What Are the System Requirements for a Chromecast

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Chromecast relies on your computer or other device to perform the 'heavy lifting' of decoding a movie to display on a screen. The Chromecast itself provides an easy-to-use 'remote screen service', so you can show movies on a television of your choosing.

Because of this, there does need to be a bit of power in the computer doing the casting. Most modern computers have no problem, but some older models can end up displaying lower resolutions, or stutter, when casting to a Chromecast.

Choose your Operating System below, to discover what the minimum and recommended requirements are for casing from your browser to your Chromecast.

2. WinXP

Due to the age and lack of direct support for Windows XP by Microsoft or the makers of the codecs used by modern video websites, the performance on Windows XP will be limited.

The only option available would be to upgrade to an Operating System that supports modern standards.

3. WinVista, 7, 8

You will need a 2nd-generation Core i5 running at 2GHz or faster.

1. To check, push the [Windows] and [Pause/Break] keys at the same time on your keyboard.
   

1. Look under System for Processor, that will show you what processor you have in your system.
   

4. ChromeOS

All modern Chromebooks will provide high quality casting to your Chromecast. This includes:

• Chromebook Pixel
• HP Chromebook 14
• Acer C720 Chromebook
• Acer C720P Chromebook
• Toshiba Chromebook

5. macOS/OS X

You must have Mac OS X 10.6 or later, and if you are using a laptop, you must have a Macbook Pro 2011 or later, or a Macbook Air 2012 or later.

1. Select Apple menu > About This Mac.
   

1. In About This Mac, you will see your current OS X or macOS version, and when your Mac was made.
   

6. Linux

The codecs required for high-quality video transfer require DRM that is not supported on Linux.

Standard quality transfer is all that is available at this time.