When your livelihood revolves around video content, having a laptop that simplifies your work is essential. The ideal video editing laptop can save you valuable time, streamline your tasks, and elevate the quality of your work.
While many laptop buyers prioritize factors like long battery life, portability, and lightweight for everyday use, video editors have different priorities. Verge video professionals, Owen Grove and Jasmine Lewis, emphasize the significance of processing power for handling resource-intensive programs on a daily basis. According to Owen, investing in high processing power is crucial for professional editors, as performance often becomes the ultimate savior. Additionally, an SD card slot is deemed essential by Owen for his editing needs.
On the other hand, Jasmine focuses on working with a large, high-resolution display, which ensures accuracy and ease when managing multiple windows and tasks. She values fast rendering, ample screen real estate, and vibrant colors in her work environment.
While gaming laptops offer powerful components and sizable screens, they might not be the best choice for dedicated video editing. These laptops can be noisy at full throttle, causing distractions in an office setting. Moreover, their displays are tailored for gaming, with high refresh rates and lower resolutions, which may not be optimized for video editing tasks.
Though some gaming laptops can be suitable for video editing purposes, dedicated video editing laptops generally outshine them. Considering the specific demands of video editing, investing your money wisely is crucial to obtaining the best performance for your needs.
With these considerations in mind, below are our top picks for the best video editing laptops in 2023.
When reviewing these products we look for the following:
- Power: Devices should have enough power to run industry-standard video editing programs without significant slowdown.
- Port Selection: A dedicated SD slot is a major convenience for video editors.
- Screen: Displays should be color-accurate and bright, with larger and higher resolutions being better.
- Design: Laptops should have a refined, professional look suitable for an office setting.
- Currency: We strive to keep our recommendations up-to-date, but may include an older device if its newer generation is a significant downgrade.
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
If you’re in the market for a top-of-the-line video editing laptop, look no further than the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max. This powerful machine checks all the boxes for video editors: a large, gorgeous screen, a generous selection of ports (including an SD slot), and relatively quiet fans. While it’s not the most affordable option out there, it’s well worth the investment for those who need top-notch performance.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max models are often discounted and are great for general use, but professional video editors will see a noticeable difference in render and export times with the newer M2 Pro or M2 Max chips. Not only is the 2023 MacBook Pro a top performer, but it’s also incredibly efficient, boasting some of the best battery life on the market. This means you can edit on the go without worrying about running out of juice.
One of the standout features of the MacBook Pro is that it performs just as well on battery power as it does when plugged in. This is a huge advantage over most Windows laptops, which tend to slow down when used on battery power.
So, should you go for the M2 Pro or shell out an extra $200-ish for the more powerful M2 Max? The answer depends on your specific needs. The M2 Max offers faster performance for workloads that heavily tax the GPU, such as 3D, animation, 8K content, or longform 4K content. If you regularly work with these types of tasks, you’ll likely find the M2 Max to be worth the extra cost. However, if your work doesn’t require such demanding graphics capabilities, the M2 Pro should be more than sufficient. Plus, you may even get a few extra hours of battery life with the M2 Pro.
In conclusion, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max is an excellent choice for video editors who need top-notch performance and efficiency. With its large screen, wide range of ports, and long battery life, it’s a versatile machine that can handle even the most demanding tasks
Razor Blade 18
The Razer Blade 18 stands apart from many other gaming laptops due to its discreet design, making it suitable for professional settings without being overly distracting to colleagues. Additionally, its portability allows for easy transportation to meetings and demonstrations. Notably, the inclusion of an SD slot is a rarity among gaming laptops, offering added convenience for various tasks.
One standout feature of the Razer Blade 18 is its impressive screen. The massive 18-inch display is ideal for users who work with applications involving multiple windows and small text, such as Premiere, DaVinci, and After Effects. The QHD Plus, 240Hz panel enhances visual clarity and brightness, setting it apart as one of the best gaming laptop screens available.
In conclusion, while gaming laptops are not traditionally recommended for video editing purposes, the Razer Blade 18 stands as an exception due to its outstanding performance, impressive display, portability, and professional design. If you find yourself in need of a versatile device that excels in both gaming and video editing realms, the Razer Blade 18 is undoubtedly a top contender worth considering.
Asus Vivobook Pro 14 OLED
If you’re in the market for a capable and portable video editing solution, and premium options like the MacBook Pro and ConceptD are beyond your budget, then Asus’ Vivobook Pro series, including their OLED variant, might be the ideal fit for you. Among 14-inch laptops, this device stands out with its exceptional screen quality, featuring OLED technology, a 2880 x 1800 resolution, and a 90Hz refresh rate. Such specifications ensure a visually captivating editing experience with vibrant colors and smooth visuals.
One significant advantage of the Asus Vivobook Pro 14 OLED is its creator-focused port selection, surpassing that of many other ultraportable laptops. Unlike connectivity-limited alternatives like the MacBook Air, this device offers a diverse array of ports, including a microSD reader, HDMI 2.1, and multiple USB-A ports. These versatile ports enable seamless connections to external drives, 4K displays, and various peripherals, streamlining the editing workflow and enhancing productivity.
Another unique feature is the presence of an LED numpad integrated into the touchpad. While not everyone may find a numpad necessary, its inclusion in a 14-inch laptop is a rarity, making this device even more intriguing for users who value numeric inputs.
The most alluring aspect of the Asus Vivobook Pro 14 OLED, undoubtedly, is its price point. Frequently available at prices below $1,300, particularly for older models, this laptop offers excellent value for both aspiring and experienced video editors alike. It provides a cost-effective option for those on a tighter budget, making it an attractive choice for amateur editors or professionals seeking a portable secondary editing device.
In conclusion, if you seek an affordable yet powerful solution for on-the-go video editing, the Asus Vivobook Pro 14 OLED emerges as a compelling choice. With its impressive screen technology, creator-focused ports, and budget-friendly price, it caters to a broad range of users, promising a satisfying video editing experience without breaking the bank.
HP Zbook Studio G8
The Zbook line from HP is a force to be reckoned with, and the Studio G8 is a standout performer boasting a fusion of high-end capabilities and essential business-focused privacy and security features. Among its impressive offerings are an RGB keyboard and a suite of security measures, such as TPM 2.0, bitlocker encryption, and HP Power On Authentication, making it an appealing choice for tech-savvy individuals familiar with these features. While the initial price tag might have been daunting, the Zbook Studio G8 has now become a reasonable recommendation for a broad range of professional video editors who require corporate-level security features, provided they are comfortable investing in a slightly older product line.
The HP ZBook Studio G8, as the best video editing laptop for power users, exhibits boldness and potency. It stands out with its vibrant colors and is equipped with a host of enterprise-oriented functionalities that cater to high-powered professionals in the video editing realm. The laptop boasts a generous array of ports, including an option for an OLED screen, which ensures captivating visuals for precise editing work. Furthermore, the device’s exceptional speakers contribute to an immersive editing experience, while the integrated Tile functionality offers added peace of mind by helping users locate the laptop in case it goes missing.
For those seeking a seamless transition between work and leisure, the Zbook Studio G8 comes pre-installed with HP’s Omen gaming hub, making it easy to switch from professional tasks to gaming pursuits. The laptop also manages to deliver a respectable battery life of approximately five hours in testing, providing decent mobility for a device in this category.
In conclusion, the HP Zbook Studio G8 is an attention-grabbing, powerful laptop tailored for professional video editors who crave the perfect blend of performance and privacy features. With its corporate-level security options, striking design, versatile port selection, and additional entertainment benefits, this laptop is a compelling choice for those desiring a bold, colorful companion to elevate their video editing endeavors.
MSI Creator Z16
Prioritizing portability, the Creator Z16 impresses with its slim form, measuring just over half an inch in thickness. Sporting a sleek and understated design, reminiscent of the MacBook’s elegance, this device weighs less than five pounds, making it remarkably easy to carry around. Unlike many other workstations, the Creator Z16’s portability ensures it won’t be a cumbersome burden in transit, and you can confidently use it during meetings without drawing excessive attention.
Under the hood, the Creator Z16 packs a 120Hz QHD screen that delivers a visually captivating experience. Coupled with excellent speakers and powered by top-tier chips from Nvidia and Intel, this laptop boasts impressive performance. In fact, during our tests in Premiere Pro exports, the Creator Z16 proved to be as swift as almost any Windows laptop we evaluated the previous year. However, it’s worth noting that the laptop’s fan noise can become noticeable as it works diligently to maintain peak performance during demanding tasks.
In conclusion, the Creator Z16 stands as a remarkable choice for those who prioritize portability without compromising on performance. Its slim and lightweight design, combined with a sophisticated appearance, allows for easy mobility and professional use in various settings. With its top-notch hardware, including a high-refresh-rate screen and potent internal components, the Creator Z16 excels in handling resource-intensive video editing tasks, placing it among the top-performing laptops for content creators. Just be prepared for the fan noise during intensive workloads.
Runner Ups
We’ve explored the top five video editing laptops that are truly game-changers for content creators and professionals in the visual media industry. From powerful performance to stunning displays and innovative features, these laptops have proven their worth in elevating the art of video editing.
However, our journey doesn’t end here! While the laptops we’ve discussed undoubtedly lead the pack, there are still some fantastic runner-ups worth considering. These devices may not have made it to the top five, but they still offer exceptional performance and unique features that could suit your specific editing needs.
So, before you make your final decision, be sure to check out our list of runner-up laptops. Who knows, you might discover the perfect match for your editing endeavors, tailored to your preferences and budget.
Thank you for joining us on this exploration of the best video editing laptops in 2023. Remember, finding the right laptop is a crucial step towards unleashing your creativity and achieving editing excellence. Happy editing!
