Choosing a new computer system can be daunting; your spending a lot of money and want to be sure your device can handle your work. Understanding how to edit in a program and how the program works are two different things, so if you’ve no idea what GPU, CPU, and SSD mean, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Not only have we explained the tricky computer jargon for you, but we’ve also created a list of the 20 best laptops for editing to help you narrow down your choices.
Summary
Part 1: How to Choose the Best Video Editing Laptop
As a video editor with a good understanding of editing programs, you may not have an in-depth knowledge of computer systems themselves. All devices will have ‘specs’ or specifications; what the machine comes within its processing.
Similarly, editing software will have ‘Device Specs,’ the minimum requirements to use the device’s software. Each editing software will have a different set of minimum specifications, which you can find out through their websites. Let’s look at what each of the specifications means;
Hard Drive or an SSD
Traditional HDD (hard disk drives) operate as a spinning magnetic disk, read by a needle arm – like a record player. They are constantly moving in operation and will also add weight to the overall unit. SSD (solid-state drives) are like flash drives / USB Sticks: there are no mechanical moving parts, so they weigh less and have fewer potential mechanical failures. The cost of SSDs is still relatively high compared to the volume of storage offered. SSDs offer better performance, HDDs provide more capacity at cost.
Storage is how much overall information an HDD/SSD can hold. If budget is a concern, it is best to have more RAM than storage because you can always use external drives, as should be encouraged anyway for video editing.
Dedicated GPU
Graphics Processing Unit (more commonly known as Graphics Cards) is designed to process video imagery. Dedicated GPUs will increase your rendering speeds and make previewing effects easier before renders. Computers without separate GPUs will have integrated graphics processing, so complex motion graphics, animation, and effects work will take significantly longer. The minimum GPU requirement to run Adobe Premiere Pro is 2GB VRAM.
Central Processing Unit
The CPU refers to the chips that coordinate and execute computing tasks. i5 is a basic CPU and is incredibly cost-effective. Core i7 and i9 processors are more advanced and definitely better for multitasking and high-demand workloads, such as media creation and editing.
Workstyle
While not a computer spec, you should consider your workflow and lifestyle when purchasing a new machine. Think about how you work and what could make your workflow easier. If you work remotely, you will need a good battery; if you travel a lot, you may need a lightweight machine; if you are working on short social videos, you won’t need as much RAM as for a feature film. Finding your perfect editing device will depend on how you want to use it as much as the power inside of it.
Part 2: Top 10 Pro Laptops for Video Editing
Now we’ve discussed the specs we need to consider before choosing a new laptop, let’s jump straight into some of our top choices.
| Brand | Cost | CPU | RAM | Storage | Display | GPU |
| Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition | $3,799.99 | Intel Core i7-10875H | 32GB DDR4-2933MHz | 1TB SSD | 15.6inch | NVIDIA GeForceQuadro RTX 5000 |
| Microsoft Surface Book 3 | $2,999.99 | Intel Core i7 | 32GB | 512GB or 1TB SSD | 15-inch PixelSense (2,496 x 1,664) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti |
| HP ZBook Create G7 | $2,868.00 | Intel Core i5 | 16GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6-inch (4K) | NVIDIA RTX 2070 Max-Q |
| Apple MacBook Pro | $2,799.00 | Intel Core i9 | 16GB | 1TB SSD | 16-inch | AMD Radeon Pro 5500M |
| Alienware Area-51M | $1,989.89 | Intel Core i7 10700 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 17.3-inch | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 |
| Gigabyte Aero | $1,799.00 | Intel Core i7-10750H | 8GB | 512GB SSD | 15-inch | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 |
| HP Spectre x360 | $1,699.99 | Intel Core i7-10750H | 16GB | 1TB SSD | 15.6-inch (4K) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme | $1,660.99 | Intel Core i7 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6-inch (1080p/4K) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti |
| Dell XPS 15 | $1,439.99 | Intel Core i7 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB |
| Asus ZenBook Pro 15 | $1,299.98 | Intel Core i7 | 16GB | 512GB | 15.6-inch (4K) | NVIDIA GeForceGTX 1650 Max Q |
1. Alienware Area-51M
Price: $1,989.89
Display: 17.3-inch (1080p/4K)
CPU: Intel Core i7 10700
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Pros: All major components upgradeable and super-fast with stunning visuals
Cons: Heavy, bulky, and no MicroSD card slot
The Alienware Area-51m is an extraordinary machine with massive amounts of power, superfast rendering, excellent visual display, and the latest RTX 2080 GPU. As you might expect, the powerful device comes with one of the highest price tags on our list. The Alienware is upgradable, however, making it ideal for editors who want a laptop for life.
2. Apple MacBook Pro 16
Price: $2,799.00
Display: 16-inch (3072 x 1920)
CPU: Intel Core i9
GPU: AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Pros: Amazing overall performance and improved magic keyboard functions
Cons: No 4K display, no full-size USB or SD card slot, and high-end cost
The MacBook Pro is the go-to device for many editors, and with good reason, Apple laptops are safe, secure, and durable. With a tremendous amount of power inside, processing video is smooth, even while running multiple applications. The display does not come in 4K, but the HD screen offers spectacular definition and color.
3. Asus ZenBook Pro 15
Price: $1,299.98
Display: 15.6-inch (4K)
CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Pros: Fast Transfer Speeds. Screen Pad as the second monitor.
Cons: Below-average Battery life
The Asus ZenBook Pro 15 boasts a beautifully designed screen touchpad, which doubles as a second display. Ideal for creatives and gamers alike, the secondary display touchpad gives you numerous shortcuts to your favorite tools.
4. Dell XPS 15
Price: $1,439.99
Display: 15.6-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200)
CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB
RAM: 8GB DDR
Storage: 256GB SSD
Pros: Amazing Visuals and super-fast processing
Cons: Webcam location
The Dell XPS is the perfect solution for editors on the go; despite its incredible lightweight, it is a durable and secure feeling device with a carbon-fiber chassis. The screen offers terrific colors, with its vivid and bright 4K screen.
5. Gigabyte Aero 15
Price: $1,799.00
Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920×1080
CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Pros: Full array of ports. Awesome back-lit keyboard.
Cons: Noisy cooling fans. Small RAM and Storage Capacity.
The Gigabyte Aero 17 is a dynamic machine, ideal for editors creating short videos on the go. The small RAM and Storage capacity might cause a problem on long-form content, but for social media content creators and influencers, this could be a powerful machine to choose from.
6. HP Spectre x360
Price: $1699.99
Display: 15.6-inch diagonal 4K Touch
CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Pros: Solid performance with fantastic battery life.
Cons: Speakers are poor, and the display is a little dark.
The HP Spectre x360 is a powerful machine with a vast amount of functionality. The device comes with the HP Active Pen, allowing you to use the screen as a graphics tablet. Despite the functionality benefits, the system suffers from a dim screen and poor speakers. The HP Spectre is best suited to animators and designers who may not be affected by the sound quality and will find tremendous benefit in the pen tool.
7. HP ZBook Create G7
Price: $2,868.00
Display: 15.6-inch diagonal FHD
CPU: Intel Core i5
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2070 Max-Q
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Pros: Excellent Stylus and Shortcut Management
Cons: Expensive
The HP ZBook Create G7 is the ideal machine for designers and Motion Graphics artists. The Matte screen gives the feel of drawing on paper, and while the display could be brighter, the colors are vivid. The customizable Shortcut keys are easy to manage, allowing for fast switching between applications.
8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
Price: $1,660.99
Display: 15.6-inch (1080p/4K)
CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Pros: Super fast with phenomenal visual display.
Cons: Runs warm with below-average battery life.
The Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme is a superfast machine with a lot of power behind it. The durable design has been tested against all the elements, so if you’re editing in the wind, snow, rain, or sand, this might be the device for you. However, the super-speed comes with some heat as the machine runs warm and eats up battery power.
9. Microsoft Surface Book 3
Price: $2,999.99
Display: 15-inch PixelSense
CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Pros: Excellent Battery
Cons: Not enough ports / No Thunderbolt 3
The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is an excellent machine at a substantial cost. The PixelSense screen is a joy to edit on, offering clear and vibrant colors. Being a Windows computer, your software is sure to run smoothly, though you may need to buy a multiport extender.
10. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition
Price: $3,799.99
Display: 15.6-inch OLED 4K Touch
CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H 8 Core
GPU: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000
RAM: 32GB DDR4-2933MHz
Storage: 1TB SSD
Pros: Everything
Cons: The most expensive
The Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition is a dream machine for any editor. It quite literally has it all; storage, speed, 4K display. The beautifully designed laptop was designed for Creatives, offering a vast amount of power in a mobile creative suite. The price tag will be out of many editors’ budgets, and while you do get a lot of bang for your bucks, do your projects require that much power?
Part 3: Top 10 Budget Laptops Under $1000
Even if you have a reasonable budget for your machine, you might want to consider these budget options.
| Brand | Cost | CPU | RAM | Storage | Display | GPU |
| Dell Inspiron 14 5000 | $683.99 | Intel Core i5-8265U (quad-core, 3.9GHz Max Turbo Boost) | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 14-inch FHD | NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 2GB GDDR5 |
| HP Pavilion 15 | $699.99 | 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor | 16GB | 512GB SSD Storage | 15.6-inch diagonal HD | Intel Iris |
| Samsung Galaxy Book Flex Alpha | $799.99 | Intel® Core™ i7-10510U Processor | 8GB | 512GB | 13.3-inch | NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 |
| Lenovo Ideapad S340 | $814.99 | Intel Core i7-10750H | 8GB DDR4 | 1 TB HDD | 15.6-inch | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| HP Envy x360 | $849.00 | Intel Core i5-1135G7 | 8GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | 15.6-inch diagonal FHD | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| MSI GF65 Thin | $857.00 | Core i5-9300H | 8GB | 1TB NVMe SSD | 15.6-inch FHD | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti |
| ASUS ZenBook 14 | $899.00 | Core i7-1165G7 | 8GB | 512GB PCIe SSD | 14-inch | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 |
| Acer Nitro 5 | $899.99 | Intel Core i5-8300H | 8GB | 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive | 15.6-inch (ultra HD) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 |
| Apple MacBook Air | $999.00 | Apple M1 | 8 GB | 256GB SSD | 13.3-inch Retina | Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU |
| Lenovo Legion 5 | $999.99 | AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Processor | 16 GB DDR4 | 1 TB 7200 RPM HDD | 15.6-inch FHD | GTX 1650 4GB |
1. Acer Nitro 5
Price: $899.99
Display: 15.6-inch display with ultra HD resolution
CPU: Intel Core i5-8300H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Pros: Awesome visuals and a good battery life
Cons: Poor sound quality
Originally built as a cost-effective gaming laptop, the power behind the Acer Nitro 5 has made it a stand-out budget editing system. The gaming display offers bright and vivid colors, while the AMD Radeon RX 560x Graphics Card provides superfast rendering.
2. Apple MacBook Air
Price: $999.00
Display: 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone
CPU: Apple M1
GPU: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Pros: Amazing Battery Life
Cons: Fanless design could cause performance issues.
The Apple MacBook Air is a lightweight and robust system, perfect for editors on the move. The fanless design makes this one of the quietest machines available, and while small in size, the display offers bright and accurate colors.
3. ASUS ZenBook 14
Price: $899.00
Display: 14-inch
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX350
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Pros: All the ports
Cons: Battery life can be problematic
The ASUS ZenBook 14 is an innovative and beautifully designed laptop, ideal for traveling editors and content creators. While slim and lightweight, the beautiful design has still found room for a range of ports vital for editing; HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, USB Type-A, and MicroSD card reader.
4. Dell Inspiron 14 5000
Price: $683.99
Display: 14-inch FHD (1920×1080)
CPU: Intel Core i5-8265U
GPU: NVIDIA GeForceR MX150 2GB GDDR5
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Pros: Great mid-range price.
Cons: Low-end graphics; not great for 4K editing.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5000 is an ideal editing solution for beginners, hobbyists, and YouTubers. The basic system is a stable and fast editing system, while the configurable parts allow you to upgrade as necessary. For the price, Inspiron is one of the best editing systems available.
5. HP Envy x360
Price: $849.00
Display: 15.6-inch diagonal FHD
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8G
