I am somebody who spends hours in enhancing software program. I understand how vital the fitting laptop computer is for getting work accomplished. From frame-accurate timelines to heavy rendering, video enhancing pushes {hardware} to its limits, and never each machine is constructed to maintain up.
I examined a variety of laptops throughout value factors to see which of them really carry out beneath strain. Some funds fashions can get via primary edits, however in case you’re severe about your craft, investing in a high-performance laptop computer makes all of the distinction.
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What’s the finest laptop computer for video enhancing proper now?
We have extensively researched and examined dozens of computer systems for one of the best video enhancing laptop computer. The Asus ProArt P16, for instance, has one of many higher shows on the market, and the Dell Inspiron is a strong funds choice. My choose for one of the best general is Apple’s M4 MacBook Professional as a consequence of its M4 chipset, beautiful Liquid Retina XDR show, and long-lasting battery. It’s quite costly however well worth the value. Naturally, it is not the one choice on the market. Under is an inventory the place we evaluate the highest fashions from main manufacturers like Asus and Dell.
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The perfect laptops for video enhancing in 2025
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Why we prefer it: Apple’s M4 MacBook Professional takes the highest spot as one of the best video enhancing laptop computer. It handles heavy workloads, like exporting massive recordsdata to scrubbing via high-resolution footage, with relative ease. This efficiency is due to the M4 chipset. The MacBook Professional can home completely different chip fashions, relying on what you need. For instance, the M4 Max consists of a 14-core CPU and a 32-core GPU. In response to Apple, a MacBook Professional outfitted with the M4 Max is 3.5 instances quicker than an M1 MacBook Professional.
There’s extra to the MacBook Professional than simply its {hardware}. The Liquid Retina XDR show stays best-in-class with an anti-glare coating and as much as 1,600 nits of brightness. Unified reminiscence choices scale as much as 48GB, giving customers extra headroom for multitasking or massive AI fashions.
Final, however not least, the MacBook Professional has a formidable battery lifetime of as much as 24 hours on a single cost.
Who it is for: I like to recommend the MacBook Professional to anybody juggling video enhancing initiatives with high-resolution footage or initiatives that require a variety of rendering. This machine can sustain with out breaking a sweat. Digital nomads may also respect the full-day battery and sharp show.
Who ought to look elsewhere: The M4 MacBook Professional might be overkill for individuals who do not typically take care of heavy inventive work, particularly with its excessive price ticket. Costs begin at $1,599 for the bottom mannequin and may go over $5,000 with all non-compulsory options included. Informal customers are higher off utilizing a MacBook Air or one thing extra funds pleasant.
Apple MacBook Professional 16 specs: Processor: Apple M4 | Show dimension: 14 or 16 inches | Working system: Mac OS | Dimensions: 14 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches
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Why we prefer it: Asus’ ProArt P16 has one of the best show I’ve seen on a video enhancing laptop computer. Two components make it nearly as good as it’s. First, it is massive, measuring 16 inches diagonally. The scale helps you be extra productive and multitask. Second, it’s an OLED touchscreen with a brilliant, deeply vibrant output. The show precisely represents colours, which, as you may think about, is an important characteristic when creating content material.
A superb enhancing laptop can solely accomplish a lot with the fitting {hardware}. The mannequin homes an AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. This configuration can chew via high-res footage and render the ultimate product with out a downside.
I additionally wish to shout out the customized DialPad. It’s a small circle on the trackpad that gives shortcuts to numerous enhancing instruments. Battery life is respectable. It may possibly final over 10 hours on a single cost.
Evaluate: Asus ProArt P16
Who it is for: The ProArt P16 is good for inventive professionals searching for a cell laptop with a color-accurate show and a variety of customization choices. That DialPad is useful everytime you wish to change brush sizes in Photoshop or minimize one thing in Adobe Premiere. Plus, the top-notch {hardware} makes it a terrific choose for cartoonists, animators, and 3D designers engaged on massive initiatives.
Who ought to look elsewhere: The show could also be its finest characteristic, but it surely does have one main flaw. It is an ultra-glossy display screen, inflicting distracting reflections. Utilizing the laptop computer beneath brightly lit situations could show troublesome. Also, the customization choices could show overwhelming for some. In his evaluation, ZDNET Editor Kyle Kucharski identified that it took a very long time to arrange the DialPad.
Asus ProArt P16 specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Show dimension: 16 inches | Working system: Home windows 11 | Dimensions: 13.97 x 9.72 x 0.68 inches
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Why we prefer it: Dell’s Inspiron 16 Plus is a well-rounded, reliable laptop computer. It sports activities a 2.5K show with a refresh price of 120Hz, delivering sharp and impressively easy visible outputs. Because of its 120Hz refresh price, it is sharp, color-rich, and impressively easy. The 16:10 side ratio offers an excellent quantity of vertical workspace, so you may get an excellent view of your venture. I ought to point out that the panel has a peak brightness of 300 nits, which is not wonderful. Nevertheless it’s serviceable for indoor work and permits a protracted battery life.
For {hardware}, you may select to equip the machine with an Intel Core Extremely 7 processor and an Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card. This setup is able to simply dealing with multitasking and inventive workloads. ZDNET Editor Kyle Kucharski additionally praised the Inspiron 16 Plus’ prolonged battery life in his evaluation. It is able to lasting as much as 12 hours on a single cost. Different notable options embody a quad-speaker array and as much as 2TB of storage.
Evaluate: Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (7640)
Who it is for: In the event you’re a content material creator, scholar, or knowledgeable searching for a brand new laptop computer that will not break the financial institution, the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 is among the many finest. It would not excel in a single specific space, but it surely does a number of issues fairly nicely. This laptop boasts sufficient horsepower for animation work and even some gentle gaming.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Dell’s gadget is a chunky laptop computer, weighing almost 5 kilos. So, touring with the Inspiron 16 goes to be quite troublesome. Though the show’s decision is excessive, it lacks help for enhancement software program like HDR. Customers who worth color-accurate imaging above all else ought to take into account another choice.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 specs: Processor: Intel Core Extremely 7 155H | Show dimension: 16 inches | Working system: Home windows 11 | Dimensions: 14.05 x 9.87 x 0.72 inches
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Why we prefer it: There’s a variety of profit to having a large-screen video enhancing laptop computer, however what in case you want one thing smaller? HP’s EliteBook X G1a suits the invoice properly, sporting a high-resolution 14-inch OLED touchscreen. Opposite to its dimension, this gadget packs a variety of muscle beneath its slim body. Below the hood is an AMD Ryzen AI Professional chip delivering a severe efficiency that is greater than sufficient for inventive workloads.
ZDNET Editor Kyle Kucharski mentioned operating “industry-standard packages like Da Vinci Resolve was a breeze” and on a regular basis productiveness duties felt snappy. The benchmark assessments again this up, indicating that the EliteBook X G1a is a “highly effective enterprise machine” too.
Evaluate: HP EliteBook X G1a
Who it is for: That is the best 14-inch laptop computer for customers searching for strong efficiency with out sacrificing portability. One of many points that some entries on the record have is that they are often quite heavy. Moreover, the EliteBook X G1a offers the ability and connectivity to maintain up with trendy instances.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Do not get this laptop computer if battery longevity is vital to you. In response to ZDNET’s assessments, the gadget lasts a little bit over 11 hours on a single cost, which is okay, but it surely might not be the length you are searching for. I also needs to point out that the pc can run quite heat beneath heavy workloads.
HP EliteBook X G1a specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 7 Professional | Show dimension: 14 inches | Working system: Home windows 11 | Dimensions: 12.29 x 8.45 x 0.36 inches
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Why we prefer it: Relating to video enhancing, 2-in-1 laptops are as much as the duty. Turning the pc right into a pill deepens the gadget’s usability. You may straight work together with a video’s timeline, minimize out clips, or sketch out storyboards in actual time. There are various choices on the market, however the HP Envy x360 is one of the best. It boasts a big 16-inch, 2.8K OLED touchscreen that’s each sharp and colour correct.
HP claims that its laptop computer is “IMAX licensed” as a consequence of its capacity to point out “IMAX-formatted content material in [their] unique… side ratio.” ZDNET Editor Kyle Kucharski states that though it is a “flashy designation”, the 16-inch display screen “does look good”. That is not all. HP’s machine comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS CPU, an built-in AMD Radeon GPU, a long-lasting battery, and “beefy audio system”, all working collectively to give you an expertise that is second to none.
Evaluate: HP Envy x360
Who it is for: The HP Envy x360 is an effective selection for individuals who need the interactivity a pill offers whereas nonetheless having fun with the ability of a laptop computer. It strikes a pleasant center floor for many who need a mix of portability and suppleness. Plus, the big display screen dimension makes touchscreen enhancing much more snug for prolonged durations of time.
Who ought to look elsewhere: There are a few points with Envy x360 that will dissuade folks from buying it. First, it is a little bit heavy, at simply over 4 kilos. Second, the shiny show attracts fingerprints like a magnet. Moreover, I would not suggest the gadget to professionals with heavy workloads. You are higher off shopping for a laptop computer with a devoted graphics card or a strong desktop.
HP Envy x360 specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS | Show dimension: 16-inch 3K OLED touchscreen | Working system: Home windows 11 | Dimensions: 14.04 x 9.68 x 0.72 inches
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Why we prefer it: Galaxy smartphones make it extremely straightforward for customers to take high-quality movies, due to their superior digital camera expertise. These cell units include their very own enhancing instruments, however if you wish to take issues to the subsequent stage, I like to recommend the Galaxy Book5 Professional.
The laptop computer has many helpful options that may assist folks refine their creations. Fast Share enables you to seamlessly switch recordsdata out of your cell gadget to the pc, the place you may then work on them. It sports activities a 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen able to outputting photos at 3K decision and covers 120% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The show additionally runs at a refresh price of 120Hz. Specs like these permit the Galaxy Book5 Professional to be good for colour grading and scrubbing via footage.
Add in 15.5 hours of battery life, an enormous touchpad, and a light-weight construct, and you’ve got a well-rounded video enhancing machine.
Evaluate: Samsung Galaxy Book5 Professional
Who it is for: I strongly suggest this laptop computer to Galaxy house owners, particularly those that personal a Galaxy S25. Content material creators can document footage on their smartphone and edit it on their machine. Constructed-in Galaxy AI options like Photograph Remaster and AI Choose add handy inventive instruments for sprucing visuals or discovering reference supplies.
I also needs to point out that the Galaxy Book5 Professional has respectable {hardware}, operating on an Intel Core Extremely 7 256V chipset and 16GB of RAM.
Who ought to look elsewhere: In the event you do not personal a Galaxy smartphone, I might suggest one other laptop computer. You can nonetheless get so much out of the Galaxy Book5 Professional even in case you personal a non-Samsung telephone. The issue is you will not be capable to use lots of the options to their fullest extent. Plus, it is not all that completely different from the Galaxy Book5 Professional 360, which, on the time of this writing, is cheaper.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Professional specs: Processor: Intel Core Extremely 7 256V | Show dimension: 14 inches AMOLED | Working system: Home windows 11 | Dimensions: 13.99 x 9.93 x 0.50 inches
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Why we prefer it: Gaming laptops additionally lend themselves very nicely to video enhancing initiatives. These machines typically have a few of the finest {hardware} available on the market. The primary downside with these computer systems is that you may’t take them into the workplace. Their brilliant RGB lighting may be very distracting. Seeing a chance, Dell made a gaming laptop computer with the workplace employee in thoughts: the Alienware m16 R2.
It homes an Intel Core Extremely 9 185H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, a {hardware} pairing that may adeptly deal with heavy workloads. The colourful, 2K show runs at a refresh price of 240Hz, which is ideal for content material creation because it permits easy on-screen animations. However what actually makes the laptop computer stand out is its considerate design. It is not as cumbersome as many different gaming laptops, and the Stealth Mode characteristic immediately turns off the RGB lighting for a extra skilled look.
Evaluate: Alienware m16 R2
Who it is for: The Alienware m16 R2 is a good laptop that balances energy with practicality. I might suggest this to customers wanting top-tier efficiency whereas sustaining a clear, office-friendly look. In my expertise, few laptops can do each equally nicely, however not this machine. It is the exception to the rule.
Who ought to look elsewhere: I might not suggest the Alienware m16 R2 to individuals who worth portability and longevity. The laptop computer is fairly chunky, clocking in at almost six kilos. It’s not very travel-friendly, and you may wish to preserve the charger shut by. Throughout my time testing it, the gadget solely lasted for about 6.5 hours earlier than tapping out.
Alienware m16 R2 specs: Processor: Intel Core Extremely 9 | Show dimension: 16 inches | Working system: Home windows 11 | Dimensions: 14.33 x 9.81 x 0.93 inches
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What are the tariffs within the U.S.?
The latest U.S. tariffs on imports from nations like China, Vietnam, and India purpose to spice up home manufacturing however are prone to drive up costs on shopper electronics. Merchandise like smartphones, laptops, and TVs could grow to be dearer as firms rethink world provide chains and weigh the price of shifting manufacturing.
Laptops and PCs are additionally hit exhausting by the brand new U.S. tariffs, with import duties doubtlessly rising costs by as much as 35%. Many main manufacturers nonetheless depend on Chinese language and Vietnamese factories for meeting, which means shoppers might quickly pay considerably extra for every thing from funds Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs.
These tariffs could speed up efforts to maneuver manufacturing to areas like Mexico or India, however consumers can count on larger prices and fewer reductions within the quick time period.
Proper now, it appears like some tech could also be exempt from the issued tariffs, however because it’s all the time altering and growing, we’re keeping track of it and can replace you on the most recent.
Newest info on video enhancing laptops in 2025
Newest updates
- Within the June 2025 replace, I examined and added the HP EliteBook X G1a to the principle record.
- Within the Might 2025 replace, I up to date the highest record to incorporate extra detailed info for every of the principle entries.
Different laptops we have examined
Laptops Reviewed & In contrast
