Are you an aspiring filmmaker, video editor or content creator looking for the best laptop to make your editing dreams come true? Or maybe you’re simply a hobby enthusiast who needs a new laptop powerful enough to handle all of your video projects.
No matter what category you fit into, finding the right laptop for video editing can be tricky. With so many laptops on the market and different requirements for each user, it can be difficult to narrow down and choose just one that meets all of your needs.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide — complete with our picks for the top five best laptops specifically designed for video editors. Read on and find out which laptop is perfect for your work as an aspiring artist!
Table of Contents
12+ Best Laptops for Video Editing & Animation For You
- Apple MacBook Pro 2021 — Best Apple laptop for video editing (Editor’s Choice)
- Razer Blade 15 — Powerful Best 4K Video Editing & Gaming Laptop
- Dell XPS 15 — Best value laptop for video editing overall under 2000$
- Dell G5 15 SE — Best Video Editing Laptop Under 1000$
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 — The most powerful 2-in-1 laptop video editing available under 1200$
- Huawei MateBook X Pro — Best Mac alternative for video editing & highly rated
- Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-32DK — Best Budget Video Editing Laptop
- HP ZBook Firefly — Cheapest 4K Video Editing Laptop
- Alienware Area-51m — Most powerful laptop for video editing
- MSI GS65 Stealth — A laptop built for gaming but perfect for video editing with 32 Ram
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme — best Lenovo laptop for video editing under 2000$
- ASUS ZenBook 15 — The best ultra-slim laptop for video editing under 1200$
Our Top 5 Picks For You
Invalid table id.1. Apple MacBook Pro 2021 — Best Apple laptop for video editing (Editor’s Choice)
After months of rumours and speculation, the new 14-inch MacBook, complete with Apple’s custom M1 processor for top-notch computation and extended battery life, is finally here.
It’s loaded with extras as its price tag indicates, including an improved speaker system that provides spatial audio capabilities, a miniLED screen with intense resolution (3024 by 1964 pixels), and multiple ports for convenience. Furthermore, Apple has bid farewell to the unpopular Touch Bar feature. macOS Monterey beta – which runs smoothly throughout – gets even better when considering the laptop’s impressive 14+ hour battery life.
The 14-inch MacBook is clearly a powerful device ready to take its spot at the top as the best apple video editing laptop ever.
2. Razer Blade 15 — Ultimate best video editing laptop for professional video editors
Razer is known for its gaming laptops, but the Blade 15 Studio Edition takes things to a whole new level. It has been designed with creatives in mind and packed with a powerful Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 mobile GPU that plays nice with its 4K OLED display. It’s perfect for video editing, graphic design tasks or even if you need to model works of art.
That stunning hardware doesn’t come cheap though, as this laptop will set you back quite a bit more than other machines. But, it may be worth it if you want the most spectacular performance and picture quality available right now. So if you’re looking for the highest-end workstation out there, look no further than the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition – and get ready to explore your creativity like never before!
3. Dell XPS 15 — Best value laptop for video editing overall under 20000$
The Dell XPS 15 is a powerful laptop capable of handling anything you might need it to do. This powerful tech laptop sports a 9th-generation i9 CPU, a beautiful 4K display, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and 64GB of RAM.
This means that managing your day-to-day editing needs will no longer be an issue. And topped off with a price tag lower than its MacBook Pro equivalent, the Dell XPS 15 is an obvious choice for those needing something less expensive but high in quality. Not only that, but the inclusion of multiple ports including standard USBs and even an SD card reader slot makes this laptop both convenient and versatile. So why wait? Get the Dell XPS 15 now for top-notch performance at an unbeatable price!
4. Dell G5 15 SE — Best budget video editing laptop under 900$
If you’re looking for remarkable gaming performance with modest pricing, the Dell G5 15 SE (2020) is an excellent choice with its all-new AMD hardware. The AMD R7 4800H processor outperforms similar laptops in this price range, allowing for speedy and reliable video editing.
You’ll also benefit from the impressive 15.6-inch display that covers 108% of the sRGB colour gamut and emits 301 nits of brightness. Even better, its battery life lasts a solid 7 hours and 14 minutes per charge so you won’t ever be left stuck in dark times during your marathon video editing sessions. All in all, the Dell G5 15 SE is an unbeatable laptop when it comes to gaming and, more importantly, video editing at a budget-friendly price point.
5. Microsoft Surface Book 3 — The most powerful 2-in-1 laptop video editing available under 1200$
The Surface Book 3 is the ideal device for video editing, packed with more than enough components to handle even the most intense editing sessions. Not only does it come with an Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics card, but it also offers superior battery life allowing for video capture and editing on the move without worrying about running out of juice.
Furthermore, its design is both beautiful and functional. If portability is what you need but don’t want to skimp on quality then the Surface Book 3 is perfect as it effortlessly changes from tablet to laptop mode in seconds – granting quick access to a world of built-in applications so that you can start creating the right away.
6. Huawei MateBook X Pro — Best Mac alternative laptop for video editing & highly rated
Huawei’s MateBook X Pro is the perfect laptop for editors that want to get work done on a budget. This amazing device has all the features of laptops twice its price, starting with its beautiful design, luxury feel, and incredibly sharp 13-inch 3K display. The MateBook X Pro also packs powerful hardware in the form of the 8th generation Intel Core CPU.
Even more impressive, its battery life can provide up to 12 hours of continuous use on a single charge so you can be assured it will last through extensive video editing sessions.
Not only is this laptop great value for money compared to more expensive competitors like the MacBook Pro, but anyone who gets their hands on one won’t regret their purchase – it really is an amazing choice for video editing under $1000.
7. Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-32DK — The best multi-tasking laptop for editing under 500$
When Acer’s new Aspire 5 is switched on, its eleventh Gen Intel Core i3 processor and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity offer a superior computing experience. It has an optimal layout that ensures fast performance and dependability for tasks such as gaming, creating videos, and running office programs. Its 15.6” Full HD IPS display with a slim bezel design provides a greater viewing area to work with.
With Windows 11 Home in S mode, users will benefit from faster startup times and improved methods to finish tasks. Additionally, the Ergonomic hinge heightens the typing angle of the keyboard for extra comfort and better cooling capability. It will be a great laptop if you’re using video editing software like Wondershare Filmora & other low-end s/w.
8. HP ZBook Firefly — Best laptop for editing work under 1000$
The ZBook Firefly from HP is an impressive performer packed into a lightweight form factor. With no sacrifice in performance, this surprisingly small laptop can handle all of your video editing and motion graphics needs with ease. Thanks to its 4K screen, Intel Xeon processor, and Nvidia Quadro Graphics card, you’ll get incredibly sharp visuals while working on projects.
Plus the included 512GB SSD offers plenty of storage and can be easily upgraded for additional capacity if needed. All in all, the ZBook comes at a great value for money and is sure to leave you satisfied if you’re looking for the best laptop for video editing and motion graphics.
9. Alienware Area-51m — Most powerful gaming laptop for video editing
If you’re looking for an all-in-one machine that won’t let you down, the Alienware Area-51m is undoubtedly a formidable machine. With an overclockable 9th Generation Core i9 Processor, RTX 2080 graphics card and 17.3-inch, 1920 x1080 display, this beast of a desktop PC have all the features necessary to take your gaming or programming experience to the next level.
And it’s not just about power; its design is impressive too with its rainbow-coloured keyboard backlight and edgy visual accents. In addition, the ultra-fast solid-state drive allows you to work and game at incredible speeds – up to 1,272 MBps! Do not hesitate to opt for the Alienware Area-51m if you’re looking for ultimate power combined with stunning visuals.
10. MSI GS65 Stealth — Best laptop for youtube video editing
The GS65 Stealth is a powerhouse that could easily become the centrepiece of any video editor’s setup. Packed with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, this amazing laptop provides users with lightning-fast performance for multitasking and working on complex editing tasks.
With the added bonus of being an excellent gaming laptop as well, you can use it to unwind over the weekend after a long week of work. The GS65 Stealth offers users the best of both worlds, so if you’re looking for a powerful workhorse and a powerhouse for gaming all at once, then the Stealth is worth checking out!
11. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme — best Lenovo laptop for video editing under 2000$
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is an incredible laptop that meets the needs of a wide range of customers. It is the company’s first 15-inch laptop with a discrete graphics card – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GPU and can be outfitted with an 8th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU as well as 64GB of RAM, making it a powerful machine capable of handling any task.
It has impressive durability: it can withstand high temperatures, humidity, sand and dust, and repeated drops without fail. For added convenience, the optional IR camera allows you to use Windows Hello facial recognition to quickly sign into your laptop. For those who might need a bit more than the ThinkPad X1 Extreme offers, there is always a customizable version for them to enjoy.
12. ASUS ZenBook 15 — The best ultra-slim laptop for video editing under 1200$
The ASUS ZenBook 15 brings a cutting-edge design to the world of video editing. Its ultralight, ultracompact chassis allows for an incredibly portable ultraportable laptop design. Weighing 3.6 lbs lighter than the previous generation (UX530) and featuring a four-sided NanoEdge display with touch support, this laptop is an absolute dream come true for editors and animators everywhere. ScreenPad 2.0 offers even more utility with its interactive second touchscreen that increases workflow efficiency in ways that have never been seen before.
The UI is simple and easy to understand, similar to a smartphone making it exceptionally user-friendly. It gets even better as ASUS has partnered up with Corel, a developer of powerful video editing software, to further enhance the abilities of ScreenPad and make it particularly attractive to editors and animators who need built-in tools that make their job easier.
3 tips for buying the Best Laptops for Video Editing
1. Do your research
The first tip for buying the best laptop for video editing is to do your research. There are a lot of different laptops on the market, and it can be tough to know which one is right for you. Talk to friends or family who are into video editing and see what laptops they recommend. Once you have a few options in mind, read online reviews to get a better idea of what each laptop has to offer.
2. Consider your budget
Another important tip to keep in mind when buying a laptop for video editing is to consider your budget. Video editing software can be expensive, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough money to cover the cost of the software as well as the cost of the laptop itself. If you’re on a tight budget, there are still some great laptops out there that will be able to handle basic video editing tasks.
3. Find a laptop with good specs
Finally, when you’re looking for the best laptop for video editing, make sure you find one with good specs. This means finding a laptop with a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and a large hard drive. These things will all come in handy when you’re trying to edit videos, so don’t skimp on them!
FAQ’s
Do you need a high-end laptop for video editing?
If you want to reach the pinnacle of video editing, then you’ll need one of the best laptops on the market. Not only do these computers boast fast processors and strong graphics cards, but they also come with high-resolution displays that are perfect for displaying ultra-HD or 4K videos. Furthermore, a laptop like this can make adding special effects much easier than using an inexpensive machine; trimming small clips is simple when done on such powerful hardware!
Does video editing need a graphics card?
For an optimal video editing experience, complete with smooth transitions and quick render times, a high-functioning graphics card is imperative.
What laptop is good for 4K video editing?
Editing a 4K video is a cakewalk with Dell XPS 15! Its high-end tech and ample memory make it the ideal choice for this job. What’s even better is the wallet-friendly price tag that makes it completely irresistible. With Dell XPS 15, editing those stunning visuals has never been so effortless – or affordable!
Is 8GB RAM enough for video editing?
Depending on the video size and resolution, 8GB RAM can suffice for 1080p videos if you close any unnecessary applications. However, to ensure a seamless experience for 4K videos, it is highly recommended that one should have 16GB or 32GB of RAM installed.
What is the best budget laptop for video editing?
The HP Envy x360 is the ideal budget laptop for animators, video editors and motion graphic artists. Get that premium editing to feel without racking up your credit card debt! This laptop has an incredible specs list so you can always be sure to get remarkable performance while working on those videos.
Do you need a strong laptop for video editing?
Yes, a strong laptop is recommended for video editing. Video editing tasks can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful processor, sufficient RAM, and a dedicated graphics card to handle the demands of editing high-resolution videos, applying effects, and rendering the final output efficiently. A strong laptop ensures smoother editing workflows and faster rendering times.
How much RAM is good for video editing?
A good amount of RAM for video editing is 16GB or higher. Video editing software often requires a significant amount of memory to handle the processing of large video files, multiple layers, effects, and transitions. Having 16GB or more RAM allows for smoother playback, faster rendering, and better overall performance while working with high-resolution videos and complex editing projects.
What are the best laptop specs for video editing?
The best laptop specs for video editing typically include:
Processor: Look for a powerful processor, such as an Intel Core i7 or i9, or an AMD Ryzen 7 or 9. Higher core counts and clock speeds are beneficial for handling intensive editing tasks.
RAM: Opt for at least 16GB or more RAM to ensure smooth multitasking and efficient video editing. More RAM is preferable for handling larger video files and complex editing projects.
Storage: Consider a laptop with a fast and spacious SSD (Solid State Drive) for quick boot times and faster data access. Additionally, having ample storage capacity, such as 512GB or 1TB, is beneficial for storing video files.
Graphics Card: A dedicated graphics card, preferably from NVIDIA or AMD, is crucial for accelerated rendering, smooth playback, and real-time editing effects. Look for options like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX series or the AMD Radeon RX series.
Display: A high-resolution display with good colour accuracies, such as 1080p or 4K, is important for precise video editing. A larger display size, preferably 15 inches or more, provides more screen real estate for efficient editing workflows.
Ports: Ensure the laptop has sufficient connectivity options, including USB 3.0/3.1 ports, HDMI or DisplayPort, and an SD card reader for convenient transfer of video files and connecting external devices.
Remember, these specifications can vary based on individual requirements and budget, but having a combination of these features provides an excellent foundation for a capable video editing laptop.
Which graphic card is best for video editing?
The best graphic cards for video editing vary based on budget and specific requirements, but options like NVIDIA GeForce RTX series or AMD Radeon RX series are popular choices.
Final thoughts:
We hope that you enjoyed our blog post and found the Best Laptops for Video Editing. If you liked this article, please share it on social media!
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