Video editing is one of the most demanding tasks you can perform on a laptop, requiring a machine that can handle high-resolution footage, complex effects, and rendering without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker, YouTube content creator, or an amateur hobbyist, having the right laptop is essential for smooth video editing.

In this comprehensive guide, we will take a look at the best laptops for video editing in 2024, analyzing them based on key factors such as performance, display quality, storage capacity, and portability. From high-end workstations to budget-friendly options, we’ll explore the laptops that can meet your video editing needs, no matter your skill level or budget.

Key Factors to Consider in a Laptop for Video Editing

When choosing a laptop for video editing, several critical factors come into play. Here’s what you should consider before making a decision:

1. Performance

Video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve are resource-intensive applications. As a result, a high-performance laptop is essential to ensure a smooth workflow.

• Processor (CPU): A multi-core processor is crucial for rendering, encoding, and working with high-resolution footage. Intel Core i7 or i9, AMD Ryzen 7 or 9, and Apple’s M2 Pro and Max chips are among the best options for video editors.
• Graphics Card (GPU): Video editing tasks, especially those involving motion graphics, visual effects, and 3D rendering, benefit from a powerful GPU. Look for laptops with NVIDIA GeForce RTX series or Apple’s M2 Max chip, which have excellent video editing capabilities.
• RAM: Video editing requires a lot of memory, especially when working with 4K or 8K footage. At least 16GB of RAM is recommended, but 32GB or 64GB is ideal for professionals who work on complex projects.

2. Display Quality

The display plays a significant role in video editing, as it determines how you see your footage and colors. Here are the key display features to consider:

• Resolution: A 4K display is ideal for video editing, especially when working with high-resolution footage. Full HD can work for beginners, but 4K is preferred for professionals.
• Color Accuracy: A laptop with a wide color gamut (such as Adobe RGB or DCI-P3) ensures that the colors you see on-screen are accurate. This is critical for color grading and ensuring that your final video looks the way you intend.
• Brightness: A bright screen (300 nits or more) is helpful when editing in well-lit environments.

3. Storage Capacity

Video files, especially in 4K or higher resolution, take up a lot of space. For this reason, a laptop with plenty of fast storage is necessary.

• SSD vs. HDD: SSDs (Solid State Drives) are much faster than HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), allowing you to load files quickly and improving your editing workflow. You’ll want at least 512GB of SSD storage, though 1TB or more is ideal for handling large video projects.

4. Portability and Battery Life

For video editors who are constantly on the move, portability and battery life are important considerations. However, keep in mind that the more powerful the laptop, the less battery life it typically offers, especially during intense editing sessions. It’s all about finding the right balance.

5. Ports and Connectivity

Video editors often need to connect external devices such as monitors, hard drives, or memory card readers. A laptop with multiple ports, including USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and an SD card reader, will make your life easier.

The Best Laptops for Video Editing in 2024

Now that we’ve covered the key features to look for, let’s dive into the top laptops for video editing in 2024, ranging from high-end workstations to more budget-friendly models.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M2 Max, 2024)

Apple’s MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Max chip is the gold standard for video editors who work in macOS. With its top-tier performance, outstanding display, and incredible battery life, it’s no surprise that it’s the go-to choice for professional editors.

• Performance: Powered by the M2 Max chip, this MacBook Pro is a beast when it comes to video editing. The M2 Max offers up to a 12-core CPU and a 38-core GPU, which makes it capable of handling even the most demanding tasks such as 8K video editing, real-time rendering, and effects processing.
• Display: The 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is stunning, with a 3456 x 2234 resolution, 1000 nits of sustained brightness, and support for the P3 wide color gamut and HDR. This makes it perfect for color grading and video previewing.
• RAM and Storage: Configurable with up to 96GB of unified memory (RAM) and up to 8TB of SSD storage, the MacBook Pro has more than enough space and memory for even the largest video editing projects.
• Battery Life: Despite its powerful specs, the MacBook Pro offers up to 22 hours of battery life, making it ideal for editors on the go.
• Price: Starting at $3,499 for the M2 Max model, the MacBook Pro 16-inch is a high-end investment, but it’s worth it for professionals who need the best in performance and display quality.

Why it’s great for video editors: With its powerful M2 Max chip, stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, and massive storage options, the MacBook Pro is the top choice for professional video editors who need uncompromising performance and quality.

2. Dell XPS 17 (2024 Model)

The Dell XPS 17 is one of the best Windows laptops for video editing, offering a combination of power, display quality, and portability that rivals Apple’s MacBook Pro. It’s perfect for editors who prefer Windows but still want a high-performance machine.

• Performance: Equipped with Intel’s 13th-gen Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, the XPS 17 is more than capable of handling heavy video editing tasks, including 4K and 8K editing, rendering, and effects.
• Display: The XPS 17 features a 17-inch 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400) display with 100% Adobe RGB color accuracy and a 94% DCI-P3 color gamut. The 4-sided InfinityEdge display offers an immersive editing experience, making it ideal for color grading and detail work.
• RAM and Storage: With up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 4TB of SSD storage, the XPS 17 can easily handle large projects and ensure smooth multitasking.
• Battery Life: Despite its large size and power, the XPS 17 offers up to 10 hours of battery life, making it a viable option for mobile editors.
• Price: Starting at $2,899, the Dell XPS 17 is a premium choice but delivers excellent value for its price, particularly for Windows users.

Why it’s great for video editors: The Dell XPS 17’s massive 4K display, powerful performance, and extensive storage options make it an excellent alternative to the MacBook Pro for Windows-based video editors.

3. ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED (2024)

ASUS designed the ProArt Studiobook series specifically for creative professionals, and the Studiobook 16 OLED is one of the best laptops for video editors in need of professional-grade hardware.

• Performance: With options for AMD Ryzen 9 processors or Intel Core i9, combined with an NVIDIA RTX A5000 GPU (professional-grade), the ProArt Studiobook 16 can handle demanding editing tasks such as real-time 3D rendering and complex multi-layer video projects.
• Display: The 16-inch 4K OLED display offers 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR support, and is Pantone validated for color accuracy. This makes it one of the best displays available for video editing, especially for color-critical work.
• RAM and Storage: Configurable with up to 64GB of RAM and up to 4TB of SSD storage, the Studiobook 16 ensures smooth multitasking and ample space for video libraries.
• Unique Features: One standout feature is the ASUS Dial, a physical dial built into the laptop that provides quick, intuitive control over settings in software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.
• Price: Starting at $2,499, the Studiobook 16 offers great value for its feature set, particularly for professionals who need color accuracy and performance.

Why it’s great for video editors: The ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED’s professional-grade display and powerful performance, combined with unique features like the ASUS Dial, make it a great choice for video editors focused on precision and high-level color grading.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a versatile option for video editors who need both power and flexibility. With its unique design, the Surface Laptop Studio can be used in multiple modes, making it ideal for creators who also work on drawing or sketching.

• Performance: Powered by Intel’s 12th-gen Core i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, the Surface Laptop Studio is more than capable of handling 4K video editing, effects, and rendering.
• Display: The 14.4-inch PixelSense display has a resolution of 2400 x 1600, supports Dolby Vision, and offers 100% sRGB coverage, ensuring accurate colors for video editing.
• RAM and Storage: Configurable with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage, the Surface Laptop Studio provides solid performance for video editing.
• Portability: Weighing just 4 pounds, the Surface Laptop Studio is more portable than many other high-performance editing laptops, making it ideal for editors on the move.
• Price: Starting at $1,599, the Surface Laptop Studio offers a more affordable option for video editors who need a versatile laptop without sacrificing performance.

Why it’s great for video editors: The Surface Laptop Studio’s flexible design, combined with solid performance and a color-accurate display, makes it a great option for video editors who also work on graphic design or digital art projects.

5. Razer Blade 15 (2024)

Known for its gaming laptops, Razer’s Blade 15 also makes an excellent machine for video editing, thanks to its powerful hardware and high-quality display.

• Performance: The Razer Blade 15 is equipped with Intel’s 13th-gen Core i7 or i9 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPUs, which provide more than enough power for handling 4K and even 8K video editing, rendering, and effects.
• Display: The 15.6-inch 4K OLED display offers a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors for video editing. The OLED technology also provides deeper blacks and better contrast, which is great for working on HDR footage.
• RAM and Storage: With up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage, the Razer Blade 15 can handle large video files and complex projects with ease.
• Portability: Weighing 4.4 pounds, the Blade 15 is relatively portable for such a powerful laptop.
• Price: Starting at $2,999, the Razer Blade 15 is a premium choice, but its combination of performance and display quality makes it worth the price for professional video editors.

Why it’s great for video editors: The Razer Blade 15’s 4K OLED display, powerful hardware, and gaming-oriented design make it an excellent choice for video editors who also need a machine capable of handling other intensive tasks, like gaming or 3D rendering.

6. HP Spectre x360 16 (2024)

For those looking for a 2-in-1 laptop that can handle video editing, the HP Spectre x360 16 is a strong contender. Its flexibility, combined with good performance, makes it an appealing option for creators who need a portable and versatile machine.

• Performance: Equipped with Intel’s 12th-gen Core i7 processors and an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU, the Spectre x360 16 is capable of handling 1080p and 4K video editing, though it may struggle with extremely heavy effects or 8K footage.
• Display: The 16-inch 3K OLED display offers a resolution of 3072 x 1920 and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, providing vibrant and accurate colors for video editing.
• RAM and Storage: Configurable with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the Spectre x360 is suitable for handling medium-sized video projects.
• Portability: Weighing 4.45 pounds, the HP Spectre x360 is relatively lightweight for a laptop of its size, and its 2-in-1 design allows it to be used in various modes, including as a tablet.
• Price: Starting at $1,399, the HP Spectre x360 16 is one of the more affordable options for video editors looking for a 2-in-1 design.

Why it’s great for video editors: The HP Spectre x360 16’s 2-in-1 flexibility, combined with a high-quality OLED display, makes it a great option for video editors who also need a tablet-style device for drawing or presentations.

Summary: Choosing the Best Laptop for Video Editing in 2024

When selecting the best laptop for video editing, your choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and workflow. For professionals who need top-tier performance and display quality, the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M2 Max) and Dell XPS 17 are unbeatable options, offering incredible power and beautiful displays. The ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED is ideal for those who need precise color accuracy and advanced editing features, while the Razer Blade 15 provides an excellent balance between gaming and video editing.

If portability and versatility are your priorities, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and HP Spectre x360 16 offer flexible designs that can handle video editing alongside other creative tasks.

No matter your skill level or budget, investing in the right laptop can make all the difference in your video editing workflow, allowing you to edit, render, and share your projects with ease and precision.