Question / Help Budget laptop for streaming?

[meloDuncur]

Hello! I was just wondering if anyone could help me out. I know the title probably made people cringe but it be like that sometimes. Anyway, I was looking for a laptop max $800 for me to stream. I know it's better to build but that'll happen later on. Right now I need a laptop that can handle streaming games like Brawlhalla, Terraria, Hearthstone, and I'll also be streaming some creative work, so there will be times where I'm just using a webcam.

Since the games I'll be playing are 2d, I'd assume it wouldn't push the right laptop beyond it's limits. So if anyone has any input that would be great! I have my fingers crossed! I'll be on the go a lot too, which is also why this laptop is crucial.

Thanks in advance!

 

[FerretBomb]

Look for something with a solid (non-budget) i5 at least, and if possible nVidia discrete graphics. You really aren't going to get much in a laptop form factor that's 'good' for streaming at that price point, as laptop components are already lower-performance than their desktop counterparts, and livestreaming is extremely demanding. Doesn't help that they're also generally significantly more expensive too, and have to work within a much poorer thermal envelope than a desktop.

That said, I'd recommend considering a small-form-factor PC instead if possible, like the old Shuttle style systems. If you're going to be mobile (and not just wanting to drag it around the house), I'd expect that guaranteeing a wired connection with at least 3-5mbps upstream wherever you're streaming from would be significantly more of a problem.

Really though, the forums aren't here for hardware recommendations, but support with the OBS software. Do research. Buy a hefty CPU, avoid AMD graphics (their 'switchable' line doesn't work with OBS properly most times).