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10 Best Laptops For Photo And Video Editing 2025 in the United States

HP Touchscreen Laptop Computer for College Student Home Study & Business, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Intel 8-Core Processor, 15.6", WiFi 6, BT 5.4, HDMI, Moonlight Blue, Windows 11 Pro, Type-C HUB

Processor (CPU): 8-core Intel Core i3 1.8 GHz
Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 32 GB DDR4
Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen
Ports and Connectivity: HDMI, USB-C, USB 3.0, 8-in-1 hub
Build Quality and Portability: Solid build, touchscreen, 7 pounds

Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home

Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core
Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128 GB NVMe SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 1920x1080
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Ports and Connectivity: USB-C, HDMI, 3x USB 3.0, Bluetooth
Build Quality and Portability: Slim design, 3.92 pounds

HP Pavilion 15.6" HD Touchscreen Anti-Glare Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Intel Core Processor up to 4.1GHz, Up to 11 Hours Long Battery Life, Type-C, HDMI, Windows 11 Home, Silver

Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3
Graphics Card (GPU): Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Display: 15.6 Inches, 1366 x 768, HD, Touchscreen
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Ports and Connectivity: USB Type-C, HDMI, USB Type-A, Bluetooth
Build Quality and Portability: 3.74 pounds, 14.1 x 9.53 x 0.71 inches

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Starlight

Processor (CPU): Apple M4, 10-core CPU
Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated, 10-core GPU
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Display: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2880x1864, 500 nits
Ports and Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, Wi-Fi 6E
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Build Quality and Portability: Solid, lightweight, 3.32 pounds

Dell 15.6" 3530 Laptop Computer for Business & Home Student, Intel 10-Core i5-1334U (Beat i7-1250U), 120Hz FHD Vostro Laptop, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 11 Pro (32GB RAM | 1TB PCIe SSD)

Processor (CPU): 13th Gen Intel Core i5, 10 cores
Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 32 GB DDR4
Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD
Display: 15.6" Full HD 120Hz IPS
Ports and Connectivity: USB-C, HDMI, 2 USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, BT
Build Quality and Portability: Solid build, 5 pounds
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#1

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Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,121
Processor (CPU)
RAM

Most important from
2066 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip shows a noticeable improvement over previous models, delivering faster performance and enhancing overall quality.
RAM
Despite regretting not opting for a higher memory spec, the performance and speed of the MacBook Air are highly impressive.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch with the M4 chip stands out with its impressive performance and portability, essential for photo and video editing tasks. The M4 chip ensures smooth handling of multiple applications and resource-intensive editing software. The 16GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD storage provide sufficient capacity for most editing projects, although professionals may desire more storage space. The Liquid Retina display, supporting 1 billion colors and offering high brightness and rich contrast, is excellent for detailed visual work and color accuracy.

The laptop’s slim and lightweight design makes it highly portable, perfect for on-the-go work. For connectivity, the MacBook Air offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, providing ample options for external devices and peripherals essential for expansive editing setups. Battery life is impressive, with up to 18 hours, supporting long editing sessions without frequent charging. While the integrated GPU may not be as powerful as dedicated GPUs found in some high-end laptops, it is optimized by the M4 chip for efficient performance in editing tasks.

The build quality is premium, typical of Apple products, ensuring durability and reliability. However, the laptop's limited storage might require additional external drives for larger projects, and the relatively small 13.6-inch screen may not be ideal for all users who prefer more screen real estate. Nevertheless, the MacBook Air's seamless integration with other Apple devices and software enhances productivity for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem. The touch ID adds convenience and security, while the excellent audio and camera setup contribute to a well-rounded experience. This laptop is well-suited for creatives looking for a powerful, portable, and reliable device for photo and video editing.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,121
Processor (CPU)
RAM

Most important from
2066 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip shows a noticeable improvement over previous models, delivering faster performance and enhancing overall quality.
RAM
Despite regretting not opting for a higher memory spec, the performance and speed of the MacBook Air are highly impressive.
#2

HP Touchscreen Laptop Computer for College Student Home Study & Business, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Intel 8-Core Processor, 15.6", WiFi 6, BT 5.4, HDMI, Moonlight Blue, Windows 11 Pro, Type-C HUB

Rating
9.4
RAM

Most important from
778 reviews

RAM
Reliable performance supports multitasking and large media storage, enhancing workflow efficiency.

This HP 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop offers a strong setup for photo and video editing thanks to its powerful 8-core Intel Core i3 processor and a large 32GB of DDR4 RAM. The 1TB PCIe SSD provides fast storage with plenty of space for large media files. The full HD display with IPS technology and anti-glare coating ensures good color consistency and decent brightness, which helps in editing tasks, though the 45% NTSC color gamut means colors won’t be as vibrant or accurate as on higher-end professional screens.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics isn't very strong for heavy video editing or advanced graphics work, so it may struggle with complex effects or 4K editing compared to laptops with dedicated GPUs. On the connectivity side, it includes useful ports like HDMI, USB Type-C, USB 3.0, and an 8-in-1 hub that adds versatility for connecting external devices and memory cards, handy for photographers and videographers. The build quality seems solid and the touchscreen adds extra convenience for editing, although the laptop is a bit heavier than some ultraportables.

This HP laptop is well-suited for students or professionals who need strong multitasking performance and storage at a reasonable price but don't require top-tier graphics power or color precision.

Rating
9.4
RAM

Most important from
778 reviews

RAM
Reliable performance supports multitasking and large media storage, enhancing workflow efficiency.
#3

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop, 16” FHD+ 16:10 165Hz/3ms Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU, Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 14650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB Gen 4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Windows 11 Home

Rating
9.1
Processor (CPU)
Build Quality and Portability
RAM

Most important from
80 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers impressive speed and quality that rivals many custom-built PCs, making it a strong performer for its price range.
Build Quality and Portability
Offers excellent overall performance and sturdy laptop quality, ensuring reliability for demanding tasks.
RAM
16GB of RAM handles most editing tasks well, though upgrading to 32GB is recommended for future-proofing and heavier multitasking.
Battery Life
Runs quietly under typical use, with an effective cooling system that maintains steady performance during intensive workloads.

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) is a powerful laptop that can handle photo and video editing well, thanks to its strong Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card. The 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage give you plenty of space and speed for editing large files and multitasking. Its 16-inch display with a 1920x1200 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate offers clear visuals and smooth motion, which is helpful for video work, though the Full HD+ panel is standard rather than high-end color-accurate, so professionals wanting perfect color might need extra calibration or an external monitor.

The laptop includes modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7 and several USB ports, making it easy to connect to peripherals and external drives. The build quality is solid with a sleek design and effective cooling system to keep performance steady during long editing sessions. However, it weighs about 5.8 pounds and has a relatively short battery life of around 2 hours, which might limit portability for some users who need to work on the go without plugging in.

Although primarily designed as a gaming laptop, its specifications also work well for creative tasks, making it a suitable choice for photo and video enthusiasts who prioritize power and speed but are willing to compromise on battery endurance and weight.

Rating
9.1
Processor (CPU)
Build Quality and Portability
RAM

Most important from
80 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers impressive speed and quality that rivals many custom-built PCs, making it a strong performer for its price range.
Build Quality and Portability
Offers excellent overall performance and sturdy laptop quality, ensuring reliability for demanding tasks.
RAM
16GB of RAM handles most editing tasks well, though upgrading to 32GB is recommended for future-proofing and heavier multitasking.
Battery Life
Runs quietly under typical use, with an effective cooling system that maintains steady performance during intensive workloads.

Buying Guide for the Best Laptops For Photo And Video Editing

Choosing the right laptop for photo and video editing is crucial to ensure smooth and efficient workflow. The key is to find a balance between performance, display quality, and storage capacity. Understanding the specifications that matter most for these tasks will help you make an informed decision. Here are the key specs to consider and how to navigate them.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop and is responsible for executing tasks. For photo and video editing, a powerful CPU is essential as it handles complex computations and multitasking. Look for laptops with at least a quad-core processor. Intel Core i7 or i9, and AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 are good choices. If you work with high-resolution videos or large photo files, opt for higher-end models to ensure smooth performance.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card is crucial for rendering images and videos. A dedicated GPU is important for video editing and 3D rendering tasks. NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX series, and AMD Radeon RX series are popular choices. For basic photo editing, integrated graphics might suffice, but for more intensive video editing, a dedicated GPU will significantly improve performance.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) affects how smoothly your laptop can run multiple applications simultaneously. For photo and video editing, a minimum of 16GB RAM is recommended. If you frequently work with large files or use demanding software, consider 32GB or more. More RAM allows for better multitasking and faster processing of large files.
StorageStorage is where your files and software are kept. SSD (Solid State Drive) is preferred over HDD (Hard Disk Drive) due to its faster read/write speeds. For photo and video editing, a minimum of 512GB SSD is recommended, but 1TB or more is ideal if you store a lot of high-resolution files. Consider laptops with expandable storage options or external drives for additional space.
DisplayThe display quality is crucial for accurate color representation and detail. Look for laptops with at least Full HD (1920x1080) resolution, but 4K (3840x2160) is ideal for video editing. IPS panels offer better color accuracy and viewing angles compared to TN panels. Additionally, consider color gamut coverage (sRGB, Adobe RGB) for precise color editing.
Ports and ConnectivityHaving a variety of ports and connectivity options is important for connecting external devices like monitors, storage drives, and peripherals. Look for laptops with multiple USB ports (preferably USB-C), HDMI, and Thunderbolt 3 for high-speed data transfer. SD card readers are also useful for photographers.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to work on the go. For photo and video editing, a laptop with a longer battery life is beneficial as these tasks can be power-intensive. Look for laptops that offer at least 6-8 hours of battery life under normal usage. Keep in mind that high-performance laptops may have shorter battery life due to their powerful components.
Build Quality and PortabilityThe build quality and portability of the laptop are important if you need to travel or work in different locations. A sturdy build ensures durability, while a lightweight design makes it easier to carry. Consider laptops with metal chassis for better durability and those weighing under 4 pounds for portability.

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