We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

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

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

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
10.0
Chosen by1,482
Processor (CPU)
Storage

Most important from
3701 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
10.0
Chosen by1,482
Processor (CPU)
Storage

Most important from
3701 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

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Starlight

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1372 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The new M4 Air is significantly faster and more affordable than the M3, truly in a class of its own.
Display
The battery life is exceptional, lasting seemingly forever, and the screen clarity is fantastic.
Battery Life
The battery life is exceptional, lasting seemingly forever, and the screen clarity is fantastic.
Portability
This laptop offers impressive speed and an ideal screen size, while being lightweight and easy to carry.

The 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a solid choice for photo and video editing, thanks to its powerful hardware and Apple ecosystem. The M4 chip offers an impressive performance boost with its 10-core CPU and GPU, ideal for handling multitasking and demanding editing software. The 16GB of unified memory ensures smooth operation even with large projects. However, the 256GB SSD might feel limited for users working with high-resolution files, so external storage solutions may be necessary.

The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is a highlight, providing excellent color accuracy with support for 1 billion colors, which is crucial for photo and video editors who rely on precise color grading. Its 500 nits brightness helps maintain visibility in various lighting conditions. Coupled with the advanced image signal processor in the 12MP Center Stage camera, this MacBook enhances video calls and content creation.

Portability is a significant advantage, with the laptop weighing only 3.32 pounds and offering up to 18 hours of battery life, making it suitable for on-the-go work. Connectivity is robust with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, though some may find the lack of additional ports limiting. Apple's focus on integration within its ecosystem means seamless operation with other Apple devices, which can be a major plus if you are already invested in Apple's products. While the M4 chip does provide a performance edge, those who require dedicated graphics may find the integrated GPU slightly lacking in power compared to laptops with discrete GPUs, especially for very high-end video editing tasks.

The 2025 MacBook Air is a fitting option for photo and video editors who prioritize portability and integration within the Apple ecosystem but should consider the storage limitations and the need for potentially more powerful graphics capabilities depending on their specific editing requirements.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1372 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The new M4 Air is significantly faster and more affordable than the M3, truly in a class of its own.
Display
The battery life is exceptional, lasting seemingly forever, and the screen clarity is fantastic.
Battery Life
The battery life is exceptional, lasting seemingly forever, and the screen clarity is fantastic.
Portability
This laptop offers impressive speed and an ideal screen size, while being lightweight and easy to carry.
#3

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 chip with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

Rating
8.8
Graphics Card (GPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1479 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
Very fast laptop with impressive graphics performance, especially for graphically demanding tasks.
Display
The MacBook Pro's display is amazing, offering vibrant colors and high brightness, perfect for detailed editing work.
Battery Life
The battery life is incredibly long-lasting, making it perfect for extended use without frequent recharging.

The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 chip is a robust choice for anyone involved in photo and video editing. Its 10-core CPU and GPU deliver impressive performance, allowing you to run demanding applications like Adobe Creative Cloud smoothly. With 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD, it provides ample space and speed for large files and multitasking, which is essential for editing tasks.

The standout feature is its 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, offering vibrant colors and high brightness levels, making it easier to see fine details in your projects. The battery life is also noteworthy, promising up to 16 hours of web use, ensuring you can work on the go without frequent recharging.

Connectivity is well catered for with multiple Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, and an SDXC card slot, making it easy to connect external displays and import files from cameras. Additionally, the advanced camera and audio setup enhances video calls and recordings, which is a nice bonus for content creators. This MacBook Pro is a strong contender for serious photographers and videographers looking for a powerful and portable laptop, but potential buyers should weigh its price against their specific needs and software compatibility.

Rating
8.8
Graphics Card (GPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1479 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
Very fast laptop with impressive graphics performance, especially for graphically demanding tasks.
Display
The MacBook Pro's display is amazing, offering vibrant colors and high brightness, perfect for detailed editing work.
Battery Life
The battery life is incredibly long-lasting, making it perfect for extended use without frequent recharging.

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.

FAQ

Most Popular Categories Right Now