The biggest problem with video editing is the strain it can put on a computer’s RAM and processor. You need a laptop that can allow you to multitask without freezing up.
Having a great graphics card and a beautiful display is a plus too. The problem is finding a video editing laptop that has all these features.
We’re here to tell you to look no further than Mac. It’s no secret that they’re built for business professionals. They can handle pretty much anything you can throw at them.
What’s the best one for complex video work, though? We’ve got all the answers you’re looking for right here. Keep reading to learn which laptop can help you get things done.
Features to Look For
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Before we talk laptops, let’s go over what you should be looking for. Without the proper amount of RAM, a powerful processor, and a great graphics card, you’ll find it difficult to get your video editing done.
RAM
For basic Youtube editing and funsies work, you can get by with 8GB of RAM. You won’t be able to do anything miraculous with it, but it will get you by.
For really smooth and professional editing, 16GB is going to be your bread and butter. Having this much RAM will allow you to edit videos in beautiful 4K. The computer will also be able to run all your video crop apps and software without a single hiccup.
If you’re doing something super advanced like making your own 3D models to put in your videos, we would recommend bumping things up even further to 32GB or more. It will be a lot more expensive, but worth it.
Graphics
For things like photo manipulation and video editing, you’re going to need a computer with a graphics card that has to power to render crisp images.
If you’re going past simple YouTube videos, a dedicated GPU isn’t requested. It’s mandatory. Lucky for you, most MacBooks fit the bill in this regard.
Processor
It’s hard to multitask and run all your video editing software if you’ve got a weak processor. You may still be able to do some basic video editing, but it will be hard to do anything professional.
Again, this is where Macs stand out. They have a powerful Apple M1 chip. You’ll be able to run as many video apps for Mac as you need without running into a single issue.
Best MacBooks
Now that you know about the sort of features you need for your video editing projects, we can finally name off a few good laptops that you should add to your shopping list. Check out this great selection.
14-Inch MacBook Pro (2021)
First up on the list is the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro. If you crop video and do a lot of your editing on the go, this laptop is going to be your go-to.
The smaller screen makes it lighter than some of the other Macs you can get. It packs about as much power as the 16-inch model, just in a smaller package.
It has that M 1 chip that we were talking about before, along with plenty of RAM to get things done. You’ll be able to work on your videos in stunning HD.
If you want to pack up your computer and take it to a cafe, the battery life will make that possible. You’ll be able to edit for hours before your laptop dies.
The 14-inch model also has plenty of ports. The only thing that you might have to worry about is not having enough screen real estate. Many people upgrade to the 16-inch model for that reason.
16-Inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Again, the 16-inch MacBook will give you a lot of screen to work with, but it’s heavy. You’ll still be able to pack it up and take it places, but you’re going to struggle a bit more than you would with the 14-inch model.
This being said, the 16-inch MacBook is most likely the best laptop for video editing due to the amount of power it can put out. It’s much faster than the 2020 model.
Video editing tends to take up a lot of space on a computer. With the 8TB of storage that this laptop has to offer, you’ll never have to worry about running out of room.
16-Inch MacBook Pro (2019)
If you find that you can’t afford the 2021 16-inch model, don’t be afraid to reach for the 2019 one. With the release of the newer model, you’re likely to get a good deal on the older one.
It has as much storage as the 2021 model and offers about as much power. We will warn you that this laptop doesn’t have too many ports to work with.
13-Inch MacBook Pro (2020)
If you’re a business professional who needs to edit videos while on a plane, you’ll want to pick up the 13-inch MacBook. Not only is it light and portable, but it has a lot of battery power.
You’ll be able to use the laptop to edit 4K and 8K videos. The processor isn’t as powerful as the one in other MacBooks, but it still gets the job done. Like the 2019 16-inch, this MacBook doesn’t have a lot of ports to speak of.
Choosing the Best Video Editing Laptop for Your Money
If you’re a professional video editor, you’re going to need a powerful machine that can allow you to get things done. MacBooks always deliver in this regard.
With the large amounts of storage and powerful processors, MacBooks make the best video editing laptop you can get. They can be on the expensive side, but they’re worth it.
If you want to learn more about MacBooks and what they can bring to the table, visit the Apple section of our blog.
