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Shopping for a new laptop is a tough task as it is. With the sheer number of options, it’s easier than ever to fall into a cycle of choice paralysis, where making a final decision feels literally impossible. If you’re a creative type who needs a laptop for a very specific purpose — in this case, video editing — the pressure can be even more intense because the wrong choice can really come back to bite you. So it’s better that you get it right the first time. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself with a laptop that doesn’t perform the way you need it to and end up in a deep financial hole.
To aid us in our search for the best video editing laptops, we reached out to Denver McQuaid, a creative marketing strategist who is also a seasoned VFX artist and video editor with a large following on Instagram and TikTok.
In an email conversation with Mashable, McQuaid walked us through the process of shopping for a great laptop for video editing, from the necessary specs, to budgeting, and beyond. And after surveying the top laptops available in 2024, there was one clear winner — the new MacBook Pro. Still, it’s not the only laptop we have to recommend. Here’s what McQuaid told us about picking the right device.
What makes a video editing laptop “good”?
With so many laptops offering wildly different features, it’s important to narrow down which ones matter the most. In McQuaid’s opinion, there are three qualities that a good video editing laptop absolutely needs: Speed, solid battery life, and a good display size.
Having a laptop that can process tasks quickly and efficiently is paramount for video editing. “[Speed] can be achieved in many ways,” said McQuaid, “including RAM, hard drive write speeds, processor clock speed, and graphics rendering.” Battery life is pretty self-explanatory — the less time you spend charging, the more time you’ll have to actually work on your projects. When it comes to display size, McQuaid said the more you can see, the better. “I edit on a 13-inch [laptop], but often with an external monitor.” He travels for work, so he uses a more lightweight laptop with a smaller screen, though he recommends newer editors go bigger. “I don’t regret it, but more screen space is always nice to have.”
What specs do I need in a laptop for video editing?
Your laptop’s processor, RAM, and storage space are the specs you’ll want to pay the most attention to when shopping for a video editing machine, according to McQuaid. “More RAM means faster video playback and preview times, and file caching,” he said. A higher amount of RAM is also essential for multitasking. “It’s ideal when working in multiple programs at once, like Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects, Final Cut, etcetera. This happens more often than people realize, especially on professional projects.”
When it comes to picking out a processor, it’s a little more of a dealer’s choice, although McQuaid called out Apple’s latest M3 chip as a top contender. “Typically, the number of cores is more important than processor clock speeds, as more cores at a slightly lower speed outperform fewer cores with faster speed,” he said. But McQuaid also told us that it’ll really come down to what programs you’re using to determine the processor specs that you need. “A lot of Adobe editing software and effects aren’t fully optimized for multi-core rendering and processing,” he told Mashable. “Knowing your editing workflow can help you decide what processor specs will actually be best for you.”
Perhaps the most important spec to shell out for when picking out a laptop is storage, says McQuaid. “Do not skimp on storage,” he said in our conversation. “As video files grow ever larger and get more high res, your drives will fill up faster than you expect!” He recommended that you go for at least 1TB of space and pick SSD storage over HDD because it’s faster and more reliable (although he also says it’s smart to have an external HDD on standby for long-term storage). More storage will come with a higher price tag, but it’s worth the cost, said McQuaid. “Saving a little bit of money on smaller and slower hard drives now will cause ongoing and evergrowing file management headaches indefinitely…I have personal experience with this mistake, and refuse to make it again.”
Don’t sleep on the display
We already talked about screen size being an important factor when choosing a laptop for video editing, but that’s not the only reason the display you ultimately choose matters. “The display is crucial in a few ways,” McQuaid told us. “One element people don’t often think about is the color science of different displays,” he said, mentioning that final cuts of videos will look a lot different depending on what the viewer is watching them on. That’s why making sure that your laptop can produce an accurate range of colors is a big deal. “[It] gives you the best chance at making content that will look amazing across the board,” McQuaid concluded. Though, he also added that most laptop displays today are up to snuff in that regard, so unless you’re shopping for an external monitor, you won’t have to stress too much over this.
Are cheap laptops worth it for video editing?
McQuaid warned against going too cheap when picking up a new laptop for video editing, because you’ll most likely have to pick up a new one earlier than you planned. A lot of cheap laptops won’t be able to handle serious video editing at all. You should still stay within your budget, but it’s better to invest as much as you feasibly can now so your laptop will last as long as possible, because upgrading certain laptops down the line may not be achievable (that’s why the top picks in this guide are on the expensive side). “Saving a few hundred dollars now will cost more if you have to buy a whole new laptop two to three years sooner because of outdated specs,” McQuaid said.
What are the best laptops for video editing?
Like we already said at the top, the MacBook Pro was the clear winner as the best video editing laptop for most people. (Are you surprised? Probably not.) While the latest MacBook Pro with the M3 chip is your best bet, McQuaid told us that even older MacBook Pro models will do the trick. He uses a 2019-era MacBook Pro that predates even the M1 chip, and it still works just fine for his needs. “MacBooks have some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion,” McQuaid told Mashable. “The MacBook OS is more user-friendly and ideal for transferring files from computer to phone, or vice versa, especially iPhones.” So, if you’re looking for the intersection of power, quality, and convenience, the MacBook Pro is the way to go.
Of course, we realize that not everyone wants to jump into the Apple ecosystem, so we have more recommendations for you that fall outside of the famous fruit company. Check out more of our picks below, which we’ve chosen by way of vigorous hands-on testing and expert recommendation.
Our Pick
Read Mashable’s full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3).
Who it’s for:
Apple’s most recent iteration of the MacBook Pro is going to work best for anyone who runs processor-heavy apps concurrently, which is great news for video editors. In addition to the speedy M3 chip (you can also upgrade to the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips at the online Apple store), the machine boasts an impressively long battery life, crisp speakers, and an eye-popping 14-inch display that’ll have all of your footage looking great.
Why we picked this:
The M3 MacBook Pro is the most powerful MacBook on the market, bar none. During our testing period, Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon highlighted the laptop’s amazing performance and battery life, tackling processor-hungry tasks with ease for up to 17 hours at a time. The display is a huge bonus, too. The Liquid Retina XDR screen is one thing — it produces a vivid and accurate color gamut — but the 14-inch size of the display itself feels like the perfect median between Apple’s usual options. The audio system is also a high point — Gedeon says that this MacBook model “arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market.”
Although the MacBook Pro M3 is already pricey as is, we recommend upgrading in the RAM department, because the base model doesn’t have enough in our opinion. For video editors specifically, we also recommend going with the 1TB SSD over the base 512GB.
In terms of ports, you’ll get two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, an SDXC card slot, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. That should make it easy to connect to your external monitor, hard drives, and headphones of choice. However, we should note that the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 only supports a single external monitor. If you’ll be editing with two monitors, then you’ll need to go with the MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Who it’s for:
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a match made in heaven for artists. The unique, pull-forward design really enhances the experience of working on big projects, and the gorgeous 120Hz display only sweetens the pot. Although heavy, the build quality is incredible and sure to last you for many years to come. Video editors, this laptop needs to be on your shortlist (as long as you have the budget, that is).
Why we picked this:
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is one of the more special laptops that we’ve had the pleasure of testing out. To call it just a laptop doesn’t seem right. According to Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon, the device is better described as “a digital easel and tablet” thanks to its unique and convenient pull-forward design. It only gets better when you consider the beauty of the 120Hz, 2,400-by-1,600-pixel display (which sits somewhere between Full HD and 4K). The build quality of the machine is a marvel. The dual-level base helps keep the computer cool during intense usage with the vented lower level, and the upper level features a buttery-smooth touchpad and keyboard combo that is a joy to use. It makes the Surface Laptop Studio 2 quite heavy overall, but it’s a fair tradeoff.
Other highlights of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 include a great-sounding audio system, as well as a built-in space for storing and charging a Surface Slim Pen 2, which frustratingly isn’t included. Other than that somewhat egregious omission, and the fact that the device is a bit of a chore to lug around, the price point is high enough to make us tear up. While you do get what you pay for here, the over-$3,000 cost of admission is going to turn many away, and we can understand why. But, if you’ve got the budget, we say go for it.
Read Mashable’s full review of the HP Spectre x360 14.
Who it’s for:
If you want the flexibility that comes with a 2-in-1 laptop but still want to be able to edit video efficiently, the HP Spectre x360 14 will be a solid option for you. It’s got a pretty decent battery life, but where it really shines is in its ample storage and beautiful OLED display. It’s also on the heftier side for those who want a more durable device, and the keyboard is downright addicting.
Why we picked this:
The HP Spectre x360 14 is one of our favorite convertible laptops for more reasons than one, but among the biggest draws for the device is the 120Hz OLED touchscreen display. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon lauded the screen in her review, saying that “the rich, colorful visuals that emanated from the screen were stunning.” The computer also has a powerful suite of internal specs, including a high-end Intel Core Ultra processor, 16GB of RAM, and two whole terabytes of SSD storage. Of course, the ability to switch from laptop to tablet mode at a moment’s notice is another convenient feature for traveling creatives, and the whole package comes with an included stylus, which is always a welcome bonus.
While the HP Spectre x360 14 is a bulkier machine, those who want a more durable computer will probably be fine with the laptop’s weight. It also has a great-feeling keyboard and trackpad setup, and the audio system sounds crystal clear. If we could change anything, it’d be the port placement — placing them on the corner of each side was a strange choice in our opinion, and it makes the device awkward to charge. But, that’s easy to forget about once you start working with this genuinely great convertible.
Who it’s for:
The Dell XPS 15 is a PC powerhouse that’ll be well-suited for video editors who want a balance between power, build quality, and upgradeability. If you don’t want to jump into the Apple ecosystem but still want a traditional laptop, you’ll find everything you want here, including a great lineup of internal specs and a long battery life. And how could we not love that edge-to-edge OLED touchscreen display?
Why we picked this:
While we haven’t personally tested the Dell XPS 15, our friends over at PCMag (owned by Mashable’s publisher, Ziff Davis) did, and they liked what they saw quite a bit. They gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “one of the best and most flexible luxe laptops for a range of audiences.” So, what makes it so great? For starters, the build quality is stellar, and it strikes a fantastic balance between sleek and sturdy. It also has a battery life that, when pushed to its limit, can still reach around 14 hours on a single charge.
The real star of the show, though, is that edge-to-edge OLED display, which looks outstanding. Creative professionals who want to prolong the lifespan of their laptop will also appreciate the upgradeability of the XPS 15’s specs, which are already pretty great out of the box, including a powerful CPU-and-GPU combo, lots of RAM, and a good amount of storage space.
As for downsides, there aren’t many, but the biggest is that the laptop features a lackluster 720p webcam, which is confusing at this price point. But if you’re going to be using the device primarily for video editing, this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. We also wish the laptop wasn’t so heavy and that it had a more diverse array of ports, but the included adapter does make up for that a little bit.
Mashable staff or contributors have hands-on tested almost every laptop recommendation in this shopping guide. We narrowed down our top picks based on our hands-on impressions, as well as opinions from experts in the video editing field. Here are the specs we paid most attention to when choosing our final recommendations for this article:
Processor: The central processing unit, or CPU, is responsible for how fast your laptop can complete a given task. High-end CPUs will be able to handle multiple demanding tasks at once, whereas more budget-friendly options may be better solely for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing. For video editing, you’ll want something on the higher end, with Apple’s M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips widely considered to be the top of the line.
Graphics processor: The graphics processing unit, or GPU, is responsible for rendering clear and detailed visuals. It’s especially important for gaming and photo and video editing, so if that’s something you’ll be using your laptop for, pay close attention to GPU specs while you shop.
RAM: A laptop’s RAM is where active application data is temporarily stored to assist the CPU. Essentially, if you have more RAM, you’ll be able to run more applications at the same time. For video editing purposes, you probably won’t want to go below 16GB of RAM, but 32GB to 64GB will serve you best. This will also get you faster video playback and file caching.
Storage: This is where your laptop saves long-term data like files and downloads. Keep in mind that SSD storage is faster than eMMC flash and regular hard drive storage. For a video editing laptop, having a large amount of storage is vital — you’ll want at least 1TB of SSD storage (you should probably get a few external hard drives on the side, too).
Battery life: The more time you have to dedicate to charging, the less time you have to edit your video content. Plus, intensive video editing can drain your laptop battery life very quickly. Generally speaking, the more battery life, the better, but you’ll want at least 10+ hours per charge (especially if you’re working on longer projects).
Display: Size is one thing, but a video editing laptop’s display is important in another way: color science. Get a device that can generate an accurate range of colors so your final content will end up looking the way you intended. Apple’s vivid displays are great in this regard, but most current laptop models are up to snuff, so don’t stress over it too much.
Portability: Smaller laptops will be easiest to take on the go, but they are usually less powerful than their larger counterparts and have tinier displays. For video editors, you’ll need something that you can travel with, but without sacrificing power and display quality. Generally, 14- to 16-inch displays should do you just fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to video editing laptops, RAM is an important spec to pay attention to. Generally speaking, the more RAM you have, the faster and more responsive your video playback will be, and it’ll also help you run multiple applications simultaneously. So, if you find yourself using programs like Final Cut Pro or Adobe After Effects at the same time, then you’ll want a decent amount of RAM. For most people, 16GB of RAM will be enough, and we wouldn’t recommend going below that for video editing. The “sweet spot” would be somewhere between 32GB to 64GB.
If you’re going to be connecting your laptop to an external monitor when you start editing, the actual size of your laptop’s display isn’t going to be a huge factor. But if you’re primarily going to be editing on the laptop itself, it’s best not to go too small. Anywhere between 14 and 16 inches will allow you to get a clear view of your work without being cumbersome. What really matters is if your display portrays an accurate color gamut or not, so prioritize that before size.
Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, sleep, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.
When he’s not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on X at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].
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