Are my laptop specs too low to watch youtube videos?

In summary, the conversation discussed a person's experience with using a basic laptop for browsing, which includes using social media and watching videos. They mentioned that the laptop has an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and runs on Ubuntu. They also mentioned that the laptop experiences lag when watching YouTube videos, but not when watching other videos. They asked if this issue is related to the laptop's specs or if there is another solution. Another person suggested increasing the virtual memory or downloading the video and watching it directly from the hard drive. They also recommended updating the system, downloading the latest version of Firefox and Adobe Flash Player, and getting newer video drivers for the laptop's distribution.
  • #1
LocalStudent
18
0
I got a very basic laptop which I just use for browsing (facebook, twitter, news etc.)
Specs:
Intel Atom Processor 1.66GHz 512kb cache
1GB RAM
Ubuntu operation system

It's perfect for just browsing, basically its only purpose, but when I watch youtube videos it lags. I've tried letting the video buffer completely but it still lags. I've also tried setting the quality of the video to 240p but it still lags. When I watch a video like kahnacadamy it doesn't lag.

Does this have anything to do with my laptops specs or is it related to something else?
Do you know of a solution to this problem?
 
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  • #2
I had a netbook with similar specs last year and it struggled with Netflix. Youtube seemed to be ok though.
 
  • #3
I've never used linux, but if possible you might try to increase the virtual memory.
 
  • #4
LocalStudent said:
Do you know of a solution to this problem?
Not a direct solution, but you could use something like keepvid to download a youtube video as a .MP4 file then view it directly from your hard drive, which might help. If you don't have a .mp4 viewer, you can download videolan's VLC media player, which is free.
 
  • #5
Make sure you have all the latest system updates for Ubuntu installed.
Download the latest version of firefox and install that if you haven't already.
Download the latest version of the flash player for linux from adobe and install that as well
See if you can get newer video drivers for your distro and install that.

reboot and try again.
 

1. Why am I experiencing lag or buffering when trying to watch Youtube videos on my laptop?

There could be several reasons for this. One possibility is that your laptop's specifications are not powerful enough to smoothly stream videos from Youtube. Another possibility is that your internet connection is slow or unstable. You may also have too many programs or tabs open on your laptop, which can use up your device's resources and cause lag.

2. How do I know if my laptop's specifications are too low to watch Youtube videos?

You can check your laptop's specifications by going to your device's settings and looking at the processor, RAM, and graphics card. Generally, if your laptop has a slow processor, low RAM, or outdated graphics card, it may struggle to play Youtube videos smoothly.

3. Can I upgrade my laptop's specifications to improve its ability to play Youtube videos?

It depends on the specific laptop model you have. Some laptops allow for upgrading the RAM or graphics card, which can improve performance. However, upgrading the processor is not typically possible. It is best to consult with a technician or refer to your device's manual to determine if upgrading is an option.

4. Are there any settings I can adjust to improve my laptop's ability to play Youtube videos?

Yes, you can try adjusting the video quality on Youtube to a lower resolution, which can reduce the strain on your laptop's specifications. You can also try closing other programs or tabs that may be using up resources and causing lag. Additionally, clearing your device's cache and cookies can sometimes help improve performance.

5. Do I need to buy a new laptop if my current one has low specifications for watching Youtube videos?

It depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you only occasionally watch Youtube videos and can tolerate some lag or buffering, then you may not need to buy a new laptop. However, if you frequently watch videos and want a smoother experience, it may be worth investing in a new laptop with better specifications.

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