The best laptops for video editing: Breeze through edits with these powerhouses
Light, powerful and boasting beautiful displays, these are the best laptops for video editing available today.
Recent updates
December: We are testing the newly announced MacBook Pro M4 and expect it to be included in this list.
The best laptops for video editing are in high demand in 2024, and not just for professional video editors. Creatives of all kinds, from photographers to graphic designers, are increasingly being asked to edit video, while many others are making a living crafting their own content for YouTube and Vimeo. In all these cases, you'll want a laptop with a colour-accurate display, high brightness levels and a fast processor that can deal with the best video editing software (or if you're on a tight budget, the best free video editing software).
Our experts have put numerous laptops to the test, to help us compile this guide to the best laptops for video editing – something at the core of how we test laptops. Below you'll find our curated list of the top picks on the market today. And rest assured we don't recommend a laptop on here unless we've used and tested it ourselves. That goes for our list of the best monitors for video editing, as well. Alternatively, if you don't need a laptop specifically, check out our selection of the best video editing computers.
Quick list
Apple's most powerful laptop can be boosted even more by the new M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. It looks gorgeous, too, and boasts a large 16.2-inch display that's ideal for video editing. Plus, it offers 22 hours of battery life, a fantastic keyboard and trackpad, and tons of storage.
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This lightweight laptop is more than capable of delivering a good video editing experience and has a roomy 16:10 display supporting the P3 wide colour gamut. Plus, with the M3 just out, this M2 model can be found regularly for under $1,100; an absolute steal for this calibre of tech.
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Prefer to Windows to Mac? We believe the ASUS ProArt P16 is the best choice around. Boasting powerful processors, our reviewer found it handles even the most demanding video editing tasks with ease. Plus the laptop's 4K OLED touchscreen is a game-changer.
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Like to get value? The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED offers exceptional value, delivering performance and display quality that compete with more expensive options. For video editors seeking a powerful, versatile laptop without breaking the bank, it's a compelling choice.
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With its versatile form factor, this 2-in-1 laptop is great for multi-faceted creatives; especially those who might want to do some digital artwork, thanks to its easel mode. Its performance is very decent too, and the touchscreen is useful for video editors who want to work directly on the display.
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Need raw power for both gaming and professional video editing? Acer Predator Helios 18 is a great choice. Powered by NVIDIA’s RTX 4090, it's perfect for rendering large 3D projects, 4K video exports, and complex animations, providing desktop-level performance in a portable (albeit heavy) form factor.
Read more below
The best Apple laptop for video editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need maximum performance: Even if you're working with huge, 8K files, this will be fast and responsive.
✅ You're want a high-end display: This beautiful screen will display your videos in crystal clear definition, and at a peak brightness of 1,600 nits for HDR work.
❌ You don't need all that power: For light or occasional video editing, this laptop may be overkill.
❌ You're short of cash: This is pretty expensive.
🔎 MacBook Pro M3 Pro is the most capable laptop at video editing today. Even the basic version will handle the most demanding of video editing tasks with ease, and the screen is excellent, too. ★★★★½
What you need to know: This is our top pick of video editing laptops overall. Why? Quite simply, the amount of power Apple manages to pack into this laptop is astonishing; perfect for all the video editing processing-hungry apps you'd wish to use on it. The straightforward M3 is capable of working through a DaVinci Resolve or Adobe After Effects workflow, while if you're a professional who is dealing with a super demanding workload, the M3 Pro or M3 Max chips are exceptional at dealing with demanding jobs.
Display: Another reason this laptop is perfect for video editors is the MacBook Pro’s gorgeous display. It’s large and spacious at 16.2 inches across and comes loaded with Apple’s mini-LED panel that provides super-accurate colours and deep blacks. When testing it, we also appreciated the brightness that the display achieves, which is essential for accurate editing.
Performance: This MacBook delivers exceptional performance, making it an excellent choice for power users in video editing. In our tests we got results in both CPU and GPU tasks. It handled high-polygon scenes and heavy video editing (even 8K and multicam timelines) smoothly, outperforming even some powerful desktop setups. Additionally, the M3 Max allows seamless multitasking, with no issues running numerous browser tabs, media, and background rendering simultaneously.
Battery life: Our reviewer found this MacBook's battery life to be impressive. We got an impressive 10 hours whilst using Cinema 4D to complete a heavy project, which is double the battery life of the Asus ProArt Studiobook.
Price: Starting at $1,499/£1,499 for the base model, the MacBook Pro M3 is expensive, but we reckon it offers good value given the premium specs you're getting. Bear in mind, though, that you'll need to pay more if you want the maximum power of the M3 Max chip.
Read more: MacBook Pro M3 review | MacBook Pro M3 Max review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Expensive, but you get your money's worth | ★★★★ |
| Design | Sleek and attractive | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Plenty of power for video editing | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | All day battery life | ★★★★★ |
Best value Apple for video editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need portability: At just 2.7 pounds and 11mm thick, this is perfect for editing on the go.
✅ You want great battery life: With over 16 hours of battery life, you can edit all day without power.
❌ You do intensive video editing: The lack of active cooling means performance can throttle.
❌ You need lots of ports: With just two Thunderbolt ports, you'll likely need dongles.
🔎 MacBook Air M2 offers impressive performance in an ultra-portable package, making it ideal for mobile video editing, though it may struggle with more demanding workflows. ★★★★
What you need to know: Things changed drastically with in 2020 when Apple started making its own processor, which it called the M1 chip. With its successor the M2, even the MacBook Air because suitable for lightweight to moderate video-editing tasks. And because it's cheaper than the MacBook Pro, that makes it a great choice for novices and enthusiasts who want a capable laptop.
Design: The MacBook Pro retains Apple's premium unibody aluminum design, available in Space Black and Silver finishes.At 16.2 inches, it strikes an excellent balance between portability and screen real estate, though at 4.7 pounds (2.2kg) it's noticeably heavier than lighter alternatives.
Connectivity: The port selection is comprehensive by Apple standards, marking a welcome return to professional-grade connectivity. The laptop features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, delivering blazing-fast 40Gbps data transfer speeds and support for multiple external displays. The dedicated HDMI 2.1 port supports 8K external displays at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz. You also get an SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Design: The M2 MacBook Air represents a major redesign from its predecessor, abandoning the iconic wedge shape for a uniformly thin profile that's just 11mm thick. Available in four colours (Space Gray, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight Blue), it sports a modern, minimalist aesthetic that's both professional and attractive.
Connectivity: Port selection is minimal but functional, featuring two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and a MagSafe 3 charging connection. The return of MagSafe charging is particularly welcome as it frees up both Thunderbolt ports for peripherals. The 3.5mm headphone jack supports high-impedance headphones, useful for audio monitoring. However, the lack of an SD card reader or HDMI port means video editors will likely need dongles or a hub for their workflow. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 provide solid wireless connectivity options.
Display: The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is large and bright, offering 500 nits of brightness and support for one billion colours. This makes it excellent for colour-accurate video editing work, though it lacks the mini-LED technology found in the MacBook Pro models.
Performance: In our tests the M2 chip delivered impressive performance for video editing tasks, handling 4K video editing smoothly in apps like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. However, the fanless design means sustained intensive workloads can lead to thermal throttling, which may affect rendering times for longer projects.
Battery life: In our battery benchmark test, where we ran a looped 1080p video until the battery dies, the MacBook Air (M2, 2022 lasted for just over 16 hours – a seriously impressive feat. This means you can confidently edit videos all day without needing to stay near a power outlet.
Price: Starting at $1,199/£1,249, it's more expensive than the previous M1 model but offers better value than the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2, especially considering its larger, brighter display and more modern design.
Read more: Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Great value | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Stylish and very portable | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Strong for most tasks, but can throttle | ★★★★ |
| Battery life | Exceptional longevity | ★★★★★ |
Best Windows laptop for video editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want top-tier performance: This rivals and sometimes outperforms the MacBook Pro M3 Max.
✅ You prefer Windows: It's the perfect alternative to MacBook Pro for Windows users.
❌ You need high refresh rates: The screen is limited to 60Hz, which isn't great for gaming.
❌ You want a sleek design: The utilitarian look won't win beauty contests.
🔎 ASUS ProArt P16 delivers powerhouse performance that competes with top-tier MacBooks, with a gorgeous 4K OLED touchscreen and great connectivity options. ★★★★★
What you need to know: Prefer to Windows to Mac? The ASUS ProArt P16 is the best choice around. Boasting the powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, our reviewer found it handles even the most demanding video editing tasks with ease. And the 4K OLED touchscreen offers incredible colour accuracy and sharpness, making it perfect for precision editing.
Another thing that sets the ProArt P16 apart is its integration of AI capabilities. The AMD XDNA NPU enhances workflow efficiency and extends battery life, addressing a common weakness in Windows laptops. Meanwhile the ProArt Creator Hub, features AI-powered tools like StoryCube and MuseTree.
Design: The ProArt P16 prioritizes function over form with a robust black chassis that's relatively thick but surprisingly light at 1.85kg. While not the most visually striking laptop, its build quality is excellent, with a sturdy hinge and premium materials throughout. The standout design feature is the innovative ASUS Dial integrated into the touchpad, offering intuitive control for creative applications.
Connectivity: Port selection is a major strength, offering a comprehensive array of connections that professional video editors will appreciate. The laptop includes two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and a USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C port for high-speed data transfer. The HDMI 2.1 port supports high-refresh external displays, while the SD Express 7.0 card reader is perfect for importing footage directly from cameras. The combination of ports means most video editors won't need additional adapters or hubs. The laptop also features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for modern wireless connectivity standards.
Display: The 16-inch 4K OLED touchscreen is a standout feature, offering 100% P3 colour coverage and excellent brightness levels up to 400 nits. The touch functionality adds versatility for video editors who prefer hands-on control, though the screen does tend to attract fingerprints.
Performance: This laptop rivalled or exceeded the MacBook Pro M3 Max in many off our tests, particularly in Digital Content Creation scores. The combination of AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, RTX 4070 GPU, and up to 64GB of RAM handles complex video editing tasks with ease, including 4K editing and heavy effects work.
Battery life: Battery performance has improved significantly, achieving over 10 hours in video playback tests. While not quite matching MacBook levels, it's a substantial improvement for Windows laptops in this category.
Price: Starting at $2,699/£2,599, this laptop offers strong value considering its performance rivals more expensive MacBook Pro models. The price includes professional-grade features like the ASUS Dial for intuitive timeline scrubbing and the ProArt Creator Hub with AI-powered tools.
Read more: ASUS ProArt P16 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | High but justified for the performance | ★★★★ |
| Design | Functional but uninspiring | ★★★ |
| Performance | Exceptional power for video editing | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Good for a Windows laptop | ★★★★ |
Best value Windows laptop for video editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need professional editing features on a budget: It delivers excellent value for serious video work.
✅ You work with multiple editing software: It handles both Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve well.
❌ You frequently edit 8K footage: The 16GB RAM might be limiting for heavy projects.
❌ You need Apple ProRes workflows: Consider a MacBook for better ProRes performance.
🔎 ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (2024) offers professional-grade editing capabilities at a compelling price point, with particularly strong performance in GPU-accelerated tasks and colour-critical work. ★★★★½
What you need to know: The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (2024) delivers serious video editing power at a mid-range price point. In our real-world testing, the combination of Intel's new 14th-gen Core Ultra 7 155H processor (with NPU) and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU handled 4K timelines smoothly in Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. The 3K OLED display offers exceptional colour accuracy with 100% DCI-P3 coverage and Pantone validation, crucial for colour grading work. At 617 nits peak brightness, it's bright enough for HDR content review.
Video editors will appreciate the NPU-enhanced processing, which noticeably improves rendering times and playback performance. Our testing showed a 4K to 1080p transcode completing in just 4 minutes and 36 seconds for an 11-minute clip, competitive with laptops costing significantly more.
Design: The 1.8kg weight makes it practical for on-location editing, while the 180-degree hinge is useful for client review sessions. The keyboard includes a numpad for efficient timeline navigation and quick input of timecode values. The ASUS DialPad integrated into the touchpad provides intuitive timeline scrubbing and parameter adjustment in major editing applications.
Connectivity: The port selection is editor-friendly, featuring Thunderbolt 4 for fast external drive access, HDMI 2.1 for external monitoring, and an SD 4.0 card reader for direct camera media import. The inclusion of both USB-C and USB-A ports means you can connect both modern and legacy devices without adapters.
Display: The 15-inch 2880x1620 OLED screen delivers true blacks essential for evaluating contrast in your edits. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth playback at both 24fps and 60fps content. While the resolution isn't full 4K, the pixel density is sufficient for detailed work, and the colour accuracy is exceptional with infinite contrast ratio for precise shadow detail evaluation.
Performance: Our benchmarks revealed strong video editing capabilities with a PCMark 10 Digital Content Creation score of 9,496. The RTX 4060 GPU accelerates effects rendering and export times in Adobe Creative Suite and DaVinci Resolve. With 16GB RAM, you can work comfortably with 4K footage, though complex multicam projects might benefit from an upgrade.
Battery life: While you'll want to be plugged in for intensive editing, the battery life is adequate for review sessions and basic cuts. The 125W power brick ensures full performance during rendering and export tasks.
Price: At $1,599/£1,599, it's significantly more affordable than comparable MacBooks while delivering professional-grade editing capabilities.
Read more: Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (2024) review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lots of power for the price | ★★★★ |
| Design | Editor-friendly layout | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Strong render/export times | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Adequate for basic editing | ★★★ |
Best 2-in-1
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You combine video editing with motion graphics: The touch display and pen support excel here.
✅ You need a versatile review station: The multiple viewing modes are perfect for client sessions.
❌ Video editing is your only task: Better performance exists at this price point.
❌ You need long battery life: The short battery life limits portable editing.
🔎 Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a jack-of-all-trades device that sacrifices raw video editing performance for versatility. However, its innovative design and touch capabilities shine for mixed creative work, such as motion graphics and video editing. ★★★★
What you need to know: A 2-in-1 laptop lets you switch between video editing on a laptop to tweaking your timelines as if you were on a tablet. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels at this use case, and you’ll love how seamless it is to shift from one form factor to another. It’s a respectable performer when it comes to video editing, and while there are more powerful options out there, few have the flexibility and portability you get with this.
Design: The innovative triple-mode design is beautifully engineered, letting you switch between traditional laptop mode for editing, stage mode for client reviews, and studio mode for hands-on work with motion graphics. At slightly over 4 pounds, it's a bit heavy for a portable editing station, but the build quality is excellent with a robust aluminum chassis.
Connectivity: Port selection is adequate but not exceptional for video work. You'll likely need dongles for connecting multiple external drives or monitors. The integrated SD card reader is a welcome addition for importing footage.
Display: The 14.4-inch touch display is a standout feature with its 120Hz refresh rate ensuring smooth playback of 24fps, 30fps, and 60fps content. The 201 PPI density and 3:2 aspect ratio provide ample workspace for timeline editing. While not true 4K, the resolution is sufficient for most editing tasks, and the touch capability adds versatility for motion graphics work.
Performance: Our benchmarks revealed modest video editing capabilities, with Geekbench multi-core scores of 6008; significantly lower than the M3 MacBook Pro's 20,000+ score. The NVIDIA RTX options (4050 or 4060 depending on configuration) provide decent GPU acceleration for effects and exports, though thermal throttling can impact sustained performance.
Battery life: Despite Microsoft's 16-hour claim, our testing showed much shorter durations; losing 75% charge in just five hours of moderate use. For video editing, you'll definitely want to stay plugged in.
Price: Starting at $1,999/£2,069, with our recommended configuration (32GB RAM, RTX GPU) pushing close to $3,000/£3,000, making it a significant investment. In short, you should only buy this if you really like the 2-in-1 format.
Read more: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium pricing for moderate performance | ★★★ |
| Design | Innovative hybrid form factor | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Adequate but not class-leading | ★★★ |
| Battery life | Below average | ★★★ |
Best gaming laptop
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need a powerhouse for video editing: The Helios 18’s specs deliver exceptional performance for 4K editing and effects.
✅ You appreciate high-refresh-rate displays: The 250Hz screen adds fluidity for video preview and playback.
❌ Portability is a priority: This laptop is heavy and designed primarily as a desktop replacement.
❌ Budget is a concern: There are less expensive options if gaming performance isn’t a priority.
🔎 Acer Predator Helios 18 is a cutting-edge gaming laptop that doubles as a powerful tool for video editors, delivering incredible processing power with a stunning, high-refresh-rate display. ★★★★½
What you need to know: Gamers and video editors alike will appreciate the Acer Predator Helios 18, a powerful desktop replacement equipped with the Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. Our reviewers found it effortlessly handles high-resolution video editing and demanding effects work, often outperforming other creative laptops. With an 18-inch WQXGA IPS mini-LED display offering 100% P3 colour coverage, this laptop ensures accurate colour representation for precise editing. The 250Hz refresh rate also makes it a viable option for both gaming and creative workflows, giving it a unique edge in the video editing space.
Design: The Predator Helios 18’s large black chassis is designed for stability, with RGB lighting on the keyboard and subtle light accents that can be adjusted or turned off. Weighing 3.25kg, it's heavier than most laptops, but this bulk allows for excellent cooling, ensuring stable performance during intensive video editing or gaming sessions. The machine's sturdy build, full-sized keyboard and spacious trackpad make it well-suited to extended editing sessions.
Connectivity: Port variety is a strong suit, with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (DisplayPort-enabled), and HDMI. The rear-mounted power and HDMI ports offer a convenient setup for desk use, and Wi-Fi 7 ensures blazing-fast connectivity, keeping you prepared for remote workflows. Although missing USB 4.0 or Thunderbolt support, the USB-C and HDMI options accommodate most external devices and displays.
Display: The 18-inch WQXGA IPS display with a 250Hz refresh rate is an impressive feature, providing smooth visuals and accurate colours that are ideal for both video editing and gaming. Its 16:10 aspect ratio offers more vertical screen space, beneficial for viewing timelines and detailed editing. The mini-LED screen is a viable choice for creatives, though editors working in HDR might consider an external 4K monitor for optimal performance.
Performance: The Helios 18's Intel Core i9 CPU, RTX 4090 GPU, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM (upgradeable to 64GB) make it a powerhouse for video editing tasks. In our tests, it excelled at 4K editing and effects-heavy projects, and rendered high-resolution clips at remarkable speeds. The powerful cooling system keeps the device cool even under intense workloads, although the fans can get noisy during peak performance.
Battery life: Battery life is average for a gaming laptop, lasting approximately 4.5 hours during moderate usage, and depleting faster under heavy editing or gaming. It’s ideal as a desktop replacement rather than a portable workstation.
Price: Starting at $3,099/£3,599, the Acer Predator Helios 18 is priced in line with the top-tier MacBook Pro models. Its high price point is justified by the cutting-edge GPU and robust performance, making it an investment for serious video editors and gamers alike.
Read more: Acer Predator Helios 18 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Expensive but premium value | ★★★★ |
| Design | Bold and functional | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Unmatched for heavy video editing and gaming | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Average | ★★★ |
Best dual-screen
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want an innovative dual-screen setup: Ideal for multitasking and a unique editing workflow.
✅ You prioritise display quality: Both OLED screens are bright and colour-accurate.
❌ You need a budget-friendly option: This is a premium laptop with a high price tag.
❌ You prefer single-screen setups: The Duo’s appeal lies in its dual-display flexibility.
🔎 ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 2024 redefines portable workstations for video editing, combining an advanced dual-screen design with powerful performance and rich OLED visuals. ★★★★★
What you need to know: Want to maximize screen space without lugging an extra monitor? The ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 2024 features two 14-inch OLED touchscreens, allowing editors to preview content on one screen while editing on the other. With a powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU and Intel Arc Graphics, it delivers impressive performance that keeps up with demanding video editing tasks.
Design: The Zenbook Duo OLED opens like a traditional laptop but includes a secondary display directly above the keyboard. This unique form factor allows for an expansive, ergonomic workspace, and the keyboard is detachable, enabling more flexible screen setups. Its compact build, at 1.65kg and 1.46cm thin, makes it very portable for a dual-screen device.
Connectivity: With two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and Wi-Fi 6E, this laptop offers robust connectivity for data transfer, external displays, and quick network speeds. The port selection is ideal for video editors who frequently connect peripherals and external drives.
Display: The standout feature is the dual 120Hz OLED touchscreens, both at 14 inches with 2880x1800 resolution. Both provide deep contrasts and vivid colours that give life to video projects, with excellent clarity and sharpness. The secondary screen is easily adjustable for seamless multitasking, making it a game-changer for editors who like to organize timelines and assets across multiple windows.
Performance: Packed with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, the Zenbook Duo OLED handles heavy editing tasks and multitasking effortlessly. It performs well across major video editing software, with scores rivaling many top-tier laptops, including the MacBook Pro M2 Max in certain tasks. The Ultra 9 processor and Intel Arc Graphics work smoothly together, even for 4K editing and rendering.
Battery life: While the dual screens can drain the battery more quickly, it still achieves over 12 hours with moderate use on a single screen and close to 8 hours with both screens active. Though best near a charger when using both displays, it's highly usable on the go when configured as a single-screen setup.
Price: Starting at $1,999/£1,699, the Zenbook Duo OLED is a premium investment. However, for video editors who crave screen real estate and a sleek, powerful system, it’s worth every penny.
Read more: Asus Zenbook Duo OLED review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium dual-screen experience | ★★★★ |
| Design | Innovative, versatile form factor | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Great for 4K and multitasking | ★★★★ |
| Battery life | Impressive for dual-screen setup | ★★★★ |
Best workstation
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You need extreme power: This laptop will handle anything, from 4K+ video editing to 3D rendering.
✅ You like a touchscreen: Some creative applications work better with a stylus for direct interaction.
❌ You need extended battery life: This isn’t made for all-day unplugged use.
❌ You want a highly portable laptop: This one is built for power, not light travel.
🔎 MSI Creator Z17 is one of the most powerful video editing laptops available, with high-end specs, excellent connectivity, and a vivid display. ★★★★
What you need to know: If you’re looking for unmatched power in a Windows laptop, the MSI Creator Z17 is a stellar choice for professional video editors. It houses an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, capable of handling the most demanding video tasks without a hitch. Its 17-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) touchscreen is IPS, providing vibrant colour accuracy with 100% DCI-P3 coverage and 165Hz refresh rate.
Design: The Creator Z17 has a robust and sophisticated design, constructed with a milled aluminum chassis in Lunar Grey. At 2.49kg, it’s heavier than most, but the build quality is exceptional. The keyboard offers per-key RGB lighting via the SteelSeries Engine, with a numpad included, making it versatile for creative workflows. A responsive trackpad and a unique design make it clear this laptop is made with creatives in mind.
Connectivity: Port selection is impressive for a mobile workstation. Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, an HDMI 2.1 output, and an SD card reader allow seamless connectivity with high-speed data transfer and 8K external display support. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 complete the package for modern wireless connectivity.
Display: The 17-inch QHD+ IPS touchscreen is not only large but also supports the MSI Pen for direct drawing and editing, offering 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The display offers vibrant colours and high brightness, making it ideal for precision work and supporting both touch and stylus input.
Performance: With the Intel Core i9-12900H, RTX 3080 Ti GPU, and up to 64GB of RAM, the Creator Z17 can handle anything from complex 4K editing to rendering large effects. Performance benchmarks are high, rivaling even Apple’s M2 MacBook Pro in several tests. However, this powerhouse requires a cooling system with three fans and five heat pipes, so expect noticeable fan noise during heavy use.
Battery life: Battery performance is the Creator Z17’s biggest drawback. The 90WHr battery lasts about 3.5 hours under a light workload, meaning frequent charging is necessary, especially during intensive video editing sessions.
Price: Starting at $3,049/£2,699, the MSI Creator Z17 is an investment, but its unparalleled power and features make it worthwhile for those needing top-tier performance.
Read more: MSI Creator Z17 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | High-end but justified for power users | ★★★★ |
| Design | Heavy but durable | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Outstanding in all creative tasks | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | Falls short for extended mobility | ★★★★ |
Also tested
The options above are our top choices for video editing laptops, but there are other laptops out there that are worthy of your attention.
We plan to be constantly adding to and updating the list below, which features other laptops we've tested and picks that you should feel confident in using in your video-editing work. So if none of the above quite do it for you, all hope isn't lost: you might just find your future workmate below.
Asus ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604)
This laptop is packed with powerful components making it a strong choice for video editing. Our reviewer loved we loved the gorgeous, bright and sharp OLED screen, and there's also a dial above the top of the trackpad, which is customisable so you could use it, for example, to scrub through a timeline.
Read our 4.5-star review
Dell Precision 5470
Not every great video-editing laptop is a chunky, heavy beast with enormous fans and RGB lights sparkling everywhere you look. In our testing, this understated computer held up to all manner of tasks absolutely admirably, giving you exceptional performance and long-lasting battery life when video editing.
Read our 4.5-star review
Framework - Great modular laptop
Framework is a unique laptop in that you can hot-swap components in and out depending on your requirements, which makes it uniquely useful to video editors who need to multitask. Add to it the compact, easy-to-carry design, and you've got yourself a very useful video-editing workmate.
Read our 4.5-star review.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 - Budget option for Windows users
The ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 is a great multi-purpose laptop for creatives, including students in design-related industries, with the OLED screen complementing any video work perfectly. It has plenty of processing power, and the dedicated GPU keeps all visual tasks running smoothly. It's not got the best battery life, but that's a small price to pay.
Read our 4.5-star review.
MSI Raider GE78 HX - Powerful gaming laptop
If you play a lot of games as well as working as a video editor, the MSI Raider GE78 HX is another good choice. With a an Intel Core i9 processor and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, it delivers blistering performance for speedy editing and buttery-smooth gaming. The cooling fan is noisy, though, so you may need to wear headphones.
Read our 4-star review.
FAQs
Do I need a dedicated graphics card for video editing?
For regular video editing, a dedicated graphics card isn’t strictly necessary, but if you’re looking to do more professional video editing and rendering complex graphical effects, then a laptop with a dedicated GPU could be a good investment. “Investment” is a key word here, as laptops with dedicated graphics cards are often far more expensive, so you’ll want to make sure that you actually need that kind of power before you put down any money.
Some laptops containing Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics cards can run Nvidia Studio drivers, which are specialised drivers that use AI to boost performance across a wide range of different creative applications. These GPUs are typically on the pricey side, so any laptops with the latest Nvidia hardware is likely to be more expensive than something with an older GTX series card or those running with integrated graphics (ie, graphics processors that are built into the CPU).
When it comes to MacBooks, they no longer come with a dedicated GPU. Instead, the company’s M-series chips have powerful integrated GPUs that work brilliantly and are more than capable of running all the popular video-editing applications.
Are laptops for video editing expensive?
Because of their combination of powerful hardware and slimline designs, many of the best laptops for video editing can also be pretty expensive. However, you can still find a great video-editing laptop without breaking the bank. You might be confined to editing lower-resolution footage or may have to put up with longer rendering times, but for many people that will be absolutely fine.
You may notice from the list above that quite a few companies that specialise in gaming laptops, like Alienware and Razer, also make laptops designed for creative professionals. These laptops use the same powerful hardware you’d find in a high-end gaming device, but without some of the game-centric features (and garish designs). Most importantly of all, they include powerful graphics cards that can drastically cut the time it takes to edit and render videos.
With lashings of CPU and graphics power, they’ll chew through the best digital art software and encode videos faster than any standard laptop, and you’ll find them included in this list as well. Whether you’re a Mac fan or a Windows wizard, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a laptop for other uses as well, see our roundups of the best laptops for programming and the best laptops for music production.
Should I buy a MacBook or Windows laptop for video editing?
When looking to the best laptop for video editing, one of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is whether to get a MacBook or a laptop that runs Windows.
Part of this is down to individual taste. If you’re used to using the Windows operating system, you may find that macOS (which is what MacBooks run on) is a bit confusing with how things are done – and vice-versa.
However, both Windows and macOS offer broadly the same video-editing software packages. However, the popular Final Cut Pro app is only available on macOS.
MacBooks are very popular among video editors thanks to their powerful performance and stylish designs, but in recent years Windows laptops, such as the Dell XPS line, can easily match Apple’s laptops in both style and substance.
Windows laptops also benefit from being made by a large range of manufacturers, so if you don’t like the design of a certain brand’s laptop, you could always go for another. With MacBooks, only Apple makes them, so if you want a MacBook but don’t like Apple’s style, then you’re out of luck.
You can choose Windows for video editing, but many video editors use Apple computers. Some Apple laptops (such as the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air) offer a fanless design, and all come with native support for Apple’s Final Cut Pro video-editing app. All of Apple’s latest laptops come with the company’s own M-series chips, and the flagship designs (like the M2 Max) offer exceptional video-editing performance, even at ultra-high resolutions like 8K.
How we test video editing laptops
Creative Bloq's team of hardware experts bring with them many years of experience using, testing and benchmarking laptops with a focus on running creative applications. All the laptops in this guide have been tested either by using software used by video editors or benchmarked to ensure the CPU and GPU are capable of pro-level video-editing jobs. We run different benchmark tests on each device depending on its intended use by its maker, but the laptops we've included in this guide have all been run through the following:
• Cinebench R23/2024 - this assesses the performance of a computer's CPU and GPU using real-world 3D rendering tasks
• Geekbench 5/6 - this tests the CPU's processing power, both by using a single core for a single task at a time as well as all the CPU's core to see its ability to multitask
• Handbrake - we use this free and open-source transcoder for digital video files to render a short 4K animated film, using the same file for all our tests
• 3DMark - this assesses a computer's ability to run graphic rendering tasks, which is necessary for video editors
• PCMark 10 - this test assesses a computer’s ability to run all everyday tasks from web browsing to digital content creation, testing app launch speeds, video playback and loading, and even battery life
But perhaps more importantly than technical benchmarking, we evaluate machines in real-world situations, pushing them to the limit with multiple applications running to see how they perform in real project-like conditions. Power, speed, flexibility, and what a computer looks and feels like to use are all criteria in our reviewing process.
We do much more than simply unpack a test unit, run some benchmarks and then pack it up again; we have lived and worked with all of the above computers, running them in real-life scenarios and completed projects relevant to the subject of this guide, otherwise we wouldn't recommend these models to you.
For more details, see our article on How we test.
How to choose the best video editing laptop
What makes a great laptop for video editing? First, you need power. Video editing, especially when working with ultra-high-resolution footage, can be demanding, so you’ll want a laptop with plenty of RAM (at least 8GB, although 16GB is advisable). You’ll also want a modern processor, either from Intel or AMD, or if you’re after a MacBook, Apple’s own M-series chips have proved to be awesome hardware for video editing.
Video editors will also want a laptop with plenty of fast SSD storage because video files can be very large. Even if you’re using external storage solutions, you’ll want something that can open up your files quickly, or allow you to move them between the laptop and a backup drive, for example.
In most cases, you'll also want a dedicated graphics card, especially if you're using professional software, creating visual effects, or using AI-boosted applications. Nvidia and AMD are great options here. That said, Apple has developed its own silicon that has integrated graphics that are very powerful and efficient, particularly in the M Pro and Max chips, which have been optimised for greater efficiency in video work.
The best video-editing laptops will also come with high-resolution screens so you can comfortably work on them, and they will display your footage with accurate colours. Some of the laptops on this list will actually come with professionally calibrated screens to ensure your footage looks its very best.
High-quality built-in speakers are also a great bonus, as the soundtrack to your videos is just as important as the footage itself. Having great speakers lets you listen and edit your video’s soundtrack without needing to invest in external speakers (although the chances are you will want to).
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Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Ecommerce Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, phones, laptops, TVs, monitors and various types of storage, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most.
