Creating captivating and professional videos can be quite a heavy burden on any laptop. When searching for the perfect laptop for video editing, it’s essential to load up on the right hardware to ensure smooth and efficient editing. While opting for a gaming laptop may seem like a quick fix, serious video editors need to consider various factors such as display quality, port selection, and storage capacity to make an informed decision.
PCWorld, a trusted name in the tech industry since 1983, reviews over 70 notebooks annually to identify the best laptops for different needs and budgets. Our expert reviewers thoroughly evaluate each machine using performance benchmarks and strict usability standards. Being video editors ourselves, the results of our testing are showcased on PCWorld’s YouTube channel. Below are our top recommendations for laptops ideal for video editing, along with detailed buying advice and insights into our testing process.
If budget constraints or discounts are on your mind, you can also check out our daily roundup of the best laptop deals to score some savings on content creation laptops.
Updated as of August 28, 2024, we have replaced our Best Laptop for Video Editing with the Asus ProArt P16 ($2,299.99). This laptop stands out for its exceptional 4K OLED display and diverse connectivity options, making it an ideal choice for creative professionals and prosumers. We have also updated our recent laptop reviews list, so be sure to take a look at those towards the end of the page!
The Best Laptops for Video Editing
1. Asus ProArt P16 – Best Laptop for Video Editing
Pros:
- Big touchpad with virtual scroll wheel
- Gorgeous 4K OLED display
- Extensive connectivity options
- Good battery life
Cons: - Chassis lacks a remarkable look
- CPU performance falls slightly behind the best
- Can get hot under load
Price When Reviewed: $2,299.99
The Asus ProArt P16 is a top-tier choice for creative professionals and prosumers, boasting a stunning 4K OLED display and a range of connectivity options. With a large 16-inch screen offering incredible color and contrast, this laptop is perfect for editing high-resolution photos and videos. Featuring USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, an SD card reader, and an audio combo jack, this machine provides ample connectivity. Moreover, the impressive battery life of over nine hours ensures productivity on-the-go.
Ideal for serious content creators, the Asus ProArt P16 is tailored for professional use, despite its slightly boring look and tendency to heat up during demanding tasks. The sharpness and color accuracy of the 4K display make it worth considering, especially for those who prioritize high-quality visuals in their work.
Read our full Asus ProArt P16 review
2. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra – Best Laptop for Video Editing (if you don’t need 4K)
Pros:
- Fantastic battery life
- Solid GPU performance
- Outdoor-friendly OLED screen
- Great audio
- AI-powered Core Ultra inside
Cons: - Chargers keep getting bigger
- Still not a great keyboard
Price When Reviewed: $2999.99
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra offers powerful performance and a gorgeous OLED display suitable for video editing tasks. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra 9185H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, this laptop can handle intensive editing work with ease. The 16-inch OLED display delivers crisp images with rich colors, although not in 4K resolution. Expect a remarkable battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge, along with vibrant audio quality enhanced by Dolby Atmos.
This laptop is an excellent choice for users seeking a powerful, long-lasting device for video editing, especially if 4K editing is not a priority. While the mushy keyboard and bulky charger may not be ideal, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra excels in performance and display quality, providing a valuable video editing experience.
Alternative option: The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i ($1,699.99) is a noteworthy alternative with a sharper display and faster refresh rate compared to our current pick. Although it offers good performance, it falls short on battery life compared to the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra review
3. Asus ProArt PX13 – Best Ultraportable Laptop for Video Editing
Pros:
- Excellent multithreaded CPU performance
- Beautiful OLED display
- Discrete Nvidia GPU for creative tasks
- Lightweight design
Cons: - Lower battery life than a Snapdragon X laptop
- Fans can be loud
- No Copilot+ PC AI features at launch
Price When Reviewed: $1,699
The Asus ProArt PX13 stands out as a powerhouse for creative work, featuring the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. With a 13.4-inch 1880p OLED touchscreen display and stylus support, this ultraportable laptop offers exceptional performance in a lightweight form factor. Connectivity options abound, including various ports like USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, microSD reader, and more, making it a versatile choice for video editors always on-the-go.
This laptop caters to users in need of a portable creative workstation, providing robust performance without compromising on portability or display quality. With multiple connectivity options and a sleek design, the Asus ProArt PX13 offers a seamless video editing experience for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Read our full Asus ProArt PX13 review
4. Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing
Pros:
- All-day battery life
- Stunning display
- Durable build
Cons: - 720p webcam
- Soft keys
Price When Reviewed: $1,099.99
The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is an excellent budget-friendly option for video editing tasks, offering impressive performance and endurance on a lower price point. With a 1200p FHD 16-inch display delivering rich colors, powered by AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU and AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, this laptop ensures seamless editing experiences. Boasting a remarkable 11-hour battery life and durable construction, this device strikes a balance between affordability and performance, making it a practical choice for users seeking value in a video editing laptop.
Ideal for users looking for a cost-effective yet capable video editing laptop, the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition delivers quality display and performance without breaking the bank. While minor drawbacks like a soft keyboard and average webcam may affect user experience, the overall value and endurance of this laptop make it a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Alternative option: The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus ($1,199.99) offers enhanced display quality and longer battery life compared to our current pick, providing a compelling alternative for users willing to invest a bit more in their video editing device.
Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review
5. Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) – Best MacBook for Video Editing
Pros:
- Good performance
- 18GB of RAM
- Quiet operation
Cons: - Modest performance advantage over M2 Pro
Price When Reviewed: $1,999
The Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) is a powerhouse, boasting a 14-core GPU, 18GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, making it suitable for demanding video editing tasks. Featuring a stunning 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a high 3024×1964 resolution, this laptop offers a delightful editing experience with detailed visuals. Equipped with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for swift data transfer and a long-lasting battery, the MacBook Pro excels in both performance and endurance, making it an excellent choice for users within the Apple ecosystem.
Geared towards Apple enthusiasts, the MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) delivers impressive speed and display quality, ideal for photo and video editing work. With enhanced performance and striking display features, this laptop provides a seamless editing experience, complemented by a robust battery life for lasting productivity.
Alternative option: For users seeking a larger display, the MacBook Pro, M2 Pro, offers a bigger screen with a 19-core GPU and immersive visuals, making it a worthy alternative with exceptional performance and display quality.
Read our full Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 2023) review
Recent Laptop Reviews
- Acer Nitro 14: Great gaming performance at a reasonable price point, albeit with some compromises in other aspects.
- Dell XPS 13: A letdown, especially compared to other competitors, with limited improvement in performance despite a shift to Snapdragon, along with related compromises.
- Asus ProArt P16: Smart trade-offs result in a feature-rich laptop at a competitive price point.
- Asus Zenbook S 16: Attractive laptop with mediocre performance and high external temperatures during heavy use.
- HP Omnibook X: Effective laptop with impressive Snapdragon performance and long battery life, yet lacks standout features.
- HP Pavilion Laptop 16: A versatile option offering a large display, comfortable keyboard, and ample power for various applications.
How We Tested
At PCWorld, each Windows laptop undergoes rigorous benchmark testing to ensure comprehensive evaluations of GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and overall capabilities. Chromebooks, on the other hand, are tested using web-based assessments tailored to Chrome OS devices. Our testing methodologies aim to stress-test laptops and compare them against industry standards for performance and usability. For a detailed overview of our review process, explore our editorial on how PCWorld tests laptops.
In conclusion, choosing the right laptop for video editing involves considering key factors like CPU, GPU, storage, RAM, and display quality to ensure optimal performance and user experience. Those seeking expert recommendations can benefit from insights shared by PCWorld video director Adam Patrick Murray and our team, emphasizing essential features like SD card readers, high-resolution displays, and color accuracy for professional editing tasks. For users seeking a balance between gaming and editing capabilities, external monitors can complement gaming laptops for content creation purposes.
Selecting the ideal laptop for video editing depends on individual preferences, work requirements, and budget considerations. With a myriad of options available across different price ranges and features, finding the perfect video editing laptop tailored to your needs is within reach. Explore our top recommendations and reviews to make an informed decision and elevate your video editing experience to new heights!
Leave feedback about this