10 Best Video Editing Laptops 2025 in the United States

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong choice if you're into video editing and want a lightweight, portable laptop. Its M4 chip, featuring a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU, provides smooth multitasking and handles video editing software well, especially apps optimized for Apple Silicon like Adobe Creative Cloud. With 16GB of unified RAM, it can manage demanding tasks without slowing down, though some heavy projects might benefit from even more memory.

The 256GB SSD offers fast storage but might feel tight if you work with large video files regularly, so pairing this laptop with external drives could be necessary. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is a highlight — it’s bright, sharp, and supports 1 billion colors, which helps your footage look true to life during editing. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 18 hours of video streaming, meaning you can edit on the go without constantly hunting for a charger. The MacBook Air includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe charging port, offering good connectivity for external displays, fast drives, and other accessories.

The integrated GPU, while powerful for a thin-and-light laptop, may not match dedicated graphics cards found in some heavier video-editing laptops, possibly limiting performance in very graphics-intensive tasks. The 256GB storage could also limit how much footage you keep on the laptop itself. This MacBook Air suits video editors who prioritize portability, excellent display quality, and solid performance for most editing projects, especially if they are already invested in the Apple ecosystem. For very large projects or those needing top-tier graphics power, a higher-end model with more storage and a dedicated GPU might be better.

The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 chip is a strong choice for video editing thanks to its powerful 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, which handle demanding tasks and multitasking smoothly. It comes with 16GB of unified memory, which is decent for most editing projects, though some heavier workflows might benefit from more RAM. Storage starts at 512GB SSD, offering fast access to files but may require external drives for large video libraries. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout, delivering bright, sharp, and color-accurate visuals with up to 1600 nits brightness and ProMotion technology, ideal for detailed color work and HDR content. Battery life is impressive, with up to 24 hours of video playback, meaning you can work longer without charging.

Connectivity options are well-rounded, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, an SDXC card slot, and MagSafe charging, covering most needs for connecting external drives, monitors, and cameras. The MacBook also integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, which can boost productivity if you use iPhones or iPads. However, the integrated graphics, while efficient and capable, might not match the raw power of dedicated GPUs found in some Windows laptops tailored for intensive 3D effects or rendering. Additionally, the starting 512GB storage might fill up quickly with large video files, requiring additional investment.

The MacBook’s price and macOS software environment may also be a factor depending on your budget and preferred editing programs. This laptop is well-suited for video editors looking for a sleek, portable machine with excellent screen quality and strong all-around performance, especially if you value Apple’s ecosystem and software optimizations.

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop features a solid Intel Quad-Core i5-1155G7 processor with a maximum boost clock of 4.5GHz, making it a capable choice for video editing tasks that require efficient processing power. The 32GB of DDR4 RAM is excellent for handling large video files and running multiple applications simultaneously without lag. The 1TB SSD storage is substantial for storing numerous video projects and ensuring fast data access and transfer speeds. However, the integrated Intel UHD Graphics card may not be the best for high-end video editing, where a dedicated GPU could offer better performance and rendering times.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080 and anti-glare feature provides clear and sharp visuals, though the 220 nits brightness could be limiting in well-lit environments. The touchscreen capability adds versatility for intuitive navigation. Connectivity options include multiple USB ports, an HDMI port for external monitors, a headphone/microphone jack, and an SD card reader, which are all useful for video editing workflows.

The inclusion of Windows 11 Pro ensures compatibility with professional-grade editing software. At a weight of 3.65 pounds, it is relatively portable for on-the-go editing needs. It is a well-rounded laptop for video editing, particularly for those who do not require the highest-end graphics capabilities.