5 Best Laptop For Video Editing

The 5 best laptop for video editing

How to choose the best video editing laptop

When it comes to choosing the 5 best laptop for video editing in 2025 and beyond, creators, filmmakers, and content professionals are met with a wider array of high-performance machines than ever before. Whether you’re slicing 4K footage in Adobe Premiere Pro, color grading in DaVinci Resolve, or working through timeline edits in Final Cut Pro, the right laptop can make a night-and-day difference in your workflow. In the upper echelon of performance, the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch featuring the M3 Max chip is arguably the best laptop for video editing overall, especially for those working within the Apple ecosystem. This powerhouse offers a seamless combination of performance, battery life, and display quality. Its M3 Max chip, configurable up to 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores, effortlessly handles multi-stream 4K and 8K timelines, while the Liquid Retina XDR display with its industry-leading color accuracy makes it ideal for color grading and HDR workflows. The unified memory architecture (up to 128GB) ensures that even massive project files can be handled with zero lag, and thanks to macOS optimization, software like Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Premiere Pro run incredibly efficiently. For those who prefer the flexibility and customization of a Windows machine, the Dell XPS 17 (2024) edition is another top-tier contender. With Intel’s 14th Gen Core i9-14900H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it provides tremendous editing capabilities that rival desktop-level performance. Its 17-inch 4K UHD+ display with 100% AdobeRGB coverage delivers vivid color accuracy, essential for professional editing. It’s slightly heavier than other models, but for editors who value screen real estate and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of portability, it’s a stellar option.

The 5 best laptop for video editing formidable Windows-based editing machine is the MSI Creator Z17 HX Studio. This laptop is crafted specifically for creators and professionals, with specs that include an Intel Core i9-14900HX and up to an RTX 4080 GPU. What sets this machine apart is its compatibility with NVIDIA Studio Drivers, which are designed to improve performance and stability across creative software like After Effects, Resolve, and Blender. The laptop supports up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and offers lightning-fast SSD storage, making it perfect for handling large, high-resolution files. MSI also ensures the display meets color grading standards with a QHD+ or 4K resolution screen and nearly full DCI-P3 coverage. It’s a dream machine for creative professionals who need both performance and precision. However, if portability and compact power are priorities, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 might be the best mid-range solution. Packed with AMD’s latest Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU, this slim 14-inch laptop punches above its weight class. It’s not only lightweight and travel-friendly, but it also features a stunning OLED QHD+ display with Pantone validation, making it perfect for mobile creators who still demand professional quality visuals. Its balance of power and portability, combined with solid battery life and good thermals, makes it one of the most practical laptops for YouTubers and editors working on the go.

One of the best laptop for video editing isApple also continues to dominate the mid-tier market with the MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro, which is a slightly scaled-down version of the 16-inch variant. It offers many of the same benefits—stunning display, excellent battery life, and smooth performance—at a more accessible price point. It’s ideal for creators who need Apple’s ecosystem but don’t require the extreme horsepower of the M3 Max. For Adobe Premiere Pro users and cross-platform editors, the ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED is a surprisingly capable budget-friendly option. It offers excellent editing performance thanks to Ryzen 7 or Intel i7 CPUs, and either NVIDIA RTX 3050 or Intel Arc GPUs, along with a gorgeous 100% DCI-P3 OLED screen. While it won’t compete with premium-tier laptops on raw power, it’s more than enough for 1080p and light 4K video editing. Combined with its sub-$1000 price tag, it’s a strong value for students or beginners. Similarly, the Acer Swift X 14 featuring the new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and an RTX 4050 GPU is another compelling choice in the affordable performance category. With a clean, minimalist design and surprisingly robust thermal management, this lightweight laptop can handle medium-complexity projects in Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Resolve without issue. For creators who need AI-acceleration or use tools like Topaz Video Enhance AI, the Intel AI-accelerated cores and RTX GPU in the Swift X 14 give it an edge.

Looking beyond pure performance, there are other critical factors to consider when choosing a laptop for video editing. Display quality is paramount—look for machines that offer at least 100% sRGB or preferably DCI-P3 color accuracy, especially if you’re working on color-critical tasks. OLED and mini-LED displays are increasingly common, and they provide deeper contrast and better HDR performance, which is vital for modern video workflows. Thermal performance and fan noise also matter, particularly if you’re editing in a quiet studio or shared workspace. Laptops like the MacBook Pro and ASUS ROG Zephyrus series are well-known for their optimized thermals and silent cooling systems. Battery life is also key for mobile creators; while most high-end Windows laptops typically deliver 4–6 hours of heavy use, Apple’s M-series laptops routinely stretch past the 10-hour mark during video playback or moderate editing.

Ultimately, the best laptop for video editing depends on your specific workflow, budget, and software preference. Professionals working with 6K or 8K RAW footage, or those in color grading-heavy environments, will benefit most from high-end models like the MacBook Pro M3 Max, Dell XPS 17, or MSI Creator Z17 HX Studio. Mobile creators or YouTubers on the move will find excellent balance and value in the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or MacBook Pro 14 M3 Pro. And for those just getting started or editing on a budget, the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED and Acer Swift X 14 offer surprisingly good value without compromising on essential editing capabilities. As software continues to leverage AI acceleration, multi-core processing, and GPU-based rendering, investing in a laptop that offers a blend of future-proofing and raw editing power is more important than ever. In this fast-paced digital world, where content is king and speed is everything, choosing the right laptop can empower editors to create faster, collaborate better, and push their creativity to the next level.

🔥 Top-Tier (Professional Editing – 4K/8K, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro)

💻 Apple MacBook Pro 16″ (M3 Max)

• CPU/GPU: Apple M3 Max (up to 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU)
• RAM: Up to 128GB unified memory
• Display: 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR
• Battery: Excellent
• Why: Insanely fast rendering, optimized for Final Cut Pro & DaVinci Resolve, best display on a laptop.

💻 Dell XPS 17 (2025)

• CPU: Intel Core i9-14900H
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070
• RAM: Up to 64GB
• Display: 17″ 4K UHD+ touchscreen
• Why: Big screen, powerful specs, great for Adobe suite users.

💻 MSI Creator Z17 HX Studio

• CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070/4080
• RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
• Display: 17″ QHD+ or 4K
• Why: Built for creators; comes with studio drivers for Adobe/Resolve.

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🧩 Mid-Tier (YouTube editing, 1080p–4K workflow)

💻 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060/4070
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Display: 14″ QHD+ 120Hz OLED
• Why: Compact, powerful, great battery life, color-accurate OLED.

💻 MacBook Pro 14″ (M3 Pro)

• CPU/GPU: Apple M3 Pro
• RAM: 18GB–36GB unified memory
• Display: 14.2″ Liquid Retina XDR
• Why: Still excellent for video work with stellar display and battery life.

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💸 Budget-Friendly (Entry-Level Editing, 1080p, LumaFusion/CapCut, etc.)

💻 ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED

• CPU: Ryzen 7 / Intel i7
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050 / Intel Arc
• RAM: 16GB
• Display: 15.6″ OLED, 100% DCI-P3
• Why: Excellent display for under $1000, decent performance for light editing.

💻 Acer Swift X 14 (2025)

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
• GPU: RTX 4050
• RAM: 16GB–32GB
• Why: Lightweight, powerful, and budget-conscious option for creatives.

Five Best Laptops for Video Editing in 2025

Video editing has become an essential skill in today’s content-driven world. Whether you’re a YouTuber, filmmaker, vlogger, or social media content creator, having a powerful and reliable laptop is crucial for a smooth workflow. Modern video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro demand strong processing power, ample RAM, a powerful GPU, and a high-resolution display with color accuracy. In this article, we highlight the five best laptops for video editing in 2024 based on performance, display quality, portability, and value.

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1. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Overall for Professionals

Apple continues to dominate the video editing space with its powerful MacBook Pro lineup. The 2024 MacBook Pro 16-inch equipped with the M3 Max chip is hands-down one of the best laptops for professional video editing. It features Apple’s most advanced silicon, offering up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, delivering unmatched performance, especially in Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve.

This laptop is built for demanding 4K and 8K workflows. The unified memory, expandable up to 128GB, ensures seamless multitasking and real-time playback without lag. The Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout feature, offering exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy—perfect for color grading and HDR editing.

In addition to its performance and display, the MacBook Pro also offers extraordinary battery life, lasting over 12 hours in many real-world editing scenarios. Combined with macOS optimization, quiet operation, and premium build quality, the MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max is the top choice for professionals working on high-end projects.

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2. Dell XPS 17 (2025) – Best Windows Laptop for Video Editing

For those who prefer Windows, the Dell XPS 17 (2024) is one of the best laptops available for video editing. It comes with the Intel Core i9-14900H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, offering the horsepower needed for complex edits and rendering tasks in Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects.

The 17-inch 4K UHD+ display with 100% AdobeRGB color gamut ensures that what you see on screen is accurate, making it ideal for color-critical work. With up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and high-speed NVMe SSDs, you can edit high-resolution footage, manage large files, and use multi-layered timelines effortlessly.

Despite its large screen, Dell has managed to keep the form factor relatively slim and portable, thanks to ultra-thin bezels and a minimalist design. If you’re a professional editor or filmmaker using Windows, the XPS 17 provides the perfect blend of screen real estate and top-tier performance.

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3. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) – Best Compact Editing Powerhouse

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 has been a favorite among content creators, and the 2024 edition continues to impress. Designed originally as a gaming laptop, the G14’s hardware makes it equally excellent for video editing. It features an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU, delivering strong performance in software like Premiere Pro and Resolve.

What sets the G14 apart is its portability. Weighing just under 4 pounds and sporting a sleek aluminum chassis, it’s perfect for mobile creators or students. The 14-inch QHD+ OLED display is Pantone-validated and covers 100% DCI-P3, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors for editing.

The G14 also offers good battery life, a quiet cooling system, and a fast refresh rate display, making it a versatile laptop for both work and play. For content creators who travel frequently or work from various locations, the G14 offers outstanding value without sacrificing performance.

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4. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Pro) – Best for Creative Portability

If you love Apple’s ecosystem but want something more portable than the 16-inch model, the MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M3 Pro chip is an excellent alternative. It strikes a near-perfect balance between performance, portability, and price. The M3 Pro chip, with up to a 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU, can handle 4K video editing with ease.

The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers the same stunning color and brightness levels as the 16-inch version, making it a joy to work with for color grading and precision editing. Like its larger sibling, it supports up to 36GB of unified memory and features a long-lasting battery that easily powers through a full day of editing.

The portability makes it an ideal choice for editors who work on the go, whether at coffee shops, on set, or during travel. If you’re using Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve, the performance-to-size ratio of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is hard to beat.

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5. Acer Swift X 14 (2025) – Best Budget Option for Video Editing

For beginners, students, or hobbyists looking for a capable video editing laptop without spending a fortune, the Acer Swift X 14 (2024) is a fantastic choice. It’s powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU, which provides great performance for mid-level editing tasks such as 1080p to light 4K video workflows.

It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around for mobile editing. The Swift X 14 includes a vibrant 14-inch 2.8K OLED display with good color accuracy, making it suitable for basic color correction and visual work. It also supports AI-accelerated workflows, making it compatible with tools like Adobe Sensei and Topaz AI for upscaling and noise reduction.

With up to 32GB RAM, fast SSD storage, and an affordable price tag, it delivers excellent value for money. For those just starting out or creating content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, the Swift X 14 offers professional capabilities on a budget.

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Conclusion

Choosing the right laptop for video editing depends on your specific needs, preferred software, and budget. If you’re working on high-resolution, multi-layered projects and want the absolute best, the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max and Dell XPS 17 offer top-of-the-line performance. For those who want serious power in a portable form, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro deliver impressive specs without compromising mobility. And for beginners or those editing on a budget, the Acer Swift X 14 proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get quality results. No matter which option you choose, these five laptops are equipped to handle the demands of modern video editing with style and speed.

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