Being a Movie fanatic, having easy access to watch the movies anytime, anywhere is like a cherry on the top of the cake. Long gone are the days when you needed a different player or set up to play the movies and work your assignments.

With a decent desktop setup or a laptop, you can access all your favorite movies with ease and work with full proficiency. Both the setups come with adequate features with which you can have an incredible watching experience.

The devices are powerful enough to take the workload, play heavy games, and present HD resolution for watching your favorite movies. However, there are other options too where you can watch movies and TV shows. Let us explore them and understand the difference between them. In the end, let’s chose Best Computer for Watching Movies and TV Series.

Why watch movies on your computer?

Having a decent computer or laptop comes in handy for watching movies and entertaining yourself. You can work, play games and do tons of different stuff on them. Single setup to cater to all your needs. Pretty Awesome!!

Whether you want to spend a relaxing night watching movies or just want a break from the regular boring routine, these devices will be there to amp up the entertainment level.

There are other options to watch movies like TV, phone, tablet, and laptop. Let us compare them one by one and see the advantages and disadvantages.

• Computer VS TV

Watching movies on TV is quite relaxing. You get a higher resolution with extremely large screen size variants to choose from. However, there are certain limits when setting up the TV in different locations.

For example, if you are living in a dorm, there are certain limitations on the screen size, and you cannot put them on sharable walls. On top of that, you cannot work on TV.

So, having a computer setup allows you to watch your favorite films and work on your assignments with ease. Moreover, the setup is quite space-saver.

• Computer VS Phone

You can watch movies on your phone anywhere, anytime, but you have to compromise with screen size and sound quality. Whereas, with a computer setup, you can attach an additional sound system and a large screen to enjoy the shows.

• Computer VS Tablet

No, doubt the tablet removes the screen size issue and is quite travel-friendly, but they don’t have strong computational power. You can complete your work more easily on a computer setup even enjoy better sound quality with an additional sound system.

Desktop VS Laptop

Laptops are quite travel-friendly and put a tough competition against the desktop setup. You can do all the stuff on both devices, but there are certain pros and cons of each setup. Let us dive into them.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a desktop setup

Advantages

1. Easy to upgrade the components
2. The low upfront cost for getting a high-performance rig
3. Sturdy setup with higher threshold against wear and tear
4. Higher connectivity options

Disadvantages

1. No portability
2. Consumes more space than a laptop
3. Heavyweight

Advantages and disadvantages of using a laptop

Advantages

1. Quite travel-friendly
2. Lightweight and portable
3. Compact setup
4. Good battery backup option

Disadvantages

1. Costly option than desktop setup
2. Less flexibility for upgrading components

How to watch movies on the computer?

Watching your favorite movies on the computer is quite easy. You either need a good internet connection to search the internet or possess the movie in CD-DVD. There are several options available so, let us explore them all.

Free VS Pay

There are several free websites available on the internet to watch movies that have tons of movie options to offer. However, not all the sites are legal, and you have to use a VPN to access them.

If you don’t want any security threat to your data and privacy, then you can rent or buy them from Google Play, Microsoft Store, iTunes, and watch them anytime.

CD-DVD Disc

You can buy a CD or  DVD of your favorite movie from an offline or online store like Amazon. All you need is to follow some easy steps to run the CD/DVD.

1. Place the CD/DVD in the tray and close it.
2. Open This PC and run the DVD by double-clicking on it. You can also open Windows Media Player and select the CD/DVD option to play the movie.
3. Eject the CD/DVD once you are finished with your movie.

Sometimes, you will get a message that the format of the file is not supported. It is the worst prompt to encounter on a planned movie night.

But don’t worry. There are other options to solve the issue. You have to download other players to run the movie. Let us explore the other options.

Other software to watch movies

You can download Vlc player, GOM player, or MX player to watch movies. They support all the formats and have advanced functionality to adjust the audio and video settings. You can easily add a captions file to access subtitles.

All the players can be downloaded from the internet in no time. Just install the setup file, and you are ready to watch your favorite movies.

Movie Apps

There are several apps like Netflix, Crackle, Hulu, Vudu, etc., where you can watch your favorite films and TV shows. You just have to download them, buy the subscription, and you are all set to watch tons of stuff without any unnecessary interruptions.

How to Choose the Best Computer for Watching Movies and TV Series?

When it comes to picking the best pc for watching movies, there are some critical aspects to deem about. Does resolution play any role in improving the watching experience? Which CPU and GPU are best suited for the best desktop for watching movies? How much RAM is recommended for the rig?

Getting answers to all these questions will allow you to possess a decent setup where you can enjoy and work as well. So, without any further delay, let us dive into the answers to these questions.

Does resolution matter for movies?

Yes, the screen will only output the highest level of resolution it can. In simple words, a 720p display cannot display 1080 p even if the video file has a 1080p resolution. Resolution is defined by the number of pixels displayed by the screen horizontally and vertically.

With resolution, PPI(Pixel Per Inch) also changes the picture quality on the screen. This is known as pixel density. A display screen having the same resolution but more pixel density will show sharp and clear images than the one with less pixel density.

What About Storage, Processor, and GPU?

• Storage

When it comes to memory, certain apps provide cloud storage, which even can be extended. However, if you still want to save your favorite movies locally on your desktop, then you can go with 500GB or 1TB variants. It will be more than enough.

• Processor

Watching a movie is a light task. Any CPU will work fine for watching movies, but you are not buying a pc or laptop just to watch the movies. Here comes the main difference. If you love to play games, you should opt for the one with a higher clock speed and higher cores.

If you just want to have a rig for general work, then don’t opt for high-end CPUs.

• GPU

Having a decent graphic card will ensure that your watching experience is smooth, but even the low-cost rigs without a graphic card can run the movies without any interruptions. So the difference lies in the usage of the rig besides watching movies.

For general work, you don’t need a powerful GPU whereas, if you want to enjoy games on your setup then, you definitely need to invest in a top-end GPU.

Speakers/Sound Importance

When it comes to choosing speakers for your rig, you have to deem certain aspects. Having the right speakers will totally change your watching experience. You can have a theatre-like experience at your home by taking care of a few things.

To take care of the lower frequencies, you should invest in a sound system that incorporates a good subwoofer. Other than that, the space and number of speakers depend on your personal choice. You have to make sure that you get a compatible sound card on your desktop.

Generally, the internal ones make some noise, so try to keep the card out of the main setup. When it comes to laptops, the cost rises with high-end sound systems.

If you just want a travel-friendly option, then you can opt for portable ones. They elevate the sound level and are quite travel-friendly.

On the other hand, if you love to watch movies with your headphones, then all you need is a good pair, and you are all set to watch your favorite movies and TV shows.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements for High-Quality Watching Experience

Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements to watch movies smoothly.

Minimum System Requirements

• CPU: Intel Core i3
• Battery: 5 hours minimum
• Storage: 256 SSD or dual storage system(SSD+HDD)
• RAM: 4GB
• Display: 13 inch screen(1920X1080)
• Graphics: Integrated

Recommended System Requirements

• CPU: Intel Core i5 or above
• Battery: 8 hours or above
• Storage: 512 SSD or above
• RAM: 8-16GB or above
• Display: 15 inch screen(1920X1080) or above
• Graphics: 2GB Nvidia GeForce MX250 or above

Best Laptop for Watching Movies

Image	Name	Fatures	Check Price
	Apple MacBook Pro	Pocesor: 9th Gen Intel Core i7 Ram: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 512 GB SSD Graphics Cards:4 GB AMD Radeon Pro 5300M Display:3072x1920	Check On Amazon
	Microsoft Surface Pro 7	Pocesor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 Ram: 8 GB DDR4 Storage: 128 GB SSD Graphics Cards: Intel Iris Plus Graphics Display:2736 x 1824	Check On Amazon
	Acer Aspire 5 Slim(A515-43-R19L)	Pocesor: Ryzen 3 Ram: 4 GB DDR4 Storage: 128 GB SSD Graphics Cards: Vega 3 Mobile Graphics Display:1920 x 1080	Check On Amazon
	Dell XPS 15 7590	Pocesor: 9th Gen Intel Core i7 Ram: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 256 GB SSD Graphics Cards: 4 GB(Nvidia) GeForce GTX 1650 Display:3840 x 2160	Check On Amazon
	HP 13.3" EliteBook x360 830	Pocesor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 Ram: 8 GB DDR4 Storage: 256 GB SSD Graphics Cards: Integrated Intel Graphics Display:1920 x 1080	Check On Amazon

1- Apple MacBook Pro – Best Overall

Here comes the flagship laptop of Apple to top the list with its monstrous specs. With Macbook pro, you get a 16-inch retina display powered with 500 nits of brightness. You will get the best experience with this display.

The laptop is powered by Intel Core i9, having eight cores and 16 threads that provide exceptional multitasking abilities. With the 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 512 GB SSD, you will get top speed in booting and performing other functions.

The exclusive touch bar and touch id are just like icing on the cake. The 6 speaker system offers fantastic sound quality, and with four USB-C ports, you get a lot of options to connect additional peripherals.

Pros

Cons

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2- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Budget Option

With Surface Pro 7, you get a touch screen 2 in 1 setup where you can work and watch movies seamlessly. You can transform the laptop into a tablet with ease.

The laptop is quite travel-friendly as it is exceptionally lightweight. It offers USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting additional screens and other peripherals.

It comes with long battery life so that you can entertain yourself without any unnecessary interruptions. The 8 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD offers good speed to perform all the tasks smoothly.

Pros

Cons

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3- Acer Aspire 5 Slim(A515-43-R19L) – Cheapest

Short on budget? Don’t worry, Aspire 5 Slim is here to cater to all your needs with a low upfront cost. The low cost does not mean that you have to compromise with performance or entertainment value.

You get 4GB DDR4 RAM with 128 GB SSD and AMD Ryzen 3 processor, which provides a solid rig to work and watch your favorite movies and TV shows.

There are a lot of connectivity options available on the laptop. You get a backlit keyboard, which comes in handy at night time. So, no need to have a bright light in the room while watching your favorite movie.

You get a decent battery back up so that you can binge-watch movies for long hours.

Pros

Cons

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4- Dell XPS 15 7590 – Best Resolution option

When it comes to the best screen resolution in the market, Dell XPS 15 tops the list. It is one of the best laptops for watching movies. You get a 15.6-inch screen size with a 4K display.

The beast comes with an anti-reflective glass that removes the glare issue. The display has 400 nits brightness level.

The laptop incorporates CinemaSound, CinemaColor, and CinemaStream to elevate the watching experience. You get a smoother viewing experience with high volume and bass level.

The Intel Core i7 processor with 16 GB RAM and SSD provides exceptional speed where you can multitask without any delay.

Pros

Cons

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5- HP 13.3 EliteBook x360 830 – Best 2 in 1 Option

Here comes HP with one of the best 2 in 1 laptop for watching movies. The Elitebook has decent specs with which you can watch movies and work seamlessly.

It comes with a lightweight aluminum body and has a good battery backup. The keyboard is quite comfortable to use. The speakers are facing upwards on both sides of the keyboard, which enhances the sound quality.

The screen has thin bezels, and the unit comes with several connectivity options. You even get an in-built SD-card reader. You can revolve the screen to tablet mode for comfortable use.

Pros

Cons

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Best Desktop for Watching Movies

Image	Name	Fatures	Check Price
	Apple iMac Pro	Pocesor: Intel Xeon W Processor Ram: 32 GB DDR4 Storage: 1 TB SSD Graphics Cards: 8 GB AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 graphics Display:5120X2880	Check On Amazon
	Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3	Pocesor: Ryzen 3 Ram: 8 GB DDR4 Storage: 256 GB SSD Graphics Cards: Integrated 1 GB AMD Radeon Display:1920 x 1080li	Check On Amazon
	HP 22-c0010	Pocesor: AMD A4-9125 Ram: 4 GB DDR4 Storage: 1 TB HDD Graphics Cards: Integrated AMD Radeon Display:1920 x 1080	Check On Amazon
	HP Envy 32(32-a1010)	Pocesor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7 Ram: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 1 TB HDD Graphics Cards: 4 GB GeForce GTX 1650 Display:3840 x 2160	Check On Amazon
	Apple iMac	Pocesor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 Ram: 8 GB DDR4 Storage: 256 TB HDD Graphics Cards: 4 GB Radeon Pro 5300 Display:5120X2880	Check On Amazon

1- Apple iMac Pro – Best Overall

iMac Pro is one of the best pc for watching movies, editing and rendering videos, playing games, and working seamlessly. You just name the task, the rig is fully equipped with everything to complete any task without any lag or delay.

You get an epic 27 inch 5K retina display that supports one billion colors. Yes, a whopping number of 1 billion. You will experience mesmerizing graphics with just a 5mm thick display. The setup has out of the world specs in aspects of memory, storage, processor, and GPU.

You get an exceptional working speed with the state-of-the-art viewing experience. Get ready to experience a theatre-like sound with the enhanced sound system in your home.

Pros

Cons

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2- Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3 – Budget Option

With IdeaCentre AIO 3, you get a decent rig to watch movies and perform other tasks. You get a 24-inch screen size with a borderless display design. With this, you get a higher screen to body ratio that enhances the viewing experience.

Even when watching the screen from wide angles, you get clear and sharp images due to its narrow bezels.

You can tilt the screen to different angles to get the right posture and remove the glare issue. You get several connectivity options in the rig. The setup is quite sturdy and works seamlessly without any lag.

Pros

Cons

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3- HP 22-c0010 – Cheapest Options

If you are looking to buy a desktop just for general work and entertainment purposes, then HP 22-c0010 is the best setup to opt for. You get decent specifications at a very low price range.

It comes with 21.5 -inch Full HD display with ultraslim bezels, which enhances the viewing experience. You get decent RAM and storage amounts to save your favorite movies and TV shows locally. This way you can enjoy them whenever you want.

The screen can be adjusted to different angles to get the right angle for enjoying the shows. Moreover, you get several options for connectivity too.

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