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 Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the new M4 chip is a lightweight and portable laptop designed to handle video editing smoothly. Its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU deliver impressive speed and graphic performance, which is great for editing videos and running creative apps. The 16GB of unified memory helps keep multitasking smooth, though some heavier video projects might benefit from even more RAM. Storage at 256GB SSD is fast but may feel limited if you work with large video files, so external storage could be necessary. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is sharp, bright, and supports a billion colors, making it excellent for detailed video and photo work.

Battery life is strong, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can edit on the go without worrying about frequent charging. For connectivity, it offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack, but might feel a bit limited if you need to plug in many devices at once. The MacBook runs macOS, which supports popular video editing software smoothly, and it integrates well with other Apple devices.

The integrated graphics, while capable, may not match dedicated high-end GPUs found in some other laptops built specifically for heavy video editing tasks. This MacBook Air is a fantastic choice for video editors who want a sleek, highly portable machine with great display quality and battery life, especially if they work with moderate to medium complexity projects and prefer Apple’s ecosystem.

The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip is a strong choice for video editing thanks to its powerful 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, which handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering and large video projects smoothly. Its 48GB of unified memory and fast 1TB SSD allow for quick multitasking and ample storage for large files, though users working with very large libraries might want to consider higher storage options. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers excellent brightness, color accuracy, and contrast, which is crucial for precise video color grading and editing.

Battery life is impressive, with up to 21 hours of video streaming, so you can work unplugged for long stretches. Connectivity-wise, it includes three Thunderbolt 5 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe charging port, covering most accessory and external display needs without dongles. Some users might find the laptop relatively heavy at nearly 5 pounds and priced at a premium, but its build quality and integration with Apple’s ecosystem can be very attractive if you already use Apple devices.

The lack of discrete GPU options could be a consideration, but the M4 Max’s integrated GPU performs exceptionally well for creative tasks. This MacBook Pro suits professional and demanding video editors who need top-tier performance, a stunning display, and excellent battery life in a portable package.