The top 14 best computers for video editing

If you’re looking for the best desktop computer for video editing, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a strong contender. With a 28” touchscreen display and a unique monitor setup that’s reminiscent of a mega-sized tablet, the Surface Studio 2 is built with creators and editors in mind. For pure video editing, it’s a strong choice, but if you aren’t planning on using the touchscreen for photo editing and drawing, you may want to consider one of the other options we’ve reviewed below.

Key features:

• Touchscreen monitor
• Customizable screen angle for comfortable work
• Intuitive shortcuts and stylus capabilities

Pros:

• User-friendly, ergonomic design
• Bright display for easy visibility
• Comes with Surface Pen

Cons:

• Built on a dated platform
• No dedicated port for video-out
• CPU on the slower side

The Apple Mac Pro is a high-performing, powerful desktop computer that’s a favorite with many video editors. Designed for a wide range of professional users in creative fields, this is a great choice for the best Apple computer for video editing for users who want the power of a tower computer and don’t need the portability of a laptop. If you’re willing to spend a little more on the right buildout, this computer can be one of the most powerful on the market, with up to a 28-core processor and other customizable features.

Key features:

• Up to 28-core processor capabilities
• Customizable and expandable for changing user needs
• Magic Mouse 2 included

Pros:

• Extremely quiet while processing
• Beautiful aesthetic design
• Powerful processing for big jobs

Cons:

• Incompatible with Nvidia graphics cards
• Outdated apps with no updates
• Expensive for what you get

The 27” Apple iMac is a go-to desktop for Apple users looking for the best computer for 4K video editing. While it lacks portability, if you’re editing in your office or at home, you’ll appreciate the display size and processing power of this machine. The 5K Retina display is crisp and clear, giving editors the level of resolution they need to see their work as it will look when it’s completed and rendered. Users have also raved about this computer’s incredibly fast processing power and stylish design. However, some users would prefer if it came with a touchscreen, especially for the high price tag.

Key features:

• 5K Retina display
• Nano-Texture display glass for minimal glare
• Intel Core 19 processor

Pros:

• Lightning-fast processor speeds
• 1080p webcam
• Stylish design

Cons:

• No touch screen capabilities
• Keyboard is not ergonomic or comfortable
• Price is too high for some users

The Apple Mac Mini is Apple’s “do-it-all desktop.” In the latest release of the Mac Mini, Apple has increased processing and graphics speeds, and they’ve added a significantly more powerful Neural Engine for faster machine learning. And, while the Mac Mini isn’t as portable as a laptop, at 7.7” across, it does fit on even the smallest desk and has some limited portability capability. Like most Mac products, it does come with a higher price tag than many PCs, but many users say that the performance enhancements are worth the cost of admission.

Key features:

• Integrated CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine
• 8-core GPU option
• Comes with macOS Big Sur

Pros:

• Lower cost than previous models
• Stays quiet and cool while processing
• Big performance improvements over previous models

Cons:

• Costly to boost SSD and RAM at purchase
• No option to upgrade memory after purchase
• Limited Thunderbolt ports

The HP ENVY is a highly customizable PC desktop that starts at less than $1000. Gamers enjoy the ENVY for its fast processing speeds and quality graphics – features that will be valuable to video editors, as well. It boasts high performance in rendering, streaming, and editing. With a powerful processor and options to add features like a DVD-writer optical drive, we recommend opting for the SSD version instead of the hard drive option for this attractive desktop. If you work with accessories that require Thunderbolt ports, though, you’ll need to invest in an adapter or two.

Key features:

• 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor
• DVD-writer optical drive
• SSD or hard drive options

Pros:

• Multiple USB type-A ports
• Fast processing for the price
• Attractive design

Cons:

• Integrated graphics card means limited upgrade capabilities
• Limited room for expansion
• No Thunderbolt ports

The Corsair One Pro i180 is a compact desktop computer marketed specifically to video editors. It boasts a powerful 12-core CPU with fast processing speeds to easily handle encoding and high-resolution video files. Corsair also prides itself on its patented liquid cooling system, to keep the computer running smoothly and quietly without the risk of overheating, even through long up times and high-volume editing sessions. While this is one of the quieter and more upgradable machines on the market today, some users say that its hard drive is slow and that it’s expensive for the features you get.

Key features:

• Lighting color options after video rendering
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics card
• Ray tracing for accurate lighting

Pros:

• Powerful computer for editing
• Some upgradability after purchase
• Very quiet

Cons:

• Expensive
• Slow hard drive
• No editing features

Designed around the Intel vPro® platform, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i desktop was created with gamers in mind, but that can be a good thing for video editors too, as both audiences need fast processing speeds and high-performance graphics capabilities. The Legion Tower 5i has a few graphics card options, with the highest being the Nvidia GeForce 30 series, and the computer is available with Windows Pro for PC users who want to do a little more.

Key features:

• Performance mode for automated app calibration
• Monitor options with up to 165 GHz refresh rate
• Customizable desktop experience

Pros:

• Good price point
• Customizable lighting
• Excellent video processing

Cons:

• Plastic exterior feels cheap
• Some users report glitches with Bluetooth functionality

According to Dell, the XPS 8940 Special Edition allows users to “create without limits” with a machine that features minimalist design and maximum expandability. Starting at just under $1100, the XPS 8940 Special Edition is good for a lot of video creators’ budgets without losing performance. Its compact design makes it a winner for users with limited desk space who aren’t looking for a laptop. Users on a budget appreciate the low price, especially as you can upgrade and customize this desktop later on after your initial purchase. So, if you’re looking for something to get started that can grow with you, this might be the choice for your editing needs.

Key features:

• Up to Intel Core i9-11900K CPU
• Multiple ports for expandability and accessories
• Optional DVD or Blu-Ray drive

Pros:

• Customizable after purchase
• Multiple types of ports, including USB type-C and SD card slot
• Affordable and high-end build options

Cons:

• Cost of higher-end configurations
• Not compatible with cards larger than RTX 3070
• Very basic keyboard and mouse

Reviewers have raved about the Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch. It’s the most powerful MacBook that Apple has ever produced, giving users the convenience of a laptop with the performance of a tower. The 16” screen is large enough to perform well with most video editing projects, and the Retina display offers the visual experience editors look for in a laptop or desktop for video editing. It only includes four Thunderbolt ports, though, which can be hindering for some users.

Key features:

• Up to 8 TB SSD storage
• AMD Radeon Pro 5000M graphics card
• Up to 8-core CPU

Pros:

• Fast rendering and processing
• Great sound for a laptop
• Very high storage capacity for a laptop

Cons:

• High price
• Only has four Thunderbolt ports for accessories

For users looking for a PC laptop for video editing, the Lenovo Legion 7i is a strong option. While some users complain that it lacks aesthetics, veteran video editors will appreciate its solid chassis and fast processing power. The Legion 7i can be built with up to a 10th-generation Intel i9 HK-series CPU, and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card, making it ideal for editing large projects in 1080p or 4K. If you’re looking for a sleek, lightweight laptop, though, this one may not be the best option for you.

Key features:

• 720p webcam with privacy shutter
• Automatic heat detection and fan management
• Lenovo TrueStrike keyboard

Pros:

• Solid design and construction
• Lots of storage (2 TB SSD)
• High battery life

Cons:

• Heavy compared with similar laptops
• Design could be more attractive for the price

The new Dell XPS 17 (9700) is a redesigned reboot of the original Dell XPS laptop. The new design features a 17-inch monitor with longer battery life and more processing power than previous generations. With its large display, it can handle up to 4K videos for editing, rendering, and viewing purposes. Users can opt for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card for top video performance.

Key features:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card
• 6 GB video RAM
• USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 3

Pros:

• Large display with high-res capabilities
• Compact for its size
• Excellent audio and video quality

Cons:

• Expensive for a high-performance version
• Power drain when working with high-resolution videos
• Does not include a USB type-A port

The HP ZBook Create G7 Notebook is a laptop designed for creative professionals. While users on a budget may balk at the price, it’s great for pros who want the power of a desktop and the portability of a laptop. With a top-level graphics card and Windows 10 Pro 64, video editors love working anywhere with the ZBook Create G7, but some complain that the laptop runs a little hot when working with high-resolution or heavy-processing projects.

Key features:

• Comes with Windows 10 Pro 64
• 15.6” display
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 graphics card (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated)

Pros:

• Impressive audio and video capabilities
• 4K OLED monitor
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Expensive
• Some issues with cooling under heavy processing
• No HDMI output

Asus calls the ZenBook Duo 14 “the laptop of tomorrow.” This laptop is created with pros in mind who are on the move and need the freedom to create cool videos and work from anywhere. It boasts a slim build that’s light and convenient to take with you, but Asus did make some performance compromises to accommodate for the ZenBook Duo 14’s unique design and price. Some users have complained that the keyboard is cramped and uncomfortable to use. So, if the ZenBook is your top choice for a video editing laptop, you may want to consider an external keyboard, as well.

Key features:

• Shortcut buttons and hotkey options
• Windows 10 Home or Pro options (and free upgrade to Windows 11 when available)
• Up to Intel Core i7-1155G7 CPU

Pros:

• Dual-screen design
• Slim design, lightweight
• Thunderbolt 4 ports

Cons:

• Cramped, uncomfortable keyboard
• Small touchpad

Looking for desktop power in a laptop chassis? The Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel is an impressive option. Its touchscreen lets you use it like a tablet with a stylus for precise photo editing and video effects creation. It also includes multiple display modes for different uses and works well for creating and presenting video presentations. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 laptop GPU gives video editors a lot of graphics power for high-resolution video projects, but be prepared for a laptop that may be a bit heavier and more cumbersome than a lot of today’s slimmer models.

Key features:

• Float mode for easy touchscreen work
• Multiple display capability
• Backlit keyboard

Pros:

• Beautiful white aluminum chassis
• Precision drawing capabilities
• Good battery life for the performance

Cons:

• Cumbersome for a 15.6” laptop
• Loud fan noise
• Warranty only good for one year