Best Laptop for Video Editing: Which Models Should You Consider?

When it comes to formidability, the Acer ConceptD 7 is a model to consider because of its CPU and GPU power combination. It has a hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, allowing it to handle complex tasks.

This 15.6-inch laptop also offers up to 32 GB of RAM, so editing full HD and even 4K footage will not be a problem. As for the storage, it boasts a 1 TB solid-state drive (SSD), which is enough to store the media files you would need. 

This video-editing laptop is ideal for color grading, thanks to its Pantone-validated 4K display that hits 100% of the Adobe RGB gamut. When it comes to ports, it offers a lot, with just one drawback — there is no SD card slot. Although it comes at a hefty price, it is worth its weight in specs. With all these components, there is no doubt that one should consider this the best laptop for video editing.

Another powerful yet stylish laptop on this list is the 2020 Dell XPS 15. This 15-inch laptop has an impressive design and feature set that would fit well for your video editing needs. It offers a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics. You can upgrade to an Intel Core i9 CPU, as well as 64 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, allowing you to edit even 4K content.

It also has a 4K OLED screen with a 3840 x 2160 display that covers 100% of the Adobe RGB gamut, making it perfect for color grading. Compared to its 2019 version, this has better speakers allowing you to stream movies or watch your video output with glorious sounds.

With these outstanding features, the Dell XPS 15 can still last long, thanks to its 6-cell 86Whr Integrated battery. It can perform more editing tasks without the video editing software slowing down. Some would find this expensive, but its gorgeous design and powerful performance would convince you it’s worth the price.

With its 16-inch screen and better graphic chip, this Apple MacBook Pro screams impressive creative capabilities. Not only can it display the entire P3 color gamut, but it also has a tool that lets you adjust the display’s refresh rate. These features would help you do color correction better and match the refresh rate of your display with that of your video file. Its trackpad also provides haptic feedback as elements, say video clips, interact in various software. The Touch Bar is also impressive as it changes depending on the software in use. 

The entry-level uses a six-core Intel Core i7 processor, whereas the higher-end features an eight-core Intel Core i9. The graphics card it uses, on the other hand, is AMD Radeon Pro 5300M for the base model and 5500M for the higher-end. Considering all these components, the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch would definitely not disappoint.

What it lacks is the other types of ports as it only has four USB Type-C ports and a headphone jack. While the Type-C ports support Thunderbolt 3, you would most likely need special adapters for other things you’d need for video editing. Despite this, one would still consider this MacBook Pro as the best laptop for video editing. It might be expensive, but it has the same price as that of its discontinued 15-inch model, making it a great deal.

With its 15.6-inch screen and its powerful CPU and GPU component, this laptop is definitely one for the creative pros. The Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED offers a 4K display and boasts its X-Rite Pantone certified and color calibrated panel. It also supports a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut so you can easily edit videos with stunning resolution and color. You will also get all the space you need from the screen, thanks to its 3mm ultra-thin bezel, which, by the way, is the world’s first.

This video editing laptop uses an eight-core Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card. It also offers 16 GB of RAM and a storage of 512-GB SSD, though it would have been better if it’s more than that. You can enjoy a full array of ports as this offers USB 3.2 Type-A ports and a headphone or microphone jack. There is also a Thunderbolt 3 port and a UHS-II SD card reader, which allow you to transfer files faster.

There are cooling fans available to prevent the laptop from overheating, but the fans may be audible. As for how long this video editing laptop can last, you can use it for up to eight hours, thanks to its 94Wh battery. It is worth noting that the given battery life may vary depending on your settings as well as the programs you use.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P53’s base model barely makes it to this list because of its underwhelming specs. It only has an Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA Quadro T1000, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage. What qualifies this 15.6-inch laptop is its higher-end models that use up to octa-core Intel Core i9 CPU and an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 GPU. It can also offer a memory of up to 128 GB along with storage that you can expand up to 6 TB SSD. While the base model only has 1080p resolution, the top-end model has the screen option of an OLED 4K touch panel.

When it comes to ports, this will provide you plenty. It has USB3.1 Type-A and Type-C ports, a headphone jack, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and even an SD card slot. There is also a SIM tray that will allow you to use mobile broadband while you’re on the go. The Lenovo ThinkPad P53 can last up to 13 hours, but you should note that this is not always accurate.

With the performance that the maxed-out version can provide, it would be a great option to consider as the best laptop for video editing. It can get very expensive, though, so if you want to enjoy its best, you have to have a deep pocket.

It comes as a bit of a surprise that Razer, a company better known for its gaming laptops, produced a non-gaming one. Razer’s Blade 15 Studio Edition has been made specifically for on-the-go workers like video editors. It has incredibly capable internals with a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor combined with NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 GPU. It also boasts 32 GB of RAM that you can upgrade to 64 GB and impressive storage having 1 TB SSD. These components can offer impressive performance that creative professionals would find impressive.

Aside from the powerful internals, it boasts its 4K touchscreen that doesn’t disappoint. It offers a 3840 x 2160 pixel OLED screen and provides coverage of the Adobe RGB and 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. These features would allow you to see a bright display with accurate colors, making it a great laptop for color correction. 

As for the ports, this offers a lot including a USB-C that supports Thunderbolt 3, memory card slot, and headphone jack. With its premium features and design, the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition is not for everyone because of its price. Most people would find it expensive, but if you have the extra cash, this is something worth investing in.

The Dell G5 15 SE packs all-new AMD core components, which both creatives and gamers would love. It combines AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor with an AMD Radeon RX 5600M video card, which provides great performance. It also features 16 GB of RAM that you can upgrade to 32 GB while its storage can go up to 1 TB SSD for the top-end model. The lesser configuration, meanwhile, offers a Ryzen R5 4600H CPU, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage, and the same video card.

This 15.6-inch laptop has a Full HD resolution and is clocked at a 60Hz refresh rate on the base version and 144Hz on the higher-end model. It has several ports including USB 3.1 and 2.0 ports, a headphone jack, and an SD card slot. While this may be true, it lacks the Thunderbolt 3 port, which might make most users feel less excited. As for the battery, you can use the Dell G5 15 SE for several hours so you won’t have to keep it plugged in all the time.

The 2020 version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro comes in two main configurations that have almost the same physical features. The only thing that sets one apart from the other is the number of ports it offers. If you’ll need many USB Type-C ports, you can go with the higher-end configuration, which offers four ports while the base model only has two.

If you are to compare the MacBook Pro’s display with that of the MacBook Air, the former is better. It has a higher brightness level compared to MacBook Air, and it supports the P3 color gamut, providing more colors. This can help you better when editing videos and doing advanced tasks such as color grading.

As for the internal components, the entry-level configuration uses the same processor as that of its 2019 version. It features 8th -eneration Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, while the higher-end uses 10th-generation chips in either Core i5 or i7 variants. The higher-end version uses an integrated Intel Iris Plus GPU as part of the Core i5 CPU. It also comes with 16 GB of RAM and storage of 512 GB SSD that you can upgrade to 32 GB and 4 TB SSD, respectively. You should note, however, that the maxed-out configuration can double its cost.

The Alienware Area-51m has powerful specs that are enough to consider it the best laptop for video editing. With an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card for the base model, this does not disappoint. It has a storage of 1 TB Hybrid Drive but only offers 8 GB of RAM, which doesn’t meet the sweet spot of 16-GB RAM. You can upgrade to the supercharged version, though, which rocks an Intel Core i9-9900K processor with 64 GB of RAM.

These crazy internal components can do it all, including editing high-res videos and even playing games. Its 17.3-inch screen with 1080p or 4K display is bright with 300 nits and can cover 100% of the Adobe RGB color gamut. These features would help the creative pros with editing videos that need color correcting. As for connectivity, you would find various ports including USB 3.1 ports, Thunderbolt 3 port, and headphone and microphone jacks.

One great thing about this model is all its major components are upgradable as you can swap out the GPU and CPU. With the top-end model having a price of over $5000, you wouldn’t expect anything less from Alienware Area-51m. It can make a big dent in your wallet, sure, but its impressive performance and stunning aesthetics make up for it.

The ROG (Republic of Gamers) laptops of Asus are designed with power in mind over portability. But the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 is an exception as it only measures 36 x 25.2 x 1.99cm with a weight of 2.1kg. It is armed with an octa-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, which makes it both portable and powerful. You can combine it with a system memory of up to 32 GB and 1 TB of SSD storage, allowing it to do video editing tasks with ease.

This features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 165Hz refresh rate that lets you play sharper and smoother videos. It also offers 100% sRGB coverage, but its range is not as wide as those of other laptop units that provide more colors. When it comes to connectivity, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 offers a lot of ports. There are USB Type-A and Type-C ports, headphone jack, and microSD card slot. There is no Thunderbolt 3 port, though, which misses the opportunity to transfer files faster.

This has an impressive 90Wh battery, allowing it to last longer even when you play games. It is also more affordable than the other models that offer the same specs, making it a great option.

If you need a video-editing laptop you can carry anywhere without feeling much of its weight, the MSI WS75 is a great option. This 17.3-inch laptop weighs only 5.03 lb., which is lighter than most models of the same size. Its 1080p screen can cover 100% of the sRGB color gamut, allowing it to show more colors good for color correction tasks. Aside from these, there are more commendable features that it offers, as it also has excellent system components.

Built with an eight-core Intel Core i9 CPU with 32 GB of system memory, this can provide exceptional performance. This also boasts its NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 graphics card and storage of 1 TB SSD. These components are more than enough for those who want to edit high-res videos without their computer freezing. In fact, this is an ISV-certified system, which guarantees to enhance your experience with several creative apps.

It also offers various ports so you can connect other essential devices you’ll use for video editing. There are USB Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port, headphone and microphone jacks, and a microSD card slot. It also has a Thunderbolt 3 port that offers connectivity with a speed you’ll need, especially when transferring files. As for its battery life, it can last for up to seven hours, but it still depends on your usage.

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is not your traditional laptop as its screen is detachable, allowing you to use it as a tablet. Its hinge, which connects the keyboard base with the screen, has a hidden release mechanism that activates with a press on the keyboard. Once you press the dedicated key, you have to wait for a few seconds until a prompt says you can detach it. This flexibility is not the only thing that’s good about this device, as it also boasts its powerful components.

Its entry-level 13.5-inch model uses a combination of a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU and an Iris Plus Graphics. The mentioned version also offers 8 GB of system memory and 256 GB of SSD storage. On the other hand, the 15-inch model features upgraded components including a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. It also has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU, 32 GB of RAM, and a storage of 512 GB SSD. You can also choose different components for the 15-inch version, such as the GPU and storage that can go up to 2 TB SSD. As for the processor, your options are only Core i5 and Core i7.

Regardless of the configuration, you will have the same port selection for the Microsoft Surface Book 3. There are USB Type-C and Type-A ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SDXC card reader, however, Thunderbolt 3 is missing.

Dropping its long-running use of Intel processor, this Apple MacBook Air offers an ARM-based chip, Apple M1. This laptop model, which the tech giant claimed to perform better with their custom chip, comes with a pre-installed macOS 11 Big Sur. This fast and responsive OS contributes a lot to the outstanding performance of this M1-based MacBook Air. Physically, it would feel familiar as Apple did not change much on its design, but the more important part is its components.

It offers a 13.3-inch sharp and color-popping Retina Display that delivers a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The entry-level model features Apple M1 with an eight-core processor and seven-core graphics card. This also comes with a system memory of 8 GB and a storage of 256 GB SSD. There’s a higher-end model that offers the same processor and memory, but with an added core in the GPU and twice the storage. This is also configurable to have 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of SSD storage.

Port-wise, there are not too many on this laptop as it only contains a headphone jack and two USB Type-C ports. These USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 3 can be used for many purposes such as charging and transferring data. It is worth noting that it doesn’t have fans to stop it from overheating, so it prevents it by reducing the component’s performance. While this may be true, it is not as expensive as other laptops, which still makes it a great option.

The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is a unique device as it offers not only one but two touch displays. It features a 15.6-inch 4K OLED main display and another 14-inch screen, which they call ScreenPad Plus, placed above the keyboard. These two have a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels and 3840 x 1110 pixels, respectively. The Pantone-validated main screen can display the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, so you can do the color correction with accuracy.

With its eight-core Intel Core i9 processor and 32 GB of RAM, there’s no doubt it will appeal to creative professionals. It also has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card and a 1 TB SSD storage. Its entry-level configuration, on the other hand, uses an Intel Core i7 processor and has only half of the higher-end model’s memory. Now, these components would require deep pockets, so you might have to take note of that.

As for the physical connection, there are USB Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port that supports Thunderbolt 3. There is no SD card reader, though, which could be a disadvantage for those who’d transfer files from cameras to their computer. With its incredibly capable internals, one would consider the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo the best laptop for video editing.

Another video-editing laptop with a unique design is the HP ZBook Studio X360. It delivers a tablet form factor by folding the screen back, and it offers an optional purchase of a Wacom stylus. This stylus can be helpful for those who want to illustrate some elements they would include in their animations. This 2-in-1 laptop is available in Full HD, but higher-end configurations can enjoy this with a 4K touchscreen display. It also hits 100% of the Adobe RGB color gamut, so you can edit videos without encountering many problems with colors.

Not only does it have an impressive screen, but it also offers incredible components that most creative pros would go for. It is configurable to have an Intel Core i9 processor, a whopping 64 GB of RAM, and up to 4 TB of SSD storage. Combined with NVIDIA Quadro P1000 graphics, there are also other options with less powerful components. Its entry-level, for example, uses an Intel Core i5 with only 8 GB of system memory and 256 GB of SSD storage. You can also go with a little higher version that offers a Core i7 processor with twice the base model’s memory and storage.

When it comes to ports, the HP ZBook Studio X360 offers plenty, including Thunderbolt 3 ports, headphone jack, and an SD card slot. It also comes with a SIM card slot, which would allow you to use mobile data when you’re on the go. With all these exceptional specs, you should prepare to pay more, especially with the higher-end options.

Another one from HP is the 2019 version of Spectre x360, which, as its name suggests, can flip at a full 360 degrees. This capability allows you to use it as a tablet, but you should note that it can be a little heavy. You wouldn’t want to hold it like a tablet for long as it weighs 4.62 pounds. This 15.6-inch laptop comes in two screen options, allowing you to choose between a 1080p and 4K display.

Its higher-end configuration does not disappoint with an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics. It also offers 16 GB of RAM and storage that can go up to 1 TB SSD, allowing you to do more tasks. As for the ports, it features a USB Type-A and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. These features would allow you to transfer files a lot faster, helping you to be more efficient when editing.

While the Spectre x360’s screen has a colorful and sharp display, it is not as bright as how it’s supposed to be. What makes up for it, aside from the incredible specs, is its battery life that can last longer than its competitor.

The Gigabyte Aero 17 offers excellent performance that puts it on the list of those who are looking for the best laptop for video editing. This laptop boasts its 17.3-inch screen that can display Full HD or 4K, depending on your choice. It also has a Pantone factory calibration for 100% Adobe RGB, allowing you to edit videos with color accuracy. 

It offers configurations with a 10th generation Intel Core i7 or i9 processor paired with RTX 3060, 3070, or 3080 graphics. Its system memory can also go up to 64 GB while the storage can go up to 2 TB SSD. With these components, it will provide a performance that would impress creative professionals. While this may be true, it can run hot in certain circumstances despite having twin fans and heat piping.

The Aero 17 has a lot of ports including USB Type-A ports and a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support. There are also separate headphone and microphone jacks, as well as an SD card slot. As for the power, it has a 99Wh battery, which is enough to run the hardware it offers. Compared to other laptop models that offer the same or less-powerful components, its price is more affordable.

This video-editing laptop from Acer offers great performance while keeping its price a little lower than its competition. The 2019 version of Acer Predator Helios 300 features a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Armed with a hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor and a GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, this delivers incredible capabilities. These combine with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage that you can expand up to 1 TB SSD. The system memory is also configurable to have up to 32 GB while the storage is upgradeable by adding a hard drive. It is worth noting that this maxed-out configuration is available for the model with a larger 17-inch screen.

If you want to do some intense editing, you can also overclock the performance with a hit of its Turbo button. It also has a fan that you can turn up to prevent the device from overheating or turn it down to keep it quiet. It offers several ports including USB Type-A ports, an audio jack, and a USB Type-C port. While this may be true, it doesn’t offer a Thunderbolt 3 port and SD card slot, which would not please some creative professionals. Despite this, it is still a great option to consider because of its performance and comparatively affordable price.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme lives up to its name. Equipped with powerful components, this 15-inch laptop sports an impressive 4K HDR display but you can also have it in 1080p which would cut its expensive cost. It offers an Intel Core i5 processor for the base model and a more powerful Intel Core i7 for the higher-end configuration.

As for the graphics card, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme comes with a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. You can have it with a memory of up to 64 GB and storage of up to 1 TB SSD depending on the configuration.

These components would allow you to use your computer and edit videos without major hiccups. There are also several ports available including USB Type-A ports, an SD card reader, Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a headphone jack. While you would most likely use the headphone jack in video editing, you can also take advantage of its loud dual speakers. As for its power, the battery life is underwhelming as it doesn’t last long enough, especially with the 4K version. It is still worth considering, though, so if you have an extra budget, you can add this to your cart.

While most laptops that Razer offers are for gaming, its Blade Stealth 13 is not one of them. This model shines with productivity software, including the ones for photo and video editing. Its 13-inch screen can have a varying display which can be an OLED Full HD or 4K depending on your preference. It covers 100% of the sRGB spectrum, so the display would have richer color that can help you with color correction tasks.

The display is not the only commendable in this video editing laptop, as it also boasts powerful components. It features serious computing power in the form of an 11th generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor. Combined with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of SSD storage, this one is incredible.

You can also stay equipped with the connectivity it offers, which includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-A ports. There are also two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which can be helpful to transfer gigantic files faster. It lacks an SD card slot, though, so you might want to take note of that.