Best Laptops For Video Editing 2025 : Top Rated laptops for All Budgets

Best Laptops for Video Editing

The best laptops for video editing can revolutionize your workflow. After testing over 1,800 laptops, including Chromebooks and MacBooks, we’ve identified the top performers for content creators.

From professional-grade machines to budget-friendly options, we evaluated performance, design, and battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the ultimate choice, combining power with portability and a sleek design. It’s perfect for post-production work with exceptional color accuracy across sRGB and DCI-P3.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro)

The Ultimate Video Editing Machine

Specifications:

• CPU: M4 Pro (14- or 16-core)
• GPU: M4 Pro (30- or 40-core)
• RAM: 36GB to 128GB
• Storage: 1TB to 8TB
• Display: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR (3456 x 2234)
• Weight: 4.8 lbs

The latest 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro processor is a powerhouse tailored for professionals handling heavy video editing and 3D rendering. Its standout features include a remarkably bright display, excellent stereo sound, and an impressive 21-hour battery life—leaving competitors far behind.

Performance-wise, it scored a stunning 22,822 on the Geekbench 6 multi-core test, outperforming the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i and Asus ProArt PX16. However, its premium quality comes at a steep price. Despite this, its unmatched speed and efficiency make it a top choice for video editors in 2025.

2. HP Envy 16

A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse for Video Editing

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Screen: 16-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED, 16:10 aspect ratio
• Storage: 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD

The HP Envy 16 offers an excellent balance of performance and affordability for video editors. It handles creative tasks like Premiere Pro and Photoshop seamlessly, even with high-res media and layers. The 4K OLED screen ensures exceptional color accuracy, though it lacks DCI-P3 support.

While battery life lasts about 6.5 hours and it can run hot under load, the Envy 16 is a reliable all-rounder. For budget alternatives, older MacBook Pro or Air models with M1 chips also deliver impressive results.

3. MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo

Striking the Perfect Balance of Value and Performance

Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
• GPU: Intel Arc
• RAM: 32GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 16-inch 4K (3840 x 2400) OLED
• Size: 14.11 x 10.01 x 0.66 inches
• Weight: 3.3 pounds

The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo delivers top-notch performance and a stunning 4K OLED display at an attractive price. It boasts an aluminum-magnesium alloy design that is both sturdy and lightweight, making it highly portable. The laptop excels in multicore performance and delivers vibrant, color-accurate visuals with its exceptional DCI-P3 coverage, perfect for video editing.

With a battery life of over 13 hours, it outpaces many rivals, offering reliability for extended use. While its speakers could be louder, its overall value and performance make it a standout choice for budget-conscious creators.

4. Dell XPS 17 (9730)

High-Performance Windows Laptop with a Stunning Display

Specifications:

• CPU: Up to Intel Core i9-13900H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 – 4080
• RAM: Up to 64GB LPDDR5
• Display: 17-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400), 16:10, Anti-Reflective, 500 nits
• Storage: Up to 8TB SSD

The Dell XPS 17 is a powerhouse ideal for video editing, featuring a sleek design and exceptional 4K UHD+ display with vibrant color accuracy (188.8% sRGB, 133.7% DCI-P3). Its premium build includes an aluminum chassis and carbon fiber keyboard deck, ensuring durability and comfort during long editing sessions.

While its top-notch performance, the laptop’s weight (5.37 lbs), average battery life (~9 hours), and a 720p webcam may disappoint some users. Still, its base model offers solid power for most creative workflows.

5. Razer Blade 14

Compact and Powerful for Work and Gaming

Specifications:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060–4070
• Memory: Up to 32GB DDR5
• Display: 14-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600)
• Storage: 1TB SSD

The Razer Blade 14 proves itself to be more than just a gaming laptop, seamlessly bridging the gap between work and play. Tailored for high-performance and graphics-intensive applications, it’s an excellent choice for video editing as well as casual gaming.

This ultra-thin, lightweight machine delivers surprising power. During testing, it demonstrated comparable performance to more robust models like the Legion 7i Pro and ROG Zephyrus M16. Whether it’s crunching data or editing in Premiere Pro, the Blade 14 tackled creative benchmarks like the 25GB File Copy, Handbrake, and CrossMark tests with ease.

A Screen Fit for Creators

Despite its compact 14-inch size, the laptop’s 16:10 QHD+ display (2560 x 1600 resolution) is remarkably sharp. With 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage, it ensures accurate and vibrant visuals—a must-have for professional video editing. The dual speakers also deliver rich, immersive audio, and the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack caters to audiophiles and creators alike.

Battery Life: A Mixed Bag

While the Blade 14 claims a 10-hour battery life, real-world usage tells a different story. Routine activities like web browsing and document editing yielded roughly 8 hours, but video editing or gaming drained the battery within 4 hours.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16

Specifications

• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i9 (2.30GHz)
• Graphics: Nvidia RTX A5500
• Memory: 64GB (upgradable)
• Display: 16-inch OLED, multi-touch (3840 x 2400 resolution, 400 nits)
• Storage: 2TB SSD

Reasons to Choose It

• Exceptional Power: Handles even the most demanding tasks with ease.
• Durable Build: Sturdy construction built to last.
• Keyboard Excellence: Includes a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad.
• High-Quality Display: Vibrant multi-touch OLED screen.

What Might Be a Drawback

• Bulkier Size: Not ideal for on-the-go work.
• Premium Pricing: Higher cost compared to some competitors

Designed for Serious Creative Work

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation is tailored for professionals who prioritize performance and reliability over portability. While it’s not the laptop you’ll want to carry to a coffee shop casually, it shines when you need to tackle serious creative projects such as video editing or 3D modeling.

With its robust design and impressive internal specs, the ThinkPad P16 doesn’t claim to be the fastest in its category, but it delivers power that meets the needs of most professionals. Featuring an i9 2.30GHz processor, Nvidia RTX A5500 GPU, and 64GB of upgradeable RAM, this workstation effortlessly handles intensive tasks. The 16-inch OLED display with multi-touch capability ensures stunning visuals with a resolution of 3840 x 2400, while the 2TB SSD provides ample storage for creative projects.

Performance and Testing

In our PCMark extended tests, the ThinkPad P16 achieved a solid score of 7651. While this doesn’t make it the outright fastest portable workstation, it remains competitive with leading models. The machine’s focus is on delivering raw performance and dependable power, making it a top choice for video editing, photo editing, and other resource-intensive creative tasks.

What specs does my video editing laptop need?

Specification	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Specifications	Ideal Configuration

Editing Resolution

1080p (1920 x 1080)

4K (3840 x 2160)

4K (3840 x 2160) or higher

Processor (CPU)

8th Gen Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen

8-core Intel CPU / AMD Ryzen equivalent

Intel Xeon or higher

Memory (RAM)

16GB

32GB

64GB

Storage

256GB SSD

256GB NVMe PCIe SSD

1TB NVMe PCIe SSD (RAID-0 recommended)

Display Quality

Full HD (1920 x 1080)

4K (3840 x 2160)

8K (7680 x 4320)

Graphics (GPU)

Integrated

Dedicated GPU (Nvidia/AMD)

Nvidia RTX or AMD Radeon Pro

Is it possible to edit videos on any laptop?

Not all laptops are suitable for video editing—it requires the right specifications to handle the demanding tasks associated with this creative process. To provide expert advice, Michel Yavercovski, Senior Director of Product Management for Corel video products, shared his insights into selecting the perfect laptop for video editing.

Key Considerations for a Video Editing Laptop

Processor

The processor is the heart of your video editing machine. Michel emphasizes the importance of choosing a powerful, multicore processor.

• Recommended Starting Point: Intel Core i7 series.
• Why It Matters: Video editing software, like Pinnacle Studio and VideoStudio, is optimized for multithreading, allowing you to fully utilize modern processors. A robust CPU ensures seamless editing of popular formats, including multi-camera setups and 360° video.
• Handling 4K Video: A powerful processor paired with a fast SSD is crucial to manage the large file sizes of 4K videos efficiently.

Memory (RAM)

Memory plays a significant role in keeping the editing process smooth.

• Optimal Range: 16GB to 32GB of RAM.
• Operating System: Ensure the laptop runs a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later for better compatibility and performance.
• Why RAM Matters: Higher RAM ensures that large video files, complex edits, and rendering tasks don’t slow down your workflow.

Graphics Card

A good GPU accelerates video rendering and supports advanced editing features.

• Recommendations: NVIDIA GeForce RTX or GTX series, and Intel Iris or HD Graphics.
• HEVC Support: Advanced graphics cards often support HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), enabling smoother handling of modern video formats.

Display

Since video editing requires precise color grading and detailed visuals, the display is a critical factor.

• Key Features:
  • Crisp image quality.
  • Accurate color rendering.
• Multi-Screen Support: For workspaces, a laptop that supports multiple monitors can enhance productivity.

Storage

Large video files require fast and spacious storage solutions.

• Preferred Storage: SSDs are essential for speed and reliability. Look for large-capacity drives (512GB or higher) to avoid storage bottlenecks.

Battery and Power Management

While portability is a benefit of laptops, performance can take a hit when running on battery.

• Expert Tip: Plugging in your laptop or adjusting power settings to high performance can prevent slowdowns caused by power-saving modes.
• Battery Life Tradeoff: Accept shorter battery life for better processing speed during intensive tasks.

Speeding up your video editing process not only saves time but also allows you to focus more on the creative aspects of storytelling. Darren Mostyn, a highly experienced editing trainer and colorist, shares actionable tips to enhance your editing efficiency:

Key Steps to Speed Up Video Editing

1. Master Keyboard Shortcuts

• Why: Keyboard shortcuts streamline repetitive tasks, eliminating the need to navigate menus.
• Tips:
  • Identify shortcuts for commonly used tools or actions.
  • Consider using a color-coded keyboard or a dedicated editing console like DaVinci Resolve’s Speed Editor.
  • Customize shortcuts to suit your workflow, especially if you switch between multiple NLEs like Avid, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere.

2. Invest in Quality Training

• Why: Structured courses provide a deeper understanding of your editing software, uncovering more efficient techniques.
• Tip: While free YouTube tutorials are useful, professional training ensures accuracy and helps you master advanced features faster.

3. Optimize Time Management

• Why: Taking breaks improves focus and prevents burnout.
• Tips:
  • Work in blocks of 2-3 hours, followed by short, active breaks.
  • Check emails or social media during breaks but also step away from the screen.
  • Invest in ergonomic furniture and ensure your monitors are positioned correctly to avoid discomfort.

4. Use High-Quality Media and Hardware

• Why: Slow storage and outdated equipment hinder editing speed and efficiency.
• Tips:
  • Upgrade to SSDs for faster data transfers and rendering.
  • Avoid cheap hard drives or card readers—invest in reliable brands.
  • Learn to create proxy files for smoother editing on slower systems. Tools like DaVinci Resolve can generate proxies efficiently.

5. Upgrade Your Editing Setup

• Why: A capable workstation enhances productivity.
• Tips:
  • Use a powerful computer and learn your NLE’s proxy workflows.
  • Dual monitors (or an ultrawide screen) help organize your workspace, while a third monitor is ideal for full-screen previews.
  • Screen resolution is less critical than overall performance.

6. Enhance the Human Interface

• Why: Specialized tools reduce fatigue and improve precision.
• Tips:
  • Switch to a Wacom tablet and pen instead of a mouse.
  • Customize the tablet for comfort and assign shortcuts to its buttons.
  • Tablets are particularly useful for tasks like drawing masks or fine-tuning audio levels.
  • Although there’s a learning curve, the long-term speed and ergonomic benefits are significant.

Conclusion

When selecting a laptop for video editing, the specifications should align with the level of work you intend to perform. For beginners working with 1080p resolution, a laptop meeting the minimum requirements can suffice. However, professionals handling 4K or higher resolutions should aim for the recommended or ideal configurations to ensure smooth performance and faster processing times.

Key factors like a powerful processor, ample RAM, high-speed storage, and a quality display are critical for efficient editing. Investing in a discrete GPU and a high-resolution screen is especially important for color accuracy and rendering tasks. Choose wisely to create a seamless and productive editing experience tailored to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)