A good laptop for entertainment has a bright, sharp screen, clear speakers, and enough battery to get through a movie. For streaming shows, watching movies, and playing casual games, most people are happy with a 15- or 16-inch laptop with a Full HD or better display. When you want a bigger picture, you can connect almost any laptop to your TV with a single HDMI cable.
In this guide, we explain what to look for in a laptop for streaming, movies, and games, how to connect your laptop to a TV, and how to get better sound. For more laptop terms, visit our laptop glossary.
Laptops for Streaming and Movies
Almost any current laptop can stream shows and movies. What makes the experience better is the screen, the sound, and a steady internet connection. Look for a screen that’s at least 15 inches, Full HD resolution or higher, good brightness, and speakers that sound clear at normal volume. A touch screen or 2-in-1 laptop can also fold into a stand, so you can watch without the keyboard in the way.
What to look for in a laptop for streaming and movies
| Feature | What to look for | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15 to 17 inches | A bigger picture that’s easier to see from a comfortable distance |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) or higher | Sharp, clear images |
| Screen type | OLED or a bright IPS screen | Richer colors and deeper blacks, especially in dark movie scenes |
| Brightness | 300 nits or more | Easier to see in bright rooms; nits measure screen brightness |
| Speakers | Front- or upward-facing speakers with tuned audio | Clearer voices and fuller sound |
| Battery | 8 hours or more | Watch a movie or two without plugging in |
| Design | 2-in-1 with a 360-degree hinge | Folds into a tent or stand shape for hands-free viewing |
OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode, a screen type where each pixel makes its own light. IPS (in-plane switching) screens show consistent colors from different angles. Learn more in our laptop size guide and color and HDR glossary.
What internet speed do you need for streaming?
Streaming services usually recommend about 5 megabits per second (Mbps) for HD video and about 15 to 25 Mbps for 4K video. If several people in your home stream at the same time, you’ll need more. If a video keeps pausing to load, sit closer to your Wi-Fi router or connect with an Ethernet cable.
Make watching more comfortable
Windows 11 has built-in settings that make watching and reading easier:
- Make text bigger: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Text size and move the slider
- Turn on Live Captions: Press the Windows key + Ctrl + L to show captions for videos and calls
- Reduce eye strain at night: Turn on Night light in Settings > System > Display
- Zoom in: Press the Windows key and the plus key (+) to turn on Magnifier
For more ideas on comfortable viewing, see our ergonomics and eye comfort glossary. To browse larger screens, shop 17-inch HP laptops or touch screen laptops.
Laptops for Games
For card games, puzzles, word games, and other casual games, any current laptop works well. For newer PC games with detailed 3D graphics, you’ll need a gaming laptop with a dedicated graphics card. A third option, cloud gaming, lets an everyday laptop play bigger games by streaming them over the internet.
| Type of game | Examples | What kind of laptop you need |
|---|---|---|
| Casual games | Solitaire, puzzles, word games, and card games | Any current laptop |
| Browser and app games | Games played in a web browser or downloaded from an app store | Any current laptop or Chromebook |
| Cloud games | Console and PC games streamed from a subscription service | Any current laptop with a fast, steady internet connection |
| Modern PC games | Action, racing, and adventure games installed on the laptop | A gaming laptop with a dedicated graphics card |
If you’d like to play with a game controller, most USB and Bluetooth® controllers connect to a laptop in a few steps; our laptop connectivity glossary explains how. To learn more about gaming options, see our cloud gaming glossary and gaming laptops glossary.
How to Connect a Laptop to a TV
The easiest way to connect a laptop to a TV is with an HDMI cable. Plug one end into your laptop’s HDMI port and the other into the TV, then switch the TV to that HDMI input. If your laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. You can also connect wirelessly if your TV supports screen casting.
Ways to connect a laptop to a TV
| Connection | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI cable | A laptop with an HDMI port and an HDMI cable | The simplest, most reliable picture and sound |
| USB-C to HDMI | A USB-C port that supports video, plus a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable | Thin laptops without an HDMI port |
| Wireless casting | A TV or streaming device that supports Miracast or Google Cast | No cables; best for photos, slideshows, and video calls |
Connect a laptop to a TV with HDMI
- Plug in the cable. Connect an HDMI cable to your laptop and to an open HDMI port on the TV.
- Choose the TV input. Use the TV remote’s Input or Source button to select the HDMI port you used, such as HDMI 1.
- Pick a display mode. On your laptop, press the Windows key + P, then choose Duplicate to show the same picture on both screens or Second screen only to use just the TV.
- Check the sound. If sound still plays from the laptop, select the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose the TV as the sound output.
Cast a laptop to a TV wirelessly
- Turn on the TV. Make sure the TV or streaming device and your laptop are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Cast. On a Windows 11 laptop, press the Windows key + K.
- Choose your TV. Select the TV from the list and follow any prompts on screen.
The Windows key + K shortcut works with TVs that support Miracast. For TVs and streaming devices that use Google Cast, and on Chromebooks, open the Chrome browser menu and select Cast instead. Wireless casting can lag slightly, so an HDMI cable is better for fast-paced games.
If the TV shows no picture
- Check that the TV is set to the correct HDMI input
- Unplug the cable and plug it back in firmly at both ends
- Press the Windows key + P and choose Duplicate
- Try a different HDMI port on the TV or a different cable
- If you’re using USB-C, check that the port supports video; look for a small display or lightning-bolt icon next to the port
For more connection help, see our laptop connectivity glossary and our cables and adapters glossary. A small USB-C travel hub adds an HDMI port to laptops that don’t have one.
Laptop Speakers and Sound
Most laptop speakers are small, so they’re best for videos, video calls, and casual listening. For movies and music with fuller sound, use headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, or your TV’s speakers through an HDMI connection. If voices are hard to hear, a few quick settings can make dialogue clearer.
Ways to get better sound from a laptop
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in speakers | Speakers inside the laptop, often tuned by the manufacturer | Everyday videos and video calls |
| Headphones or earbuds | Wired or Bluetooth headphones | Private listening and clearer dialogue |
| Bluetooth speaker | A wireless speaker that pairs with the laptop | Louder sound for a room |
| TV speakers or soundbar | Sound sent to the TV through HDMI | Movie nights on a big screen |
| USB speakers | Plug-in desktop speakers | A permanent desk setup |
How to make laptop audio clearer
- Raise the volume in two places: Turn up both the laptop volume and the volume in the video app or website
- Turn on Mono audio: If you hear better in one ear, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio and turn on Mono audio
- Point the speakers toward you: Keep the laptop on a hard surface, and don’t cover speaker grilles with blankets or pillows
- Use headphones for dialogue: Headphones make voices easier to follow, especially in noisy rooms
- Pick the right output: Select the speaker icon on the taskbar to choose headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, or the TV
How to connect a Bluetooth speaker or headphones
- Turn on pairing mode. Follow the speaker or headphone instructions, usually by holding the power or Bluetooth button.
- Open Bluetooth settings. On your laptop, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and select Add device.
- Choose Bluetooth. Select Bluetooth, then pick your speaker or headphones from the list.
- Start listening. Once connected, sound plays through the new device automatically.
To compare headphones and speakers, see our headsets and speakers glossary. For other helpful add-ons, see our laptop accessories guide.
Entertainment Laptop FAQs
What is the best laptop for watching movies?
The best laptop for watching movies has a 15- to 17-inch screen, Full HD or higher resolution, a bright or OLED display, and clear speakers. A 2-in-1 laptop that folds into a stand also makes hands-free viewing easier.
How do I connect my laptop to my TV?
To connect a laptop to a TV, plug an HDMI cable into the laptop and the TV, then use the TV remote to select that HDMI input. On a Windows laptop, press the Windows key + P and choose Duplicate to show the same picture on both screens.
Can I connect my laptop to my TV without an HDMI cable?
Yes, a laptop can connect to a TV wirelessly if the TV supports screen casting. On a Windows 11 laptop, press the Windows key + K to cast to a Miracast-compatible TV, or use the Cast option in the Chrome browser for Google Cast devices.
Why is there no sound on my TV when my laptop is connected?
If there is no sound on the TV, the laptop may still be sending audio to its own speakers. Select the speaker icon on the laptop’s taskbar and choose the TV as the sound output.
What internet speed do I need to stream movies on a laptop?
Streaming services usually recommend about 5 Mbps for HD video and about 15 to 25 Mbps for 4K video. Homes where several people stream at the same time need faster internet.
How can I make the text on my laptop bigger?
To make text bigger on a Windows 11 laptop, go to Settings > Accessibility > Text size and move the slider to the right. Press the Windows key and the plus key (+) to turn on Magnifier for more zoom.
Can I play games on a regular laptop?
Yes, a regular laptop can play casual games, browser games, and cloud games streamed over the internet. Modern PC games with detailed 3D graphics need a gaming laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
How can I make my laptop speakers louder?
To make laptop speakers louder, raise the volume on both the laptop and the video app, keep the speaker grilles uncovered, and place the laptop on a hard surface. For much louder sound, connect a Bluetooth speaker or use the TV’s speakers.
