What type of content do you primarily create?
As a video creator, you need the best tools in your arsenal — and that includes your laptop. When creating and editing video content, the right laptop can make all the difference.
Having a laptop with the right specs, processing speed, graphics, and other attributes is a game changer when a large percentage of your time is spent editing video footage.
In this article, we’ll cover the seven best video editing laptops and how to choose the right one for you.
Best video editing laptops, compared
- MacBook Pro 16 inch
- Lenovo ThinkPad P16
- Dell XPS 17
- Razer Blade 18
- Macbook Air
- MSI Creator Z16
- ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED
1. MacBook Pro 16 inch
Best all-around laptop for video editing.
Apple often designs its products specifically for use with graphics, animation, video editing, and other creative ventures — so no wonder the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inch isn’t even the only Mac on our list.
The MacBook Pro comes in a few different versions: the M2 Pro and the M2 Max. It also has both 14-inch and 16-inch laptop screen options — but the bigger the screen, the better when using video editing software.
The M2 Max is more expensive (by about $1,000), but it comes with more unified memory and bandwidth, as well as a longer battery life. But if you’re not working with animation, you can likely get away with just the M2 Pro.
The 16-inch model enables up to 22 hours of video playback before you have to plug it in, which is helpful when working with a number of video files to compile your end result.
Specs:
- 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- 12-core CPU
- Up to 38-core GPU
- Up to 96 GB unified memory
- Up to 8 TB storage
- Up to 22 hours battery life
- Ports: MagSafe charger, Thunderbolt 4, headphone jack, HDMI, SDXC
Pros:
- High-quality display
- Long-lasting battery
Cons:
- Expensive
Price: Starting at $2,499
2. Lenovo ThinkPad P16
Best video editing laptop for high-budget creators.
The Lenovo ThinkPad is a high-quality laptop with several great features. However, it’s expensive and has a low battery life. If you’re willing to spend most of your time close to an outlet, this might be a great option for you.
This laptop offers a high-resolution OLED display screen — and is even touchscreen, which comes in handy for some basic video editing tasks. It comes with a lot of RAM and built-in storage, and runs on the Windows 11 operating system.
There are several models of the ThinkPad P16, ranging in price from the low $3,000s to around $6,000, depending on the processing and graphics levels you’re looking for.
Specs:
- 16-inch OLED touchscreen display
- 12th generation Intel Core processor
- NVIDIA RTX graphics card
- Up to 128 GB memory
- Up to 8 TB storage
- 94 WHR battery capacity
- Windows 11 OS
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, headphone jack, HDMI, SD Express 7.0 card reader
Pros:
- Battery charges quickly — can get up to 80% within an hour
- SD card slot for easy video upload
Cons:
- Shorter battery life
Price: Starting at $3,399
3. Dell XPS 17
Best video editing laptop for creators using USB-C.
There are several versions of the Dell XPS (like the XPS 13 or XPS 15), but we recommend the 17-inch option for an optimal video and photo editing workflow. With InfinityEdge display, the Dell XPS presents the first laptop with nearly invisible edges around the screen, giving you an extra large visual area
The biggest con to this computer is that it comes with limited port slots. While it offers an SD card slot, for the most part, you have to rely on USB-C or adapters. This can present a frustration for creators who haven’t already made a move toward USB-C.
Specs:
- 17-inch InfinityEdge display
- 13th generation Intel Core i7 processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card
- Up to 64 GB memory
- Up to 8 TB storage
- 97 Whr battery life
- Windows 11 OS
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4, headphone jack, SD card reader, lock slot
Pros:
- High performance
- SD card slot for easy video transfer
Cons:
- Limited port types
Price: Starting at $2,049
4. Razer Blade 18
Best video editing laptop for gaming creators.
The Razer Blade 18 is a gaming laptop that also does a phenomenal job with video editing apps, making it the perfect option for gaming creators, with a high-quality processor and graphics card.
Its two biggest downsides are its price (it’s one of the more expensive on our list — though it has to be, considering the power and visuals that come with it) and that it comes with only 2 TB of built-in storage. However, you can easily expand the storage with external hard drives.
This Windows laptop also comes with a wide variety of ports, including the ability to use a wired connection to the internet instead of relying on Wi-Fi. While video editing can easily be done over Wi-Fi — or no internet at all — many online games work better with a direct internet connection, making this another big bonus for gaming creators.
Specs:
- 18-inch QHD+ 240 HZ display
- 13th generation Intel Core i9 HX processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card
- Up to 64 GB memory
- Up to 2 TB storage (can be expanded)
- 5+ hour battery life
- Windows 11 OS
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 Port, USB-A, USB-C, ethernet port, HDMI, SD card reader, headphone jack, Kensington lock slot
Pros:
- Wide variety of ports
- High-quality speakers for great audio
- Large display screen
Cons:
- Lower built-in storage
- Expensive
Price: Starting at $2,899
5. Macbook Air
Best portable laptop for video editing.
If you prefer Apple products but can’t stomach the price of the MacBook Pro 16-inch, the 15-inch MacBook Air might be the perfect alternative.
With it, you get the compatibility of MacOS with your other iOS devices, as well as the stunning display and long-lasting battery life of an Apple computer without the premium price point. It’s perfect if you’re a newer creator with a vlog or video podcast.
This option does have limited ports, however, with only Thunderbolt 4/USB-C options, in addition to the charging port and headphone jack.
Specs:
- 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display
- 8-core CPU
- Up to 10-core GPU
- Up to 24 GB unified memory
- Up to 2 TB storage
- Up to 18 hours battery life
- Ports: MagSafe charger, Thunderbolt 4, headphone jack
Pros:
- More affordable
- More portable
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Lower built-in storage
- Limited port types
Price: Starting at $1,299
6. MSI Creator Z16
Best touchscreen laptop for video editing.
If you’re looking for a touchscreen that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, this might be the laptop for you. While still retailing for more than $2,000, the MSI Creator Z16 makes up for it in processing power and high-resolution graphics.
It’s extremely lightweight, also making it a great laptop for taking with you on the go. But it does have a pretty low battery life, as well as limited built-in storage and RAM.
Specs:
- 16-inch QHD+ touchscreen display
- 11th generation Intel Core i9 processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
- Up to 16 GB memory
- Up to 1 TB storage
- 90 WH battery capacity
Pros:
- Lightweight at under 5 pounds
- Powerful laptop performance
Cons:
- Lower RAM and SSD storage
- Loud fans
Price: Starting at $2,299
7. ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED
Best budget laptop for video editing.
For only $1,299, the ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 laptop gives you great processing power and graphics, though it has lower RAM and built-in storage. It also offers a wide range of ports, enabling users to plug in whatever they need — even a wired internet connection.
The microSD card reader slot makes it great for creators and video editors, especially those just starting out who may need a cheap but powerful machine to get their creative business off the ground.
Specs:
- 16-inch OLED display
- 13th generation Intel Core i9 processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card
- Up to 32 GB memory
- Up to 2 TB storage
- 96 WH battery capacity
- Windows 11 OS
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, USB-C, LAN port, microSD card reader, headphone jack, HDMI
Pros:
- Can plug in to a wired internet connection
- More affordable
Cons:
- Lower RAM and SSD storage
Price: Starting at $1,299
How to choose a video editing laptop
We’ve listed out some important specs and pros and cons for each of the seven laptops on our list. But how can you tell which one is going to be the best for your needs? And what do these specifications even mean when it comes to how well the laptop will work for you?
Let’s cover a few of the basics and how they might impact your decision. Knowing what to look for can also help if you decide whether to build your own video editing PC rather than pick from these stock options.
- Video editing software: First and foremost, you need to make sure your laptop of choice can run video editing software seamlessly. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Descript are essential for editing high-end video content, so that will be the first thing to pay attention to.
- Processor (CPU): This is the laptop’s central unit, and it refers to how fast the computer will run. When editing videos, you’ll want to make sure you have the CPU to handle it. This means you should have an 8-core CPU at a minimum — though the MacBook Pro’s 12-core CPU could be even more useful.
- Graphics card (GPU): Another important part of your laptop will be its graphics capabilities. While this matters more for gamers, it’s still important when working with video editing software, especially animations — after all, you want to ensure your work is high quality.
- RAM: RAM refers to the computer’s random-access memory, or how quickly a computer can pull data from the operating system and any browsers or applications currently running. Video editing can use a lot of data, so make sure you have enough memory for it.
- Storage: While you can always get additional external hard drives, having internal, built-in storage is key for importing and exporting your video footage.
- Display: When we talk about display, we’re referring to the size of the screen, as well as the resolution. For video editing, you’ll want to get a laptop with a larger screen — 11 or 13 inches is likely too small for the work you need to do. Instead, aim for 16- or 18-inch displays. The resolution and display type is completely up to you.
- Battery life: If you’re going to be working at a set station with access to an electrical outlet, battery life may not matter to you. But if you plan to be out and about while you edit, make sure to aim for a higher battery life.
- Port selection: Ports are the inputs available to you. Some laptops use USB-C exclusively, while others have a wide range of ports. You can always use adapters, but that’s an added cost and piece of equipment to keep track of. You may instead want to aim for finding a laptop with an SD card slot so you can easily import your video footage.
- Operating system: For the most part, you’re choosing between MacOS X and Windows 11, depending on whether or not you choose an Apple computer or PC. This often comes down to personal preference and what your preferred OS can work with. For example, Apple computers can AirDrop and sync up with other Apple devices, which could be handy if you already use an iPhone or iPad.
- Budget: And of course, budget is always going to be a major consideration when buying products for your business. Pay attention to the cost and see what you can buy to get the most bang for your buck.
Choose the best video editing laptop for your needs
Take a look at each of these seven laptops to see which one makes the most sense for your needs, preferences, and budget. Each option we’ve listed can easily handle all of the top video editors — and then some. Take a look at Descript’s software to add even more editing options to your content creation repertoire.
