5 Best Laptops for Video Editing

Discover the best laptops for video editing that suit your needs. Find the perfect device for editing on the go.

5 Best Laptops for Video Editing
Exploring the best portable video editing Laptops (Image via Apple | Asus | Deltia’s Gaming)

A decade ago, people relied on building powerful PCs to edit videos for a living. At that time, high-quality footage from RED Dragon or equivalent cameras needed to be proxied, edited, and exported. With the advancements in today’s technology, we can complete this task without requiring a powerful PC. One such example is Apple devices, with their new silicon, which are the go-to choice for video editors.

Not only can Apple laptops, such as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, edit videos on the go, but they also consume a fraction of the power of any powerful desktop. But wait, there’s more. Even on the window side of things, it’s not that far off. While it requires a bit more power to accomplish the task, it can be done, making it ideal for individuals who enjoy gaming and editing.

This article is tailored to show both gamers and professional editors the best choices we could find.  

1) Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro/Max, 2024)

macbook-pro-one-of-the-best-video-editing-laptop
Macbook M4 Pro / Max (Image via Apple | Deltia’s Gaming)

Key Features

  • Apple M4 Pro (12-core CPU/32-core GPU) or M4 Max (16-core CPU/40-core GPU).
  • Liquid Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion, 1600-nit HDR peak brightness.

Codec & Hardware Acceleration

  • Supports  H.264, HEVC, ProRes, ProRes RAW, and AV1 decode via dedicated media engines.
  • The M4 Max includes dual ProRes encode/decode engines for multi-stream 8K ProRes RAW workflows.
  •  ProRes RAW in DaVinci Resolve requires the Studio version for full compatibility.

2) Dell XPS 16 (2024)

dell-xps-16--one-of-the-best-video-editing-laptops
XPS 16 for Video Editing (Image via Dell | Deltia’s Gaming)

Key Features

  • Configurable with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Series GPU.
  • Configurable up to 16.3″ 4K OLED (3840×2400) at 60Hz.

Codec & Hardware Acceleration

  • Can utilize Intel Quick Sync (H.264/HEVC) and NVIDIA NVENC (AV1 decode) depending on workload.

3) Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (2024)

lenovo-gen-7-laptop-on-the-field-editing-lapto
Lenovo’s Option for Video Editors (Image via Lenovo | Deltia’s Gaming)

Key Features

  • Configurable with up to Intel Core Ultra 9 Vpro + RTX 4000 Series GPU.
  • 16″ 4K OLED (3840×2400) with factory-calibrated and supports Dolby Vision.

Codec & Hardware Acceleration

  • Can utilize Intel Quick Sync (H.264/HEVC) and NVIDIA NVENC (AV1 decode) depending on workload.
  • Also has a built-in high-speed SD card slot.

4) Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2024)

m4 air budget 4k editing
Macbook M4 Air, one of the best for video editors (Image via Apple | Deltia’s Gaming)

Key Features

  • Apple M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU).
  • 15.3″ Liquid Retina display with True Tone.

Codec & Hardware Acceleration

  • Supports H.264, HEVC, ProRes, ProRes RAW, and AV1 decoding via dedicated media engines.

5. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024)

Asus-rog-best-video-editing-and-gaming
Asus ROG Laptop (Image via Asus | Deltia’s Gaming)

Key Features

  • Configurable with up to Intel Core Ultra 9 + NVIDIA RTX 4000 (GPU).
  • 16″ 2.5K, 240Hz OLED, VESA DisplayHDR for True Black 600.

Codec & Hardware Acceleration

  • Can utilize Intel Quick Sync (H.264/HEVC) and NVIDIA NVENC (AV1 decode) depending on workload.
  • Supports AV1 encode and decode with RTX Graphics.

Recommendations by Workflow

Use CaseBest OptionRationale
ProRes RAW EditingMacBook Pro 16 (M4 Max)Best in class for professional video editors.
Editing on the GOThinkPad P1 Gen 7SD Card slot saves the adapter hassle. Outstanding display quality.
Budget 4K EditingMacBook Air 15Great for basic 4K editing.
Gaming + EditingASUS ROG Zephyrus G16Great cooling, beefy specs, great display

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