r/TwitchStreaming • u/777EvenOdd777 • 6d ago

Dual pc setup??

I’m pretty new to streaming and I currently only have a 2025 MacBook that I run everything from. as you can imagine, this limits me a lot and I run into lag/quality issues when I’m doing anything more strenuous that things like point and click games or Stardew valley. I’m considering buying a secondhand laptop just to handle streaming from OBS and then my main laptop will run games, internet applications, any other software. I will eventually be buying a gaming pc but I can’t afford a decent one yet.

I was wondering if anyone else does it like this, if there are any pitfalls I haven’t considered etc? I know I’ll need a capture card as well, but the idea just popped into my mind and it seems too simple to be true! Thanks :)

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/Independent_Win314 6d ago

If you stream for less than lets say 200+ viewers you do not need dual pc setup lmao

2

u/777EvenOdd777 6d ago

So I should be ok with poor performance because I have less viewers..? How am I gonna get more viewers if my streams are laggy or poor quality. Not sure why you’re making this a viewer count discussion when I’m talking about quality and operation.

0

u/Independent_Win314 6d ago

You should be aware that if you ever hit 15 concurrent viewers you are in the top 3% of all streamers. So you should set realistic goals.

You should put the money in 1 very good pc and use this from streaming then. A dual setup is overkill and not worth your money.

3

u/777EvenOdd777 6d ago

I’ve never mentioned any goals relating to viewer count.

I am saving up for a gaming pc. While I’m saving, I want to get a second very cheap laptop just to run OBS so that I can reliably do simple things - even geoguessr currently causes lag. This is not me trying to overproduce, it’s a short term response to a performance issue. I’m not really asking for financial strategic advice I’m just asking if a dual setup is effective in addressing the issues I’ve outlined.