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 ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) gaming laptop is a robust choice for video editing, thanks to its considerable processing power and graphics performance. With an Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it excels in handling demanding tasks like video rendering and effects processing. The laptop comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which is sufficient for multitasking and running heavy editing software smoothly. The 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD provides ample storage space for large video files and projects, ensuring quick access and file transfers.

The 16-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB coverage offers vibrant colors and excellent clarity, essential for detailed video work. This screen is particularly beneficial for color grading and ensuring that your content looks its best.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The Strix G16 is relatively heavy at 5.51 pounds, which may not be ideal for those seeking a portable solution for on-the-go editing. Battery life, while decent, may not last through extended editing sessions without needing a charge. Additionally, while the cooling system is impressive for gaming, it might not be as critical for video editing tasks, though it does help maintain performance under load. The laptop also has a limited selection of ports, which could be a concern if you need to connect multiple peripherals or external displays simultaneously. While it does feature some USB 3.0 ports and Wi-Fi 6E for connectivity, you might find yourself needing additional adapters or hubs for a complete setup.