Affordable Best Laptop for Video Editing

Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Uncle Pat Ugwu

Video editing has become an essential component of our digital world, regardless of whether you’re producing material for social media, YouTube, or commercial projects. While having the correct skills and tools is essential, having the best laptop for video editing may significantly improve your efficiency and the quality of your finished result.

With so many alternatives available, it can be difficult to select the best laptop for your editing needs and budget. I experienced this stress when choosing a laptop when I started my YouTube channel. The laptop I was using could not run popular video editing software. I had to switch to free video editing software that is lightweight.

In this detailed review, we’ll look at the best laptop for video editing and the top contenders on the market that are budget-friendly. This will help you choose the best laptop for your video editing needs.

What is Video Editing?

Being on this page, I suppose you already know what video editing is. But for clarity, let us have a kind of description here. A video editor works behind the scenes, converting raw video footage into polished and compelling content. They combine hours of raw video with special effects, sound design, and innovative transitions.

Before we delve into the best laptop for video editing, let us first look at the factors you should be looking out for.

Key Points for Choosing a Video Editing Laptop

In the event of video editing, performance is everything. To run editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, you’ll need a laptop with enough RAM, a dedicated graphics card, and a high-resolution monitor. Here are our top recommendations for the best laptops for video editing:

1. Performance

• • Processor: Intel Core i7/AMD Ryzen 7 or above
  • Graphics Card: Discrete GPU preferred (NVIDIA RTX or AMD Radeon)
  • RAM: Minimum 16GB, prioritize SSD for speed

2. Display

• • Screen size: 15-inch or larger recommended
  • Resolution: High resolution (QHD or 4K) for clarity
  • Color accuracy: Important for professional editing

3. Other Considerations

• • Portability: Consider weight and battery life
  • Keyboard comfort: Important for long sessions
  • Ports: Ensure necessary ports are available

We dedicated a post to the video editing system minimum requirement.

Best Laptop for Video Editing

Here is my top pick for professional video editing laptops.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 16″ (2022)

With its powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max CPU, gorgeous Retina display, and macOS designed for creative activities, the MacBook Pro 16-inch is a video editing powerhouse.

2. Dell XPS 15 (2022)

The Dell XPS 15 has a sleek appearance and great performance, with Intel Core i9 CPUs, NVIDIA RTX graphics, and a gorgeous 4K OLED display, making it suitable for demanding video editing jobs.

3. Razer Blade 15, Studio Edition (2022)

The Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition is particularly designed for creative professionals, with a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA RTX A5000 graphics, and a color-accurate 4K OLED touchscreen display, providing great performance and precision for video editing.

Affordable Laptop for Video Editing

When it comes to budget-friendliness, the best laptop for video editing under $1000 is affordable. Here are some of the best laptops for video editing you should consider:

1. Lenevo IdeaPad Gaming 3

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is an appealing alternative for gamers on a budget. It offers an excellent mix between price and performance, making it a popular choice among casual gamers and esports fanatics.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Pros:

• Capable Performance: It features AMD Ryzen processors, known for their strong multi-core performance, making them adept at handling not only games but also multitasking. You can expect smooth gameplay for most modern titles at moderate graphics settings.
• Dedicated Graphics: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 boasts an NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX series graphics card, a significant upgrade over integrated graphics for graphically demanding games.
• Vibrant Display: The laptop offers a Full HD display with a high refresh rate panel (up to 120Hz on some models). This translates to smoother visuals and better responsiveness during fast-paced games.
• Upgradable RAM and Storage: The IdeaPad Gaming 3 allows you to upgrade RAM and storage, letting you customize the machine to your needs as your gaming library grows.
• Gaming-Focused Design: The keyboard features backlighting for comfortable gaming sessions in low-light environments. Some models come with a more aggressive design aesthetic with red accents to match the gaming theme.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Cons:

• Battery Life: Don’t expect all-day battery life when gaming. You’ll likely need to be plugged in for extended gaming sessions.
• Bulkier Design: Compared to ultrabooks, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a bit heavier and bulkier due to its focus on performance and cooling.
• Lower Build Quality: The chassis might feel less premium compared to higher-end gaming laptops.

2. Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is a flexible laptop that is ideal for everyday chores such as online surfing, document editing, and media streaming. It is geared at students, professionals, and casual users who do not require a powerful PC.

Acer Aspire 5 Pros:

• Portable Design: The Aspire 5 is lightweight and thin, making it a great choice for those who need to carry their laptop around frequently.
• Decent Performance: It comes equipped with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors, offering sufficient power for everyday tasks and multitasking. Integrated graphics handle basic tasks like browsing and watching videos.
• Optional Discrete Graphics: Some configurations offer an NVIDIA GeForce MX series graphics card for a slight boost in graphical performance, suitable for some light gaming or photo editing.
• Full HD Display: The Aspire 5 offers a Full HD display with good viewing angles, making it comfortable for everyday use.
• Long Battery Life: The Aspire 5 boasts excellent battery life, allowing you to work or watch movies for extended periods without needing to recharge.

Acer Aspire 5 Cons:

• Limited Upgradeability: While some models allow RAM upgrades, storage options might be soldered onto the motherboard, limiting future expandability.
• Lower Performance: The Aspire 5 is not ideal for demanding tasks like video editing or high-end gaming due to its reliance on integrated graphics or less powerful discrete GPUs.
• Basic Build Quality: The Aspire 5 uses mostly plastic construction, which feels less premium compared to laptops with metal chassis.

Best Laptop for Photo and Video Editing

If you’re a content producer who dabbles in both picture and video editing, you’ll need a laptop that can handle both. These laptops have strong processors, color-accurate screens, and plenty of storage to meet the demands of editing huge picture and video projects. Below are our top selections for the best laptops for photo and video editing:

1. The HP Spectre x360 (2022)

Combines versatility and performance, with an Intel Core i7 CPU, NVIDIA GTX graphics, and a gorgeous 4K OLED display with high color accuracy, making it ideal for photo and video editing.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (2022)

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is a dependable workhorse for content creators, with powerful Intel Core i9 processors, NVIDIA RTX graphics, and a Dolby Vision HDR display that delivers exceptional performance and color reproduction for photo and video editing.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best laptop for video editing is a critical decision that will have a big influence on your productivity and job quality. Whether you’re a professional editor or an aspiring content producer, selecting a laptop that suits your unique requirements and budget is critical. Do not forget you can use Microsoft ClipChamp for your video editing needs.

You may narrow down your selections and choose the ideal laptop to unleash your creative potential by taking into account criteria like as processor power, graphics capabilities, display quality, and affordability.