Explore the best video editing laptops for cutting content on the go

(Image credit: nytimes)

Whether you’re working on a video project at home, in the studio, or on the go, the greatest laptop for video editing will handle it all.

The greatest Mac and MacBook machines for video editing, as well as the best video editing monitors, have all been put to the test by our knowledgeable review team. Therefore, we know what you should look for in a new equipment. Based on our testing, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch emerged as the greatest laptop for video editing; with its quick M3 CPU, it’s fluid, quick, and easy to create material on. We suggest looking into the Dell XPS 17, which has a stunning, roomy workspace on Windows.

As part of our assessment process, we looked at the specs, features, design, and battery life of our top picks for creating video content. We’ve also benchmarked performance using the top video editing programs and examined color-accurate screens for coverage throughout the sRGB and DCI-P3 sectors.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Max

The Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max, with its lightning-fast performance and vibrant screen housed in an incredibly portable aluminium shell, is our top pick for a laptop for video editing overall.

For the longest time, MacBook Pros have been the best laptops for video editing since they are well-liked by creative professionals and the newest models with M3 processors are, quite simply, unmatched. The M3 Max CPU is a great choice if you’re looking for maximum performance because it really works and plays hard.

This is due to the fact that we discovered the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max to be essentially a Mac gaming system. During our time with the machine, its performance was perfect; it is swift, strong, and never misses a beat. It is more than capable of running sophisticated video editing software and is capable of playing triple-A games without any problems. We tested 4K 30 fps video and 4K 24 fps ProRes HDR files in Final Cut Pro, and we discovered that editing the film was quite simple. Even better, the laptop is perfect for those who create video content because it still has a 3.5mm audio port, at least for the time being.

The iconic Apple design is still present, robustly constructed and stunning from every perspective. The 14-inch model is the one we’ve chosen because of its overall portability and power for the cost. If you require a larger screen for your video projects, Apple has regrettably discontinued the 13-inch M3 model. However, a 16-inch version is still available. Apart from the fans being noisy when working harder, the price is the only significant drawback. The MacBook Pro 14-in M3 Max is an investment for video editors, just like the majority of Apple goods.

2. HP Envy x360

The HP Envy x360 is a fantastic option if you’re searching for the finest laptop for video editing on a tight budget. A “convertible laptop” or 2-in-1 laptop might help you expedite your creative process when editing videos while on the go. You can open up your intricate non-linear video editor and utilise the keyboard the next minute, or you can use it as a tablet to explore transitions or evaluate your source material.

We can say with confidence that the HP Envy’s 15.6-inch full HD 1080P WLED display looks amazing and is more than sufficient for on-the-go video editing after testing it out. If necessary, you can use its HDMI or DisplayPort via USB-C port to connect it to an external display or big screen TV. Although it isn’t a replacement for a 4K 17-inch laptop screen, the greater battery life compensates for the loss of an extra-large display and 4K quality.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor, which has eight cores and Vega graphics built in, is incredibly fast and makes up for the lack of a standalone GPU. The Ryzen 7 5500U achieved remarkable benchmark scores in our tests. When compared to more costly 2-in-1s equipped with an Intel Core i7-1165G7, it performed comparably. Our Blender benchmarks were also easily met by the Envy x360 15, which rendered in less than half the time of the ThinkBook 14’s Yoga. For creatives on a tight budget, the Envy x360 15 makes sense in light of this.

Our recommendation for a different affordable laptop would be to search for an M1 MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Models with the older chipset are still highly creative powerhouses for video editing, and you can get them for less money these days.

3. Dell XPS 17 (9730)

The XPS 17 is a strong candidate for the best video editing laptop overall since it is large and robust, has a brilliant display, a discrete GPU, and exceptional performance—especially if you prefer using Windows. But that stunning 4K UHD+ display for amazing detail is what really makes this stand out.

The IPS panel, which has a 16:10 aspect ratio, has some amazing specifications for editors searching for a laptop with accurate colour. In addition to colour spaces being well-represented with 188.8% sRGB and 133.7% DCI-P3, there is also the 0.24 Delta-E. It’s a stylish device with a finely crafted machined aluminium chassis and a carbon fiber-encased keyboard that will be incredibly comfortable for extended editing sessions.

It isn’t flawless. The XPS 17 weighs 5.37 pounds (2.44 kg), is big, and has a poor battery life (we measured little over nine hours). It’s not something you want to carry about all the time, and we expect better than the average 720p webcam for the high price. Though not significantly brighter than many computers for video editing, with 500nits, it is still superior. The MacBook Pro may reach 1600nits when the material is appropriate.

However, it’s hard not to be impressed with the laptop’s performance for video editing when even the most basic configuration (FHD non-touch screen, Intel i7, 16GB RAM) would offer you enough power for simple projects.

4. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Many of the top laptops for video editing are incredibly light, but the MacBook Air, weighing only at 2.7 lb / 1.24 kg, provides a powerful balance of portability and performance that rivals that of the HP Spectre x360.

However, this is a laptop meant for mobile designers, photographers, and video editors. It’s small enough to fit into your bag and take with you almost anywhere, and it’s sleek, slim, and gorgeous to look at. For a laptop this small, there will be compromises. primarily the 13.6-inch screen, which has a resolution of 2560 x 1664. This laptop is not for you if you require a large editing canvas for video.

The MacBook Air M2’s performance is delightful if that’s not a problem. We had no trouble editing 4K movies in our own tests, and the laptop ran almost silently the whole time. We will state, though, that if you’re doing professional-level video editing, we suggest getting one of the upgraded models rather than the base model, even though it will cost more. For those on a tight budget without sacrificing performance, the MacBook Air M1, despite its age, remains a fantastic laptop for video editing at a reasonable cost.

5. HP Envy 16

In the market for a Windows laptop in the midrange for video editing? Suitable for picture and video editing as well as game development, the HP Envy 16 boasts a decent amount of power for its cost.

In our tests, the laptop performed exceptionally well for creative projects. With several layers and high-resolution media, we used Premiere Pro and Photoshop without any problems. You shouldn’t have any issues using the computer for creative applications as long as you don’t intend to play a lot of triple-A games on the side.

There is no arguing that a laptop used for video editing can’t be saved by its display. With a 16:10 4K panel that supports 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, and a low Delta E for colour accuracy, the Envy 16 is an impressive display. Absence of DCI-P3, which is commonly utilised in video editing, shouldn’t have an impact on the majority of workflows.

In our benchmark test, the battery lasted over 6.5 hours, but if you’re editing a lot of difficult films, it won’t last as long. Furthermore, it’s not the quietest or most stylish laptop we’ve used for video editing. However, we discovered that the HP Envy 16 is the perfect all-arounder for someone who isn’t exactly affordable nor premium.

Best video editing laptop: FAQs

Why you can trust Trusty Picked
 We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best.

Is Mac or PC better for video editing?

In general, it’s thought that MacBooks and Macs make the greatest computers for video editing. MacBooks are a staple of many an editing room and are widely used in the creative sector. They are renowned for their amazing screen technology, colour accuracy, and lightning-fast processing capabilities. which means that the majority of the MacBook lineup, including the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, may be used for video editing.

That’s not to say you can’t use a Windows laptop for video editing, but since there are so many of them available, you should double-check the specs to make sure it has a color-accurate screen and can run resource-intensive editing programs.

Can any laptop be used for video editing?

Not every laptop can be used for video editing; the correct laptop with the necessary specifications is required.

We sought the professional advice of Michel Yavercovski, Senior Director of Product Management for Corel video products, regarding selecting a creative computer.

When purchasing a laptop for video editing, there are a few important features to consider. Naturally, the better the hardware, the more responsive and fluid the editing experience will be when working with video. In order to make video editing as quick and easy as possible, both of our products—Pinnacle Studio and VideoStudio—have been made to fully utilise your hardware,” Michel stated.

Computers

“In order to get the most out of these outstanding chips, you need first look for a system with a powerful multicore CPU. The Intel Core i7 product line is a fantastic place to start. Our software has been optimised to take use of multithreading. Additionally, working with today’s popular formats and creative features like multi-camera and 360° video compatibility will be a seamless experience for you if your processor is powerful. Because 4K video can produce enormous file sizes, you should also confirm that the device has a sizable, quick SSD storage drive that can read and write big video files without experiencing any hiccups.”

Recall

“Since video editing consumes a lot of RAM, choose a system with 16GB to 32GB of RAM to ensure optimal performance. Naturally, a 64-bit version of Windows 10 is also required.

graphical card

“Then, for overall faster processing and editing, check for the newest models of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX or GTX series as well as the Intel Iris or HD Graphics graphics cards. The majority of sophisticated graphics cards will also support HEVC, allowing you to use this cutting-edge video format in your creations.”

Present

As you’ll be working mostly from one screen while on the go, ensure sure the laptop’s built-in monitor renders colours accurately and provides sharp visuals. Having a system that can accommodate numerous screens is also useful for times when you’re back in your primary workspace.”

Rechargeable

“Lastly, since many notebooks default to power-saving measures while they’re operating on battery life, which might damage performance, I always advise consumers to either plug in their laptops or alter the power settings for high performance. Shorter battery life could be something you have to put up with, but faster processing means better editing.”

Are Chromebooks good laptops for video editing?

No. For editing videos, even the greatest Chromebooks aren’t a decent option. Large storage capacities and the specifications needed to operate video editing software are absent from these portable devices; most software needs a strong CPU, GPU, and RAM to function well. On the other hand, you may try your hand at creating basic content for your Chromebook’s browser by utilising the top video creators. Video editing on Chromebooks can be substituted with the greatest video editing software. These easily available apps provide surprisingly sophisticated tools for content trimming on Android, iPhone, and iPad devices.

How can I speed up my video editing?

Darren Mostyn, a very skilled colourist and edit trainer, walks us through a few crucial measures to speed up editing processes so that your workflow is even more effective.

Having edited for more than 25 years, I thought I would share some of my greatest advice on how to become an editor more quickly. The majority of these tips are applicable to all editing programs. Your productivity could increase by more than 30 minutes a week with just a 1% or 2% boost in speed. You can either take that time to relax and enjoy yourself, or you can work harder and earn more money. After around ten years of experience in broadcast sport and live events editing, I had to edit really quickly to turn around highlights of live action in some crazy tight deadlines.

Here’s something to consider before we begin the steps. Editing fast isn’t the only reason we work here. However, being fast at the technical aspects of editing also frees up more time for the “real” work, which consists of developing the narrative, enhancing the performances, managing the pacing, capturing the attention of the audience, and other duties.

Acquire knowledge about keyboard shortcuts. The first thing I would advise is to become well-versed in keyboard shortcuts. Most menus that you use more than twice a day can be mapped to a keyboard or have a keyboard shortcut available. Simply locate the shortcut and practicing utilising it; it won’t take long. This can make you move more slowly at first, but it will eventually pick up speed. Make an effort to utilise the shortcuts.Add to that the use of a specific colour-coded keyboard made accessible by third-party keyboard manufacturers for the majority of NLEs. Users of DaVinci Resolve, like me, have access to a custom keyboard called the Speed Editor (note: other well-known video editing programs probably have custom consoles too). Remember that you can modify your shortcuts if necessary. I have a hybrid set of shortcuts that I use for editing because I alternated between Avid, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere for many years. Your NLE will determine how adaptable you are.

Obtain instruction. Make a quality training investment. Even though this may appear like a costly investment, there may be a positive return. It could be a waste of time to spend hours watching YouTube channels in the hopes that the content is accurate. A organised course will boost your confidence when experimenting with new methods. You might realise that after years of working in a particular way, there’s a faster and easier way to do things.

Time administration. Taking breaks will allow your mind to function at a far higher level. It is thought that working for two to three hours closely, interspersed with a little rest, is significantly more productive than editing for four or five hours nonstop. During the break, finish all of your emails and check your social media accounts, but also give yourself a vacation from your screen. Take a walk or do anything else active, then continue working for a few more hours. Your body will benefit from not spending hours each day seated in a chair.Your level of concentration will increase when you return. It’s important to always be at ease. A sore wrist or a damaged back will slow you down more than anything else. Make sure your monitors are at the proper height and invest in a nice ergonomic chair or perhaps a standing desk.

Low-cost media is a scam economy. If you have data to transfer, use high-quality card readers and speedier hard drives. Your transfer speeds will be significantly slowed down by inexpensive card readers and hard discs. After years of utilising cheap ones, I made an investment in a good USB hub, and the transfer speeds are blazing fast. You will save a tonne of time if you can move your data from traditional drives to SSD drives.Faster hard drives will also improve rendering and editing speeds. To assist in overcoming workflow bottlenecks that you could have on slower workstations, you might think about creating proxy files from your footage.DaVinci Resolve generates proxies more quickly than other software when we need to use them in an Avid process.

Make use of a good computer. If your PC is having trouble, learn how to use the proxy workflow in your NLE. You can better organise your edit with two displays, or an Ultrawide monitor, and a third monitor is great for full-screen previews. There’s nothing more annoying than having your hardware slow you down. (ed: There’s still disagreement over screen resolution.)

Give your human interface a makeover. Using a Wacom digitising tablet and pen will not only make editing faster, but it will also help you avoid wrist strain. About twenty years ago, I discovered Wacom tablets, and since then, I have not used a mouse. If I am working remotely from the studio, I may bring my little, portable tablet with me. Even though my Intuos 3 is becoming older, it still functions like brand new because of how well-built it is.My productivity is accelerated since I can always have the pen in my hand. You won’t ever need a mouse again once you’ve arranged them to your comfort level and given the keys shortcuts. Using a pen makes it much easy to draw masks and audio levels. You will initially slow down and need some time to get acclimated to it, but you will eventually pick up pace.