You know how people say that you have the same amount of computing power in your smartphone that NASA had in the computers that were used to go to the moon? The same thing is happening with video editing. A task that once required a full edit bay with high-powered computers and multiple monitors has been simplified, improved, and shrunk.
Now the software to make Hollywood quality films is readily available and the machinery required to run it has made its way into portable, more affordable machines. And the use for these tools in on the rise, too, as the creator economy grows.
Want to make a feature-length film? How about just a YouTube video or TikTok that might catch someone’s eye or go viral? You’re going to need to know your way around some video editing tools. Read more…
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BEST OVERALL
MacBook Pro
With Apple’s new and powerful M1 chip, the latest MacBook Pro is a powerful machine that's truly tough to beat.
- CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU
- Graphics: Integrated 8-core Apple GPU
- RAM: 8-16GB
- Storage: 256GB-2TB SSD
- Screen size: 13.3 inches
- Display: Retina with TrueTone (2880×1800)
- Battery life: Up to 20 hours
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BEST FOR EDITING IN 4K
Dell XPS 15 Touch
With the Dell XPS's stunning 4K touch display and powerful processor, editing 4K videos on this thing is a treat.
- CPU: Intell Core i7
- RAM: 32GB-64GB
- Storage: 1TB-2TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Display: 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400)
- Battery life: Up to 25 hours
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BEST FOR TRAVEL
Microsoft Surface Book 3
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is definitely a force to be reckoned with and unmatched as far as power for 2-in-1 laptops. Its multiple ports and impressive battery life make it a good option for editing on the go.
- CPU: Intel Core i7
- RAM: up to 16GB-32GB
- Storage: 256GB-1TB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 1060 GTX
- Screen: 15 inches
- Display: 3240×2160
- Battery life: Up to 17.5 hours
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BEST BUDGET OPTION
Dell G5 15 SE Gaming Laptop
It’s not going to blow you away, but if you’re looking to get a capable machine without spending over $1,000, the Dell G5 15 SE will do the trick.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: 8GB
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5600M
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Display: FHD (1920×1080)
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
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BEST BUDGET MAC
MacBook Air
Another beneficiary of Apple’s M1 chip, the MacBook Air has improved from a simple machine to one that is capable of doing more creative tasks like video editing.
- CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU
- RAM: 8GB
- Graphics: Integrated 8-core Apple GPU
- Screen size: 13.3 inches
- Display: Retina True Tone (2560×1600)
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery life: Up to 18 hours
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BEST FOR BEGINNERS
HP Pavilion Notebook
The HP Pavilion lacks the frills and power of the more expensive models, but for entry-level video editors it's a good way to test the waters.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 3
- RAM: 32GB
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Screen size: 15.6 Inches
- Display: 1366×768
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery life: Up to 7.5 hours