10 Best Laptops For Watching Movies – 2021
Table of Contents
TOP PICK 
BEST DISPLAY
Model
BLW's Score
-
87
-
83
79
MSRP
$599.00
Price not available
$249.00
Price not available
$839.99
More Information
Processor
AMD Quad Core R5-3500U CPU
Intel Core i3-8130U 2.2 GHz
Intel Celeron N4000
Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz
Intel Core i7-8250U 3.4 GHz
RAM
8 GB DDR4
6GB DDR4
4 GB LPDDR4
8 GB DDR3
8GB DDR3
Hard Disk
256 GB Flash Memory Solid State
256GB SSD
32 GB Embedded MultiMediaCard
128GB SSD
1TB HDD
Display
15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
14" HD (1366 x 768)
13.3" (2560x1600 Retina)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel
Intel UHD Graphics 617
Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10
Chrome OS
Mac OS X
Windows 10
Weight
3.5 pounds
5.2 pounds
3.2 pounds
2.75 pounds
5.2 pounds
Battery Life
-
13.5 hours
13.5 hours
12 hours
5.5 hours
TOP PICK
BLW's Score
-
MSRP
$599.00
More Information
Processor
AMD Quad Core R5-3500U CPU
RAM
8 GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256 GB Flash Memory Solid State
Display
15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
3.5 pounds
Battery Life
-
Model
BLW's Score
87
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i3-8130U 2.2 GHz
RAM
6GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.2 pounds
Battery Life
13.5 hours
Model
BLW's Score
-
MSRP
$249.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Celeron N4000
RAM
4 GB LPDDR4
Hard Disk
32 GB Embedded MultiMediaCard
Display
14" HD (1366 x 768)
Graphics
Intel
OS
Chrome OS
Weight
3.2 pounds
Battery Life
13.5 hours
BEST DISPLAY
BLW's Score
83
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz
RAM
8 GB DDR3
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
13.3" (2560x1600 Retina)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 617
OS
Mac OS X
Weight
2.75 pounds
Battery Life
12 hours
BLW's Score
79
MSRP
$839.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-8250U 3.4 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR3
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.2 pounds
Battery Life
5.5 hours
Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
Maybe you can’t afford a big screen TV or you don’t have enough space for one. Maybe you just need a portable streaming media solution. A laptop can be a great way to enjoy your favorite movies while also having a portable device for everyday computing tasks.
Watching movies and television on portable devices has never been more convenient and never has their been so many options. You can watch movies on Amazon Prime or Netflix or premium channels like HBO or Showtime. You can also binge television series from those sources and many more, like Hulu Plus or Sling TV. Even live streaming television is becoming more common by the day.
Why Should You Buy A Laptop For Movie Watching?
You can place it on your lap and watch in comfort. It is convenient since it can easily shift with your position. It is wireless so there are no strings attached to your device. This makes it easy to carry it to the kitchen while you make some popcorn.
You may think that buying a laptop just for watching movies does not make much sense. If you do not need it for business or education purposes, it seems like a waste of money.
What you may not know is that with so many laptops being launched every day there are tons of laptops that are affordable and perfect for watching movies all day long during breaks. Not only that, they are much more convenient than a smartphone for writing emails, browsing the web, or managing files.
Just watching movies does not require high-end specifications like a powerful processor or huge amounts of storage. A basic processor will suffice since watching a movie does not demand much from the laptop.
Also, a large quantity of RAM is not a necessity. On the other hand, all else being equal, pick a laptop with more RAM. While choosing a laptop for mainly watching movies, the most important specifications are the display and the sound system. However, if you plan to listen to movies using Bluetooth earphones, the speaker system is not critical. You may want to save money from passing on the high-end speakers and investing in a better pair of earphones instead.
Many people think that any laptop could be great for watching movies but they are wrong. Any laptop costing more than $1000 will probably work well, but it is difficult to find a good HD or FHD display with amazing audio at low and affordable prices.
On What To Pay Attention When Buying Laptop For Watching Movies?
Connectivity is also an important consideration for streaming movies. You’ll want a good WiFi adapter in the laptop. If you are a movie buff and want to store numerous movies on the laptop then you’ll want to consider either a large hard drive or an external storage device. But note that most people just stream movies rather than storing them locally. If you want to watch a movie multiple times, it’s easy to just stream it again.
Finding a laptop that’s the perfect fit for your needs is challenging and requires quite a bit of research. But, don’t worry. After doing extensive research, we determined that the following picks are the best laptops for watching movies. We believe you will find these to be very capable and affordable options. So, read on…
Our Top Picks for Best Laptops for Watching Movies and TV Series
1. ASUS F512DA-EB51 VivoBook 15
Specs:
- AMD Quad Core R5-3500U CPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB PCIe SSD
When it comes right down to it, there are few buyers who actually intend to use their laptop only for watching videos; everyone’s got some other uses for it, and it’s best to be prepared for them instead of needing to go get an entirely different machine. This laptop has been packed with everything you need to make sure that you can watch movies and handle a wide range of other tasks in between takes.
Just to start with, it’s got the 15.6 inch diagonal of a full-size desktop replacement laptop, measuring slightly more than three-quarters of an inch thick when closed to allow for the inclusion of a wide array of full-size ports; this model can accept USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and full-size HDMI with no need for adapters of any kind. It weighs a somewhat chunky three and a half pounds, so you might not want to carry it around too much, but includes an ergonomically sloped keyboard to make it more comfortable when typing at a desk or table instead.
The operating system is Windows 10, running on AMD Quad-Core R5 processors with eight gigabytes of memory. There’s a 256 gigabyte solid state drive for storage, and an AMD Radeon Vega 8 discrete graphics card that gives this computer not only stunning video playback but also a fighting chance at playing some more recent titles, if only on reduced graphics.
One feature of particular note in this model is the integrated fingerprint sensor that serves to wake up and log in your computer at a single touch. Desktops and mobile devices have steadily been seeing more fingerprint activation options for a few years, and this machine keeps you ahead of that curve.
The catch for this machine is that while it is exceptional for watching movies, it is on the lower end of average for most other tasks; both software and hardware are of somewhat dated design, so you will need to reduce the load for most programs to run on them. It is also subject to a shorter battery life than other movie models, so you will need to stay near an outlet for longer cinema sessions.
PROS
- Modern and attractive look
- Solidly built
- Ergonomic keyboard
CONS
- Not suitable for gamers
- Short battery life
2. Acer Aspire E 15
Specs:
- Intel Core i3-8130U processor
- 245GB SSD
- 6GB DDR4 RAM
Acer Aspire is a workhorse of a laptop used by people who need good long-lasting laptops for everyday use. This laptop also happens to have a 15.6-inch full HD screen with fantastic resolution that will work great with streaming video content.
It’s 400 nit brightness feature makes watching movies outdoors in broad daylight possible. It has an Intel Core processor providing great productivity and enabling the user to multitask.
The Intel HD Graphics 620 card provides above-average graphics and makes action movies come to life. Its long battery life ensures high standard entertainment even on the go. You can watch movie after movie or binge watch series without worrying about frequent recharging.
This laptop uses advanced cooling pads to prevent the laptop from heating up even when used for hours. The sleek and slim body of the laptop is convenient and comfortable to use during long movie watching sessions.
One of the greatest features of this laptop is that it uses the new ColorBlast technology to provide greater image quality that is twice as better as the average laptop.
PROS
- Good for everyday use
- Brilliant graphics
- Fast response time
CONS
- Feels fragile
3. HP Chromebook
Specs:
- Intel Celeron N4000
- 4 GB RAM
- 32 GB eMMC
A lot of people think that Chromebooks are smaller, budget laptops with few features and relatively narrow ranges of operations, a stereotype that was only reinforced by a broad trend of schools buying large quantities of Chromebooks as classrooms transferred into the digital era. This computer breaks that mold in several places, giving users a premium viewing experience while still enjoying the quick access and automatic sync capabilities of Chrome OS.
On the outside, this laptop approaches the dimensions and specifications of a standard desktop replacement laptop, with a screen measuring 14 inches on the diagonal and roughly three-quarters of an inch thick while closed. It weighs a little more than three pounds, so some users might find it inconvenient to move around or carry in a bag during the day.
The Chrome OS allows this computer to get away with a smaller and less impressive processor than a local machine of its size would need; this computer uses the Intel Celeron processor with four gigabytes of RAM and a 32 gigabyte internal drive to give it some offline functionalities. The discrepancies in both processing speed and storage are made up for by the Google cloud services provided with this machine, offering greatly increased Google Drive storage for files and a cloud-based processor to handle the difficult tasks.
What makes this computer a real winner for movies is the display, with a razor-thin bezel and backlit OLED colors that will have your favorite titles standing out in sharp relief. The interface is exceptional as well, with great tactile feedback and travel times for both touchpad and keyboard.
This is somewhat bigger and heavier than someone might want for an easily portable media laptop, so make sure it will fit your needs before buying. Keep in mind that it has a fairly narrow selection of ports; USB, SD, and audio will be your only wired connections with this device.
PROS
- Responsive design and sleek build
- Dual core Intel processors
- Crisp screen display
CONS
- Average battery life
- eMMC flash and not SSD storage
4. Dell Inspiron 5000 Touchscreen Laptop
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-8250U processor
- 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
This model of the Inspiron series is quite, well, inspiring. Its 15.6-inch display is full HD with the highest resolution. It is enabled with a touch screen feature.
Its 10-finger multi-touch support adds on to the convenience of the user by making scrolling and other activities like rewind, pause, and fast forward easier. The 8th generation Intel Core processor boosts the performance of the laptop making it work faster and better.
The Waves MaxxAudio Pro provides high-quality sound. The movies sound like you are watching them in a theater. The 802.11A provides great connectivity giving the user security that one will enjoy the internet without any hassle.
Its great battery life makes binge watching a pleasure. This laptop even has a microphone/ headphone input jack that can be used by the user if they want privacy. Its sturdy body makes the laptop last longer than most laptops and protects it from bumps and falls.
This laptop is a great buy, although it might be a bit expensive for just watching movies.
PROS
- Sturdy body
- High-quality sound
- Very quiet
CONS
- A bit pricey
5. ASUS ZenBook Flip 14
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-8565U Processor
- 512GB SSD
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
The Asus ZenBook is very affordable given its features. It has a 8th generation Core i7 processor making the laptop fast and smooth. For watching movies the important features are the display, sound, storage, and connectivity and this laptop is a perfect blend of these features.
Its 14-inch display has a high resolution of 1920 by 1080. It is full HD and the bright display is great for watching movies. One can even notice the minute details that are usually missed.
The flip feature of this laptop is one of the key features that make this laptop ideal for this list. One can flip the laptop screen to make it stand while watching movies or place on the tabletop.
The light and slim body of the laptop makes it possible for people to watch movies even on the go or while traveling for trips. The dedicated NVIDIA MX150 graphics processor provides plenty of power to stream movies and TV series or even edit videos if you want.
The ASUS Audio wizard provides great sound quality. The audio can be customized as per the movie genre like action, comedy, romance and so on.
PROS
- Compact
- Good for editing content
- Brilliant sound
- sturdy
CONS
- Not comfortable for watching movies in bed
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Specs:
- Intel Core i5
- 8GB Memory
- 128GB Solid State Drive
The Surface line made quite a splash when it was first introduced, becoming arguably the original tablet with a detachable keyboard and full Windows operating system. Its success since then has brought multiple additional tablet models, as well as some Surface products that are in fact laptops taking advantage of the ultra-slender technology that made the original tablets possible.
This model’s physical appearance has been a strong selling point since the line launched, aiming to compete for minimal weight and width against Apple’s super-thin laptops and tablets. This one does the trick quite well -its 13.5 inch diagonal being bigger than most small netbooks, but it is still only fractions of an inch thick closed and weighs far less than one might expect.
One of the main issues with the Surface line has always been the external ports, as the minute width of the machine leaves little room for any physical connectivity. This one comes with just four external ports, one each of an SD card reader, a USB 3.0 and Type C port, and a standard headset jack that supports both earphones and microphones.
While external hardware may leave something to be desired, internal hardware is entirely a different story, and has a happier ending by far; Microsoft has managed to fit an Intel Core i5 processor into this tiny chassis, and backs it up with a 128 gigabyte solid state drive and eight gigabytes of RAM. The solid state drive is of particular importance, as it is measurably faster than a hard disk drive; without it, this machine couldn’t possibly be as slender or efficient as it is.
Potential buyers may want to think twice about the price for this model, as it is well above what this size of laptop would usually command. If you are buying a computer exclusively to watch movies, you may want to aim for something a little more budget-friendly.
PROS
- Fantastic battery life
- Comfortable keypad
- Display quality is great
CONS
- Steep price
- Too few ports
- No fingerprint reader
7. ASUS VivoBook E403SA-US21
Specs:
- Intel I5-8250U Processor
- 1 TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4
The ASUS VivoBook is quite similar to the Apple MacBook. It has the full metal body which is sleek and slim and weighs less than 4 pounds.
One of the attractive aspects of this laptop is that it is very budget-friendly. Since it comes with a great warranty policy you don’t need to worry about damaging the laptop or the repair costs.
This laptop uses the latest technology to provide next-generation connectivity. It is even equipped with a Type C USB port. Its battery life is reasonable and lasts up to 5 hours when put to maximum use. Its touchpad is quite sensitive and of a good quality which makes it last longer and not depreciate with use.
Its 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor makes this laptop extremely powerful so that you can multitask smoothly. The 15.6″ full HD display has an anti-glare coating and thin bezel that will not detract from your movie-watching experience.
Another nice feature of this laptop is the fingerprint sensor that will enhance the security of the device. We like this lower-cost alternative to the MacBook and we think you will too.
PROS
- Full HD display
- Anti-glare screen
- Great at multi-tasking
- Great security features
CONS
- Mediocre battery life
8. HP Pavilion 15
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-8250U Processor
- 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
This laptop, produced by HP, is one of the best choices in this list for movie buffs. The price is very reasonable although this laptop is equipped with all the basic features required for watching movies.
One can buy this laptop to just watch movies and not feel guilty about spending too much. It is lightweight and the sleek body will satisfy the fashion-conscious. Its 15.6-inch display is Full HD and provides good quality and resolution for streaming video content.
The best feature of this laptop is that its metal body is sturdy and can prevent any damages that could be caused to the laptop in case of falls and bumps.
This laptop has upgradable storage and memory. You can pay a little more have it upgraded in case they want to store movies. Another option is to buy a external hard disk.
Being equipped with the Intel Core i5 processor, this laptop is suitable for relatively heavy workloads. You can use this laptop for hours without worrying about recharging the batteries or causing overheating.
The Dell and Lenovo fans tend to discount good companies like HP. However their laptops provide great quality at low prices. We think this laptop is a good buy and will last for a long time when used properly.
PROS
- High-quality features
- Sturdy frame
- Long-lasting
CONS
- Poor memory storage
9. Acer Chromebook 11
Specs:
- Intel Celeron N3060 Processor
- 16GB SSD
- 4GB DDR3L RAM
This Chromebook is a nice laptop with an affordable price and very unique features. This laptop is designed to be portable and so that it can be comfortably used in daily life.
You can easily carry this slim laptop in a purse or backpack or use it while traveling. It does not weigh too much making it even more convenient for the user. Its 11.6-inch display is full HD with the best resolution making the image quality better than average laptops.
At this low price, it is shocking how Acer is able to provide so much. This budget-friendly laptop can be bought by anyone even if they are having financial issues, it is that affordable. The powerful processor will easily support long hours of movie watching.
It has a sturdy body built to prevent damage and make the laptop very durable. Acer is known for its after-sale service. You can have the laptop fixed easily at a reasonable price if there is any damage.
The sound system is not out of the world but good enough for watching movies. Using headphones and earphones, the sound quality becomes excellent and quite similar to a theater. It is equipped with 802.11A connectivity which provides good connectivity for streaming media.
As a reminder, this is a Chromebook so don’t expect to run Windows software on it. However, there are many similar applications for Chrome OS. You can even run cloud versions of Microsoft Office applications on this laptop.
PROS
- Versatile
- Great for downloading apps
- Reliable
CONS
- Prone to malfunctions
10. Apple MacBook Air
Specs:
- Intel Core i5 processor
- 256GB SSD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
Apple is one of the most successful companies in the technology market. The MacBook Air is an excellent entry-level model that provides more than enough features for streaming movies. Although it is a bit on the expensive side, it provides extremely good value for money.
It lasts for a long time, its slim body makes it durable and resistant, and it also has great warranty policies. Its 13.3-inch Retina display has very high resolution and has an LED backlight. Its sleek body and lightweight (2.75 lbs) structure enable the user to use the laptop in numerous ways.
Its battery lasts for a minimum of 12 hours at maximum use. The 128 GB storage cannot be expanded and this might be a concern for some. However, using iCloud you can offload many of your files to low-cost cloud storage. You can also get this laptop with 256 GB if you need space on the laptop itself.
One of the best features of the MacBook Air is that you can use the laptop for hours without worrying about it heating up. The sound system is also quite boot and gives a cinema-like feel.
This laptop has a reputation built over the years which makes people trust this product and the company behind it. This model of MacBook has some of the best features in a very sleek body using the latest technology. It looks great too.
PROS
- Cinema-like viewing experience
- Sleek body
- Lots of built-in space
CONS
- Expensive
Conclusion
All these laptops are some of the best laptops for watching movies. Watching movies does not need high-end laptop specifications, just something powerful enough to smoothly stream movies and binge TV series.
These laptops provide more than that and all are good buys. This list will help you make a wise and pocket-friendly decision. Happy streaming!
Resources
About the Author Marcus
Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.
