10 Best Laptops for Watching Movies

Gone are the days when computers and laptops were used exclusively for work. They now cater to various entertainment activities, including watching movies, streaming TV shows, and gaming. However, To fully relish the cinematic experience on a portable device like a laptop, you must consider certain factors, such as display quality, speaker performance, battery life, etc. I

In this guide, we will go through the best laptops for watching movies, ranging from Macbooks, Windows PCs, Tablets, and Chromebooks. 

10 Best Laptops for Watching Movies in 2023:

You can watch movies on any laptop. However, certain models stand out with their amazing displays and powerful audio, which will take your movie-watching experience to the next level. After evaluating over 2 dozen models, I have prepared a list of the top 10 laptops for watching movies. These laptops cater to various user needs, considering both price and specifications.

MODELPRICEDISPLAYBATTERY
Macbook Pro 16$1,99916.2-inch, 3840 x 2160 Pixels14-15 hours
Dell XPS 17$3,79917-inch, 3840 x 2400 pixels5-6 hours
Acer Aspire 5$29915.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels5 hours
Lenovo Flex 14$60814-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels9 hours
Asus ProArt $2,49916-inch, 3200 x 2000 pixels6 hours
Microsoft Surface$1,48214.4-inches, 2400 × 1600 pixels12 hours
HP Chromebook x$56911 inches, 2160 x 1440 pixels10-11 hours
Macbook Air 13$84913.3-inch, 2560×1600 pixels12 hours
Razer Blade 17$2,29917.3-inch, 2560 x 1440 pixels3.5 hours
Asus ZenBook Pro$1,81915.6-inch, 3840 x 2160 Pixels7.5 hours

1. MacBook Pro 16-Inch:

Price – $1,999

Apple MacBook Pro 16Inch

  • Display – 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 1000 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 3840 x 2160 Pixels
  • CPU – Apple M1 Pro 10-core – M1 Max 10-core
  • RAM – 32GB
  • Storage – 512GB SSD
  • Battery Life – Up to 21 hours
  • Weight – 7.28 lbs

Let’s kick things off with the Apple MacBook Pro. In this complete powerhouse machine, you can stream movies and accomplish resource-hungry tasks, such as video editing, sound mixing, graphic designing, and more. 

When it comes to watching movies, Apple laptops generally provide a great experience, thanks to their immersive displays and powerful stereo speakers. MacBook Pro 2021 is no exception; It has a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina display with nearly a 4K resolution.

Combining this resolution with a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits lets you know you will get one of the best cinematic experiences ever on a portable device. 

The speakers are impressive and provide stereo spatial positioning, meaning you will hear each audio element clearly and with great balance. 

Apple promises a battery life of up to 21 hours under regular usage, which means you can stream movies continuously for at least 14-15 hours. Yes, it is a bit expensive and may not be an ideal laptop for watching movies. I’ve included it in the list mainly because it can handle demanding work and is available at a considerable discount on Amazon. 

PROSCONS
Stunning 4K retina display

Excellent peak brightness

Long battery life

Beautiful premium design

Expensive

Limited connectivity ports

Closed Apple ecosystem

2. Dell XPS 17:

Price – $3,799

DELL XPS 17

  • Display – 17 inches anti-glare display, 500 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 3840 x 2400 pixels
  • CPU – 12th Intel Core i7-12700H
  • RAM – 64GB
  • Storage – 4TB SSD
  • Battery Life – Up to 9 hours
  • Weight – 5.34 lbs

My next recommendation is the Dell XPS 17, which offers the biggest display you can get on a laptop to watch movies. But that’s not all. Featuring some flagship-level specifications, this laptop can be a good option for those who want to enjoy movies on a big screen without sacrificing portability. 

The USP of Dell XPS 17 is its impressive infinity edge display that comes with 4K+ resolution with 500 nits brightness. Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision and HDR, meaning you will get a world-class viewing experience while streaming Netflix or Amazon Prime. The 2.5W stereo speakers have enough loudness and clarity that you won’t miss a beat.

The laptop is packed with a 4TB SSD, meaning you can store tons of high-definition movies and TV shows without running out of space. The combination of 64GB RAM and 6GB Nvidia graphics ensures that it easily runs some of the heaviest games and software. 

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However, the biggest downside is the average battery, which lasts just above 5 hours on heavy usage. With a price tag of nearly $4,000, it’s not an affordable option, but if you are looking for robust all-in-one laptops for watching movies, games, and productivity tasks, you can go for it. 

PROSCONS
A large17-inch display

Flagship specs

Supports HDR and Dolby Vision

Huge 4TB storage

Extremely pricy

Average battery life Lacks USB 2.0 port

3. Acer Aspire 5:

Price – $299

Acer Aspire 5

  • Display – 15.6 inches IPS Widescreen LED-backlit display, 300 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • CPU – 11th Gen Intel i3-1115G4
  • RAM – 8GB
  • Storage – 512GB SSD
  • Battery Life – Up to 8 hours
  • Weight – 3.64 lbs

If you are looking for a laptop solely for entertainment, Acer Aspire is an ideal option. With just under $300, it is the best laptop for college students who want to watch movies and perform basic tasks. 

The laptop features a wide 15.6-inch full HD IPS display with sharp text and stunning colors. The narrow bezels ensure an immersive visual experience without any hindrance whatsoever. In our test, the display registered a peak brightness of around 360 nits, higher than most of the mid-range lineup. 

The dual speakers are loud enough but lack extra bass and punchiness. However, you can install any third-party software and tweak the sound to your liking.

Overall, the audio-visual experience from Acer Aspire 5 is decent, and considering the price tag, it will surely exceed your expectations. The only thing that might hinder your experience is the average battery life. In our test, the laptop lasted only for 5 hours under normal usage. 

In terms of specifications, this is not a powerful machine by any means, but you will have no struggle with simple tasks like streaming Netflix, watching YouTube, or playing media content.  

PROSCONS
Affordable price tag

Expendable RAM

Latest Wi-Fi 6.0 

Full HD display

Might struggle under heavy usage

Average battery life

Plastic build quality

4. Lenovo Flex 14:

Price – $608

Lenovo Flex 14
  • Display – 14 inches full HD Touch panel, 250 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
  • RAM – 8GB
  • Storage – 256GB
  • Battery Life – Up to 9 hours
  • Weight – 3.52 lbs

Flex 14 from Lenovo is among the best 14-inch laptops for watching movies. It’s a great mid-range 2-in-1 convertible laptop that you can use for light productivity, multi-tasking, and entertainment. 

I’ve included Flex 14 in the list because you can use it in multiple orientations. Due to its 360-degree hinge rotation, you can convert it into a tablet (pen included), use it as a tent mode ideal for watching content, or use it as a traditional laptop. 

The viewing experience features a 14-inch IPS panel with a full HD resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio. The display is on point in terms of contrast, brightness, and color reproduction.

Despite having just 157 PPI, the content appears sharp and natural, something you would appreciate while watching high-def movies and videos. However, the peak brightness is just above 250 nits, making it difficult to use in natural lighting conditions. 

The Dolby Atmos-powered speakers are impressive, just like all Lenovo laptops, and will enhance your overall movie experience. In our test, Flex 14’s battery lasted for nearly 9 hours with continuous video playback, which is very impressive. 

PROSCONS
Decent build quality

Impressive battery life

Powerful Dolby Atmos audio

Full HD touchscreen

Low brightness 

Average performance

Flimsy trackpad

5. Asus ProArt Studiobook:

Price – $2,499

Asus ProArt Studiobook

  • Display – 16 inches OLED 3.2K touch display, 550 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 3200 x 2000 pixels
  • CPU – Intel Core i9-13980HX Processor
  • RAM – 32GB
  • Storage – 1TB
  • Battery Life – Up to 6 hours
  • Weight – 5.3 lbs
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ProArt Studiobook from Asus is among the best laptops for watching movies and listening to music in 2023. Apart from a gorgeous display and powerful speakers, it features some industry-leading specifications, making it an ideal device for nearly every consumer. 

ProArt Studiobook has a 16-inch OLED panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, ideal for media streaming and productivity tasks. OLED displays are known for high-contract blacks and vibrant color production, and the 3.2K resolution takes the whole experience to a new level. 

Whether it’s Netflix streaming or a Blu-Ray video, you will get the best visual experience of your life, at least on a portable device. The peak brightness of 550 nits ensures you don’t get interrupted by the lighting conditions while using the laptop outdoors. Herman-Kardon powers the speakers and produces a rich sound with great details and punchiness. 

The battery life is disappointing, clocking in at only 6 hours. For $2499, the Audiobook might seem excessive for those looking for a device to watch movies. But you won’t be disappointed if you want a powerful device for exceptional movie-watching experience, productivity, and gaming. 

PROSCONS
Gorgeous 4K OLED touchscreen 

Large 1TB storage capacity

Impressive sounds

Flagship performance

Average battery performance

Not budget-friendly

Heavy

6. Microsoft Surface Studio:

Price – $1,482

Microsoft Surface Studio
  • Display – 14.4 inches PixelSense Flow display, 450 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 2400 × 1600 pixels
  • CPU – Intel 11th gen Core i7-11700
  • RAM – 16GB
  • Storage – 512GB SSD
  • Battery Life – Up to 18 hours
  • Weight – 4.0 lbs

Surface Studio perfectly combines your professional tasks and entertainment into a single device, making it the best business laptop for watching movies. It comes with a unique design that you can use as a laptop, tablet, or sideboard next to your bed.

It’s a perfect laptop to watch movies after you switch off from work while also having the option to jump to your emails and other productivity tasks quickly. 

Surface Studio features the trademark 14.2-inch PixelSense touch display with a resolution of 2400 x 1600, which makes everything look crisp and more lively. The vivid colors with deep blacks will make your content as natural as possible.

The peak brightness of 500+ nits cements its usability in nearly all lighting conditions. I was highly impressed with the set of speakers (2 mini subwoofers and 2 tweeters), providing a rich and nearly surround sound experience. 

Although Microsoft claims a battery life of up to 18 hours with standard usage, I achieved 12 hours of continuous video playback on a single charge. If you are looking for portable-size work laptops for watching movies on the go, Surface Studio is the one for you. 

PROSCONS
Powerful 2-in-one machine

Excellent sound 

Crisp and bright screen

Long battery life

3:2 ratio may not be suitable

Lacks USB 2.0 port

Lacks High-End GPU Options

7. HP Chromebook x2 11:

Price – $569

HP Chromebook X2 11

  • Display – 11 inches narrow bezel touchscreen, 400 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 2160 x 1440 pixels
  • CPU – Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c
  • RAM – 8GB
  • Storage – 128GB
  • Battery Life – Up to 11 hours
  • Weight – 2.6 lbs

My next recommendation is a stylish 2-in-1 Chromebook from HP, a perfect laptop for watching movies on the go. It has a compact display and a weight of just over 2.5 lbs, so it’s very convenient to carry around. Moreover, its impressive battery life ensures uninterrupted movie-watching without needing a power source when you’re out and about.

HP x2 11 comes with an 11-inch IPS panel with 2K resolution, which is more than enough for this type of convertible device. The viewing experience is decent if you don’t mind the small screen size.

With 400 nits, it’s not the brightest in the market, but sharp text and punchy colors compensate for that. On the positive side, the speakers on this tiny device are surprisingly loud, just adding to your cinematic experience. 

In our battery test, the device lasted 10-11 hours with continuous video playback, which is a positive. However, Chromebooks are not for everyone, as they have significant limitations compared to traditional computers. But if you are searching for a small tablet cum laptop to watch movies and perform basic tasks, it’s not a bad deal at all. 

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PROSCONS
Lightweight and compact

2-in-1 laptop + tablet

Supports Android apps 

Sharp display 

Poor 

Clumsy build quality

High price for the specifications

8. Macbook Air 13-inch;

Price – $849

HP Chromebook X2 11

  • Display – 13.3 inches IPS LED-Backlit display, 400 nits brightness
  • Screen resolution – 2560×1600 pixels
  • CPU – 8-core Apple M1 chip
  • RAM – 8GB
  • Storage – 256GB SSD
  • Battery Life – Up to 18 hours
  • Weight – 2.8 lbs

The 2020 model of Macbook Air can be a good option if you exclusively want an Apple without overshooting your budget. After the launch of newer models, this one is available for under $1000, which makes the best 13-inch laptop for watching movies and performing day-to-day tasks. 

It features Apple’s signature 13.3-inch IPS Retina display with 2K+ resolution and a peak brightness of 400 nits. Despite being one of the older devices, it’s still one of the most amazing displays. Everything looks more lively and colorful on Netflix, YouTube, or Blu-Ray, nearly matching the level of OLED panels. The speakers on the Macbook Air 13 are better sounding than most 13-inch laptops. 

The device weighs just under 3 lbs, making it easy to carry around and use on the go, and the battery won’t let you down either. The Macbook could stream Netflix for around 12 hours straight on a single charge. Yes, in 2023, the specs might look outdated. However, it’s still one of the best laptops for watching movies, considering the value for money it offers. 

PROSCONS
Lightweight and compact

Crisp display with vibrant colors 

extended battery life

Affordable price

Lacks USB-C port

Outdated specs

Average performance

9. Razer Blade 17

Price – $2,299

Razor Blade 17
  • Display – 17.3 inches QHD 240 Hz display, 300 nits brightness
  • Screen Resolution – 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • CPU – Intel 12th gen Core i7-12800H
  • RAM – 16GB
  • Storage – 1TB
  • Battery Life – Up to 6 hours
  • Weight – 5.50 lbs

The brand name might sound alien to you if you are not a gadget freak. However, if you seek a high-performance gaming laptop that doubles as a movie-watching companion, the Razer Blade 17 fits the bill. The reasons? High-end display and extraordinary speakers. 

The laptop has a 17.3-inch QHD display with a massive refresh rate of 240Hz. Along with high picture quality, you will get a smooth and flowing experience while streaming high-definition movies and TV shows. The color representation is as good as it gets, and the content appears oozing from the screen. 

There is a powerful set of speakers (4 subwoofers and 4 tweeters), supported by THX spatial audio, which produces excellent steroid sound. Every beat and instrument is distinctly discernible, which takes the overall movie-watching experience to the next level. 

On the downside, the battery life is rather mediocre, especially given the laptop’s high cost. While the company states a potential 6-hour battery life, my test results showed it barely exceeded 3.5 hours, which is somewhat underwhelming. Nonetheless, it’s a trade-off worth considering for those seeking an exceptional cinematic laptop experience.

PROSCONS
Huge QHD screen 

Powerful performance

Excellent audio output

Good option for gamers

Poor battery life

Outdated design

Expsneive 

10. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo:

Price – $1,918

Asus Zenbook Pro Duo

  • Display – 15.6 inches OLED 4K NanoEdge touchscreen
  • Screen Resolution –  ‎3840 x 2160 pixels
  • CPU – Intel® Core™ i7-9750H
  • RAM – 16GB
  • Storage – 1TB SSD
  • Battery Life – Up to 7.5 hours
  • Weight – 5.51 lbs

The last product on my list is the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo, a high-octane laptop that offers a range of flagship features, including a dual HD display. If you like unique gadgets, you will appreciate watching your favorite movies on this stunning machine.

To starf features a primary 15.6 inch 4K display, and a 4-way nano-edge OLED touch panel. This is truly one of the best displays you can find on a notebook. OLED produces ultra-vivid colors with rich details, extra deep blacks, and a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. You will always get picture-perfect colors regardless of your brightness level. Something a true cinema lover will appreciate. 

Herman-Kardon powers the speakers on ZenBook Pro Duo and does a decent job of complimenting the stunning display, producing an audio-visual experience like no other. Moreover, 1 TB storage allows you to store tons of movies to watch while on the go. 

Regrettably, the battery performance is not as impressive. The actual battery life falls short of the company’s claim of 7.5 hours. I achieved continuous Netflix playback for around 4.5 hours in our battery drainage test. 

PROSCONS
4K UHD glossy display

Impeccable build quality

Dual-screen for creativity

Powerful performance

Average battery life

Not for beginners

Heavy 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is buying a cheap laptop for watching movies a good idea?

For the sole purpose of watching movies, getting a cheap laptop is a good idea. However, prioritize good screen quality and audio for an enjoyable experience.

What is the best laptop for Netflix?

Any laptop with a high-resolution display, decent sound quality, and reliable internet connectivity would work well for Netflix. Lenovo Flex 14 and Acer Aspire 5 are two great options. 

Which is the best Macbook for watching movies?

16-inch MacBook Pro (M1) from 2021 is the best for streaming movies and TV shows. 

Which screen-size laptops are good for watching movies?

Laptops with 15-17-inch screens are ideal for movies, providing immersive visuals without sacrificing portability.

What’s the Best 13-inch laptop for streaming movies?

Apple MacBook Air (2020) is the best laptop in the 13-inch display segment.

Final Word:

There you have it. I hope this compilation of the best laptops for watching movies will help you pick the one that suits your budget and requirements.

I’ve provided an Amazon link for each model, but you can visit official websites and other e-commerce platforms to find the best deals in your area.

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