Finest laptops for video modifying 2025: Reviewed and ranked
Enhancing movies can actually push your laptop computer to its limits, which is why it’s vital to get the precise {hardware}. Whereas a excessive performing machine isn’t at all times crucial, choosing the right specs could make a world of distinction. A gaming laptop computer would possibly seem to be a superb match at first look (discrete graphics are at all times a plus), however most include decrease decision shows, which may hinder the modifying course of. Along with a strong CPU and GPU, you’ll additionally desire a machine with a wide selection of ports to accommodate exterior drives and equipment.
Why it is best to belief us: PCWorld has been masking PCs since 1983, and opinions greater than 70 notebooks a yr in our unending quest to search out the very best laptops. Our skilled reviewers consider each machine utilizing a mixture of efficiency benchmarks and rigorous usability requirements, with an eye fixed towards figuring out the very best laptops for particular wants and at varied value factors. We additionally edit numerous movies ourselves.
Check out our high picks for video modifying beneath, adopted by shopping for recommendation and extra particulars about our testing course of.
The most effective laptops for video modifying
Asus ProArt P16 – Finest laptop computer for video modifying
Execs
- Massive touchpad with digital scroll wheel
- Beautiful 4K OLED show
- Extra connectivity than the competitors
- Good battery life
Cons
- Chassis is mild, however doesn’t look outstanding
- CPU efficiency falls behind the very best
- Can get sizzling below load
Why we just like the Asus ProArt P16
The Asus ProArt P16 is an exceptional selection for inventive professionals and prosumers due to its gorgeous 4K OLED show, numerous collection of connectivity choices, and lengthy battery life. The 16-inch 3840×2400 show “boasts an unbelievable coloration gamut and deep distinction,” in accordance with our evaluation. It additionally has a taller 16:10 side ratio, which is nice for multitasking and productiveness duties alike.
You’ll discover the next ports on this machine: two USB-C, two USB-A, one HDMI, a vital SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. One of many USB-C ports even helps USB 4.0, which is able to transmitting as much as 40 Gbps. This machine additionally lasted over 9 hours on a single cost. That’s a fairly good outcome given the highly effective {hardware} inside.
Who should purchase the Asus ProArt P16
Severe content material creators! The show alone is an “wonderful selection for a laptop computer geared toward skilled creatives and customers,” in accordance with our evaluation (which was written by a content material creator). The decision is nice when modifying excessive decision photographs. Though it could possibly run sizzling below heavier hundreds and the general look is on the boring facet, it’s nonetheless price your consideration, particularly should you want the sharpness of a 4K show.
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Asus ProArt P16 evaluation
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely – Finest laptop computer for video modifying (should you do not want 4K)
Execs
- Unbelievable battery life
- Stable GPU efficiency
- Beautiful OLED display that can be utilized outside
- Nice audio
- AI-powered Core Extremely inside
Cons
- Chargers hold getting greater
- Nonetheless not an important keyboard
Why we just like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely gives highly effective efficiency in addition to a stunning OLED show. Because of the Intel Core Extremely 9 185H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it’s effectively outfitted to deal with any video modifying process you throw at it. Plus, the 16-inch OLED show has a decision of 2880×1800 and a refresh fee of 120Hz–so you’ll be able to count on a crisp-looking image with wealthy colours. Positive, it’s not 4K, however it’s nonetheless a incredible display for content material creation. Battery life is completely absurd, too. This machine lasted a whopping 18 hours and 54 minutes on a single cost. Wall outlet? Who’s she?
Who should purchase the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely
Anybody in search of a strong, long-lasting laptop computer and doesn’t must edit 4K movies. Along with the gorgeous OLED show and the lengthy battery life, the audio can also be fairly punchy, sounding nice up and down the audio vary. When you change on the Dolby Atmos function, you’ll hear even richer sound. Although content material creators might not essentially want good audio (or probably use devoted headphones), it’s nonetheless a pleasant perk.
Different choice: The Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i ($1,699.99) is one other nice laptop computer to think about. It comes decked out with a 16-inch 3200×2000 165Hz refresh fee show, 32GB of RAM, and tons of ports (together with an SD card reader). In comparison with our present choose, the Yoga Professional 9i has a sharper display with a sooner refresh fee. That mentioned, it solely managed 9 hours on a single cost. It’s a suitable outcome, however it’s nothing just like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely’s 18 hours and 54 minutes.
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Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely evaluation
Asus ProArt PX13 – Finest ultraportable laptop computer for video modifying
Execs
- Wonderful multithreaded CPU efficiency
- Lovely OLED show
- Discrete Nvidia GPU for inventive duties
- Weighs simply 3.04 kilos
Cons
- Decrease battery life than a Snapdragon X laptop computer
- Followers could be loud
- No Copilot+ PC AI options at launch
Why we just like the Asus ProArt PX13
The Asus ProArt PX13 is a creators laptop computer, full cease. It comes with the most recent AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage — in different phrases, it’s highly effective with a capital P. Along with the spectacular inside parts, it additionally has a 13.4-inch 1880p OLED show with touchscreen and stylus assist in addition to a light-weight kind issue. In reality, it weighs simply 3.04 kilos, making it a incredible choice for individuals who are at all times on-the-go. Different cool options embody Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and a 1080p webcam.
Who should purchase the Asus ProArt PX13
Anybody that wants a transportable powerhouse for inventive work, and doesn’t want a 4K show (or is keen to attach the laptop computer to a 4K monitor). When you commute into the workplace, you’ll be able to simply toss this laptop computer right into a bag and be in your merry method. It additionally has a whole lot of connectivity choices, which is helpful for video editors that want to dump their work. The port choice contains two USB Sort-C, one USB Sort-A, one combo audio jack, one HDMI 2.1, one microSD reader, and one energy in. The ProArt PX13 additionally has a 360-degree hinge, which lets you use it like a tent or lie it flat on a floor.
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Asus ProArt PX13 evaluation
Acer Nitro V 16 – Finest funds laptop computer for video modifying
Execs
- Stable efficiency
- Aggressive value
- Devoted button for fast efficiency mode switching
- Quick 165Hz show with good colours
Cons
- Totally plastic construct
- Mushy keyboard
- Weak battery life
Why we just like the Acer Nitro V 16
The Acer Nitro V 16 is an inexpensive gaming laptop computer with aggressive {hardware} and a giant, quick show. The 1920×1200 IPS show measures 16 inches with a refresh fee of 165Hz, which suggests you’ll be able to count on smooth-looking visuals. It additionally comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, so it undoubtedly has sufficient horsepower to deal with extra demanding modifying duties. The battery life isn’t the very best (4 hours on a single cost), however that’s not stunning provided that this can be a gaming laptop computer and so they’re identified for his or her power-sucking parts. When you don’t thoughts staying parked at your desk, then the Acer Nitro V 16 is an effective choose for video editors trying to avoid wasting money.
Who should purchase the Acer Nitro V 16
Video editors in search of an inexpensive laptop computer with discrete graphics. It’s a superb worth, full cease. For slightly below a grand, you’re getting highly effective {hardware} in addition to a excessive refresh fee show. The battery life is shorter than we wish to see, however this is probably not a deal-breaker for you, as long as you keep parked at a desk. The gamer aesthetic is on the flashier facet, too. When you can dwell with these trade-offs, then you’ll be able to’t actually beat the price-to-performance worth.
Different choice: The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version ($1,099.99), which was our earlier Finest Price range Laptop computer for Video Enhancing choose, remains to be a superb choice to think about. For a few grand, you’re getting dependable graphics efficiency, a spacious keyboard, and lengthy battery life.
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Acer Nitro V 16 evaluation
Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional) – Finest MacBook for video modifying
Execs
- Good efficiency
- 18GB of RAM
- Runs quiet
Cons
- Low efficiency benefit over M2 Professional
Why we just like the Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional)
The Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional) will kick you within the enamel with its energy (in the easiest way doable). Inside, you’ll discover a 14-core GPU in addition to 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. That quantity of RAM will hold issues operating good and {smooth} whereas the beefy GPU will chew proper by way of any intense edits, although intense video editors will wish to improve to a mannequin with extra storage or put money into an exterior SSD for added capability. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR show additionally has a ridiculously excessive decision of 3024×1964, so modifying must be a pleasant expertise. It even comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for quick knowledge transfers.
Who should purchase the Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional)
Anybody who prefers Apple’s ecosystem. This configuration reveals a 44 p.c enhance in efficiency (in accordance with Geekbench’s Compute Metallic check) in comparison with the M3 (sans Professional) mannequin. You’ll additionally have the ability to see each element of your picture or video modifying work due to the attractive Liquid Retina XDR show. Battery life isn’t too shabby, both. The M3 Professional MacBook Professional will final you over ten hours on a single cost, which is greater than a full work day.
Different choice: When you’re in search of an even bigger display, then it is best to take a look at the MacBook Professional, M2 Professional. The Liquid Retina XDR show measures 16.2-inches and has a decision of 3456×2234, so visuals must be sharp as knives. The M2 Professional additionally comes loaded with a strong 19-core GPU.
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023) evaluation
Latest laptop computer opinions
- Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a stable improve over the 2023 mannequin, that includes a sooner processor and a touchscreen show, with solely minor drawbacks that hardly impression the general efficiency.
- MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo doesn’t rating excessive marks in efficiency benchmarks, however it does obtain very good battery life.
- Acer Aspire Go 15: The Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) is one other merely utilitarian machine, however even in that regard it’s beginning to lag behind. Restricted reminiscence and disappointing battery life hold it from being very helpful, and nothing about it goes past acceptable. There aren’t many machines that may compete with it at MSRP, however it’s price ready for a far superior various to go on sale — they at all times do.
- Acer Swift Go 14 AI: The Acer Swift Go 14 AI is a reliable Snapdragon-powered laptop computer with lengthy battery life, however it doesn’t stand out from the gang.
- Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Version: The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 is a sleeker, extra luxurious ThinkPad. Nevertheless, its efficiency and battery life are mid-pack.
- Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514: The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 checks off loads containers, certain, however at full retail value it’s costly. Personally, I’d look forward to a sale.
When you’re on a funds or simply trying to avoid wasting cash, you might also wish to take a look at our every day roundup of the very best laptop computer offers to scope out any reductions on content material creation notebooks.
How we examined
The PCWorld staff places each Home windows laptop computer by way of a sequence of benchmarks that check GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and so forth. The concept is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which evaluate it towards others we’ve examined. Chromebooks, however, undergo a sequence of web-based checks. It wouldn’t be truthful or doable to run the identical sorts of checks on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines.
Under, you’ll discover a breakdown of every check and the explanation why we run them. For a a lot deeper have a look at our evaluation methodology, take a look at how PCWorld checks laptops.
Home windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how effectively the laptop computer handles lighter duties like internet looking, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It principally measures how lengthy a laptop computer’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
- Cinebench: Cinebench is a quick stress check of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a brief time frame.
- 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D efficiency stays constant over time by operating graphic-intensive clips.
- Video rundown check: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Home windows 10’s Films & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
FAQ
What ought to I search for in a laptop computer for video modifying?
The very first thing to search for in a laptop computer for video modifying is its CPU and GPU. The sooner your {hardware}, the sooner your edits.
In case your workload is primarily CPU-driven, we’d advocate springing for the Intel Core i7 or the Intel Core i9. HX is designed for uncooked horsepower, which id deal for gaming and content material creation, and the Extremely is constructed round energy effectivity. For a extra in-depth have a look at the distinction between the 2 processors, we’ve accomplished an intensive evaluate and distinction piece that basically lays all of it out. For these on a strict funds, you may get by with an Intel Core i5, however it’s going to be slower.
You most likely gained’t want a devoted graphics card on a regular basis video modifying, however should you work on movement graphics, then the additional firepower actually is useful. For many video modifying tasks, we’d counsel the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or larger, although having any RTX GPU onboard can assist speed up some particular workloads. For many who desire AMD over Nvidia, we’d advocate the AMD Radeon RX 7600S or larger. Until you’re trying to play AAA video games on the facet, you don’t really want the very best graphics card on the market. A mid-range GPU will serve most individuals.
One other factor to think about is storage dimension. A 4K video, for instance, would require extra space for storing than a 1080p video. In different phrases, you’re going to wish fairly a little bit of storage, in any other case your laptop computer would possibly get too slowed down. For many who work with 4K decision, it is best to go for a minimum of 1TB of SSD or larger. You would most likely get by with simply 512GB of SSD storage, however you’ll most likely must hold offloading recordsdata onto an exterior storage gadget.
RAM is vital too, because it determines how briskly your laptop computer will typically run. Video editors are likely to work with giant recordsdata, which might trigger your laptop computer to decelerate. That’s why we’d advocate a minimum of 16GB of RAM. Nevertheless, should you’re modifying 4K video, you’ll undoubtedly need 32GB of RAM or extra. Extra RAM reduces the probability of bottlenecks, which generally is a actual ache within the neck once you’re in the course of an vital edit.
What sort of show ought to I get?
You’re going to desire a show that’s each shiny and coloration correct. For instance, a show that’s near 100% of the sRGB spectrum is right. Whereas a 4K show isn’t crucial, we’d strongly advocate it for critical video modifying. A excessive decision show will produce sharper pictures, which helps scale back eye pressure, and will let you edit 4K video at full decision. A bigger display like a 15- or 17-inch is preferable as effectively, because it offers higher visibility for modifying.
What do the specialists advocate?
PCWorld video director Adam Patrick Murray stresses that an excellent laptop computer for video modifying contains an SD card reader for grabbing video off of a digital camera. He additionally recommends choosing a pocket book with a 4K, 60Hz panel over the ultra-fast 1080p panels usually discovered on gaming laptops that may in any other case be ultimate for video modifying. You want a 4K panel to edit 4K movies effectively and blazing-fast refresh charges don’t imply something for video modifying like they do for gaming. If coloration accuracy issues to you—it won’t should you’re solely creating informal movies on your private YouTube channel, for instance—then assist for the total DCI-P3 coloration gamut can also be a should together with Delta E < 2 coloration accuracy.
You gained’t usually discover these types of specs listed for (or supported by) gaming laptops, however devoted content material creation laptops ought to embody that info. That mentioned, in order for you the quickest doable laptop computer for video modifying that may additionally fulfill your gaming proclivities, you’ll be able to at all times pair that burly gaming laptop computer with a color-accurate exterior monitor for creation duties.
