneous prerequisites for a good quality experience include a good audio source, such as high-fidelity speakers and a good keyboard also make sure you get all the little aspects of your laptop streaming experience sorted out. These small nuances may seem insignificant, but in reality, have a huge impact on your immersion. All of these factors attribute to truly make a laptop the best laptops for streaming movies.
Budget
For the Best Laptops for streaming movies, from high-end laptops, with all the bells and whistles to budget-friendly laptops that you can buy locally and online for incredible prices, we’ve got you covered. It’s crucial to decide your budget before deciding to buy the best laptops for streaming movies for yourself.
Here are some of the best laptops for streaming movies:
| Laptop | Quality | Cost |
| Acer Aspire 5 | Low-tier | Check Price |
| Dell G5 15 | Low-tier | Check Price |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 | Mid-tier | Check Price |
| MacBook Air (M1, 2020) | Mid-tier | Check Price |
| Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon | High-tier | Check Price |
| Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 | High-tier | Check Price |
| Alienware Area-51m R2 | Highest-tier | Check Price |
| Asus ROG Mothership GZ700GX | Highest-tier | Check Price |
The Current Best Laptops for Streaming Movies
1. Acer Aspire 5
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) or FHD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit LCD |
| Processor: AMD Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, or Ryzen 7 |
| Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega or Radeon Graphics |
| Memory: Up to 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage: Up to 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD or 1TB HDD |
| Battery: Up to 10 hours |
| Audio: 2x stereo speakers |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 2.0, HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Other features: Acer TrueHarmony technology, Acer BlueLightShield technology, Acer ComfyView display |
| Dimensions: 14.31 x 9.74 x 0.71 inches (364 x 247 x 18 mm) |
| Weight: 4.19 lbs (1.9 kg) |
Pros
The very first laptop on our list is the Acer Aspire 5. Being an incredibly budget-friendly laptop, it provides the user with the best experience possible in its given price range of $500. It is significantly more affordable than any other laptop on the market. Despite its low price, the laptop can perform basic tasks such as office work, movie watching, and content browsing due to its 15.6-inch HD or FHD display, AMD Ryzen processor, and AMD Radeon graphics card.
In terms of its design, the Acer is lightweight, sleek, and immensely versatile, clocking in at only 1.9kg with thin dimensions. Whether it’s in the comfort of your own home, or during your travels, you can enjoy streaming your favorite movies without ever worrying about portability. Moreover, Acer’s BlueLightShield technology and ComfyView display reduce eye strain and glare respectively to ensure the health of your eyes isn’t compromised during your laptop streaming experience.
The Aspire has a moderate battery life of up to 10 hours; this is especially accommodating for those who are always on the go. You can get a decent amount of watch time without having to plug in the charger which makes it a huge competitor for its price point, as most laptops sacrifice battery life to improve other hardware aspects of a laptop in the budget category.
When it comes to audio quality, the Acer Aspire 5 won’t let you down in most situations. Coming fully equipped with 2x stereo speakers and Acer TrueHarmony (a feature that enhances the audio experience), you’ll be getting a cinematic movie-watching experience on your laptop.
Cons
As with any budget laptop, the Aspire 5 has an assortment of its drawbacks due to the compromises in hardware to give you, the user, an affordable option. You may be left feeling like you want more from a laptop than what the Aspire 5 gives you.
While the Acer Aspire 5 comes with a 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) or FHD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit LCD, the HD resolution is not as high as some other laptops. This may affect your viewing experience as with the HD display you may start to see pixels. Moreover, there have also been reports of screen tearing with brand-new Acer laptops; a budget laptop like this may also be a victim of such a fault.
Furthermore, the processor and graphics card is only suitable for moderate tasks. Gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks are a no-go for the Aspire 5. It will get the job of movie streaming done, but won’t perform as an all-rounder for other recreational activities. Additionally, The Aspire 5 offers up to 512GB of NVMe PCIe SSD or 1TB of HDD storage, which may not be enough for some users. Considering how movie file sizes now range from a few megabytes at their lowest to several gigabytes at their highest, this may feel lacking for a minority of users.
For most, this laptop may not be one of the best laptops for streaming movies on, but for others, it’ll get the job done.
2. Dell G5 15
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit LCD |
| Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX |
| Memory: Up to 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage: Up to 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD or 1TB HDD |
| Battery: Up to 6 hours |
| Audio: 2x stereo speakers, MaxxAudio |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI 2.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Other features: RGB backlit keyboard, Precision touchpad |
| Dimensions: 14.4 x 10 x 0.85 inches (366.5 x 254 x 21.6 mm) |
| Weight: 5.18 lbs (2.35 kg) |
Next up on our list is yet another budget gaming laptop; the Dell G5 15. At a starting price point of $1500 dollars, this laptop isn’t as exactly ‘budget’ as you can get, but it makes up for it with a number of features.
Pros
The strongest aspect of the Dell G5 15 is its exceptional performance. Whether it’s watching movies, gaming, or any other strenuous task, the G5 won’t let you down. It comes with an FHD display, an Intel core i5 or i7 processor (depending on which variant you pick), and NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX card. Playback, downloading movies, and keeping multiple tabs open, won’t lag in any form of power-related task.
As with the Aspire 5, the G5 is a slim, and portable laptop. With a weight of only 2.35kg, it’s easy to carry, transport, and pack. You won’t find yourself troubled with its dimensions and size, neither at home nor during traveling.
When it comes to battery life, the G5 offers a battery life of up to 6 hours. This gives you a decent amount of view time watching your favorite movies without the use of a charger. Additionally, the G5 also comes with 2x stereo speakers and MaxAudio technology that greatly enhances the listening experience so you don’t miss out on any of your favorite dialogues!
Storage-wise, the Dell G5 15 offers up to 16GB of DDR4 memory and up to 512GB of NVMe PCIe SSD or 1TB of HDD storage and allows for upgrades to larger storage options such as an HDD or SSD which proves more than enough for most user’s needs.
The Dell G5 15 has an HDMI 2.0 port, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, a USB 3.1 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack; it’s got all the bells and whistles you could ever desire when it comes to connectivity. Audio speakers, headphones, charging cables, everything has been thought out to make sure your streaming experience on your laptop isn’t disturbed.
Cons
The G5 does come with its own flaws as with any other laptop. It overheats a great deal when hit with an intensive task. If you have several applications, tabs, or processes open while streaming content, the sound of the fan (to compensate for overheating) becomes louder, affecting your experience.
The laptop also sacrifices audio and visual quality. The speakers and display are not as loud and vibrant when compared with other laptops. Both these drawbacks affect the very basics of an excellent viewing experience and could come become a huge letdown for many users. Moreover, the battery life is a huge letdown. 6 hours at a $1500 price point is a game changer for many who do not like having to charge their laptop multiple times a day.
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense (2256 x 1504 or 2496 x 1664 resolution) |
| Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (11th Gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 |
| Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Graphics |
| Memory: Up to 32GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage: Up to 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Battery: Up to 19 hours |
| Audio: Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos and Windows SonicConnectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, USB Type-A, 3.5mm audio jack, Surface Connect |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI 2.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Other features: Fingerprint Power button, Studio Mics, Windows Hello face authentication |
| Dimensions: 12.7 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (322.9 x 223.3 x 14.5 mm) |
| Weight: 2.79 lbs (1.27 kg) (13.5-inch) or 3.4 lbs (1.54 kg) (15-inch) |
Stepping into the premium category, you can never go wrong with a Microsoft laptop. Being highly optimized for all sorts of tasks imaginable, Microsoft has thought out every single scenario from a user standpoint.
Pros
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a premium laptop that is designed for both work and entertainment. It comes with a 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display, an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, and an Intel Iris Xe or AMD Ryzen graphics card. So whether you want to watch movies at the office, or snuggled up in your bed, multitasking will not be any sort of hindrance to its performance.
One of the most notable features of the Surface Laptop 4 is its premium design. Following in its predecessors’ footsteps, it is bound to be light and portable. However, Microsoft has not cheaped out on its build quality, making it both lightweight and durable. The keyboard is backlit and the touchpad is large and incredibly responsive; you won’t find yourself battling to navigate through your laptop. Platinum, Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Graphite Gold, the available colors for this laptop are all aesthetically pleasing and will give you a one-in-a-million experience.
Battery-wise, the Surface Laptop 4 is in a class of its own. Providing up to 19 hours of battery life, it is the longest among other competitors. The laptop comes with industry Dolby Atmos, and Omnisonic Speakers which give an incredible viewing experience along with 32 GB of ram and 1TB SSD storage; fast and plenty. As with others laptops, this storage is always upgradeable.
Cons
To speak of, the Surface Laptop 4 has negligible flaws. The few which are to mention are that the laptop is not designed to be a gaming laptop. So if you like to complement your movie streaming with gaming, this may not be the best option and underperforms when it comes to graphics and frame rate. Besides this, the only other flaw to mention is that its speaker and webcam quality is not the best compared to other laptops.
4. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 13.3-inch Retina (2560 x 1600 resolution) |
| Processor: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU |
| Memory: Up to 16GB of unified memory |
| Storage: Up to 2TB SSD |
| Battery: Up to 18 hours of web browsing or up to 25 hours of video playback |
| Audio: Stereo speakers, 3-microphone array |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Other features: FaceTime HD camera, Touch ID, macOS Big Sur, |
| Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61 cm) |
| Weight: 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg) |
Apple is perhaps the most iconic tech giant within the past 2 decades. Even besides finding the best laptops for streaming movies on, you get an outstanding laptop from this company. Their products have been stapled into technology history as some of the best around. Similarly, this version of the Macbook Air remains a solid deal in 2023.
Pros
The Macbook Air stands out against its competitor mainly due to Apple’s M1 chip, which is a custom-designed ARM-based processor that replaces the traditional Intel processors. This chip is designed to provide a high-performance, energy-efficient, and seamless experience for the users. The chip is a time-tested powerhouse and won’t disappoint you in any aspect of its use, including non-existent lag while watching your favorite movies.
Similar to the Surface Laptop 4, the Macbook Air provides 18 hours of web browsing or up to 25 hours of video playback. You can nearly watch content for a day without requiring a charger! The also laptop comes with Stereo speakers and a 3-microphone array that enhances the audio experience and provides crisp, clear cinematic sound. Storage and memory are yet other aspects that give you assurance in this laptop. It offers 16 GB of unified memory and a 2 TB SSD which proves to be more than enough in most cases.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) has Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.0. This allows you to connect the laptop to an external monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and other peripherals.
Cons
The main drawback of this laptop is its price. It is a relatively heftier wallet expense at $1000 as compared to its Window-based competitors. Additionally, macOS; the software that the laptop runs on, is not as customizable as in its Windows counterparts. So some users may find it difficult to adapt to this software and truly make their laptop feel like their own.
5. Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS or UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS touchscreen |
| Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (10th Gen) |
| Graphics: Intel UHD or Intel Iris Plus |
| Memory: Up to 16GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage: Up to 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD |
| Battery: Up to 18 hours |
| Audio: Dolby Atmos, 2 x 2W speakers |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack, Smart card reader |
| Other features: Fingerprint reader, ThinkPad Precision backlit keyboard, TrackPoint pointing device, Windows Hello face authentication |
| Dimensions: 12.7 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches (323 x 217 x 15.95 mm) |
| Weight: 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
Moving into the <$2000 budget, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon is an incredible deal for those who don’t have to worry about the burden of cost.
Pros
Lenovo has manufactured this laptop primarily for businesses and professionals who require a reliable and powerful device to serve their needs no matter where they are. It’s lightweight, durable, and packed with features to ensure it can handle one of those demanding binge sessions and long working hours.
The Thinkpad X1 comes with an incredible, high-quality, sleek, and durable build. The carbon-reinforced body makes this laptop sturdy and lightweight, perfect for those on the go.
The keyboard is backlit, spill-resistant, and comfortable to type on. You can have your favorite snacks and beverages around this powerhouse without a worry in the world! The color choices in particular; Black, Silver, and Red only add to the ambiance and experience of watching your favorite movies on your laptop.
Whether it’s editing videos and pictures or playing your favorite games while viewing movies, the Thinkpad X1’s extraordinary hardware can fuel all your desires. Moreover, the 18-hour-long battery life and 2x 2W Dolby Atmos speakers ensure your immersion remains undisturbed.
Equipped with USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack, Smart card reader, and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, there will be no peripheral you cannot connect to.
Cons
The most obvious fault of the Thinkpad X1 is that it does not come with a dedicated graphics card, so it may underperform in some aspects. Furthermore, this laptop is a relatively expensive laptop and just the basic $1500 pricetag may push away potential customers.
6. Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS or UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS G-Sync, 300Hz, 3ms, 100% sRGB |
| Processor: Intel Core i7 or i9 (10th Gen) |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or RTX 3070 |
| Memory: Up to 32GB DDR4 |
| Storage: Up to 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Battery: Up to 6 hours |
| Audio: 2x 2W speakers, ESS Sabre Hi-Fi 9218 DAC, Smart AMP technology |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, RJ-45 Ethernet |
| Other features: Per-Key RGB backlit keyboard, ROG Aura Sync, ROG Gaming Center, Windows Hello face authentication |
| Dimensions: 15.59 x 10.55 x 0.78 inches (396 x 268 x 19.9 mm) |
| Weight: 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
ASUS has been known to pull out all the stops and make not a laptop, but a piece of art that cements itself into the laptop industry. Similarly, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701, a $2000 laptop is an extraordinary laptop.
Pros
The laptop is equipped with a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 or i9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 2080 GPU which gives it a gigantic edge over its competition as both processor and GPU are industry-leading, and one can expect nothing but the highest degree of performance. In terms of display, The laptop features a 17.3-inch 1080p IPS display with a high refresh rate of 144Hz, which provides smooth and clear visuals. No matter the movie, action or romance, emotional or adventure, you can expect nothing but the best in terms of display.
Despite its powerful hardware, this laptop is relatively lightweight and slim, measuring just 0.7 inches thick and weighing close to 5 pounds which makes it a perfect fit for those who want to keep the profile of their laptops very subtle but with no sacrifice in looks or dimensions.
For those more concerned with aesthetics, the in-built keyboard for this laptop is backlit and also has the option for RGB lighting. Keeping in view your mood, this allows for the perfect amount of ambiance customization.
Cons
However, Zephyrus also has some cons to consider. It is an incredibly expensive laptop ranging from $2000 to $3000 depending on the variant you buy. Most importantly, the laptop itself only survives 4-5 hours on a full charge, which is astounding considering its price.
The Zephyrus is also quite annoying to deal with when it comes to heat and the fans themselves. A multitude of users has reported that the laptop heats up very quickly when it comes to demanding tasks. Thus, to compensate for this heat the fan spins faster which attributes to higher levels of noise.
7. Asus ROG Mothership GZ700GX
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 17.3-inch 1080p IPS, 144Hz refresh rate, G-Sync |
| Processor: 9th-generation Intel Core i9-9980HK (8-core, 16-thread, 2.4GHz base clock, 5.0GHz boost clock) |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory: 64GB DDR4 (2666MHz) |
| Storage: 2 x 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD in RAID 0 configuration |
| Battery: 88 Wh |
| Audio: Four speakers and two subwoofers, ESS Sabre Hi-Fi |
| Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.5 inches |
| Weight: 10.4 pounds |
Asus, being the popular brand it is, appears once again on this list. As we approach Holy-Grail territory for laptops, this ‘Mothership’ of a laptop is built with features only true enthusiasts who wish to perfect their viewing experience can appreciate and afford.
Pros
The laptop incomes loaded with a 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 2080 GPU. The combination of these 2 pieces of hardware makes this one of the most powerful laptops in the current market.
One of the most outstanding features of this laptop is its design. The Mothership GZ700GX has a unique design that separates the display and keyboard, with the former in a stand and the latter as a detachable wireless unit. This allows for a comfortable experience that very few laptops, even PCs can match up to. No matter, the task, or position this laptop has got you covered while you immerse yourself in your favorite movies.
As expected from a top-of-the-line laptop, it features a 17.3-inch 1080p IPS display with a high refresh rate of 144Hz and G-Sync, providing smooth and clear visuals. Meaning, you won’t be getting any sort of lag or screen tearing from the display itself. Unlike other laptops on this list, one of its key features is that it has an excellent and advanced cooling system that keeps the laptop itself quiet even under strain.
Cons
Quite evidently, the Mothership GZ700GX is quite expensive, with prices starting at around $4,500, making it one of the most expensive gaming laptops on the market. Much like the Zephyrus, the Mothership to has a very poor battery life, lasting only around 4-6 hours on a single charge. However, it does charge quickly through USB-C.
Clocking in at 10 pounds, the Mothership is a monster of a laptop. While this does come down to preference, this is a heavy laptop which may pose issues with its portability.
8. Alienware Area-51m R2
| Specifications |
|---|
| Display: 17.3-inch 1080p or 4K IPS, 300Hz refresh rate, G-Sync |
| Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900K (10-core, 20-thread, 3.7GHz base clock, 5.3GHz boost clock) or i7-10700K (8-core, 16-thread, 3.8GHz base clock, 5.1GHz boost clock) |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or 3070, 8GB GDDR6 (depending on the version) |
| Memory: Up to 64GB DDR4 (2933MHz) |
| Storage: Up to 2 x 2TB PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD ( RAID 0) |
| Battery: 99Whr |
| Audio: Alienware Sound Center with 7.1 digital audio out using HDMI 2.0 |
| Connectivity: Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Dimensions: 16.1 x 14.2 x 1.2 inches |
| Weight: 8.54 pounds |
Perhaps the most famous laptop manufacturer on this list, Alienware is known for its expensive price tag but unparalleled aesthetics and quality. Similarly, the Alienware Area-51m R2 is one of the best laptops for streaming movies and the best laptop money can buy.
Pros
The R2 comes equipped with the best processor and GPU on this list; a 10th-generation Intel Core i9 or i7 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 3080 or 3070 GPU. With this hardware, there should be no doubts about the processing power of this monster. Moreover, perhaps one of the more unique features of this laptop that make it similar to more of a PC is that the Alienware Area-51m R2 allows users to upgrade the GPU, CPU, and RAM, making it a long-lasting investment.
When it comes to visuals, yet again, topping the list, the laptop features a 17.3-inch 1080p or 4K IPS display with a high refresh rate of up to 300Hz and G-Sync, providing smooth and clear visuals.
On the keyboard itself, this laptop features macro keys. Meaning, you can bind keys to do various multi-action functions. Such as declining calls, playback, and an assortment of other features. Much like the aforementioned laptop, the R2 has an advanced cooling system, allowing the quietest experience.
Cons
One of its major shortcomings is its price. Ranging from $2500-$3500, this machine will take a toll on your wallet. Much like other laptops in this Holy-Grail-Esque category, the R2 is a heavy laptop at 8.5 pounds and features a battery life of 4-6 hours. This may result in issues regarding portability and ease of use.
Our Verdict
That concludes our list of the best laptops for streaming movies on and the verdict is….. It all depends on what you, the user want. There is no universal ‘best laptop to watch movies on’. It is best not to listen to blind, glorified assertions of what you should and should not buy. Instead, take the recommendations as a learning experience to finalize and decide what sort of device works best for you. It will be all of the little, personalized details that constitute the best laptops for streaming movies on. Maybe you don’t care about the portability aspect and just wish for a laptop that gives you the best viewing experience, or vice versa. The truth is, most laptops max out on the sort of viewing experience they can give at around 2000-2500 dollars. Anything below that is more than adequate for those who require an outstanding viewing experience and anything more than this range is something an enthusiast seeks.
If you require something that gets the job done without sacrificing too much on the hardware aspect of things, go for the DELL G5 15 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. However, if you decide that an extremely budget buy suits you the Acer Aspire 5 is a great option at its competitive price point without sacrificing hardware to the extent that it’s a horrible experience.
But for those who have no care in the world for the cost of a laptop, the Alienware Area-51m R2 is a better option compared to the Asus ROG Mothership GZ700GX due to the sheer fact the R2 features a higher refresh rate, better processor, and graphics card, with a huge difference in cost. So be sure to make use of your critical thinking to decide what fits you best for to decide the best laptops for streaming movies on!
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