- 9.55/10 1. Editors choice: OEM Lenovo ThinkPad P53
- 9.40/10 2. Premium pick: Microsoft LAM-00001 Surface Studio 2
- 8.95/10 3. Best value: HP ENVY Desktop Computer
- 9.25/10 4. CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cool Gaming PC
- 9.00/10 5. Dell Inspiron 27 7790 Touch All in One
- 8.88/10 6. CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cool Gaming PC,
- 8.80/10 7. Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 8GB RAM, 1TB Storage)
- 8.50/10 8. NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3 - 15" Touch-Screen
- 7.80/10 9. Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop
- 7.55/10 10. Premium High Performance Business Flagship HP Pavilion Desktop PC
A while ago, you needed a studio for video editing. This could be tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. However, technology advancement has made things pretty simple. With a laptop, you can edit complicated and straightforward videos in the comfort of your home. Whether you’re a video pro or film student, you no longer need a studio for video editing. You only need to pick the best computer for video editing and get things going.
However, the market is flooded with a plethora of brands that claim to offer the best performance. You need to be extra cautious because not all top-rated laptops perform as advertised. Some rogue vendors are only after your hard-earned money.
You, therefore, need to have good judgment on what you need. Every machine on the market has a resolution, RAM, and other features. the video editing versions combine powerful components including large amounts of RAM, light and thin designs, high resolution, and discrete graphics cards.
When it comes to graphics cards, two brands stand out; AMD and NVIDIA graphics. These companies will give you a good deal of unique cards. A thin and lightweight computer is easy for portability. Storage capacity is also a crucial necessity. We recommend not less than 8G of memory.
A potent processor should power a good video editing machine. At least get i5. If you have the budget, choose i7. But ensure you have a healthy balance on the video card, RAM, and storage. More so, you would want a laptop with good battery life, an ergonomic mouse, and an intuitive keyboard. So, review the following products' key features to see which one best suits you. Once you finish this guide, you'll be able to choose one of the best computers for video editing!
Lenovo ThinkPad P53 15.6-inch comes with upgraded configurations for improved performance. Your video editing job should remain private and secured. To keep your business data safe, the ThinkPad P53 mobile workstations feature the ThinkShield feature. Its discrete Trusted Platform Module encrypts data and works with Windows 10 security. There is a physical camera cover that blocks the lens to make sure hackers do not see you. For added security, the machine is endowed with a match-on chip fingerprint reader that uses biometrics to log you in. you only need a simple touch instead of using a password or username.
When it comes to video editing, you require stable and reliable network connectivity. The machine features Wi-Fi-6 certification, which is the fastest Wi-Fi ever. It can handle a larger capacity, especially when you're loaded with lots of work, preventing lagging or buffering. The excellent battery runs up to 13 hours to allow you to have long working hours.
The speakers on this machine deliver premium and clear sound, suitable for video editing. The Dolby Atmos Sound system energizes your entertainment with rich, powerful sound. The dual far-field mics ensure you can be heard clearly.
The ThinkPad P53 is tested against 12 military-grade requirements to ensure it operates in extreme conditions.
- Processor: Intel i7-9750H Hexa Core
- Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro T1000
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Display: 15.6 inches
- Storage: 1TB Solid State Drive
- It has a spill-resistant keyboard
- Fingerprint reader for secure accessibility
- Large storage capacity
- Reliable internet connection
- Powerful processor for top-notch performance
- A bit heavy
- Only available in one color
Trigger your brilliant ideas and bring them into a reality with this high-performing machine. It fuels processor-intensive software for editing stunning photos and videos. Run circles around render and create superior 3D graphics for every reality. Whether designing, editing, or illustrating a book, your creativity leaps off a 28-inch touchscreen display with 13.5 million pixels.
Display your innovative and brilliant mind with a clean, modern design. You can use one hand to tilt the display weightlessly from upright to the precise drafting table angle. Your productivity and creativity come into reality with Surface Studio 2, office 365, and intuitive tools designed to unleash your seamless flow of ideas.
The Surface Dial allows you to discover new ways of customizing, accessing, storing, and reimagine physical tools in a digital world. With the surface precision mouse, you can stay productive.
Having an intuitive keyboard delivers comfort and reliability. The ergonomic keyboard is naturally arch-shaped to protect you from hand and wrist strain. This improves your typing form to speed up words per minute.
When you’re not editing, you can enjoy unlimited music. From your doorstep to the office, on the train, in the sea, or in the air, listen to music in style—your phone calls and music sound spectacular with crystal clear audio.
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: Discrete NVIDIA GeForce GPU
- Display: 28 inches
- Dimensions: 21.61 x 25.09 x 8.59 inches
- Weight: 20.94 lbs
- It has a webcam
- Features several ports
- Ergonomic keyboard for speedy typing experience
- Huge screen
- Highly responsive touchscreen
- Sometimes the camera readjusts itself
- Might be a bit slow when it’s heavily loaded
Fuel your creativity and bring your imagination into reality with HP ENVY Desktop Computer. This powerful PC is designed to fit perfectly into your creative workspace. The device allows you to render, stream, and edit better than ever before. With the super 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9700 processor, 8-core, you're the only imitation to speedy work and delivery. It gives you an incredible experience while editing videos. The crisp, simultaneous live-streaming renders pure 4K quality, edit, and stream the best content.
Working on a complex project and running multiple applications requires a powerful but spacious machine. This machine is equipped with 16 GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM, which is upgradable to 32 GB. More so, it's designed to run efficiently and is reliable at faster speeds. The DDR4 is the latest RAM standard with higher bandwidth, suitable for multitasking.
Graphics allows smooth streaming of content and video editing. The 1 TB 7200Rpm SATA hard drive and 512 GB SSD provide dual storage. There is a traditional hard drive to get fast boot-up times and snappy responsiveness, and ultra-storage capacity.
HP ENVY Desktop Computer comes with an HP wireless intuitive keyboard and optical mouse for easy navigation. The available ports allow you to add a second display for an immersive and productive video editing experience.
- Processor: 9th Generation intel core i7-9700
- Dual storage
- UHD Graphics 630
- Wireless connectivity
- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- Ample storage capacity
- Upgradable memory
- High performance
- Thermal vents to enhance airflow and reduce noise
- Snappy responsiveness
- Low power supply
- The monitor is not included
Get the pinnacle of video editing with Cyber PowerPC Gamer Supreme. Although it's used by the best and pro editors, even film students will find it exciting. The machine boasts the fastest, multi-core, and intelligent technology that applies processing power where it's needed most. The Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in computer performance. This means you can multitask applications and handle complex projects efficiently. More so, it provides maximum performance for everything you do.
The Cyber PowerPC Gamer Supreme is endowed with NVIDIA GeForce RTX that delivers the ultimate PC video editing experience. Powered by the latest NVIDIA Turing GPU architecture, the RTX graphics card brings together real-time ray tracing, programmable shading, and artificial intelligence. This is a whole new way to experience seamless video editing.
Break down boundaries and step into video editing and filming with graphics more stunning than ever before using a powerful DirectX 12 technology. Windows 10’s API is armed with distinguishable features to provide quicker processing in real-time. This generates higher FPS and richer graphics.
The machine features a liquid cooling solution to provide reliable cooling performance. It's equipped with a 120mm aluminum radiator and 4th Gen integrated pump and copper plate. The cooler is sealed to prevent leakage and evaporation.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9700k
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Liquid cooling feature
- 1-year parts warranty
- Provides quiet operation
- High speed to prevent lagging
- Ray tracing capable
- Convenient for pro video editors and film students
- Pretty colors
- Loose hardware
- PU may remain warm even after fan reconfiguration
Take your video editing to the next level with Dell Inspiron 27 7790. It operates on Windows 10 Home that delivers a versatile, smooth PC experience. The all-in-one machine will save you some space, cutting back on hassle. It's everything you need: a monitor, computer, and speakers all in one. Protect your privacy with the pop-up webcam that stays hidden. The device features cable and accessory management to keep your space organized, uncluttered, and clean.
Dell Inspiron 27 7790 features the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7. It zips through tasks and runs programs quickly and effortlessly. The DDR4 memory allows you to run several tabs and applications concurrently. Give your video editing an extra punch with the NVIDIA graphics card. Enjoy a reliable internet connection with the 802.11ac wireless connection.
You can unite multiple devices with Dell mobile connect. Access a variety of gadgets without distraction. With Dell Mobile Connect, you will get channel notifications from mobile SMS, IMs, calls, and other apps. When Bluetooth 5.0 is paired with peripherals, the system delivers enhanced performance. This means more wireless range and excellent data transfer rates.
Connect with family and friends with FHD with IR pop-up webcam. With 1TB of flash memory, you'll have ample space to save your projects. Enjoy using an intuitive keyboard and a wireless mouse.
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7
- Display: 27 inches
- Graphics: Graphics RAM up to 6GB
- CPU Speed: 4.90 GHz
- Weight: 10kg
- Excellent camera quality
- NVIDIA graphics card for quality video editing
- Ease of installation
- Comfortable keyboard
- Works pretty fast
- The height is not adjustable
The list of the best computer for video editing couldn’t be complete without mentioning Supreme Liquid PC. This is a choice for pro video editors everywhere. The machine will take you to the top and make you dominate in your field. For a video editor, the most crucial component in a computer is the graphics card, a supermodel part that can make or break the system.
For graphics, the Supreme Liquid PC has NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB Video Card. This is a special card for complex editing. Next to the powerful element is the CPU. The processor is the brain and heart of your video editing computer. It enhances performance and speed. This machine is equipped with an Intel Core i7-9700k with a CPU speed of 3.6 GHz.
The Supreme Liquid PC comes with 16GB of RAM, which is suitable for editing and streaming. If you want ample space, this is the ultimate choice for you. It has a hard disk size of 1TB, which is more than enough to store your complex projects.
Additionally, the Supreme Liquid PC comes in a decent and elegant design. The high-end components are packaged in a sleek, striking chassis to look good on your desk.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9700k
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Liquid cooling feature
- Dimensions: 18.50 x 8.20 x 18.70 inches
- Eight processors
- Hard Disk Size: 1 TB
- Sleek, awestriking design
- Powerful processor
- Ample storage space
- Perfect for video editing
- Top-notch performance
- Wi-Fi connection might get disrupted often
- Tempered glass is prone to scratches and breakages
If you want to move from Windows to the macOS environment, the Apple iMac 21.5-inch will be the ultimate choice. It comes in a comfortable size for many desks and even for backpacks. The specs are tempting, especially sharp picture quality that will leave you with crystal clear videos.
The Apple iMac 21.5-inch has a tall chin and thick bezel which stand out. The elegantly curved back gives the laptop a decent look. It's not so loud that your ears may need time away from its noise. The 4k retina display is incredibly stunning with its top-notch performance. Thanks for the AMD Radeon Pro Vega graphics and Dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor.
Behind the panel, there is a simple, slim silver frame with a sleek black Apple logo. The height is not adjustable, but the stand tilts to give you a better view.
At 17.7 x 20.8 x 6.9 inches and 12.5 pounds, the Apple iMac 21.5-inch is slim and light for easy storage and portability. The machine is endowed with a solid number of ports to get the work done. The ports include four USB 3.0 ports, a headphone jack, an RJ45 Ethernet port, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. They should be enough to connect the machine to various devices.
Apple's Magic Keyboard is comfortable with clicky keys. Both the keyboard and mouse are wireless. The mouse looks premium and sexy and supports a variety of desirable touch gestures.
- Processor: Dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5
- Display: 21.5 inches
- Weight: 5.66 kg
- Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking
- Two lithium-ion batteries
- Stylish exterior with great attention to detail
- Excellent performance
- Powerful processor
- Great screen quality
- Easy to set
- Some users claim the device is a bit slow
Microsoft Book 3 is the most potent surface laptop that is powered by a quad-core 10th generation processor. Power through every day with that fastest machine. You’ll manage to tackle intensive tasks, edit complicated video files effortlessly. When inspiration strikes, Microsoft Book 3makes it easy to handle tasks with a robust machine, powerful tablet, and portable studio all in one. The laptop is complete with a detachable, intuitive touchscreen.
Microsoft Book 3 spells innovation in every detail. It means there is nothing that will get in your way of creativity. Jot ideas down using the Surface Pen—the dual far-filled studio mics for enhanced sound and clarity. Type fast and confidently on the intuitive, premium backlit keyboard. Gain a sharp focus on what you need to achieve with Windows and create work on Microsoft 365.
This machine allows you to get productive, featuring a premium keyboard and responsive, large trackpad. The touchscreen enables you to navigate naturally. Write, sketch, and draw with exactitude using the Surface Pen. Swipe through photos and videos with a robust 15-inch tablet.
Instantly turn Microsoft Book 3 into a desktop workstation using the Surface Dock 2. To charge the device, plug the Surface Connect an external access monitor, mouse, keyboard, and more. The mouse is designed for exceptional precision, control, and comfort.
- Processor: Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core
- Display: 15 inches
- Resolution: 3240 x 2160 pixels
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth
- Weight: 7.79 pounds
- Compact and lightweight for easy portability and storage
- Sleek design
- Intuitive backlit keyboard for easy typing
- Intel HD Graphics for great video editing
- Long battery life
- Not an ideal choice if you have a tight budget
- Speakers might stop working after a while
9. Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop
Dell has been in the market for years. The brand is reliable and dedicated to producing high-quality products, and Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop is no exception. This product moves at the speed of your ideas. It features an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 6-core processor to get power and speed for video edits, video playback, and gaming. The six cores mean enhanced performance while working on multiple applications.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 Series graphics are available to incredibly power your hardware-intensive tasks from video and photo editing to immersive gaming. Operating in a quiet environment gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on significant tasks. Even when it's fully loaded, Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop stays quiet as a whisper.
The machine is designed to meet Dell's stringent acoustic limits. This ensures noise is never a distraction, thanks to thermally controlled fans. An optimized airflow path utilizes side vents to draw cold air across CPU and graphics cards, while the separate airflow path cools down the power supply unit. The Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop is designed for high fidelity sound quality, with no pops and crackles. Connect all your gadgets in a snap with a total of 11 USB ports.
- Processor: 8th Generation Intel i7-8700
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX
- Hard Disk: 2512 GB
- CPU Speed- 4.6 GHz
- Dimensions: 14.02 x 7.09 x 15.22 inches
- High performing speed
- Powerful processor
- Standard fan and heatsink cooling system
- Solid external build
- Elegant design
- Sometimes it shows a blue screen
- Entry-level Intel CPU
Video editing is a demanding task. That's why having the right gear is essential. If you want to ease your work, HP Pavilion Desktop PC should be your priority. The machine boasts excellent speed and performance. Thanks to a powerful quad-core 7th Gen Intel Core I7-7700 processor. With this chip, you can accomplish a massive load of work in the shortest time possible. With a 3.6 GHz speed, HP Pavilion Desktop PC ensures your videos are ready up for use.
With video editing tasks, you'll need ample storage space. Luckily, the device is equipped with a 16GB system memory for advanced multitasking. Substantial high-bandwidth RAM smoothly runs your photo and video editing applications. Run multiple programs and open browser tabs concurrently with experience lag.
The 2TB hard drive offers enough space to significantly collect digital music, HD videos, photos, and DVD-quality movies. 7200 rpm spindle speed allows rapid read/write times to handle complex files and applications.
Windows 10 operating system and two USB 3.0 ports maximize the latest high-speed gadgets. Built-in media reader for simple photo and video transfer supports SDHC, SD, and SDXC memory card formats.
The device also includes four USB 2.0 ports to connect to more accessories and peripherals. It boasts of next-generation wireless connectivity that connects to your hotspots or network.
- Processor: 7th Gen Intel Core I7-7700
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- 2TB hard drive
- CPU Speed: 3.60 GHz
- Intel Integrated Graphics
- Powerful quad-core processing performance
- Ample file storage space
- Reliable connectivity
- Easy to set up
- Quality built
- HDMI ports might be problematic
- Might struggle with high-end software
If you want to take your video editing career to the next level, you should have the right gear. The PC you select will have a positive or negative impact on how you edit videos.
Choosing the best computer for video editing takes a bit of work. There is more than getting your machine from a reliable brand. That's why you need to focus on basic specs that will make your device perform effectively and efficiently.
Here are two crucial tips that will help you pick a desirable laptop for your video editing tasks.
Processor
This the brain and engine oil of your computer. The processor speed determines the speed at which your laptop completes tasks or run programs. This speed is measured in GHz (gigahertz).
The manufactures today are making these chips smaller yet powerful. And the more the measurement, the speedy the processor and faster the computer or laptop. But even on a low budget, don't choose anything below 2GHz.
Most processors have multiple cores such as i3, i5, and a powerful i7, all from Intel. When a machine has more than two processors, it will execute the necessary work faster, precisely, and with no lags. A dual-core is a device with two processors, while a quad-core has four processors. The hexa-core has six-core, which is quite powerful and expensive all the same.
Screen Resolution
Video editing is a sophisticated task that requires a powerful machine. And one of the critical components to consider is screen resolution. The images and videos on your device are built from millions of pixels.
Resolution tells you the number of pixels the screen can display- both horizontally and vertically. If the resolution shows 1920 x 1080, it means it can display 1920 horizontally and 1080 vertically.
Today, there are various options for screen resolution. The HD is 1366 x 768, which is a low resolution. The Full HD is 1920 x 1080, while the wide ultra is 920 x 1080. There are ultra HD monitors 3840 x 2160, known as 4K.
When you're buying a machine for video editing, you got for at least Full HD resolution, 1920 x 1080. Anything below this will give poor results. The full HD resolution displays high definition videos. You can also go for higher resolution, 4k, but at a higher price. But if you're result-oriented, the price will be a non-issue.
Also, don’t forget to choose a machine that’s expandable to add more SSD or memory. Ensure the computer has a warranty and is endowed with other features such as ample connectivity and compatibility.
Now that you've finished this guide, you can revisit our list of the best computers for video editing and find the perfect one for you!
FAQ
Q: What Specifications Must You Look at When Buying a Computer for 4K Video Editing?
Video editing needs a wide variety of hardware and software capabilities depending on what the user wants. Generally, video footage with a high resolution, e.g., a 4K, needs a computer to edit the footage without compromising its quality. Apart from the resolution, check other specifications like:
- The RAM: The computer should have 8-32 GB RAM; anything lower makes the computer slow when editing the video
- Processor: Look for computers with four or more processor cores. Multi-core Intel i5/i7/i9 models are a good fit
- Storage: The device should support at least a 256 GB hard drive. You can always add external hard drives
- Graphics card: This feature also depends on the video editing software you want to use. For example, Davinci Resolve work well with NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards
Q: Should You Look for an SSD or a Hard Drive (or Both) in a Video Editing Computer?
Hard drives and SSD determine the speed at which you can edit footage. Nowadays, many editors prefer configuring their computers with Solid-State Drives to access data faster. The difference between hard drives and SSD is pretty vast as the latter reduces boot times significantly and helps load apps more quickly. These speed gains are particularly evident when editing 4K footage or multiple clips at once. Since the cost of computers/laptops with built-in SSDs is a little out of range for some buyers, it’s best to buy computers supporting Thunderbolt 3 or 4 connections to connect fast external drives for storing footage.
Q: Which is the Best Operating System for Video Editing?
A vast majority of video editors prefer iOS to Windows operating systems. However, both OS present unique advantages. Computers using Windows OS, for example, are compatible with a vast array of hardware components. Windows 10, particularly, allows users to use a range of multiple-core Intel processors; a feature not available on Mac devices. Also your video editing software should help you choose a suitable operating system. The Premiere Pro, for example, is compatible with Windows, Linux, and iOS operating systems, while the Final Cut Pro works on Macs only.
Q: Which Ports Should a Video Editing Computer Have?
Video editing equipment can be a little bulky, especially if you need to carry heavy laptops too. Luckily, modern, powerful laptops weigh less than three pounds. However, you shouldn’t compromise on the number of ports the computer should have. Ports like a Thunderbolt port that allow you to connect to external displays and USB ports are essential. Also, be keen on what you want to compromise. Some laptop models like the MacBook Pro have Thunderbolt 3 ports only, while others have USB ports only. The idea is to strike a balance; a device with one or two Thunderbolt ports and one or two USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 ports should suffice.
Q: What is the ideal screen size for a video-editing computer?
A 15-inch or 17-inch display should help edit videos without compromising the resolution or its quality, but it comes at the expense of weight. Conversely, computers with smaller screens (12 to 14 inches) may get you squinting. While the screen size plays a critical role in video editing, you want to focus more on the resolution. Computers with Full HD resolutions are ideal for many editing tasks but if you’re editing in 4K videos, look for one with a matching resolution. Therefore, a screen with 3840 by 2160 pixels may be more ideal when coupled with a 6-8 core processor. The rule of thumb is that a video-editing computer shouldn’t have a resolution below 1366 by 768 pixels. If the video-editing tasks don’t involve mixing audio and arranging clips, you might not need to worry about the display color capabilities.