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10 Best Photo And Video Editing Laptops 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,123
Processor (CPU)
Storage

Most important from
279 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip brings a noticeable improvement in speed compared to previous models, enhancing overall performance.
Storage
Regret not opting for a higher memory spec, as the base model's storage can feel limited.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop comes equipped with the M4 chip, offering a robust 10-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, which is excellent for handling photo and video editing tasks. It has 16GB of unified memory that ensures smooth multitasking and efficient processing of large files. The 256GB SSD storage may be somewhat limited for professionals dealing with large video files, but it can be supplemented with external drives via the Thunderbolt 4 ports for faster data transfer and additional storage capacity.

Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors and features True Tone technology, providing sharp and vibrant visuals which are crucial for accurate photo and video editing. The display's 2560-by-1664 resolution ensures clear and detailed images and videos. With up to 18 hours of battery life, this laptop can sustain long editing sessions without needing to be plugged in frequently, which is beneficial for on-the-go professionals. Weighing in at just 2.73 pounds and with slim dimensions, it's highly portable. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and stable internet connections and peripheral support.

Two Thunderbolt 4 ports offer versatility for connecting external monitors, storage devices, or other peripherals. The inclusion of a high-quality 12MP Center Stage camera and four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio adds value for video conferencing and content playback. The MacBook Air excels in portability, display quality, and processing power, although the limited built-in storage and integrated GPU might be a drawback for those requiring extensive storage and high-end graphics capabilities. This laptop is ideal for users who need a lightweight, capable device for editing photos and videos, especially if they value portability and integration with other Apple devices.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,123
Processor (CPU)
Storage

Most important from
279 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip brings a noticeable improvement in speed compared to previous models, enhancing overall performance.
Storage
Regret not opting for a higher memory spec, as the base model's storage can feel limited.
#2

Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display

Most important from
425 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers robust performance, making multitasking and running creative software smooth.
Storage
Great battery life and less expensive without sacrificing speed or storage space.
Display
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display provides good color accuracy and viewing angles, crucial for editing tasks.
Battery Life
Great battery life and less expensive without sacrificing speed or storage space.
Portability
Lightweight design makes it convenient for users on the go.

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop is a solid choice for those engaged in photo and video editing, particularly for students and professionals. With an Intel i5-1155G7 processor and 32GB of RAM, it delivers robust performance, making multitasking and running creative software like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere Pro relatively smooth. The 1TB SSD offers ample storage for large files, which is a plus for photographers and videographers who need quick access to their media.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display provides good color accuracy and viewing angles, which are crucial for editing tasks. The anti-glare feature can also be beneficial in various lighting conditions. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics might be a limitation for more demanding video editing or graphic design work that requires dedicated graphics processing power.

Portability is another strength, as its lightweight design is convenient for users on the go, whether traveling for work or school. The variety of ports, including HDMI and multiple USB options, enhances connectivity, allowing users to easily connect to external monitors and accessories.

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display

Most important from
425 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers robust performance, making multitasking and running creative software smooth.
Storage
Great battery life and less expensive without sacrificing speed or storage space.
Display
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display provides good color accuracy and viewing angles, crucial for editing tasks.
Battery Life
Great battery life and less expensive without sacrificing speed or storage space.
Portability
Lightweight design makes it convenient for users on the go.
#3

HP 15.6" Business Laptop, Free Microsoft Office 2024 Lifetime License, Copilot AI Chat, HD Touchscreen Display, Intel 6-Core i3-1215U 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Long Battery Life, Windows 11 Pro

The HP 15.6" Business Laptop is a decent option for photo and video editing, but it has some notable strengths and weaknesses. The Intel 6-Core i3-1215U processor with a speed up to 4.4 GHz is moderately powerful for basic to mid-level editing tasks. However, the integrated Intel UHD Graphics card may struggle with more demanding video editing and rendering tasks, as a dedicated GPU would be more effective in this category.

The 16GB DDR4 RAM is a strong point, providing ample memory to handle multiple applications and large files simultaneously, essential for editing work. The 1TB SSD storage is another plus, offering plenty of space for high-resolution photos and video files, and ensuring faster access to data compared to traditional hard drives. On the downside, the 15.6" HD touchscreen display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels is below the recommended Full HD (1920 x 1080) for precise photo and video editing, as higher resolution provides better detail and color accuracy.

The battery life of up to 5 hours with mixed usage is relatively short, particularly for users working on the go who may need longer battery duration. In terms of portability, the laptop is relatively lightweight at 3.75 pounds and has a slim profile, making it easy to carry around. The inclusion of a lifetime Microsoft Office 2024 license and AI Copilot chat assistant are nice additions for general productivity, though they don't directly enhance photo and video editing capabilities. To conclude, while this HP laptop has solid memory and storage, the integrated graphics card and lower resolution display make it less ideal for professional-level photo and video editing.

Buying Guide for the Best Photo And Video Editing Laptops

Choosing the right laptop for photo and video editing is crucial for ensuring smooth and efficient workflow. The right laptop will help you handle large files, run editing software smoothly, and produce high-quality results. When selecting a laptop for these tasks, you need to consider several key specifications that will impact your editing experience. Here are the most important specs to look at and how to choose the best fit for your needs.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop and is responsible for executing tasks and running programs. For photo and video editing, a powerful processor is essential because it will handle the complex calculations and rendering processes involved. Processors are typically divided into segments like entry-level (e.g., Intel Core i3), mid-range (e.g., Intel Core i5), and high-end (e.g., Intel Core i7 or i9). For serious editing work, aim for at least a mid-range processor, but a high-end processor will provide the best performance and future-proofing.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card is responsible for rendering images, videos, and animations. A dedicated GPU is crucial for video editing and 3D rendering because it offloads these tasks from the CPU, resulting in smoother performance. GPUs are categorized into integrated (built into the CPU) and dedicated (separate component). For photo editing, a mid-range dedicated GPU might suffice, but for video editing, especially 4K or higher resolution, a high-end dedicated GPU is recommended.
RAM (Memory)RAM is the short-term memory of your laptop, allowing it to store and quickly access data that is being used. More RAM means better multitasking and faster performance when working with large files. For photo and video editing, 8GB of RAM is the minimum, but 16GB or more is ideal for handling larger projects and running multiple applications simultaneously without lag.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can keep on your laptop. There are two main types: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). SSDs are faster and more reliable, making them better for editing tasks. When choosing storage, consider both capacity and speed. A minimum of 512GB SSD is recommended, but 1TB or more is ideal if you work with large video files. Some laptops offer a combination of SSD for speed and HDD for additional storage.
DisplayThe display is where you see your work, so having a high-quality screen is important for accurate color representation and detail. Look for a laptop with at least Full HD (1920x1080) resolution, but higher resolutions like 4K (3840x2160) are better for video editing. Additionally, consider the color accuracy (look for 100% sRGB or Adobe RGB coverage) and screen size (15 inches or larger is preferable for detailed work).
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to edit on the go. Editing tasks are power-intensive, so a laptop with a long battery life will allow you to work longer without needing to recharge. Look for laptops with at least 6-8 hours of battery life under normal usage, but keep in mind that heavy editing will drain the battery faster.
PortabilityPortability refers to the size and weight of the laptop. If you need to carry your laptop frequently, a lighter and more compact model will be more convenient. However, more powerful laptops tend to be larger and heavier. Balance your need for performance with how often you need to move your laptop. A 15-inch laptop is a good compromise between screen size and portability.
ConnectivityConnectivity options like USB ports, HDMI, and Thunderbolt are important for connecting external devices such as monitors, storage drives, and peripherals. Ensure the laptop has enough ports for your needs, including fast data transfer options like USB-C or Thunderbolt 3/4. An SD card reader can also be useful for quickly transferring photos from your camera.

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