So at my work, we are looking to replace our current mobile/portable athletics broadcast computer, a Livestream Studio HD550. First we were looking at desktop PC options but decided to look into laptop + external thunderbolt PCIe with BMD DeckLink options. I watched the latest "Best vMix laptop for 2025/26" video (https://youtu.be/Trw86iiTyCg?si=2Glvycm4AXbXqCPR) on the vMix Youtube channel and the ones for the last couple years. This years video was the first one where they said the laptop they suggested CAN hit 1080/59.94fps but they recommended to stick to 29.94/30. All of the previous years suggested laptops also were deemed best at 29.94/30 as well.

Is there a reason why they suggest to keep the broadcasts at 30 rather than 60? We would like to stick to 60 if possible so if it is simply a power issue, can I just get a more powerful laptop?

Since almost all of the thunderbolt 3 PCIe expansion enclosures seem to cap out at x4 lanes activated, rather than going with a BMD DeckLink Quad 2 that needs x8 lanes, I was planning on using 2 DeckLink Duo 2's that only need the x4 lanes. If the external thunderbolt would be the bottleneck, that would be good to know as well if anyone has experience with this.


Thanks!