When you're working on video editing, the laptop you choose can make or break your experience. It’s not just about having a flashy machine — it's about performance, speed, and reliability. Whether you’re a pro editor working on 4K footage or a hobbyist piecing together YouTube videos, you need a laptop that can handle the heat. So, let's dive into the best laptops for video editing, based on performance, features, and price.
Top 10 Laptops For Video Editing
If you’re in a hurry, check out our top 10 picks for the best best laptops for video editing in 2024.
Image | Product | Price |
---|---|---|
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD IPS Display | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home in S Mode | SEE IT | |
HP Newest 255 G10 Laptop for Home or Work, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6" Full HD, Ryzen 3 7330U (Beat Intel i5-1135G7), Ethernet Port, HDMI, USB-C, Windows 11 Pro, Business and Fun Ready (2024) | SEE IT | |
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13650HX | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 | 16" WUXGA 1920 x 1200 165Hz G-SYNC Display | 16GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | Killer Wi-Fi 6E | PHN16-71-76H5 | SEE IT | |
NIMO 15.6 FHD Student Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint, Intel Pentium Quad-Core N100 (Beat to i3-1115G4, Up to 3.4GHz), 2 Years Warranty, Type C 65W Charger, WiFi 6, Win 11 | SEE IT | |
HP Newest Pavilion 17.3 Touchscreen HD+ Laptop Computer, AMD Ryzen 5 7530U 6-Core(Beat i7-1165G7), 64GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Fast Charge, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI, Win11 | SEE IT | |
HP 15.6 FHD Display G9 Laptop • 32GB RAM • 1TB Storage (512GB SSD & 500GB External) • AMD Dual Core Processor • Upto 12 Hours Battery Life • w/WOWPC Bundle • Windows 11 Pro | SEE IT | |
Lenovo V15 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-core Processor (Beat Intel i7-1065G7), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, HDMI, RJ45, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black | SEE IT | |
Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, Touch ID; Midnight | SEE IT | |
Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13620H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 144Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | WiFi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-51-73B9 | SEE IT | |
HP Newest Victus 15.6" FHD 144Hz Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, Backlit Keyboard, WiFi 6, RJ-45, HDMI, Windows 11 | SEE IT |
What Makes a Laptop Great for Video Editing?
Before we jump into the best picks, let’s get clear on what makes a laptop ideal for video editing. Here are the key things to look for:
Processor (CPU): You need something fast. Look for at least an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7, but the more cores, the better. Video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro thrives on CPU power.
Graphics Card (GPU): A dedicated graphics card like NVIDIA’s RTX series is crucial for rendering and playback. Integrated GPUs just won’t cut it.
RAM: Go for at least 16GB of RAM. Trust me, when you're handling large files, you’ll need it.
Storage (SSD): A solid-state drive (SSD) is a must for fast boot-up times and quick file transfers. 512GB is a good starting point, but 1TB will give you more room for those hefty video files.
Display: A high-quality display with accurate color representation is essential for editing. Aim for a 15-inch screen with at least Full HD resolution (1920x1080), but if you can swing it, go for 4K.
Battery Life: Editing on the go? You’ll need a laptop with long battery life — ideally, 8 hours or more.
Now that we know what to look for, let's get to the best options for video editing.
Best Laptops for Video Editing
1. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
Best For: Gamers who edit on the side.
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13650HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB Gen 4 SSD
- Display: 16” WUXGA, 165Hz G-SYNC
- Price Range: Mid-tier
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is built for both gaming and content creation. With its powerful CPU and RTX 4060 GPU, it handles demanding tasks like video rendering with ease. The 165Hz refresh rate and G-SYNC display ensure smooth playback, which is critical when you’re cutting scenes and adding effects.
2. Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Max)
Best For: Apple enthusiasts and Final Cut Pro users.
- CPU: Apple M1 Max
- GPU: 32-core GPU
- RAM: 32GB Unified Memory
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16" Liquid Retina XDR
- Price Range: High-end
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: The M1 Max chip delivers mind-blowing performance, making it a top choice for pro editors using Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro. Its battery life is also exceptional, lasting up to 21 hours, perfect for long editing sessions without needing a charger.
3. Dell XPS 15 9520
Best For: Editors looking for a sleek, powerful laptop.
- CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6" OLED 3.5K
- Price Range: High-end
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: With a stunning 3.5K OLED display, color accuracy is this laptop’s strength. The XPS 15 is lightweight yet powerful, making it a great option for editors who travel.
4. Lenovo V15 Laptop
Best For: Budget-conscious editors.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6" Full HD
- Price Range: Budget
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: While not the most powerful, the Lenovo V15 offers solid specs for beginners or hobbyists working with 1080p footage. It’s an affordable entry point for those just starting out in video editing.
5. HP Victus 15.6" Gaming Laptop
Best For: Editors looking for an affordable, gaming-capable laptop.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050
- RAM: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- Price Range: Mid-tier
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: The Victus 15.6” is built for gaming but is more than capable of handling video editing tasks. With a 144Hz display and RTX 2050, it’s perfect for editors who also dabble in gaming or 3D rendering.
6. Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop
Best For: Editors who need a powerful, portable option.
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6" FHD, 144Hz
- Price Range: Mid-tier
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: The Nitro V offers strong performance with its RTX 4050 and Intel Core i7 chip. The 144Hz screen ensures smooth video playback, and it’s equipped with Thunderbolt 4 for fast file transfers.
7. HP Pavilion 17.3 Touchscreen Laptop
Best For: Editors who need a large screen.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 64GB DDR4
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- Display: 17.3" HD+
- Price Range: High-end
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: The 17.3” touchscreen is perfect for editors who like to work on a larger canvas. The 64GB RAM is also a beast for multitasking, allowing you to edit large projects without a hitch.
8. NIMO 15.6 FHD Laptop
Best For: Students or entry-level editors.
- CPU: Intel Pentium Quad-Core N100
- GPU: Integrated Graphics
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6" FHD
- Price Range: Budget
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: It’s a great starting point for those who need a laptop for simple editing projects. The 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD give it just enough power to handle basic editing software.
9. HP 15.6 FHD G9 Laptop
Best For: Editors looking for AI-powered tools.
- CPU: AMD Dual-Core Processor
- GPU: Integrated Graphics
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD + 500GB External
- Display: 15.6" FHD
- Price Range: Mid-tier
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: This laptop comes with AI-driven features to optimize performance, helping with tasks like editing and rendering. It’s ideal for users who want a little help from AI to speed up their workflow.
10. Apple MacBook Air 13" (M3)
Best For: Editors on the go.
- CPU: Apple M3 Chip
- GPU: 10-core GPU
- RAM: 8GB Unified Memory
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.6" Liquid Retina
- Price Range: Mid-tier
Why It’s Great for Video Editing: The MacBook Air is light, portable, and surprisingly powerful thanks to the M3 chip. It's ideal for editing short videos or working on the go with all-day battery life.
Key Considerations for Video Editing Laptops
1. Choose the Right Software
Make sure your laptop is compatible with your editing software. Mac users might prefer Final Cut Pro, while Windows users lean towards Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
2. External Storage
If you’re editing long videos or 4K footage, invest in an external hard drive. Video files take up a lot of space, and it’s easy to run out of room quickly.
3. Color Calibration
For color grading, ensure your laptop screen has good color accuracy. You can also use external color calibration tools to fine-tune your display.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a gaming laptop for video editing?
Absolutely! Gaming laptops, like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or HP Victus, have powerful GPUs and CPUs that can handle video rendering and editing.
How much RAM do I need for video editing?
For basic editing, 16GB will work. However, for more intensive tasks, especially with 4K footage, 32GB or more is recommended.
Is a MacBook good for video editing?
Yes! The Apple MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are excellent for video editing, especially if you're using Final Cut Pro.
With these picks and tips, you’re now equipped to choose the best laptop for your video editing needs. Whether you're working on a big budget project or editing your next viral TikTok, there's a perfect machine for you!