10 Best Laptops For Photo And Video Editing 2026 in the United States

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the new M4 chip is a strong choice for photo and video editing if you value portability and a vibrant display. Its 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU—both integrated into the M4 chip—offer smooth performance when editing images or videos, and the 16GB of unified memory helps with multitasking across creative apps. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and supports a wide color range, making photos and videos look sharp and colorful, which is great for editing accuracy. The 256GB SSD might feel limiting if you work with large video files, so external storage could be necessary. The laptop’s two Thunderbolt 4 ports allow fast connection to external displays and drives, which is handy for expanding your workspace. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can edit on the go without worrying about power outlets. The MacBook Air is also lightweight and slim, making it easy to carry around.

On the downside, the integrated graphics, while capable, are less powerful than dedicated graphics cards found in some other laptops designed specifically for heavy video editing, so rendering very high-resolution or complex projects could take longer. Additionally, the storage space is on the smaller side for large media libraries. If you use Apple software like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Creative Cloud, this MacBook Air will run them efficiently thanks to macOS optimization. This laptop suits photographers and video editors who prioritize a beautiful screen, strong all-around performance, and portability, but it might not meet the demands of professionals needing extensive storage and top-tier graphics power.

The 2025 Apple MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is a strong choice for photo and video editing thanks to its powerful 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, which handle demanding editing software like Adobe Creative Cloud smoothly. With 24GB of unified memory and a fast 1TB SSD, it offers plenty of speed and storage for large media files and multitasking. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout, providing bright, sharp visuals with excellent color accuracy and contrast—ideal for detailed photo and video work.

Connectivity options include three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe charging port, giving versatility for external drives, monitors, and cameras. Battery life is excellent, supporting up to 24 hours of video streaming, so you can work unplugged for extended periods. The laptop’s build is solid yet portable, weighing just over 3 pounds and measuring around 0.6 inches thick, making it easy to carry.

The MacBook Pro’s integrated GPU, while powerful for an integrated solution, may fall short of the highest-end dedicated graphics cards found in some Windows laptops for very complex 3D rendering or effects-heavy workflows. The price can also be higher than comparable Windows models. Additionally, macOS may have compatibility limits with certain niche editing software. This MacBook Pro suits photographers and videographers who value color-accurate displays, long battery life, and smooth performance with popular creative apps. It’s ideal for professionals or serious hobbyists preferring a Mac environment and needing a versatile, portable editing machine. For those requiring the absolute highest GPU power or relying heavily on Windows-only software, alternative options might be better.

The 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is a high-performance laptop tailored for photo and video editing, offering several strengths and some limitations. At the heart of its prowess is the 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, making it suitable for demanding editing tasks and high-resolution rendering. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout feature, providing up to 1600 nits of peak brightness and excellent contrast, which is crucial for color-accurate work.

With 48GB of unified memory, this MacBook Pro handles multitasking and large files seamlessly, essential for professional editing software like Adobe Creative Cloud. However, the 512GB SSD storage might be limiting for those who need to work with extensive video files, requiring an investment in external storage solutions.

In terms of connectivity, the MacBook Pro is well-equipped with Thunderbolt 5 ports, an SDXC card slot, and an HDMI port, making integration with various peripherals straightforward. Battery life remains robust, ensuring users can edit on the go without constant recharging.

Portability is decent, with a weight of 4.71 pounds, which might be heavier than some might prefer for frequent travel but is generally manageable. The build quality is premium, typical of Apple products, ensuring durability and a sleek design.

A potential drawback for some users is the integrated graphics, which, while powerful, might not match dedicated GPUs from other high-end laptops on the market. Additionally, being Apple-specific, some users might face compatibility issues if they are transitioning from a Windows environment.

In conclusion, the 2024 MacBook Pro is a solid choice for professional photo and video editors who prioritize display quality, performance, and the Apple ecosystem. It excels in performance, but users should consider storage limitations and the specific needs of their editing workflow when evaluating this laptop.