Best Laptops for Video Editing 2020: Making One, Two, Three Videos

A computer for editing is a very niche and specific device. It must have a high-performance filling and a high-quality screen. And if we talk about laptops, then things are even more complicated. Not only is it quite difficult to find a perfectly balanced solution for certain needs, but we also get inflated price tags due to low consumer demand for such devices. Also exacerbates the situation and the complexity of upgrading portable devices. But nothing is impossible. Therefore, we have selected the best models and compiled the top laptops for video editing 2020.
Primary requirements
As mentioned above, this is hardware and a screen. Particularly strong among all other components should be allocated to the processor. It is responsible for computing and processing information. Namely, these processes are actively taking place in the computer while working in a hypothetical Adobe After Effects. However, many modern programs support rendering, encoding and hardware acceleration using a video card or even using both main components: processor + graphics core. Therefore, if you want to get the most productive gadget, the purpose of which is video processing, then you should consider models with discrete graphics, and at a fairly high level. Of course, devices equipped only with a plug-in will be much cheaper, but their capabilities are much less. Therefore, we can absolutely say for sure that a modern computer for video editing is not much different from a premium class gaming machine. Both there and there are powerful hardware, as well as large amounts of RAM.
Speaking of memory. If you think you can get by with a couple of 4 GB sticks, then you are wrong. All video editing programs are designed in such a way that the data loaded into the active project is stored in the RAM cache. Therefore, it turns out that the more effects in the created video and the longer it is, the more RAM you will need. In our opinion, the optimal values are 16–32 GB. 8 — little, 64 — expensive. Still, we focus on the price too. Otherwise, what is the point of ranking the best laptops for video editing, if you can just go and buy the most expensive and stuffed model?
As for the screen, it must be at least 15 inches and be based on a high-quality matrix that will have good color reproduction. The resolution is the higher the better. However, we will not focus on QHD and 4K, since such models are still unreasonably expensive. In most cases, classic Full HD will suffice. You can read more about screen selection in a separate article.
Purchase
Monitor matrix: which is better? Find out before you buy
The final link of any computer will be a high-speed SSD drive. After all, it not only speeds up the loading of the operating system and its processes. It also directly affects the speed of data processing while working in a video editing program. In this case, the system disk does not have to be large. It makes no sense to store rendered projects on an SSD, because they can take hundreds of gigabytes. The most correct choice, in our opinion, is a combination of a 256–512 GB SSD and a classic 1–2 TB HDD.
Now that the basic requirements are determined, you can start choosing a laptop for photoshop and video editing. Get ready for impressive specs and equally impressive price tags.
DELL G5 3590null
Opens our top one of the most affordable devices in its category. The price tag starts at about 650$. For such money, the user will receive at his disposal a 6‑core 12-thread Intel Core i7 9750H processor. This is one of the most common CPU models in premium laptops. Also, the device is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, which has 6 GB of video memory. The amount of RAM is 16 GB. Planks work in two-channel mode. The maximum amount of RAM that the motherboard supports is 32 GB.
The storage configuration is as follows: 1000 GB HDD and 256 GB SSD. As we wrote above, in our opinion, this is the optimal setup. The screen is not inferior to the rest of the hardware in terms of technical characteristics: its diagonal is 15.6 inches. It is based on an IPS matrix with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. The weakest point of the gadget is the battery life, which is only 4 hours. However, video editing can very quickly discharge even devices with high autonomy. It is also worth considering that the developer chose Linux as the preinstalled operating system. For some, this fact may be a significant reason for not buying.
Even though the gadget can’t work without a power outlet for a long time, we think it’s a good starter kit that will handle heavy workloads during video editing. However, to create long-term video content, it is better to get a more powerful machine, because even such hardware is considered relatively weak in the world of editors.
ASUS ROG GL731GT-AU169
If you want a model with a large diagonal, you will have to additionally part with another 100$. The ROG line is positioned as a gaming line, but it is also perfect for editing. Unlike the previous model, ASUS focuses on the screen. And although the polling frequency is lower here (60 Hertz), the diagonal is 17.3 inches. However, you will have to sacrifice the capabilities of the graphics core.
The NVIDIA GeForce 1650 graphics card is installed here. It lags far behind the GTX 1660 Ti. On average, the performance difference between them is 60–65% in favor of the first model. If you are sure that the program you are running does not support rendering with a video card, then this should not play a big role in the purchase. All the same, it is more comfortable to work on a large screen, which means that you can make a choice in favor of this gadget. The processor here is the same: Intel Core i7 9750H. And the amount of RAM is identical: 16 GB.
Despite the fact that the graphics adapter is weaker here, charging will also last you 4 hours, as in the previous case. Still, the screen is also capable of consuming a lot of energy, especially if you turn the brightness to the maximum. The storage is a 1000 GB SSD. And the weight of the device is 2.85 kg. Dimensions are also not the most modest: 399x293x265 mm. If you carry the device with you all the time and move long distances, this can become a problem.
DELL G5 5590
DELL has another device that is suitable for creating videos. As in the G3 line, the emphasis here is solely on the performance of iron. Therefore, the developer installed a fresh NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card here. It is approximately 20–25% more powerful than the GTX 1660 Ti if we are talking about portable versions. However, there are other modifications that differ from each other only in the graphics adapter. The user can choose from three available options: Intel UHD Graphics 630, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. The RTX 2060 is installed in the 5590 line.
In terms of other parameters, the laptop will almost completely repeat the younger model. Processor — Intel Core i7 9750H. The amount of RAM is 16 GB. Even the pre-installed operating system is the same — Linux. What changed? Perhaps only the configuration of the drives. Now it’s a lone 512 GB SSD. The gadget comes in two color options: black and white. The weight of the device is slightly too big: 2.68 kg.
The cost of a laptop starts from 800$. And although there are cheaper models on the market that have an RTX 2060 under the hood, it should be borne in mind that most devices are equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3750H processor. And it is inferior in performance to the Intel Core i7 9750H by about 30% on average. Is it worth saving 100$ a third of the performance of the CPU, the capabilities of which determine the speed and quality of rendering? In our opinion, no. Therefore, we chose the DELL G5 5590.
Acer Predator Helios 500
If the graphics capabilities of the device are absolutely not important to you, then it is better to look at models whose main advantage is the processor. One such model is the Acer Predator Helios 500.
Graphics loads here fall on the shoulders of the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56. This is far from the most powerful chip, which is more of a mid-budget solution. But, having saved on a video card, the developer did not stint and installed AMD Ryzen 7 2700 here. This is already a 6‑core, 12-thread stone, whose favorite dish is multi-threaded tasks. Namely, such loads “threaten” you during video editing. By the way, the record low figure of 1.5 hours in battery life is achieved precisely because of the high performance of the processor. Therefore, it is better not to forget the cord at home.
The storage configuration is also very juicy: 512 GB SSD and 1000 GB HDD. This is enough for both finished videos and projects on the system disk. A little depressing is the small amount of RAM (16 GB) at such a cost (about 1400$) and the weight of the device is 4 kg! If it weren’t for these significant shortcomings, then we would call Helios 500 the best laptop for video editing. Perhaps in the future we will see an improved model, where the developer will fix such significant flaws and at least slightly reduce the price.
MSI Prestige 15 A10SC
Closes our rating is the only model that has 4K resolution. Paired with such a high resolution, a screen of at least 17.3 inches would look good. However, here it is the standard 15.6 inches. However, users praise the quality of the IPS matrix, which reproduces colors very well.
But the screen is not the only advantage of the device. 32 GB of RAM — that’s what you should pay attention to. The Prestige 15 A10SC is one of the cheapest devices (if you can say that at all) that has so much RAM and a 6‑core, 12-thread processor. Speaking of CPU. This model installs Intel Core i7 10710U. This stone is relatively rare, but it is almost a complete analogue of the now popular Intel Core i7 9750H. The graphics card is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. You had to sacrifice something for 4K, right?
What I want to note is the long battery life without recharging. According to the developer, it is about 16 hours of video playback. In fact, we did not check, but judging by the reviews, buyers are satisfied with the autonomy of the device. So, perhaps this is the best laptop that is suitable for video editing.
Apple MacBook Pro 16
And of course, we could not ignore Apple. Their products are famous for their high reliability and no less high price. The model was released at the end of 2019 and traditionally acquired the characteristics that make the Mac a unique solution, unlike other laptops.
Firstly, there is a 16-inch screen with a resolution of 3072x1920. This is certainly not 4K and not the aforementioned 17.3 inches, but the performance is excellent. However, what else to expect from a laptop for 2000$? Only full stuffing. The screen is complemented by a chic IPS matrix, which has excellent color reproduction. Probably, many have heard laudatory comments about the MacBook from their familiar designers. And we join them.
Second, it’s stuffing. 16 GB of RAM operate at a frequency of 2666 MHz. The processor is an eight-core i9 9880H monster, which is not afraid of this word in the teeth, absolutely any tasks. In terms of performance in a single-core load, it is not much ahead of the aforementioned i7 9750H, but in multi-threaded tasks the lead can be 30%. The developer paid decent attention to the graphics. The Radeon Pro 5500M can significantly speed up rendering. 11 hours of battery life and a weight of only 2 kg. 1024 GB SSD. Excellent performance, nothing to complain about, except for the price.
Speaking of memory. If you think you can get by with a couple of 4 GB sticks, then you are wrong. All video editing programs are designed in such a way that the data loaded into the active project is stored in the RAM cache. Therefore, it turns out that the more effects in the created video and the longer it is, the more RAM you will need. In our opinion, the optimal values are 16–32 GB. 8 — little, 64 — expensive. Still, we focus on the price too. Otherwise, what is the point of ranking the best laptops for video editing, if you can just go and buy the most expensive and stuffed model?
As for the screen, it must be at least 15 inches and be based on a high-quality matrix that will have good color reproduction. The resolution is the higher the better. However, we will not focus on QHD and 4K, since such models are still unreasonably expensive. In most cases, classic Full HD will suffice. You can read more about screen selection in a separate article.
Purchase
Monitor matrix: which is better? Find out before you buy
The final link of any computer will be a high-speed SSD drive. After all, it not only speeds up the loading of the operating system and its processes. It also directly affects the speed of data processing while working in a video editing program. In this case, the system disk does not have to be large. It makes no sense to store rendered projects on an SSD, because they can take hundreds of gigabytes. The most correct choice, in our opinion, is a combination of a 256–512 GB SSD and a classic 1–2 TB HDD.
Now that the basic requirements are determined, you can start choosing a laptop for photoshop and video editing. Get ready for impressive specs and equally impressive price tags.
DELL G5 3590null
Opens our top one of the most affordable devices in its category. The price tag starts at about 650$. For such money, the user will receive at his disposal a 6‑core 12-thread Intel Core i7 9750H processor. This is one of the most common CPU models in premium laptops. Also, the device is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, which has 6 GB of video memory. The amount of RAM is 16 GB. Planks work in two-channel mode. The maximum amount of RAM that the motherboard supports is 32 GB.
The storage configuration is as follows: 1000 GB HDD and 256 GB SSD. As we wrote above, in our opinion, this is the optimal setup. The screen is not inferior to the rest of the hardware in terms of technical characteristics: its diagonal is 15.6 inches. It is based on an IPS matrix with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. The weakest point of the gadget is the battery life, which is only 4 hours. However, video editing can very quickly discharge even devices with high autonomy. It is also worth considering that the developer chose Linux as the preinstalled operating system. For some, this fact may be a significant reason for not buying.
Even though the gadget can’t work without a power outlet for a long time, we think it’s a good starter kit that will handle heavy workloads during video editing. However, to create long-term video content, it is better to get a more powerful machine, because even such hardware is considered relatively weak in the world of editors.
ASUS ROG GL731GT-AU169
If you want a model with a large diagonal, you will have to additionally part with another 100$. The ROG line is positioned as a gaming line, but it is also perfect for editing. Unlike the previous model, ASUS focuses on the screen. And although the polling frequency is lower here (60 Hertz), the diagonal is 17.3 inches. However, you will have to sacrifice the capabilities of the graphics core.
The NVIDIA GeForce 1650 graphics card is installed here. It lags far behind the GTX 1660 Ti. On average, the performance difference between them is 60–65% in favor of the first model. If you are sure that the program you are running does not support rendering with a video card, then this should not play a big role in the purchase. All the same, it is more comfortable to work on a large screen, which means that you can make a choice in favor of this gadget. The processor here is the same: Intel Core i7 9750H. And the amount of RAM is identical: 16 GB.
Despite the fact that the graphics adapter is weaker here, charging will also last you 4 hours, as in the previous case. Still, the screen is also capable of consuming a lot of energy, especially if you turn the brightness to the maximum. The storage is a 1000 GB SSD. And the weight of the device is 2.85 kg. Dimensions are also not the most modest: 399x293x265 mm. If you carry the device with you all the time and move long distances, this can become a problem.
DELL G5 5590
DELL has another device that is suitable for creating videos. As in the G3 line, the emphasis here is solely on the performance of iron. Therefore, the developer installed a fresh NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card here. It is approximately 20–25% more powerful than the GTX 1660 Ti if we are talking about portable versions. However, there are other modifications that differ from each other only in the graphics adapter. The user can choose from three available options: Intel UHD Graphics 630, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. The RTX 2060 is installed in the 5590 line.
In terms of other parameters, the laptop will almost completely repeat the younger model. Processor — Intel Core i7 9750H. The amount of RAM is 16 GB. Even the pre-installed operating system is the same — Linux. What changed? Perhaps only the configuration of the drives. Now it’s a lone 512 GB SSD. The gadget comes in two color options: black and white. The weight of the device is slightly too big: 2.68 kg.
The cost of a laptop starts from 800$. And although there are cheaper models on the market that have an RTX 2060 under the hood, it should be borne in mind that most devices are equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3750H processor. And it is inferior in performance to the Intel Core i7 9750H by about 30% on average. Is it worth saving 100$ a third of the performance of the CPU, the capabilities of which determine the speed and quality of rendering? In our opinion, no. Therefore, we chose the DELL G5 5590.
Acer Predator Helios 500
If the graphics capabilities of the device are absolutely not important to you, then it is better to look at models whose main advantage is the processor. One such model is the Acer Predator Helios 500.
Graphics loads here fall on the shoulders of the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56. This is far from the most powerful chip, which is more of a mid-budget solution. But, having saved on a video card, the developer did not stint and installed AMD Ryzen 7 2700 here. This is already a 6‑core, 12-thread stone, whose favorite dish is multi-threaded tasks. Namely, such loads “threaten” you during video editing. By the way, the record low figure of 1.5 hours in battery life is achieved precisely because of the high performance of the processor. Therefore, it is better not to forget the cord at home.
The storage configuration is also very juicy: 512 GB SSD and 1000 GB HDD. This is enough for both finished videos and projects on the system disk. A little depressing is the small amount of RAM (16 GB) at such a cost (about 1400$) and the weight of the device is 4 kg! If it weren’t for these significant shortcomings, then we would call Helios 500 the best laptop for video editing. Perhaps in the future we will see an improved model, where the developer will fix such significant flaws and at least slightly reduce the price.
MSI Prestige 15 A10SC
Closes our rating is the only model that has 4K resolution. Paired with such a high resolution, a screen of at least 17.3 inches would look good. However, here it is the standard 15.6 inches. However, users praise the quality of the IPS matrix, which reproduces colors very well.
But the screen is not the only advantage of the device. 32 GB of RAM — that’s what you should pay attention to. The Prestige 15 A10SC is one of the cheapest devices (if you can say that at all) that has so much RAM and a 6‑core, 12-thread processor. Speaking of CPU. This model installs Intel Core i7 10710U. This stone is relatively rare, but it is almost a complete analogue of the now popular Intel Core i7 9750H. The graphics card is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. You had to sacrifice something for 4K, right?
What I want to note is the long battery life without recharging. According to the developer, it is about 16 hours of video playback. In fact, we did not check, but judging by the reviews, buyers are satisfied with the autonomy of the device. So, perhaps this is the best laptop that is suitable for video editing.
Apple MacBook Pro 16
And of course, we could not ignore Apple. Their products are famous for their high reliability and no less high price. The model was released at the end of 2019 and traditionally acquired the characteristics that make the Mac a unique solution, unlike other laptops.
Firstly, there is a 16-inch screen with a resolution of 3072x1920. This is certainly not 4K and not the aforementioned 17.3 inches, but the performance is excellent. However, what else to expect from a laptop for 2000$? Only full stuffing. The screen is complemented by a chic IPS matrix, which has excellent color reproduction. Probably, many have heard laudatory comments about the MacBook from their familiar designers. And we join them.
Second, it’s stuffing. 16 GB of RAM operate at a frequency of 2666 MHz. The processor is an eight-core i9 9880H monster, which is not afraid of this word in the teeth, absolutely any task. In terms of performance in a single-core load, it is not much ahead of the aforementioned i7 9750H, but in multi-threaded tasks the lead can be 30%. The developer paid decent attention to the graphics. The Radeon Pro 5500M can significantly speed up rendering. 11 hours of battery life and a weight of only 2 kg. 1024 GB SSD. Excellent performance, nothing to complain about, except for the price.
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