10 Best Laptops For Video Editing 2025 in the United States

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a lightweight and highly portable laptop that offers strong performance thanks to its 10-core CPU and 8-core integrated GPU. This makes it capable of handling video editing tasks smoothly, especially with hardware support for popular video formats like ProRes and AV1. The 16GB of unified memory ensures good multitasking and efficient app performance, though the 256GB SSD storage could fill up quickly if you work with large video files.

The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp, showing one billion colors with rich detail, which is great for accurately viewing and editing videos. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, allowing for extended work sessions away from power outlets. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe charging port, which support fast data transfer, charging, and external displays, but some users may find the limited number of ports restrictive without adapters.

The MacBook Air runs macOS, which supports key creative apps like Adobe Creative Cloud smoothly and integrates well with other Apple devices, enhancing workflow for users already in the Apple ecosystem. While the laptop’s integrated graphics are powerful for an ultrathin machine, they may not match dedicated GPUs in larger laptops designed specifically for heavy video editing. Additionally, the base storage might require external drives or cloud storage for larger projects. For those prioritizing portability, excellent display quality, and battery life in a video editing laptop and who mostly work with moderately sized files or within Apple’s ecosystem, this MacBook Air presents a strong choice.

The 2024 Apple MacBook Pro with the new M4 chip is a strong choice for video editing, especially if you’re already comfortable with Apple products. Its 10-core CPU and GPU deliver smooth performance, helping you handle complex video projects without lag. The 16GB of unified memory is sufficient for most editing tasks, though professionals working with very large files might want more. Storage starts at 512GB SSD, which is fast but could fill up quickly if you work with many high-resolution videos—consider upgrading if needed.

The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout feature, offering vivid colors, deep contrast, and excellent brightness, which is very helpful when color grading videos. Battery life is impressive, allowing long editing sessions unplugged, and the MacBook keeps performance steady whether on battery or plugged in. It has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot, giving you flexible options to connect cameras, external drives, and monitors.

While the integrated Apple GPU is powerful, it may not match dedicated graphics cards in some Windows machines for very heavy 3D or effects work. The base storage might require external drives for larger projects. If you value a vibrant display, reliable battery, and smooth macOS experience with popular apps like Adobe Creative Cloud, this MacBook Pro is an excellent pick for video editors looking for a portable yet capable machine.

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop is designed to cater to business and student needs, but it also holds some potential for video editing tasks. It features an Intel Quad-Core i5-1155G7 processor which delivers decent performance with its 4.5GHz Max Boost Clock, ensuring it can handle software for video editing moderately well. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS, anti-glare touchscreen display with 220 nits brightness and narrow bezels provides a clear and immersive viewing experience, although higher brightness levels could be more beneficial for color accuracy in video editing.

The laptop is equipped with 32GB of DDR4 RAM, which is excellent for multitasking and running demanding applications smoothly. The 1TB SSD offers ample and speedy storage for large video files and quick access to data. However, the integrated Intel UHD Graphics card may not deliver the high-end performance needed for intensive video rendering tasks compared to dedicated GPUs. Connectivity options are diverse with multiple USB ports, HDMI, and an SD Card Reader, making it flexible for connecting various peripherals.

The inclusion of Windows 11 Professional is advantageous for accessing advanced features and security. Weighing 3.65 pounds and having a compact design enhances its portability. While it's a competent laptop for general tasks and light video editing, those requiring top-tier performance for professional-level video editing might seek models with more advanced GPUs and displays with higher brightness and color accuracy.