Enhancing movies can actually push your laptop computer to its limits, which is why it’s vital to get the fitting {hardware}. Whereas a excessive performing machine isn’t at all times mandatory, choosing the right specs could make a world of distinction. A gaming laptop computer may 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 enhancing course of. Along with a robust CPU and GPU, you’ll additionally need a machine with a big selection of ports to accommodate exterior drives and equipment.
Why it is best to belief us: PCWorld has been protecting PCs since 1983, and opinions greater than 70 notebooks a yr in our unending quest to seek out the perfect laptops. Our skilled reviewers consider each machine utilizing a mix of efficiency benchmarks and rigorous usability requirements, with an eye fixed towards figuring out the perfect laptops for particular wants and at varied value factors. We additionally edit numerous movies ourselves.
Check out our prime picks for video enhancing under, adopted by shopping for recommendation and extra particulars about our testing course of.
The most effective laptops for video enhancing
Asus ProArt P16 – Finest laptop computer for video enhancing
Execs
- Large touchpad with digital scroll wheel
- Attractive 4K OLED show
- Extra connectivity than the competitors
- Good battery life
Cons
- Chassis is gentle, however doesn’t look outstanding
- CPU efficiency falls behind the perfect
- Can get sizzling underneath load
Worth When Reviewed:
$2,299.99
Why we just like the Asus ProArt P16
The Asus ProArt P16 is an outstanding selection for artistic professionals and prosumers due to its gorgeous 4K OLED show, numerous choice of connectivity choices, and lengthy battery life. The 16-inch 3840×2400 show “boasts an unimaginable shade gamut and deep distinction,” in accordance with our evaluate. 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 end result given the highly effective {hardware} inside.
Who can buy the Asus ProArt P16
Severe content material creators! The show alone is an “glorious selection for a laptop computer geared toward skilled creatives and shoppers,” in accordance with our evaluate (which was written by a content material creator). The decision is nice when enhancing excessive decision photographs. Though it might probably run sizzling underneath heavier masses and the general look is on the boring facet, it’s nonetheless value your consideration, particularly in case you want the sharpness of a 4K show.
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Asus ProArt P16 evaluate
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely – Finest laptop computer for video enhancing (in case you do not want 4K)
Execs
- Improbable battery life
- Stable GPU efficiency
- Attractive OLED display that can be utilized open air
- Nice audio
- AI-powered Core Extremely inside
Cons
- Chargers preserve getting larger
- Nonetheless not an ideal keyboard
Worth When Reviewed:
$2999.99
Why we just like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely provides highly effective efficiency in addition to a beautiful OLED show. Because of the Intel Core Extremely 9 185H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it’s properly geared up to deal with any video enhancing activity you throw at it. Plus, the 16-inch OLED show has a decision of 2880×1800 and a refresh charge of 120Hz–so you’ll be able to anticipate a crisp-looking image with wealthy colours. Certain, it’s not 4K, however it’s nonetheless a unbelievable 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 can buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Extremely
Anybody searching for a robust, 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 be fairly punchy, sounding nice up and down the audio vary. If you happen to swap on the Dolby Atmos function, you’ll hear even richer sound. Although content material creators might not essentially want good audio (or seemingly use devoted headphones), it’s nonetheless a pleasant perk.
Various choice: The Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i ($1,699.99) is one other nice laptop computer to contemplate. It comes decked out with a 16-inch 3200×2000 165Hz refresh charge show, 32GB of RAM, and tons of ports (together with an SD card reader). In comparison with our present decide, the Yoga Professional 9i has a sharper display with a sooner refresh charge. That stated, it solely managed 9 hours on a single cost. It’s a suitable end result, 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 evaluate
Asus ProArt PX13 – Finest ultraportable laptop computer for video enhancing
Execs
- Wonderful multithreaded CPU efficiency
- Stunning OLED show
- Discrete Nvidia GPU for artistic duties
- Weighs simply 3.04 kilos
Cons
- Decrease battery life than a Snapdragon X laptop computer
- Followers may be loud
- No Copilot+ PC AI options at launch
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,699
Why we just like the Asus ProArt PX13
The Asus ProArt PX13 is a creators laptop computer, full cease. It comes with the newest 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 inner elements, it additionally has a 13.4-inch 1880p OLED show with touchscreen and stylus help in addition to a light-weight type issue. In reality, it weighs simply 3.04 kilos, making it a unbelievable choice for many who are at all times on-the-go. Different cool options embrace Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and a 1080p webcam.
Who can buy the Asus ProArt PX13
Anybody that wants a conveyable powerhouse for artistic work, and doesn’t want a 4K show (or is prepared to attach the laptop computer to a 4K monitor). If you happen to commute into the workplace, you’ll be able to simply toss this laptop computer right into a bag and be in your merry approach. It additionally has a number of connectivity choices, which is helpful for video editors that want to dump their work. The port choice consists of 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 evaluate
Acer Nitro V 16 – Finest finances laptop computer for video enhancing
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
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099.99
Why we just like the Acer Nitro V 16
The Acer Nitro V 16 is an reasonably priced gaming laptop computer with aggressive {hardware} and an enormous, quick show. The 1920×1200 IPS show measures 16 inches with a refresh charge of 165Hz, which suggests you’ll be able to anticipate smooth-looking visuals. It additionally comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, so it positively has sufficient horsepower to deal with extra demanding enhancing duties. The battery life isn’t the perfect (4 hours on a single cost), however that’s not stunning provided that this can be a gaming laptop computer and so they’re recognized for his or her power-sucking elements. If you happen to don’t thoughts staying parked at your desk, then the Acer Nitro V 16 is an effective decide for video editors trying to avoid wasting money.
Who can buy the Acer Nitro V 16
Video editors searching for an reasonably priced laptop computer with discrete graphics. It’s a superb worth, full cease. For just below a grand, you’re getting highly effective {hardware} in addition to a excessive refresh charge show. The battery life is shorter than we prefer 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. If you happen to can stay with these trade-offs, then you’ll be able to’t actually beat the price-to-performance worth.
Various choice: The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Benefit Version ($1,099.99), which was our earlier Finest Finances Laptop computer for Video Enhancing decide, continues to be a superb choice to contemplate. For a couple of grand, you’re getting dependable graphics efficiency, a spacious keyboard, and lengthy battery life.
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Acer Nitro V 16 evaluate
Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional) – Finest MacBook for video enhancing
Execs
- Good efficiency
- 18GB of RAM
- Runs quiet
Cons
- Low efficiency benefit over M2 Professional
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,999 – discontinued
Why we just like the Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional)
The Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional) will kick you within the tooth with its energy (in the easiest way attainable). Inside, you’ll discover a 14-core GPU in addition to 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. That quantity of RAM will preserve issues working 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 enhancing ought to be a pleasant expertise. It even comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast information transfers.
Who can buy the Apple MacBook Professional (M3, Professional)
Anybody who prefers Apple’s ecosystem. This configuration reveals a 44 p.c improve 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 photograph or video enhancing work because of the beautiful 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.
Various choice: If you happen to’re searching for an even bigger display, then it is best to try the MacBook Professional, M2 Professional. The Liquid Retina XDR show measures 16.2-inches and has a decision of 3456×2234, so visuals ought to be sharp as knives. The M2 Professional additionally comes loaded with a robust 19-core GPU.
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023) evaluate
Current laptop computer opinions
- Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a strong 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 preserve 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 value ready for a far superior different 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 rather a lot packing containers, certain, however at full retail value it’s costly. Personally, I’d anticipate a sale.
If you happen to’re on a finances or simply trying to avoid wasting cash, you may additionally wish to try our every day roundup of the perfect laptop computer offers to scope out any reductions on content material creation notebooks.
How we examined
The PCWorld group places each Home windows laptop computer by way of a collection 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 collection of web-based exams. It wouldn’t be honest or attainable to run the identical sorts of exams 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 take a look at our evaluate methodology, try how PCWorld exams laptops.
Home windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how properly the laptop computer handles lighter duties like internet shopping, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It mainly 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 working graphic-intensive clips.
- Video rundown check: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Home windows 10’s Motion pictures & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
FAQ
What ought to I search for in a laptop computer for video enhancing?
The very first thing to search for in a laptop computer for video enhancing is its CPU and GPU. The sooner your {hardware}, the sooner your edits.
In case your workload is primarily CPU-driven, we’d suggest 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 take a look at the distinction between the 2 processors, we’ve completed a thorough evaluate and distinction piece that actually lays all of it out. For these on a strict finances, you will get by with an Intel Core i5, however it’s going to be slower.
You in all probability gained’t want a devoted graphics card on a regular basis video enhancing, however in case you work on movement graphics, then the additional firepower actually is useful. For many video enhancing tasks, we’d recommend the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or increased, although having any RTX GPU onboard may also help speed up some particular workloads. For individuals who desire AMD over Nvidia, we’d suggest the AMD Radeon RX 7600S or increased. Except you’re seeking to play AAA video games on the facet, you don’t actually need the perfect graphics card on the market. A mid-range GPU will serve most individuals.
One other factor to contemplate 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 may get too slowed down. For individuals who work with 4K decision, it is best to go for not less than 1TB of SSD or increased. You possibly can in all probability get by with simply 512GB of SSD storage, however you’ll in all probability must preserve offloading recordsdata onto an exterior storage gadget.
RAM is vital too, because it determines how briskly your laptop computer will usually run. Video editors are likely to work with massive recordsdata, which may trigger your laptop computer to decelerate. That’s why we’d suggest not less than 16GB of RAM. Nevertheless, in case you’re enhancing 4K video, you’ll positively need 32GB of RAM or extra. Extra RAM reduces the probability of bottlenecks, which is usually a actual ache within the neck while you’re in the course of an vital edit.
What sort of show ought to I get?
You’re going to need a show that’s each shiny and shade correct. For instance, a show that’s near one hundred pc of the sRGB spectrum is right. Whereas a 4K show isn’t mandatory, we’d strongly suggest it for critical video enhancing. A excessive decision show will produce sharper photographs, which helps cut back eye pressure, and help you edit 4K video at full decision. A bigger display like a 15- or 17-inch is preferable as properly, because it gives higher visibility for enhancing.
What do the consultants suggest?
PCWorld video director Adam Patrick Murray stresses that an excellent laptop computer for video enhancing consists of an SD card reader for grabbing video off of a digicam. He additionally recommends choosing a pocket book with a 4K, 60Hz panel over the ultra-fast 1080p panels typically discovered on gaming laptops that may in any other case be best for video enhancing. You want a 4K panel to edit 4K movies properly and blazing-fast refresh charges don’t imply something for video enhancing like they do for gaming. If shade accuracy issues to you—it won’t in case you’re solely creating informal movies in your private YouTube channel, for instance—then help for the total DCI-P3 shade gamut can be a should together with Delta E < 2 shade accuracy.
You gained’t typically discover these types of specs listed for (or supported by) gaming laptops, however devoted content material creation laptops ought to embrace that info. That stated, if you would like the quickest attainable laptop computer for video enhancing 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.
