Looking for a budget-friendly laptop to support your video editing projects can be a daunting task. Luckily, we have done the research and compiled a list of the top 5 picks for video editing laptops under $1000. Before we get into our top selections, let’s discuss some of the most important factors you need to consider when choosing a laptop for video editing.
Top Factors To Consider Before Buying
- The CPU processor is the most important factor when it comes to video editing laptops. The processor affects your system’s overall performance, including render and export times, as well as how smoothly your footage plays back. Both Intel and AMD Ryzen processors offer great options for video editing laptops, with AMD Ryzen being a bit cheaper while Intel processors are more expensive but offer better performance and are more power-efficient.
- RAM or memory is another important factor to consider. The minimum amount of RAM you should get for video editing is 16GB, which allows for smooth 4k video playback, but if you multitask frequently, it’s best to invest in a laptop with 32GB of RAM.
- Storage is also an essential consideration. The minimum amount of storage space you should get is 256GB, but 512GB is even better. It’s best to choose a laptop with an SSD storage unit to get faster loading times.
- The graphics processing unit (GPU) or video card plays a significant role in supporting the CPU and maintaining smooth video playback without any lag or choppiness.
- Another essential factor to consider is your video editing software of choice. If you’re a dedicated Final Cut Pro editor, then you need to limit your choices to Apple products since it is only compatible with Mac products. For Premiere Pro and DiVinci Resolve, either Mac or PC products will work just fine.
Best 5 Laptops for Video Editing Under 1000$
MacBook Air M1
When it comes to video editing laptops, the Apple MacBook Air M1 is a top choice for its exceptional performance, display quality, battery life, and superior speakers. While it may be slightly over a $1000 budget, the value included in this compact powerhouse makes it worth the investment. With 16GB of RAM, it’s perfect for handling CPU intensive functions in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci, After Effects, and more. The MacBook Air M1 boasts a superior display quality, typical of Apple products, and offers exceptional battery life to last for hours without interruptions. However, it falls short in terms of ports, but you can always purchase an additional port if you need more connectivity options.
Lenovo Legion 5
Moving on to a more affordable option, the Lenovo Legion 5 is our top pick for the best video editing PC laptop under $1000. With a high-speed, smooth CPU performance, this laptop can edit video files seamlessly without any lag, outperforming some desktop speeds available on the market. It features a good battery life of approximately 3-4 hours, depending on usage, and plenty of ports, making it ideal for video editors who need to connect the laptop to external monitors, hard drives, or other accessories. However, the laptop is quite bulky and heavy, weighing just over 5lbs, and the charger pack is also quite large and heavy, making it not the best option for travel or on-the-go editing.
Also read: Best Laptops for Video Editing Under $600 in 2023
HP Victus
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for video editing, the HP Victus is a solid option. It’s our second pick under $1000, and it provides great performance and portability without compromising too much. The HP Victus has a 4K video editing capability and a lot of ports for external monitors and accessories. However, the laptop screen is not the best quality and wobbles. Battery life isn’t great either, with only 1-2 hours of dedicated battery life for heavy video editing work. That said, the price is a steal, and there is some flexibility in pricing depending on the model.
Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED
For those who prioritize display quality, the Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED is a great choice. The OLED display is not often found in laptops at this price point and provides stunning visuals and colors. Equipped with an Intel i-series processor and 16GB of RAM, it can handle video editing with ease. However, the placement of the trackpad may be inconvenient for some users.
Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 may not have the best display resolution, but it more than makes up for it in performance. It’s great for video editing and other creative applications, and its internal components won’t overheat easily, thus making it last longer. That being said, it’s a bit on the heavy side, weighing just over 5 pounds, and the battery charger is also bulky.
Finally, price is always a crucial factor to consider when buying a laptop. Fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly video editing laptops under $1000, and we have picked the top 5 options to make the selection process easier for you. Note that the prices may vary slightly, above or below $1000, so it’s best to keep an eye on the prices and releases of newer versions of a similar laptop.
Also read: Best Curved Monitor for MacBook Pro: Top Picks for a Seamless User Experience
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much video RAM do I need for video editing?
The required amount of video RAM varies based on the non-linear editing software (NLE) you’re using. However, in general, 32GB of RAM is sufficient for most video editing needs. If you’re working with higher resolution files, such as 8K, having more than 32GB of RAM can be beneficial but is not required.
What is the minimum RAM on a laptop for 4K video editing?
For HD video editing, a minimum of 16GB of RAM is sufficient. However, when working with 4K or 6K video, you should aim for at least 32GB of RAM or more. Quick accessibility of data to both the CPU and RAM is crucial, making storage speed essential. Without adequate storage speed, the CPU and RAM may be starved of data, leading to sluggish performance even with fast hardware components.
Which laptop is best for 4K editing?
Our top picks for the best laptops for video editing, based on our reviews and expertise, are the MacBook Pro 16-inch, MacBook Pro 14-inch, Dell XPS 17, MacBook Pro 13-inch, and Razer Blade 17.
Which processor is best for video editing?
The Intel Core i9 12900K is the best CPU for video editing. In tests using Premier Pro, Puget Systems found that Intel outperformed AMD 5000 series processors by 25-40%. Intel also has significant benefits over AMD when using popular codecs like H.264 and HEVC.
Is Core i5 good for video editing?
The performance of Core i5 processors varies based on the specific processor model. While some i5 processors may handle basic video editing tasks, they may struggle with more intensive tasks such as rendering. If you’re using an i5, we recommend choosing the highest level i5 or upgrading to an i7 for optimal performance. Keep in mind that while current generation i5 processors can handle video editing, they do have their limitations.
