Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Streaming your gaming experience to the world can be quite a satisfying experience. From mind-blowing kill streaks on Call of Duty to thrilling missions on Assassin’s Creed, you can use OBS Studio to show off your skills on YouTube, Twitter and Discord.
Not only that, you also get to play against other gamers in real time with viewers watching you battle it out from all over the globe.
In this article, I’m going to help you choose a laptop that uses robust hardware to support the heavy tasks you’ll perform using OBS Studio.
Before we get into that, though, you may wonder…
What is OBS Studio?
OBS Studio is both a screen recorder and video editing software. Not only can you stream and edit videos on OBS Studio from multiple sources, you can also mix them all and create one seamless broadcast.
This software is open source, so you can download and install it on your computer free of charge.
One nifty feature about this program is that you can include media from different sources into one stream. With a feature laden interface, you can inject different digital media in your stream.
Besides recording directly from your webcam and mic, you can also add images, footage from other games, other videos, and screen captures.
Additional reading: Does Logitech Webcam Work With PS5?
There’s really no limit to what you can do with OBS studio. You can record a video, go back and edit out mistakes or just stream and mix your video on-the-go.
OBS Studio also enjoys support from huge platforms like YouTube, Facebook live, Twitch, hitbox.tv, Restream.io and DailyMotion. It doesn’t matter what platform you choose to stream your content to, there’s a plugin for it.
That’s not even the best part. With OBS, you can stream live to multiple platforms at once!
See Lenovo Laptops For Streaming.
Can You Use a Laptop for Streaming?
Yes, you can… but it’s not that simple.
Some laptops will stream your videos on OBS Studio without ever causing problems. But others will. Why is that?
So, let’s break it down. Most branded laptops come with at least two Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Generally, this will be an Intel GPU for desktop applications and a discreet graphics chip (like NVIDIA or AMD) for 3D applications and games.
While your games can run on either of these two GPUs, OBS can only run on one, preferably the dedicated (or discrete) GPU. You may face performance problems using the Intel GPU to run this studio software.
Additionally, if your game runs on the Intel GPU and OBS runs from the discrete GPU, you might face performance issues or issues with different types of capture.
In rare circumstances, running your game from a different GPU than the one running OBS could cause your game to crash. This is usually because of a battery-saving feature that certain laptops have, and it’s not really because of OBS Studio.
Again, not all laptops will face these issues.
That begs the question:
How Do You Optimize Your Laptop for Streaming?
In case your laptop has these issues, you must set the specific GPU you want OBS Studio to use. This will often solve them.
There are other ways to optimize your laptop. Here they are:
- Make sure that your Windows version is up to date. Updates take up a lot of bandwidth. Therefore, if you want to stream, ensure that you update your laptop or disable updates for the period you’ll be streaming.
- Perform an internet speed test to check if your internet connection is optimal. If your internet connection is below what you are paying for, call your ISP and get them to improve your speeds.
- Make sure you disable Video hardware acceleration. This helps video encoders on your stream perform faster.
- You may have to purchase other devices that speed up the performance of your laptop. A portable GPU can help you stream more efficiently to all your favorite platforms.
- Sometimes dual screens slow down your computer. Consider using a single ultra-wide monitor for gaming.
Or just get a new laptop.
In which case:
What Should You Look for When Buying a Laptop for OBS Streaming?
To pick a laptop for OBS streaming, make sure you understand the minimum specs required for your laptop. Your computer should at least meet these specs to work, but the idea is to ensure that your laptop exceeds them for seamless streaming.
With that said, here are the minimum specs for:
A Mac
- Your Mac should run MacOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or higher
- It should have an Intel CPU
- A GPU compatible with OpenGPL 3.3
A Linux/Unix Laptop
- Your laptop should have a GPU compatible with OpenGPL 3.3 as well
- Linux system should be Ubuntu 18.04 or higher
- Your laptop should have an X window system
A Windows Laptop
- Your GPU should be compatible with DirectX 10.1
- You should be running Windows 8 or higher.
When you think about it, most laptops fit these criteria, but they will not do a fine job of streaming. Instead, I recommend anything with at least these specifications:
- Intel Core i7 9th/ 10th Generation
- 8GB/16GB RAM
- 256/512 GB SSD
- 15.6-inch FHD Display (1920 X1080)
- 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX350, 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or higher.
With these specs, you can run your games in Full HD and stream them via OBS without as much as a hang-up.
Let’s find some cool laptops you can buy for this purpose.
5 Best Laptop for OBS Streaming
Apple MacBook Pro
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
First on the list is the Apple MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro comes with a 15.4-inch QHD resolution screen with tempered glass. This screen delivers a high-quality display that will enhance your viewing experience.
Couple that with the built-in 720p HD camera and you have yourself the optimum OBS streaming device.
It also comes with a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, an AMD Radeon Pro 560x GPU with 4GB graphics Memory, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage.
At 4.08 pounds, you’re getting a behemoth packed in a strong but lightweight construction. You can always hook it to an external webcam or camera for better OBS streaming results.
Pros:
- High-Quality display with QHD resolution
- Strong but lightweight construction
- Discreet 4GB graphics memory
- Up to 10 hours battery life
Cons:
- MacBook Pro is quite expensive
Dell G5 15
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Next up, the Dell G5 15. This is a full gaming laptop with high-end specs and sufficient connectivity ports.
Its regular 15.6-inch screen displays in full HD resolution with a 60hz refresh rate for better OBS streaming performance.
Aside from that, the G5 gets a 6-core 9th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU that can run at up to 4.5GHz on demand. It also comes with an NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU with about 4GB graphics memory that can run AAA gaming titles like PUBG and Fortnite.
It comes with both a 256GB SSD and a 1TB HDD for extra storage.
Pros:
- High-performance gaming specs
- 4GB discreet graphics card
- Professional design
Cons:
- The Dell G5 15 is heavy
- Underperforms on battery life
Acer Predator Helios 300
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
No other laptop combines CPU and GPU usage in a way that ensures a constant Frames Per Second refresh rate like The Helios 300.
This laptop features a 15.6-inch screen that displays in full HD with a 144Hz refresh rate.
Unlike other laptops, the Helios 300 comes with an 8th Generation Core i7 CPU with a clock speed of up to 4.1GHz. However, its NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU with 6GB Video memory helps OBS streamers maintain a smooth 60FPS on their live videos.
It also comes with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. You can expand the Helios 300 with additional HDD storage to store games or other files.
Pros:
- High 144Hx refresh rate on its display
- High CPU clock speeds
- You can Laptop expand storage
Cons:
- The Helios 300 is bulky
- It uses an 8th Generation CPU
MSI GS65 Stealth
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Another laptop with incredible CPU and GPU usage is the MSI GS 65 Stealth. It also features a 15.6-inch full HD screen with a 144Hz refresh rate.
A thunderbolt port that can transfer 4K video to an external device makes the GS65 an excellent choice for OBS studio.
Like the Helios 300, the GS65 also uses an 8th Generation Core i7 processor with clock speeds up to 4.1Hz. It also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU and RAM of up to 32 GB.
This laptop also features a slim but rigid construction, making it easy to use and carry around.
Pros:
- High-quality Display with 144Hz refresh rate
- Lightweight construction
- Supports Thunderbolt port
Cons:
- Average battery life
- It also uses an 8th Generation CPU.
Asus Zen Book Pro Duo
Last update on 2024-04-07 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Another excellent selection for OBS Streaming is the Zen Book Pro Duo. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD resolution screen, the best on the entire list.
Besides that, you get a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen that acts as an extension of the primary screen.
The Zen Book Pro Duo also features a 9th Generation Intel Core i7 Quad-Core processor with a clock speed of up to 4.5Ghz. Alongside this CPU is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU.
Asus also installed 16GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD storage for fast speeds. All these features fit into a neat and slim body that makes this laptop look outstanding
Pros:
- Slim and lightweight
- 4K UHD Screen
- Clock speeds of up to 4.5GHz
Cons:
- The Zen Book Pro Duo is quite expensive
Final Thoughts and Best Pick
All these laptops can run the OBS studio without a hitch, and any of them will stream effectively.
My best pick? Dell G5 15. I picked it because it balances CPU and GPU usage, meaning you can play high-quality games and stream at once with no hiccups. That doesn’t mean that the rest are lesser. Try them out. See which one you like.
