Portable for video editing

Many people have to dedicate many hours to video editing for work . For a task like this, you need a laptop that meets certain requirements, so here we'll help you choose the best laptop for video editing.

Below we present some laptop models for video editing that may be of interest to you and help you better accomplish this task at all times:

Comparisons of laptops for video editing

The best laptops for editing videos

Apple MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro laptops have historically been the best for video editing. This model features a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with True Tone technology. It's powered by a next-generation M3 processor and comes with high-performance integrated graphics.

This laptop uses SSD storage, providing excellent performance. It has a 256GB capacity . The laptop also features four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, allowing for easy connection of other devices or peripherals. Additionally, it includes a Touch Bar and Touch ID.

It's one of the most complete and efficient options if you're looking for a laptop for video editing today. You can expect good performance and an interface that makes editing videos on it very comfortable.

MSI Prestige 16

MSI is a brand we know for its gaming laptops , but it also has models that can be used for video editing. This laptop has a 16-inch screen with Full HD resolution. Inside, we find an Intel Core i7-13 processor. It also boasts 32 GB of RAM, ideal for multitasking. And nothing less than an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU…

For storage, it uses a 1TB SSD . The graphics are integrated Intel graphics. It runs Windows 11 Home Advanced, so you shouldn't have any problems using this MSI laptop.

It's a good option for those looking for a laptop for video editing. It has a powerful processor, ample RAM, and uses an SSD with plenty of storage space. It's definitely worth considering.

ASUS ROG Strix

ASUS is the world's best-selling laptop brand and offers a wide range of models, including some of interest. This particular laptop features a 16-inch WUXGA display. It's a convertible, meaning it can be folded in one way and used as a touchscreen if preferred.

Inside, we find a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor , paired with 32GB of RAM. It also features 1TB of SSD storage and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card. Furthermore, it doesn't come with a pre-installed operating system, allowing you to choose your own.

It's a simpler laptop for video editing , but it performs very well for this type of task. So, if you don't need to edit videos professionally, but it's something you do fairly often, it's a good option to consider.

ASUS ROG G-Series

ASUS ROG G is also a great gaming laptop to use for video, with a 16″ screen and WQXGA resolution to see everything in the clearest possible way. It also comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, in case the bare metal options don't work for you.

On the other hand, the hardware of this equipment is enviable, with a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, 1 TB of NVMe PCIe SSD storage, and a powerful dedicated GPU, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070. You.

 

Types of laptops for video editing 

For those looking for a good laptop for video editing , they can choose from one of these groups of laptops, depending on their individual needs:

Cheap

There are many brands and models of inexpensive laptops that can be used for video editing, at least for those who use this technique more occasionally or as hobbyists. These laptops typically range in price from €400 to €600 and have somewhat more modest hardware, such as the Acer Aspire 5 and Swift 3, ASUS VivoBook, or Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5, among others.

To ensure your PC is well-suited for this task, avoid the common mistake of thinking the CPU is the most important factor . During video editing and encoding processes, the CPU is the primary processor, so you should prioritize a powerful CPU, such as an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 or better. It's also important to have 8-16GB of RAM, a larger, high-resolution screen (≥15.6” and FullHD), and an SSD (preferably a large one, as video, especially high-resolution and high-quality video, will take up a significant amount of space). While SSDs won't increase encoding speed, they will significantly improve overall performance.

For 4K video editing

If you want a laptop for 4K video editing , you'll need one with more specific features and higher performance than the previous models. To offer decent performance, these laptops need to cost around €800 to €1000 , and you can opt for gaming laptops that are fantastically suited to the required specifications. For example, the Dell G5, Lenovo Legion, ASUS ROG, MSI GL, HP EliteBook, etc.

Obviously, to edit 4K video, you'll need a GPU that supports that resolution and a 4K monitor to view the results. Otherwise, the computer's specifications can be similar to those described in the budget computer section…

For professional video editing

For professional use , you can acquire a laptop for €1000 and up, with remarkable performance that allows you to do your work with the greatest efficiency and that can even be a long-lasting investment for your company, without becoming outdated at the first opportunity and can even support the new generation editing software.

In these cases, some gaming laptops that are well-suited to these specifications could also work. However, the most recommended options include the Dell XPS and G5, the 16-inch MacBook Pro , Alienware Area-51, Microsoft Surface Book 2, HP Spectre x360 and ZBook, Lenovo ThinkPad X1, ASUS ZenBook, MSI, and others. All of these feature high-quality displays, powerful CPUs, high-performance dedicated GPUs, and ample RAM and SSD storage.

To edit GoPro videos

Editing GoPro videos does n't require the same level of investment as professional equipment, but it should have certain essential features. This starts with a laptop that has a good, high-resolution screen, a powerful CPU, and ample RAM and SSD storage.

Some examples of devices that might meet these criteria include the Dell XPS, HP Envy and Zbook, Acer Predator Helios, Lenovo ThinkPad, and many more.

Features that the best laptop to edit videos must have

If you're planning to buy a laptop for video editing , it's important to pay attention to several factors. This way, you can be sure you're buying a quality product that will perform appropriately for your needs. Here are the aspects to consider.

Processor

The processor is essential; we need it to be powerful. To determine this, we look at the specific model, its clock speed, and the number of threads . This information tells us if we have a processor that will provide the appropriate performance for video editing.

Most laptops in this segment feature an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor . You can also look for models with AMD Ryzen 5 and AMD Ryzen 7 chips , which will also deliver excellent performance. As mentioned, speed and other microprocessor specifications are also important factors.

Graph

NVIDIA graphics cards are the most common on the market, except in Apple laptops. However, for a laptop used for video editing, a dedicated graphics card might be more suitable, as it has its own processor and memory, allowing for better workflow management in these specific situations.

If we're looking for specific names in these ranges, options like NVIDIA Quadro or GeForce GTX, AMD FirePro or Radeon are good choices to consider. They'll deliver the desired performance, allowing us to use video editing applications without any problems, and even run several simultaneously with ease.

RAM

RAM is essential in this case, where we need to be demanding. This is because we typically work with multiple applications simultaneously or with large files. Therefore, we need RAM with sufficient capacity to handle this without slowing down the laptop.

16 GB would be the minimum in this case , considering that many of these video and photo editing programs consume a lot of RAM on a laptop. However, if you work with 4K video, you'll likely need to upgrade to a model with 32 GB. The best option is to have a laptop for video editing that allows you to expand the RAM. That way, if necessary, you can do so without any problems and avoid performance issues.

HDD

This is a very complex issue for many users . It's common for these applications to take up a lot of space, or for the files we work with to be large. So we need to have enough storage space on the hard drive. On the other hand, we also need them to run quickly and smoothly. This is a common debate in these cases, although we recommend opting for a laptop with an SSD and plenty of storage capacity.

But if budget is a concern, the best option for this laptop for video editing is to look for a combination of SSD and HDD . This will give you the best of both worlds, allowing for good performance and a smooth user experience, without ever having to worry about the available storage space.

This way, we'll use the SSD for the operating system and applications, resulting in a smooth user experience and improved performance. Meanwhile, we'll use the HDD to store all the files and data we work with in these applications. This combination is ideal in this case, allowing us to get the most out of this laptop for video editing.

Screen (size and resolution)

One of the most important components in this type of laptop for video editing is the screen. It's difficult to find something perfect in terms of size, resolution, or color. This leads many users to buy an external monitor, which is where they work, instead of the laptop's built-in screen.

The size depends on the laptop, but a 15,6-inch laptop is the minimum for comfortable work. A larger screen is ideal, as it allows you to see details better when working on the laptop. Resolution is also very important in this case, since we need to work efficiently. Support for 4K resolution is essential.

The supported resolution will depend on the laptop's graphics card . A more powerful, higher-quality graphics card will allow for better performance and support for higher resolutions. Therefore, we should keep this in mind when choosing a new model.

If you're going to buy an external monitor , the size will depend on what feels comfortable to you. Monitors 24 inches or larger can be ideal for video and photo editing. At a minimum, they should have a QHD resolution (2.560 x 1.440 pixels).

Sound

Video editing is incomplete without quality sound. In this case, we can see that each computer brand prioritizes something different, whether in terms of operating systems or software. Therefore, comparisons are difficult. What matters here is that the sound is consistently good , even when using headphones.

A clear sound that allows us to hear everything in detail and that makes us work much easier in this regard, when we have to edit videos on the laptop. You can read comments from buyers, to see if it is something that said laptop complies or not correctly.

Autonomy

One aspect we always consider when buying a laptop is the battery. In the case of a laptop for video editing, there are several factors to consider. It's not just the size or capacity of the battery that matters. While these are important, the combination with the processor is what determines whether or not it will offer good battery life.

The most powerful and recent processors usually have improvements that allow for better performance and lower energy consumption . This means they can take advantage of a smaller battery, providing good battery life. These kinds of details are very important, as is reading reviews from people who have bought and used it, which can provide reliable information.

Portability

It's common for some laptops in this market segment to be large or heavier than an average laptop . This significantly limits their portability. It's a good idea to consider these aspects, especially the weight, if you need to carry it with you everywhere.

Fortunately, thinner and lighter laptops have emerged without sacrificing performance. While this is key, you shouldn't compromise on performance or features just because the laptop is lighter, as that will ultimately be a disadvantage.

Ports and connectivity

We can't forget the number of ports on this laptop . This is an important factor, as we'll likely need to connect several peripherals or an additional monitor. Therefore, it's crucial to have enough ports to allow us to work at all times.

The specifications always include all the information about the ports a laptop has for video editing. This way, we know what to expect and can choose one that suits our needs. In these cases, it's better to have too many ports than too few.

How much is a laptop for video editing going to cost you if you edit in:

One of the biggest questions for many users is how much a laptop for video editing will cost . There are significant price differences depending on the segment you're looking for. Therefore, it largely depends on the resolution you'll be editing at.

• HD: They are the cheapest models in the segment of notebooks for video editing. In this case, you can find many options for less than 1.000 euros in price. Between 600 and 900 euros there are quite a few models that fit what is sought in this regard.
• FULL HD: One notch above, which is possibly the widest segment if you are looking for a laptop for video editing. Prices can vary between 1.000 and 1.500 euros in many cases. The normal thing is to have to pay around 1.300 euros for a good laptop in this case.
• 4K Laptops: The most expensive models, although little by little the prices in this segment are going down, which is what many expect. It's easy to have to pay around 1.500 euros and up for a laptop for 4K video editing.

Is a MacBook Pro better for editing videos and photos?

You've probably heard more than once that a MacBook Pro is the best option on the market for editing videos and photos. This is largely true, as Apple laptops are presented as a perfect tool for content creators, thanks to their interface and the features they offer.

Over time, many competitors have emerged for Windows, offering good performance and serving as excellent options for video and photo editing. So, if you prefer using Windows 10 because you find it more convenient, there are great alternatives in this market segment.

MacBook Pros remain one of the most complete and best-designed options for these tasks. They are powerful, with a good screen and an interface that facilitates these tasks, and they are also lightweight, which undoubtedly makes them much easier to use in all kinds of different situations.