For those who are dead passionate about video editing, a specced laptop that delivers top-notch videos is a must. Every project has specific system requirements that must be met if you wish to achieve a commendable output. Thus, users have a difficult time when it comes to select the best laptops for video editing.
There are various factors to be pondered upon before you make the buying decision. First and foremost, even though there are a bunch of laptops designed for video editing, specifically, they have different configurations. Not every video editing laptop needs to suit the kind of editing projects you have undertaken. Also, the decision to buy a video editing laptop must also be based on the frequency and the type of projects you work on.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Video Editing Laptop
Some crucial factors need to be considered before making the final buying decision in case of video editing laptops. Let’s look at the factors that you should consider before selecting the best laptop for video editing.
Screen Resolution:
It is rather impossible to explain how vital screen resolution is while video editing. If the video isn’t clear enough, you will have trouble editing the minute parts and may end up making errors. The perfect screen resolution is one that can handle the color shading and corrections with ease and delivers a great display. Having a 4K editing screen resolution is the best option, albeit a 1080p resolution should also suffice.
Screen size:
The screen size of video editor laptops depends upon the type of projects undertaken by video editors. For example, videos for vlogs and Youtube can be easily edited on a 15-inch screen but a short film or a feature film requires a 17-inch screen or more for ease of editing.
Graphics Card:
AMD and NVIDIA are the household companies in the graphics card market. To be more specific, the AMD Radeon Pro and the NVIDIA RTX are the best video cards available. Having a graphics card is of paramount importance to ensure top-notch video quality.
Memory:
While choosing the best laptops for video editing, make sure the RAM is at least 8 GB; anything below the said parameter shouldn’t be considered. This is because when you edit videos, you have to save many snippets that might be useful in the future. If you have a laptop with low RAM, you might face difficulties in keeping all the videos and maintaining a proper database.
Storage:
The storage capacity of 256 GB should always be a priority if you edit videos regularly. If you aren’t able to afford a laptop with such storage, you can still use an external problem to ensure enough space for saving your videos.
Processor:
A sound processor ensures how your laptop can handle 3D images and work at a certain speed. You can use the Cinebench benchmark test to see how fast your computer renders a 3D image if you are unsure about your computer’s speed.
Weight:
Laptops were designed mainly for portability, so it makes no sense to buy a bulky laptop which you cannot take with you to different places. There is no specific count of weight that can be classified as overweight but any laptop below 4 pounds is always the right choice.
Battery life:
Good battery life is crucial to ensure long work hours for video editors. Added to that, always look for a battery that is durable and also replaceable in case it gets damaged due to continuous use.
13 Best Laptops For Video Editing
The choice of buying a laptop specifically for video editing also depends upon the software you are using for editing videos. Before making a purchasing decision, make sure you refer to the system requirements of the software of your choice. That being said, let’s have a look at the 13 best laptops for video editing.
1. Huawei Matebook X Pro
Huawei Matebook X Pro comes with a robust design that will surely impress you to the core. Video editing is a time-consuming process and requires a laptop that has long-lasting battery life. Huawei Matebook X Pro offers precisely that.
This laptop comes with an 8th-generation Intel core processor from core i5 to core i7, an Intel HD 620 Graphics card, and a RAM of 8GB expandable up to 16GB. It has a 13.9-inch screen and a storage capacity of 512 GB SSD.
If you are searching for a budget-friendly alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, Huawei Matebook X Pro is one of the best laptops for video editing you can choose to go with.
Best Use: After Effects editing
Buy Huawei Matebook X Pro on Amazon
2. Dell XPS 15
Dell XPS 15 is yet another cost-effective alternative for the Apple MacBook Pro and one of the best laptops for video editing in the market.
To tell the truth, Dell XPS 15 is a piece of art in itself. The aluminum and fiber body of the laptop gives it a premium look that belies its price tag. The striking 4K OLED Display will leave you lost for words by its fantastic performance and quality.
The CPU has an Intel Core i5, Core i7, or core i9 processor as per your choice. It has an Intel UHD 360 or an NVIDIA GTX 1650 and an 8 GB RAM that is expandable up to 32 GB. The Dell XPS 15 also has a lightweight design that weighs only 4.5 pounds. Hands down, it is the best video editing laptop in the market at the moment.
Best Use: Color grading and correction
Price: $1948.70
3. HP Envy 13
The HP Envy 13 has everything that a video editor wishes to have in his or her laptop. Its high-configuration model will surely take care of all the requirements of the consumers.
The HP Envy 13 offers a sleek, shiny, and lightweight design and delivers uber performance when it comes to producing top-quality videos. It has an HD display and an 8th-generation Intel Core i5-i7 processor. Moving forward, the HP Envy 13 also offers the Intel UHD Graphics 620 and the Nvidia GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5 graphics card.
The 8GB RAM is expandable up to 16 GB and the 256 GB storage capacity is expandable up to 512 GB. Even the pricing of this laptop will leave you surprised given the number of features it offers. All in all, the HP Envy 13 is the best budget laptop for video editing.
Best Use: Overall video editing
Price: $1,299.99
4. Acer ConceptD 7
Acer ConceptD 7 is a video editing laptop designed especially for designers and editors. It has a beautifully calibrated screen that is an excellent option for color grading.
It has a 4K HD display and a Hexa Core Intel Core i7 processor that enables the seamless and smooth operation speed. An Nvidia GeForce GTX 2080 ensures excellent video quality, one that is desired by every video editor.
The Acer ConceptD 7 also has a RAM of 32 GB and a 1TB SSD hard disk. However, users with shoestring budgets, better look away. This laptop has competitive pricing, and you will have to part away with a substantial chunk of cash to own this premium quality design.
Best Use: Color grading and correction
Price: $2,069.99
5. Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch)
Apple’s MacBook line has become the industry standard for a lot of designers and editors. For all the iOS aficionados, this is one of the best laptops for video editing given loads of upgrades, impressive display, and the cutting-edge components it offers.
The Apple MacBook Pro is capable of handling substantial edits as well as After Effects projects with ease, thanks to the AMD Radeon Pro 555X graphic card. It comes with an Intel Core i7 or i9 processor depending on the user’s choice.
The 16 GB RAM is expandable to 32 GB, and the 512 GB hard drive is expandable up to 4 TB. The laptop is powerful but not a good option for those who want to edit 4K videos due to the limited resolution.
Best use: GoPro editing, short-film editing, animation, Youtube videos
Price: $2,399.99
Buy Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch) on Amazon
6. MacBook Pro (16-inch)
MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops for video editing produced by Apple Computers. This laptop is sleek, compact, and lightweight and has an impressive display. The frame and design of the MacBook Pro will hardly be a problem when you have to carry it with you to your shooting locations.
A 9th-generation Intel Core CPU, 16 GB expandable RAM up to 64 GB, AMD Radeon Pro 4300 MH graphic card, and a 16-inch retina display makes it the best laptop for all your video content creation needs. The storage capacity of the laptop is expandable from 512GB to 8TB.
The speakers and keyboards are just additional cherries on top. All in all, it is the best video editing laptop to edit videos for various customer segments.
Best use: GoPro editing, short-film editing, animation, Youtube videos
Price: $2,287
Buy MacBook Pro (16-inch) on Amazon
7. Dell Inspiron 15 (Best Laptop for Video Editing under $700)
A Video editing laptop hardly comes at an affordable price. Moreover, even if they do, few can match the specs and the quality of the premium laptops specially designed for video editing. Dell Inspiron 15, however, can refute that claim successfully.
This laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 processor and a 16 GB RAM that ensures the required working speed for editing. Further, it is also equipped with a massive 512 GB storage space. The full HD Display and UHD Graphics enable users to edit 4K videos with a high resolution of 4096 X 2034.
The Dell Inspiron comes with a sleek, metallic, and lightweight design. It is the best laptops for video editing for students, beginner-level photographers, videographers, and small businesses, thanks to its affordable pricing.
Best use: Small video editing projects, Youtube videos
Price: $489 onwards
Buy Dell Inspiron 15 on Amazon
8. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 is regarded as one of the best 2-in-1 laptops in the world. It comes with either a dual-core Intel i5 or a quad-core Intel i7 processor, depending on the choice of the user.
The Surface Book Pro has pen support and an Intel HD Graphics support. It has a RAM of 16 GB and a screen of 15.4-inch with a 3240 X 2160 IPS resolution. The 256 GB storage is expandable up to 1 TB SSD. This video editing laptop also supports an SD card slot but has no Thunderbolt 3 ports.
With an i7 processor and a 1 TB hard drive, you can assemble one of the best laptops for video editing. Surface Book 2 is one of the best gaming laptops capable of handling advanced 3D gaming apart from offering top-notch video editing services. The great battery life is a cherry on the cake that completes this power-packed device.
Best use: GoPro editing, short-film editing, animation
Price: $2,375
Buy Microsoft Surface Book 2 on Amazon
9. HP ZBook Studio X360
HP ZBook Studio X360 is an excellent choice for those editors who need out maxed-out specs. Additionally, it also offers portability and versatility second to none.
Talking about the specifications, HP ZBook Studio comes with either a quad-core Intel Core i5 or an octa-core Intel core i9 processor. Add a 64 GB RAM and a 2 TB hard drive, and you have one of the most powerful laptops at your disposal.
The ZBook Studio is best known for its Dream Color display, which covers 100% of the Adobe color gamut. Additionally, this video editing laptop offers an array of ports and an SD card slot; the competitive pricing might be a little too much, but the features justify the price tag.
Best use: 4K editing and animation
Price: $1,550
Buy HP ZBook Studio X360 on Amazon
10. Lenovo ThinkPad P53
The Lenovo ThinkPad P53 will suffice your editors if you are running a small business and looking to provide a good laptop for video editing with basic needs to your employees. Even with the modest price range, the laptop offers either a quad-core Intel i5 or an octa-core Intel i9 processor depending upon the user’s choice.
With the ThinkPad P53, you can always edit 4K videos without any difficulties, thanks to the Dolby Vision HDR screen. The laptop has an Ethernet port and features 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports. It also has a SiIM tray for fast 4G speeds.
The 32 GB RAM and 1 TB hard drive will offer users enough speed and space. All in all, Lenovo ThinkPad P53 is the best video editing laptop to go with if you are running a business.
Best use: Short-film editing and small video editing projects
Price: $1,489
Buy Lenovo ThinkPad P53 on Amazon
11. Acer Predator Helios 300 15
Acer Predator Helios 300 15 is a good gaming laptop to go for if you are an avid gamer alongside being a video editor. It’s a gaming laptop designed to provide excellent video quality for which is also beneficial for video editing.
The Predator Helios 300 comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and has a 32 GB RAM. With a 1920 X 1080 IPS screen resolution and a 15.6-inch display, you need not worry about being unable to see the details in your video while editing it. The 1 TB SSD + 2 TB hard drive makes it a godsend for video editors as it can easily store a chunk of 4K videos.
Acer Predator Helios 300 15 is the best video editing laptop to go with if you are frequently into color grading while editing videos. Color grading is an essential aspect of editing movies and short films, and this piece of art could extremely well come to your aid for the cause.
Best use: Color grading and correction, 4K editing
Price: $1,550
Buy Acer Predator Helios 300 on Amazon
12. Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 is known for its shiny, sleek, and lightweight design apart from the slew of impressive features it offers. Trusted for delivering high-quality visuals, this is one of the best laptops for video editing and showcasing 4K content.
Furthermore, the Razer Blade 15 comes with a Hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor along with a GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card that is strong enough to handle the most demanding projects.
Added to that, it has an optional 4K LED display that delivers stunning graphics.
A 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and two Thunderbolt ensure smooth running and massive storage of videos. The Razer Blade 15 is also a cost-effective option if you search for the best video editing laptops to buy one.
Best use: 4K editing
Price: $1,799.99 onwards
13. Lenovo ThinkPad P70 – Best Laptop for Video Editing under $700
Lenovo ThinkPad P70 is known for delivering high quality and features in affordable pricing. However, the most striking feature it possesses is Intel’s Skylake processor. This processor gives the P70 a massive boost in the overall performance.
Talking about its specifications, the ThinkPad P70 has the Nvidia Quadro M5000M 8 GB, which delivers impressive display and graphics on a 17-inch screen. The massive screen size and resolution allows the users to view details in the video easily.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P70 is one of the best laptops for video editing because it has the X-Rite Pantone calibration tool. This tool enables you to keep a proper screen resolution for production work. It is also regarded as the best laptop for 4k video editing.
Best use: 4K editing
Price: $649
Buy Lenovo ThinkPad P70 on Amazon
Conclusion
Video editing is one of the most in-demand skills in the world. To deliver excellent quality edits, video editors need laptops with precise specifications. Video editing also requires a good battery backup and to ensure that you can check docking stations that will allow you to work for long periods.
Selecting the best laptops for video editing is challenging, as each video editing laptop has its specialties that can be used for different purposes. For example, the Apple MacBook Pro can be used by vloggers and Youtubers, while feature filmmakers could do long edits and After Effects projects on the Dell XPS 15. The choice of best laptops to edit videos and the type of projects you undertake also have a crucial say in the buying process.
Related: 15 Best Gaming Laptops for the PC Gaming Fans
