Best laptops for video editing in 2025: buyer's guide for creators

Whether you're launching a freelance career, starting a YouTube channel, or learning editing from scratch, the laptop you choose will shape your workflow. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best laptop for video editing based on real-world performance, budget, and use case.

Before picking a laptop, it’s useful to understand how portability compares to raw power, and this breakdown of laptop vs desktop for video editing helps clarify which setup fits your workflow best.

🔍 What Makes a Good Laptop for Video Editing?

Before we jump into the list, let’s define what makes a great video editing laptop:

Best Laptops for Video Editing 2025

💻 MacBook Pro M3 (14" or 16") – Best Overall for Video Editing

Why it’s great:

Apple’s M3 Pro and M3 Max chips offer unmatched rendering speeds and real-time timeline performance—even in 8K. DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and Premiere Pro run beautifully on macOS.

Specs:

• Apple M3 Pro or M3 Max chip
• 16–36GB unified memory
• 512GB–2TB SSD
• XDR Display (HDR-ready, wide color)

Pros:

• Best-in-class battery life
• Silent, fanless performance
• Incredible screen for grading and editing
• Optimized for macOS software stack

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not upgradable

Best for:

Professionals, creators, YouTubers, filmmakers on macOS

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💻 Dell XPS 15 / XPS 17 (2025) – Best Windows Laptop for Video Editing

Why it’s great:

Powerful Intel 14th-gen CPUs and RTX 40-series GPUs make the XPS a favorite for editors using Premiere Pro or DaVinci on Windows.

Specs:

• Intel Core i7 or i9 (14th gen)
• NVIDIA RTX 4060–4080 GPU
• 32GB RAM
• 1TB SSD
• 4K OLED option

Pros:

• Stunning color-accurate OLED screen
• Excellent build quality
• Reliable thermals and power under load

Cons:

• Battery drains fast under GPU-intensive work
• Higher price at 4K spec

Best for:

Windows editors working with high-res footage, effects, or 3D motion

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💻 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 – Best Price-to-Performance Laptop for Editing

Why it’s great:

A sleeper hit among video editors, the Zephyrus G16 balances power and portability with high-end internals at a competitive price.

Specs:

• Intel i7-13620H or Ryzen 9
• NVIDIA RTX 4060
• 16GB or 32GB RAM
• 1TB SSD
• 165Hz QHD+ Display

Pros:

• Surprisingly slim and quiet
• Strong GPU for effects and exports
• Great thermals under load

Cons:

• Not the brightest screen for outdoor use
• Gamer aesthetic may not suit everyone

Best for:

Editors seeking high specs under $2,000

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💻 Apple MacBook Air M2 – Best ARM Laptop for Beginner Video Editors

Why it’s great:

If you're learning to edit and need portability, the M2 MacBook Air handles 1080p and light 4K editing with surprising ease.

Specs:

• Apple M2 chip
• 8GB–16GB unified memory
• 256GB–512GB SSD
• Retina display

Pros:

• Silent, no fan
• Excellent battery life
• Lightweight and travel-ready
• Optimized for CapCut, Final Cut, Resolve Lite

Cons:

• No active cooling—limited for heavy 4K exports
• Only two Thunderbolt ports

Best for:

Students, new editors, mobile creators

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💻 Lenovo Legion Pro 7i – Best Windows Laptop for Editing & Gaming

Why it’s great:

If you edit and game, the Legion Pro 7i delivers serious power thanks to RTX 4080 and DDR5 memory—great for hybrid creators.

Specs:

• Intel Core i9-13900HX
• NVIDIA RTX 4080
• 32GB DDR5 RAM
• 1TB Gen4 SSD
• 16" WQXGA 240Hz Display

Pros:

• Exceptional performance for its price
• Upgradeable RAM and SSD
• Handles 6K+ timelines, effects, and animation

Cons:

• Heavy and bulky
• Limited battery life under load

Best for:

Editors who also game, livestream, or run 3D/VFX workflows

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Since GPU performance plays a big role in exports and real-time effects, this guide on the best graphics cards for video editing gives extra context on why certain laptops perform better than others.

🔬 ARM Laptops & Video Editing Performance (2025)

Thanks to Apple Silicon, ARM laptops now outperform many Intel/AMD-based machines in thermal efficiency, timeline playback, and battery life. The MacBook Pro M3 and MacBook Air M2 prove that ARM architecture is not just viable—it’s leading the future of mobile video editing.

Other ARM-based Windows laptops are catching up, but software compatibility remains limited outside of Apple’s ecosystem.

🎯 How to Choose the Best Laptop for Your Editing Goals

Ask yourself:

• Are you just starting out? → MacBook Air M2 or ASUS G16
• Editing 4K+ footage or using After Effects? → MacBook Pro or Dell XPS
• Want a budget-friendly beast? → ASUS Zephyrus G16
• Prefer Final Cut Pro? → Go Mac
• Need Windows for business or gaming too? → Lenovo Legion or Dell XPS

🧠 Final Thoughts: The Best Video Editing Laptop is the One That Fits You

The best laptop for video editing isn’t always the most expensive—it’s the one that fits your workflow, budget, and goals. Whether you want a lightweight system to learn editing or a powerhouse for full-time freelance work, every option in this guide offers solid value in 2025.

Once you’ve chosen the right machine, pairing it with one of the best monitors for video editing can make a noticeable difference in color accuracy and overall editing comfort.

Want to Learn How to Edit Professionally?

Take the Video Editing Course by Miracamp—designed to teach you how to:

• Use Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or CapCut
• Build client-ready projects
• Create a portfolio that gets you hired
• Understand editing for YouTube, Reels, and commercial work

👉 Join the Video Editing Course

FAQ Laptops for video editing

What is the best laptop for video editing in 2025?

The best laptop for video editing in 2025 is the MacBook Pro M3, offering exceptional performance, battery life, and display quality. For Windows users, the Dell XPS 15 and ASUS Zephyrus G16 provide excellent alternatives.

What specs should a video editing laptop have?

For smooth editing, look for at least:

• Intel i7/Ryzen 7 or Apple M2/M3 chip
• 16GB RAM (32GB preferred)
• SSD storage (512GB or more)
• Dedicated GPU like NVIDIA RTX 4060 or better

Is MacBook Air good for video editing?

Yes, the MacBook Air M2 is great for beginners editing in 1080p or light 4K. It's fanless, efficient, and works well with software like Final Cut Pro, CapCut, and DaVinci Resolve.

Can ARM laptops handle video editing?

Yes. Apple Silicon (M2/M3) ARM-based laptops outperform many Intel/AMD models in video editing, offering faster rendering and better battery life. Other ARM Windows laptops are improving but still lack wide software support.

What’s the best budget laptop for video editing?

The ASUS Zephyrus G16 offers the best performance per dollar, featuring RTX graphics and strong CPU power for under $2,000.

Do I need a GPU for video editing?

Yes, a dedicated GPU (like NVIDIA RTX or Apple M-series) greatly improves rendering, effects, playback, and encoding times. Integrated graphics work for simple edits but struggle with high-resolution timelines or effects.

What’s a good laptop to edit YouTube videos?

For YouTube creators, a MacBook Pro M3, Dell XPS 15, or Zephyrus G16 is ideal. They support 4K timelines, color grading, and fast exports in Premiere Pro, Final Cut, and DaVinci Resolve.

Are gaming laptops good for video editing?

Absolutely. Laptops like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i offer powerful GPUs and fast refresh displays that work well for both gaming and editing—especially for creators who livestream or use 3D/VFX software.