Video enhancing can put fairly a heavy burden on any pc. So, when looking for a laptop computer for video enhancing, you’ll wish to be sure to’re loading up on sufficient heavy {hardware} firepower to get the job accomplished. Whilst you may not want absolutely the top-of-the-line gear, merely shopping for a gaming laptop computer and calling it a day might be not going to chop it. Past simply processor and graphics efficiency, severe video editors must bear in mind a number of issues equivalent to the standard of the show, port choice, and onboard storage capability.
Why it is best to belief us: PCWorld has been masking PCs since 1983, and critiques greater than 70 notebooks a yr in our unending quest to seek out the perfect laptops. Our knowledgeable reviewers consider each machine utilizing a mixture of efficiency benchmarks and rigorous usability requirements, with an eye fixed towards figuring out the perfect laptops for particular wants and at numerous worth factors. We additionally edit numerous movies ourselves, with the outcomes showing on PCWorld’s YouTube channel. Check out our prime picks for video enhancing beneath, adopted by shopping for recommendation and extra particulars about our testing course of.
If you happen to’re on a price range or simply trying to avoid wasting cash, you may additionally wish to take a look at our day by day roundup of the perfect laptop computer offers to scope out any reductions on content material creation notebooks.
Replace July 26, 2024: We added the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus ($1,199.99) and the Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i ($1,699.99) as various choices beneath. The Yoga Professional 9i has a sharper show than our Finest Laptop computer for Video Modifying (in case you don’t want 4K) choose and the Inspiron 16 Plus has higher battery life than our Finest Price range Laptop computer for Video Modifying choose. We’ve additionally taken the time to replace our record of latest laptop computer critiques, so remember to examine these out close to the underside of the web page!
One of the best laptops for video enhancing
Dell XPS 17 (2023) – Finest laptop computer for video enhancing
Professionals
- Expansive 17-inch 16:10 show
- Skinny chassis
- Unbelievable battery life
Why we just like the Dell XPS 17 (2023)
The Dell XPS 17 (2023) is a unbelievable laptop computer for content material creation as a result of it has a huge show and an excellent quantity of graphics firepower. The OLED contact show, which measures an enormous 17-inches, encompasses a crystal clear decision of 3840×2400 and a most brightness of 550 nits. It’s excellent for media enhancing, multitasking, and a lot extra. The machine can also be powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which implies it’s greater than able to dealing with any video enhancing you throw at it. The precise configuration we reviewed will value you properly over $3,000, so it’s doubtless not a viable possibility for the budget-conscious, but when your time is cash, the Dell XPS 17 is cash very properly spent.
Who should purchase the Dell XPS 17 (2023)
We really feel the Dell XPS 17 is an exceptional possibility for severe or skilled video editors. The 4K display screen is divine and it has the proper quantity of horsepower so far as inside elements go. It additionally consists of an SD card reader and a number of Thunderbolt 4 ports for shortly offloading movies or images. Lastly, the Dell XPS 17 can run as much as 11 hours on a single cost, eliminating the necessity to go outlet looking. Though we’d’ve appreciated to have seen this mannequin with an OLED display screen, it’s nonetheless a top-notch choose.
Different possibility: The Dell XPS 16 is one other good possibility for content material creators. In actual fact, the {hardware} is sort of equivalent to our prime choose. The one actual distinction is that the Dell XPS 16 has an OLED display screen and the Dell XPS 17 9730 doesn’t. That stated, the Dell XPS 16 didn’t make the lower as a result of it doesn’t have as many Thunderbolt 4 ports and the keyboard is an actual headache to make use of resulting from stiff keys.
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Dell XPS 17 9730 assessment
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely – Finest laptop computer for video enhancing (in case you do not want 4K)
Professionals
- Improbable battery life
- Strong GPU efficiency
- Attractive OLED display screen that can be utilized open air
- Nice audio
- AI-powered Core Extremely inside
Cons
- Chargers hold getting greater
- Nonetheless not a fantastic keyboard
Why we just like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely gives highly effective efficiency in addition to a beautiful OLED show. Due to the Intel Core Extremely 9 185H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it’s properly outfitted to deal with any video enhancing job you throw at it. Plus, the 16-inch OLED show has a decision of 2880×1800 and a refresh price of 120Hz–so you possibly can count on a crisp-looking image with wealthy colours. Certain, it’s not 4K, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a unbelievable display screen for content material creation. Battery life is totally absurd, too. This machine lasted a whopping 18 hours and 54 minutes on a single cost. Wall outlet? Who’s she?
Who should purchase the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely
Anybody in search of a strong, long-lasting laptop computer and doesn’t must edit 4K movies. Along with the gorgeous OLED show and the lengthy battery life, the audio can also be fairly punchy, sounding nice up and down the audio vary. If you happen to swap on the Dolby Atmos function, you’ll hear even richer sound. Although content material creators could not essentially want good audio (or doubtless use devoted headphones), it’s nonetheless a pleasant perk.
Different possibility: The Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i ($1,699.99) is one other nice laptop computer to contemplate. It comes decked out with a 16-inch 3200×2000 165Hz refresh price show, 32GB of RAM, and tons of ports (together with an SD card reader). In comparison with our present choose, the Yoga Professional 9i has a sharper display screen with a quicker refresh price. That stated, it solely managed 9 hours on a single cost. It’s a suitable end result, nevertheless it’s nothing just like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely’s 18 hours and 54 minutes.
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Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely assessment
Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version – Finest price range laptop computer for video enhancing
Professionals
- All-day battery life
- Gorgeous show
- Sturdy construct
Cons
- 720p webcam
- Keys really feel too gentle
Why we just like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version
The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version is an efficient possibility for these on a decent price range, because it ticks off the entire proper packing containers for a sub-$1,000 machine. For one, colours seem wealthy and assorted on the 16-inch 1200p FHD show. Certain, it’s not 4K, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an excellent display screen–our reviewer was stunned by the “depth of the blacks and greys.” As for internals, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU and the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU ought to blitz proper via graphically demanding duties like video enhancing. It additionally lasted a whopping 11 hours on a single cost, which is surprising for a gaming laptop computer.
Who should purchase the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version
Anybody who’s trying to economize on a succesful and long-lasting laptop computer. You don’t should go outlet looking due to the lengthy battery life and the 1200p show gives nothing however gorgeous visuals. Whereas the keys really feel a bit mushy and the 720p webcam received’t be doing you any favors on video calls, we really feel as if the professionals far outweigh the cons, particularly given the affordable worth level.
Different possibility: If you happen to’re prepared to spend a bit extra for a shaper show and longer battery life, the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus ($1,199.99) is certainly value selecting up. The 16-inch 260×1600 IPS show has a 120Hz refresh price and the large 90 watt-hour battery lasted simply over 17 hours on a single cost, which is nothing to sneeze at. Nonetheless, it does value greater than our present choose, so it is probably not the most suitable choice for the budget-conscious purchaser.
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Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version assessment
Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional) – Finest MacBook for video enhancing
Professionals
- Good efficiency
- 18GB of RAM
- Runs quiet
Cons
- Low efficiency benefit over M2 Professional
Why we just like the Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional)
The Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional) will kick you within the tooth with its energy (in the easiest way doable). Inside, you’ll discover a 14-core GPU in addition to 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. That quantity of RAM will hold issues operating good and clean whereas the beefy GPU will chew proper via any intense edits, although intense video editors will wish to improve to a mannequin with extra storage or spend money on an exterior SSD for added capability. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR show additionally has a ridiculously excessive decision of 3024×1964, so enhancing ought to be a pleasant expertise. It even comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for quick knowledge transfers.
Who should purchase the Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional)
Anybody who prefers Apple’s ecosystem. This configuration reveals a 44 % improve in efficiency (in line with Geekbench’s Compute Metallic check) in comparison with the M3 (sans Professional) mannequin. You’ll additionally have the ability to see each element of your picture or video enhancing work due to the beautiful Liquid Retina XDR show. Battery life isn’t too shabby, both. The M3 Professional MacBook Professional will final you over ten hours on a single cost, which is greater than a full work day.
Different possibility: If you happen to’re in search of a much bigger display screen, then it is best to take a look at the MacBook Professional, M2 Professional. The Liquid Retina XDR show measures 16.2-inches and has a decision of 3456×2234, so visuals ought to be sharp as knives. The M2 Professional additionally comes loaded with a strong 19-core GPU.
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Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023) assessment
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 – Finest ultraportable laptop computer for video enhancing
Professionals
- Very mild and compact design
- Glorious efficiency for its measurement
- Sturdy construct
- Visually gorgeous show
Cons
- Keys really feel gentle and mushy
- The webcam is not the highest quality
- The downward dealing with woofers generally sound muddy
Why we just like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is “exceptionally smooth and compact,” in line with our complete assessment. Not solely does it tip the scales at simply 3.31 kilos, however you possibly can simply choose it up with an index finger and a thumb. The slim kind issue is spectacular given the {hardware} inside, which consists of an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Which means it’s highly effective sufficient to deal with enhancing images in Adobe Photoshop and enjoying video games with the graphics turned up. The connectivity choices are additionally fairly good and the OLED display screen has a excessive decision of 2880×1800. It’s not 4K, however you possibly can nonetheless count on a pointy image. The port choice consists of two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 4, one HDMI, one 3.5mm combo jack, and one microSD card reader.
Who should purchase the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Anybody that likes to work on-the-go. Along with its slim kind issue, it’s additionally fairly powerful with “premium CNC-milled aluminum alloy” all through the chassis. It even achieved spectacular body charges in a few trendy video games. In actual fact, it managed 133 frames-per-second through the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark and 101 frames-per-second throughout Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is newer and extra demanding. If you happen to’re in search of dependable gaming efficiency in a tiny package deal, look no additional than the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.
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Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 assessment
Current laptop computer critiques
- Asus Vivobook S 15: The Asus Vivobook S 15 is a reliable entry into the Copilot Plus PC enviornment, however one which struggles to face out from the options.
- Acer Swift Edge 16: Acer’s Swift Edge 16’s low weight and good efficiency makes it a strong journey companion, although a small battery holds it again.
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is a wonderful Snapdragon X Elite-powered PC with an attractive show, lengthy battery life, and nice construct high quality. However you’re paying further for high-end Snapdragon X Elite {hardware} on the 16-inch mannequin, and it doesn’t ship the massive efficiency bump you may count on.
- Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1: The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 gives strong efficiency and a fantastic worth for anybody who wants a laptop computer to get work accomplished.
- MSI Raider 18 HX: The MSI Raider 18 HX boasts a humongous display screen in addition to all of the ports you can think about, however the windy roar of the followers mixed with the excessive price ticket could deter some of us.
How we examined
The PCWorld crew places each Home windows laptop computer via a collection of benchmarks that check GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and so forth. The concept is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which examine it in opposition to others we’ve examined. Chromebooks, then again, undergo a collection of web-based checks. It wouldn’t be honest or doable to run the identical sorts of checks on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines.
Under, you’ll discover a breakdown of every check and the the reason why we run them. For a a lot deeper take a look at our assessment methodology, take a look at how PCWorld checks laptops.
Home windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how properly the laptop computer handles lighter duties like net searching, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It principally measures how lengthy a laptop computer’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
- Cinebench: Cinebench is a short stress check of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a brief time period.
- 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D efficiency stays constant over time by operating graphic-intensive clips.
- Video rundown check: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Home windows 10’s Motion pictures & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
FAQ
What ought to I search for in a laptop computer for video enhancing?
The very first thing to search for in a laptop computer for video enhancing is its CPU and GPU. The quicker your {hardware}, the quicker your edits.
In case your workload is primarily CPU-driven, we’d advocate springing for the Intel Core i7 or the Intel Core i9. HX is designed for uncooked horsepower, which id deal for gaming and content material creation, and the Extremely is constructed round energy effectivity. For a extra in-depth take a look at the distinction between the 2 processors, we’ve accomplished a radical examine and distinction piece that actually lays all of it out. For these on a strict price range, you may get by with an Intel Core i5, nevertheless it’s going to be slower.
You most likely received’t want a devoted graphics card on a regular basis video enhancing, however in case you work on movement graphics, then the additional firepower actually turns out to be useful. For many video enhancing initiatives, we’d counsel the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or larger, although having any RTX GPU onboard may help speed up some particular workloads. For many who favor AMD over Nvidia, we’d advocate the AMD Radeon RX 7600S or larger. Except you’re trying to play AAA video games on the aspect, you don’t really want the perfect graphics card on the market. A mid-range GPU will serve most individuals.
One other factor to contemplate is storage measurement. A 4K video, for instance, would require extra space for storing than a 1080p video. In different phrases, you’re going to wish fairly a little bit of storage, in any other case your laptop computer may get too slowed down. For many who work with 4K decision, it is best to go for a minimum of 1TB of SSD or larger. You can most likely get by with simply 512GB of SSD storage, however you’ll most likely must hold offloading information onto an exterior storage machine.
RAM is vital too, because it determines how briskly your laptop computer will typically run. Video editors are likely to work with giant information, which might trigger your laptop computer to decelerate. That’s why we’d advocate a minimum of 16GB of RAM. Nonetheless, in case you’re enhancing 4K video, you’ll positively need 32GB of RAM or extra. Extra RAM reduces the chance of bottlenecks, which could be a actual ache within the neck whenever you’re in the course of an vital edit.
What sort of show ought to I get?
You’re going to need a show that’s each vibrant and colour correct. For instance, a show that’s near one hundred pc of the sRGB spectrum is good. Whereas a 4K show isn’t vital, we’d strongly advocate it for severe video enhancing. A excessive decision show will produce sharper photos, which helps cut back eye pressure, and mean you can edit 4K video at full decision. A bigger display screen like a 15- or 17-inch is preferable as properly, because it supplies higher visibility for enhancing.
What do the consultants advocate?
PCWorld video director Adam Patrick Murray stresses that an excellent laptop computer for video enhancing consists of an SD card reader for grabbing video off of a digicam. He additionally recommends choosing a pocket book with a 4K, 60Hz panel over the ultra-fast 1080p panels usually discovered on gaming laptops that may in any other case be superb for video enhancing. You want a 4K panel to edit 4K movies properly and blazing-fast refresh charges don’t imply something for video enhancing like they do for gaming. If colour accuracy issues to you—it may not in case you’re solely creating informal movies in your private YouTube channel, for instance—then help for the total DCI-P3 colour gamut can also be a should together with Delta E < 2 colour accuracy.
You received’t usually discover these kinds of specs listed for (or supported by) gaming laptops, however devoted content material creation laptops ought to embrace that data. That stated, if you would like the quickest doable laptop computer for video enhancing that may additionally fulfill your gaming proclivities, you possibly can at all times pair that burly gaming laptop computer with a color-accurate exterior monitor for creation duties.