Lightspeed Editing: 2023's Best Laptops for Video Editing
June 2, 2023
8 min read
A high-performance laptop with a processor, plenty of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card will allow you to work quickly and efficiently, ensuring that your projects are completed on time and to the best of your ability. In addition, investing in a quality laptop can save you money in the long run by reducing the need to upgrade or replace your computer frequently.
Top Picks for Video Editing Laptops in 2023
1. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1X Chip)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro, powered by the M1X chip, is a top choice for video editing professionals. The M1X offers exceptional performance and energy efficiency, allowing smooth editing workflows.
Its 16-inch Retina display provides stunning visuals, while the 32GB of unified memory and up to 8TB of SSD storage ensure seamless multitasking. The MacBook Pro also features multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfers and ProRAW support for optimal color accuracy.
2. Dell XPS 15 (2023 Edition)
The Dell XPS 15 2023 edition is an excellent choice for video editors, featuring an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. The 4K OLED InfinityEdge display delivers accurate color reproduction and impressive contrast ratios.
With up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, it easily handles demanding editing tasks. The XPS 15 also boasts an SD card reader, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a slim, lightweight design.
3. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 combines gaming prowess with video editing capabilities. It delivers outstanding performance and has an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU.
The 15.6-inch QHD 165Hz display provides excellent color accuracy and smooth visuals. Multitasking is a breeze with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
The laptop also includes various connectivity options, such as USB Type-C, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 6.
4. HP ZBook Studio G8
The HP ZBook Studio G8 is a powerful workstation laptop designed for demanding creative professionals. It features up to an Intel Xeon W-11955M processor and NVIDIA RTX A5000 GPU, ensuring top-notch performance.
The 15.6-inch 4K DreamColor display offers stunning visuals and color accuracy. It can easily handle complex projects with up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.
The ZBook Studio G8 also includes various ports, such as Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1.
5. Razer Blade 15 Advanced (2023 Edition)
The Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a top-tier video editing laptop with a sleek design. It offers stellar performance, powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU.
The 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch display delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Blade 15 Advanced also comes with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, ensuring smooth multitasking.
In addition, the laptop features a customizable Chroma RGB keyboard and a wide range of connectivity options.
6. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is a unique laptop for video editors, offering a dual-screen setup. A secondary 14-inch ScreenPad Plus accompanies the main 15.6-inch 4K OLED display for improved multitasking.
Powered by an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, it delivers impressive performance. It can handle large projects with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
In addition, the ZenBook Pro Duo includes a stylus, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an HDMI port.
7. HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with powerful video editing capabilities. It features an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX450 GPU, providing solid performance for editing tasks.
The 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch display offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while the 360-degree hinge allows multiple usage modes. In addition, it easily handles large projects with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.
The Spectre x360 also boasts an array of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, and an SD card reader, making it a well-rounded choice for video editors.
8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is a reliable video editing laptop focused on durability and performance. It is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU and delivers excellent performance for demanding editing tasks.
The 15.6-inch 4K HDR Dolby Vision display ensures accurate color reproduction and sharp visuals. With up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, it can handle complex projects effortlessly.
The ThinkPad X1 Extreme also features a range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.0, and an SD card reader, making it a practical choice for professionals.
Budget-Friendly Video Editing Laptops in 2023
1. Acer Predator Helios 300
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a budget-friendly video editing laptop with a solid performance in 2023. Equipped with the latest Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, it can easily handle 4K video editing and rendering tasks.
Its 15.6-inch Full HD display offers accurate color reproduction, ensuring visual content appears true to life. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage offer smooth multitasking and quick data access, while the customizable RGB backlit keyboard enhances the user experience.
In addition, the Helios 300 has advanced cooling technology, ensuring optimal performance during long editing sessions.
2. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerful, budget-friendly option for video editors in 2023. Powered by AMD Ryzen 7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, it delivers impressive performance for editing and rendering high-resolution videos.
The laptop features a 16-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate, providing stunning visuals and color accuracy. With 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, users can expect swift multitasking and ample storage.
Legion 5 Pro also boasts a TrueStrike keyboard for comfortable typing, and its Coldfront 3.0 cooling system ensures the laptop stays cool during intense editing sessions.
3. MSI Creator 15
MSI Creator 15 is an ideal budget-friendly video editing laptop for creative professionals in 2023. It boasts an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, providing the power to edit 4K videos and handle graphics-intensive tasks. In addition, the laptop features a 15.6-inch 4K UHD display, offering vivid colors and sharp visuals.
With 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, users can enjoy smooth multitasking and plenty of storage space. The MSI Creator 15 also includes:
a per-key RGB backlit keyboard,
a responsive touchpad, and
a Creator Center software suite to optimize system performance during editing sessions.
Laptop Buying Guide for Video Editing
1. Processor
The processor is the heart of your laptop and plays a crucial role in video editing performance. Opt for a laptop with a high-end CPU, such as Intel's Core i7 or i9 or AMD's Ryzen 7 or 9.
Multi-core processors with at least 6-8 cores and hyper-threading capabilities are ideal for handling complex tasks and rendering videos faster. Ensure the processor has a high base clock speed (around 3 GHz) and supports Turbo Boost technology to accelerate performance during heavy workloads.
Laptops with efficient cooling systems will prevent thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance even during long editing sessions.
2. RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is essential for smooth multitasking and quick access to frequently used files and programs. For video editing, a minimum of 16GB RAM is recommended, while 32GB or more is ideal for working with high-resolution footage or multiple applications simultaneously.
Higher RAM capacity will improve your laptop's responsiveness and performance, reducing render times and preventing crashes. Opt for DDR4 or DDR5 RAM, which offers higher bandwidth and faster data transfer rates than older DDR3 RAM.
3. Storage
Video editing requires ample storage space for managing large files and project data. Therefore, a combination of SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is recommended.
SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs, providing quicker boot times, file transfers, and application load times. A minimum of 512GB SSD is suggested for installing your operating system and video editing software, ensuring a responsive editing experience.
A larger HDD (1TB or more) is advisable for storing raw footage and rendered projects. It can also utilize external storage solutions like portable hard drives and NAS systems for additional storage and backup.
4. Graphics Card
A dedicated graphics card (GPU) is vital for video editing, as it accelerates rendering, effects processing, and real-time playback. Choose a laptop with a discrete GPU, such as NVIDIA's GeForce RTX series or AMD's Radeon RX series.
These GPUs offer hardware-accelerated ray tracing, AI-enhanced features, and improved power efficiency. In addition, look for a graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM (Video RAM) for 1080p editing or 6-8GB VRAM for 4K and beyond.
The more VRAM, the better the GPU can handle larger video files and complex effects.
5. Display
A high-quality display is crucial for accurate color grading and precise editing. Opt for a laptop with an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel, which offers wider viewing angles and better color reproduction than TN (Twisted Nematic) panels.
A display resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD) is recommended for comfortable editing, while a 4K (Ultra HD) display will provide greater detail and sharper visuals. For accurate color representation, consider displays with color calibration and coverage of industry-standard color spaces, such as 100% sRGB or Adobe RGB.
Lastly, matte displays can minimize glare and reflections, ensuring comfortable editing in various lighting conditions.
