10 Best PC for photo editing 2025 in the United States

The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop is a robust option for photo editing. With its powerful M4 Pro chip, featuring a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, it delivers exceptional performance, ensuring smooth and efficient processing of high-resolution images and complex editing tasks. The 48GB of Unified Memory further enhances its capability, allowing for seamless multitasking and quick access to large files without any lag.

The 512GB SSD storage provides speedy data retrieval and ample space for storing numerous photos and editing software. The 16.2-inch display is another highlight, offering a large, vibrant, and high-resolution screen that is crucial for detailed photo work. The color accuracy and brightness of the display make it ideal for professionals who require precision in their edits.

Ports and connectivity options are well-catered for, making it easy to connect external devices such as cameras and storage drives. Running on macOS, it benefits from Apple's ecosystem, ensuring compatibility with popular photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. However, one potential drawback is its price, which can be quite steep, especially with the inclusion of AppleCare+. Additionally, users who prefer Windows-based systems might find macOS limiting in terms of software choices outside the Apple ecosystem. Despite these points, for those who are invested in Apple's products and need a high-performance machine for photo editing, this MacBook Pro is an excellent choice.

The ROG NUC 970 Full System Mini PC is a powerful and compact solution for photo editing. It houses the latest 14th Gen Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, which offers robust performance necessary for demanding photo editing software. Complemented by 32GB of DDR5 RAM, multitasking and handling large image files should be smooth and efficient. The 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD ensures quick load times and ample storage for high-resolution photos, which is crucial for photographers who work with large file sizes regularly.

Additionally, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 discrete graphics card is more than capable of handling graphic-intensive tasks, including rendering high-quality images and supporting high-resolution monitors up to 4K, enhancing the editing experience. However, one potential downside for professional photo editors is the absence of a dedicated monitor with built-in color calibration. While the system supports high resolutions, achieving accurate color representation might require an additional investment in a high-quality, calibrated monitor.

On the connectivity front, the ROG NUC 970 offers a solid selection of ports, including multiple USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, which are essential for connecting various peripherals like external hard drives, card readers, and color calibration tools. The compact design with included ARGB lighting and a vertical stand adds a stylish touch and allows for versatile placement in any workspace. Despite being marketed primarily towards gamers, its high-end specs make it a suitable choice for photo editing professionals who need a powerful, space-saving PC. Its unique features such as AI capabilities and ARGB lighting may not be particularly beneficial for photo editing tasks but are more aligned with gaming aesthetics and performance.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) is a sleek and portable option for those in need of a machine for photo editing. Powered by a Snapdragon X Elite processor with 12 cores and 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, this laptop offers robust multitasking capabilities, essential for handling high-resolution photo editing software. Its 512GB SSD ensures quick boot-ups and ample storage space for storing large photo files and projects. The 13.8-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 2304 x 1536, which is crucial for detailed image work, though some might prefer a slightly larger screen for intricate tasks.

An interesting aspect is its AI-driven features via Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, which can enhance productivity through tools like document recall and noise cancellation during calls. However, it's worth noting that the integrated ARM Mali-T604 graphics might not be as powerful as discrete GPUs found in more specialized photo editing laptops. While this might suffice for casual or intermediate editing, professionals handling very intensive graphics tasks might find it limiting.

The laptop's thin and lightweight design at just under 3 pounds makes it a portable option suitable for creatives on the go. Battery life is impressive, with up to 20 hours claimed, allowing users to work for extended periods without needing a charger frequently. When considering connectivity, the laptop supports modern wireless standards like 802.11ax, though details on physical ports aren't specified, which could be a consideration depending on your peripheral needs.

Running on Windows 11, the operating system supports a wide range of editing software, ensuring compatibility with popular applications in the industry. Though popular with users as evidenced by its ratings, it's ranked #321 in traditional laptop computers, indicating strong competition but good user satisfaction. This product is best suited for users looking for portability with good, though not top-tier, graphics performance in their photo editing endeavors.