The market is teeming with excellent technological opportunities to support your video editing experience. However, only some laptops are suitable for portable journeys.
We've researched the market and discovered the top-rated laptops for video editing. We've divided our choices into three categories for different budgets so you can have the ultimate experience and select a device that fits all your needs. Keep reading for bonus tips to elevate the whole experience. Without further ado, let's jump into the guide.
Table of Content
9 Top-Rated Laptops for Video Editing
Here's our selection of the best laptops for video editing.
The 3 Best High-End Laptops for Video Editing
High-end laptops for video editing are the most expensive, but they justify the price with top-notch features.
1. MacBook Pro (M3 Max)
Apple recently launched its new CPUs from the M3 series, which are among the best in the laptop industry, especially the mightiest Max models. Aside from the astonishing processor, this laptop's sleek, modern, and lightweight design makes it stylish and seamlessly portable.
Specifications
- CPU: 14–16 core M3 Max
- GPU: 30–40 cores
- Unified memory: 36–48 GB
- Storage: 1 TB
- Display: Liquid Retina
- Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, SDXC card, headphone jack, MagSafe 3
Pricing
This laptop may have a hefty price tag of $3,499 for the 14-core CPU and $3,999 for the 16-core CPU. However, it's excellent value for the specifications and performance you receive.
Pros and Cons
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2. Razer Blade 18
Although designed to be an exceptional gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 18 has made numerous professional video editors across the globe happy. Due to its fantastic hardware components, this laptop is one of the most durable and stable options on the market that can handle the most complex video editing tasks.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel 24-Core i9 HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080-13th Gen
- RAM: 32 or 64 GB DDR5
- Storage: 1–4 TB M.3 NVMe PCIe 4.0
- Display: 18" UHD+ 240 Hz IPS LCD or QHD+ 300 Hz Mini-LED
- Ports: 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C Thunderbolt 5 (PD & DP 1.4), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DP), 2.5 Gb Ethernet, HDMI-out 2.1, SD Card reader
Pricing
Regarding the number of features and advanced components you'll receive, the price tag of $3,099 may not seem like a lot.
Pros and Cons
3. Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
The first thing you'll notice about this laptop is that it provides two screens. The designers made it specifically for content creators, helping them enjoy the ultimate experience and maximize efficiency. Aside from the screen, the laptop has one of the best Ryzen CPUs, allowing you to run and use all your editing software easily.
Specifications
- CPU: Ryzen 9 7945HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForceRTX™ 4090
- RAM: up to 64 GB DDR5
- Storage: up to 4 TB PCIe 4.0
- Display: 16-inch QHD+ 16:10 (256.1600, WQXGA) Mini LED + ScreenPad™ Plus (14" 384.1100(4K) IPS-level Panel Support Stylus)
- Ports: 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / power delivery / G-SYNC, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / G-SYNC,1x 2.5G LAN port
Pricing
The dual-screen and high-performing configurations come with a base-model price of $3,599.
Pros and Cons
The 3 Best Mid-Range Laptops for Video Editing
If you don't need high-end features, check out the best mid-range video editing laptops below.
1. HP Envy x360
This video editing laptop may be the most entertaining since you can easily convert it into a tablet. The 16-inch display allows you to edit your videos to perfection. It's an ideal solution for those frequently on the go since you can pack it in your bag and have all the video editing power you need nearby.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U (up to 4.8 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 12 MB L3 cache, 12 cores, 14 threads)
- GPU: Intel Graphics (integrated)
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5-6400 MT/s
- Display: 16" diagonal, WUXGA (192.1200)
- Storage: 1TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ M.2 SSD
- Ports: 1x USB Type-C® 10 Gbps signaling rate (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort™ 1.4, HP Sleep and Charge), 1x USB Type-A 10 Gbps signaling rate (HP Sleep and Charge), 1x USB Type-A 10 Gbps signaling rate, 1x HDMI-out 2.1, 1x headphone/microphone combo; 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 with USB Type-C® 40 Gbps signaling rate (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort™ 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge)
Pricing
This laptop is among the most reasonably-priced video editing devices, with the base model starting at $1,129.
Pros and Cons
2. DELL XPS 17
This laptop is among the most powerful options in the mid-range section. You'll get professional performance, a vibrant screen, and special thermal protection at a fraction of the price of similar high-end models. This laptop is a hidden gem that can run all your programs and help you reach your video goals.
Specifications
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11800H
- GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050.GB GDDR6
- Display: 17", FHD+ 1920x1200, 60Hz, non-touch, anti-glare, 500 nit, InfinityEdge
- RAM: 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4
- Storage: 512 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD
- Ports: 4x Thunderbolt ports, 1x universal audio jack, 1x SD-card slot, 1x Wedge-shaped lock slot
Pricing
The Dell XPS 17 laptop currently has a price tag of $1,799 in the US.
Pros and Cons
3. Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is a compact video editing laptop ideal for those seeking highly portable devices. Aside from the slim design, it's a smaller, 14.5-inch laptop you can carry everywhere. However, don't let the design fool you; a hardware beast hides behind this laptop's compact body.
Specifications
- CPU: 13th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-13705H Processor
- GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 Laptop GPU 6 GB GDDR6
- RAM: 32 GB LPDDR5x 6400MHz
- Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD Gen 4 M.2
- Display: 4.5″ 3K MiniLED PureSight Pro
- Ports: Combo audio jack, USB Standard-A connector, multi-purpose USB Type-C connector, HDMI, SD card slot
Pricing
As you can see, this laptop has excellent specifications, and you can get yours for the base price of $1,400.
Pros and Cons
The 3 Best Affordable Laptops for Video Editing
These devices are ideal if you want to stay on a budget while creating professional video content.
1. M1 MacBook Pro
Although an older MacBook Pro laptop, this M1 model is still one of the most loved in the video editing community. The processor can still handle the most complex editing tasks, so you won't have to worry about potential issues. All of that comes at a significantly decreased price, making investing in this older MacBook model an excellent decision.
Specifications
- CPU: 8-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores
- GPU: 8-core
- Unified memory: 8 GB
- Storage: up to 2 TB
- Display: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology, 2560x1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch, with support for millions of colors
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt ports, USB 4 ports
Pricing
The current price for the MacBook Pro M1 model starts at $855 but is expected to drop soon.
Pros and Cons
2. Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage
Although promoted as a gaming laptop, this budget-friendly device can help you reach your video editing goals. It has among the best hardware for the price, and you can seamlessly edit your videos with the CPU's power. Aside from that, the design is unique, and you'll stand out from the crowd with this device.
Specifications
- CPU: Ryzen™ 9 7940HS
- GPU: AMD Radeon™ RX 7700S
- RAM: 16 GB DDR5-4800
- Storage: up to 2 TB PCIe Gen 4x4
- Display: 16-inch, QHD+ 16:10 (256.1600, WQXGA)
- Ports: 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / power delivery, 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x Type-C USB 4 support DisplayPort™
Pricing
This Asus TUF laptop is currently $950, but the price will drop as soon as the company releases a new model.
Pros and Cons
3. Lenovo Yoga 7
Lenovo's Yoga series was designed with sophistication, class, and performance in mind. The 7th series provides an excellent video-editing laptop that's compact and easy to carry while delivering professional results. It can run all the needed video editing programs, but you won't have to overspend on the experience.
Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 7 7000U
- GPU: AMD Radeon™ graphics
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 6400MHz
- Memory: up to 512 GB PCIe M.2 SSD Gen 4
- Display: 4″ 2.8K (288.1800) OLED, 90Hz
- Ports: HDMI 1.4b, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB4 (40 Gbps), headphone/mic combo, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (always on), MicroSD card reader
Pricing
The base model of the Lenovo Yoga 7 series is $650.
Pros and Cons
Recommended Laptops for Video Editing Based on Your Needs
Best Overall: Macbook Pro M3 Max
Best Portable: Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
Best for Quick Editing: Dell XPS 17
Best Budget: Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition
Best Buy: Razer Blade 18
How to Enhance Your Video Editing on a Less Powerful Laptop
If you don't want to change your laptop but wish to maximize efficiency, follow these tips to enhance your video editing:
- Use a less resource-intensive video editor - Choose software that won't drain the battery, such as Wondershare Filmora. The best part is that you can enhance your videos in seconds, use shortcuts, add stylish transitions, and much more. You'll get the ultimate editing experience without switching to another laptop.
- Manage your storage - Invest in external storage devices to preserve your favorite creations and free up space on the laptop. You'll automatically notice a performance boost.
- Turn off background processes - Turning off unnecessary apps running in the background will help boost your experience and make your editing apps work faster.
- Update your OS - An outdated operating system can be the leading cause of poor performance. Updating the OS will help you reach your goals and boost the laptop's performance.
- Upgrade critical components - If you see a significant performance drop, invest in specific components rather than purchasing the whole laptop.
These tips will help maximize your experience, even if you have a slower-performing laptop.
Start bringing your ideas to life with our easy-to-use video editor.
The Importance of Having a Good Laptop for Video Editing
Your laptop can make or break the editing experience, so choosing carefully is crucial. Here's why a good laptop is vital for your journey:
- Processing - Using a good laptop for video editing will improve processing and shorten editing times. That means you won't have to spend as much time and effort to achieve professional results.
- Storage - Newer laptop models provide sufficient storage to save all your creations and ensure no issues.
- Display - A high-quality laptop display lets you see all the details and colors, making editing much more efficient and professional.
- Cooling - Editing your videos isn't easy, so investing in a quality laptop is crucial. You don't want it to overheat or shut down while working on your creations.
Thus, consider a high-quality laptop an investment that will pay off in the long run.
How We Picked the Top-Rated Laptops for Video Editing
Since numerous options are available on the market, we've created specific rating criteria for the tested devices. Here are some of them:
| Specifications | The CPU, GPU, and RAM should be powerful enough to run your favorite video editing programs without a hitch. |
| Value | The laptop shouldn't be too expensive; you should get the best bang for your buck. |
| Design | Aside from the performance, the laptop should be durable and easily portable. |
| Storage | The laptop should have sufficient storage to help you preserve your favorite creations and make room for future projects. |
| Display | The display quality should be superb so you can focus on the details and deliver professional results. |
| Reviews | Other users' experiences can speak volumes about various laptops, highlighting their top features and drawing attention to shortcomings. |
Conclusion
Video editing requires a laptop (or a desktop device) to meet your needs. We've researched the market to recommend the best options, dividing them into three categories to suit everyone's budget, so choose the one that best fits your needs.
Remember to follow our tips and tricks for maximizing the video editing experience if you have an older device. For instance, you can use a lightweight video editor like Wondershare Filmora to get professional results without draining your CPU and GPU. This software will help you reach your goals without purchasing a new device.
