Whether you’re a film pro or an amateur video editor, the right laptop can be the difference between your next cut in the field being a masterpiece or another one for the discard pile. Thanks to hardware advancements, powerful laptops with cutting edge internals can almost replicate a studio’s capabilities on the go. When you’re picking one for this purpose, there are a few specific things to keep in mind. Beyond a powerful CPU and a buffed-up GPU, you’re also going to need ample storage to handle all that RAW footage. Additionally, the display should also be good enough for visual accuracy. It is also important to ensure the availability of ample input-output ports for when you need to transfer the final cut to an external drive. Here are some laptops available on Amazon which meet these expectations while offering a good mix of specifications and features.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 comes with the Ryzen 7 4800H octa-core processor and the NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU with 4 GB of VRAM. This combination makes it capable enough to handle the video editing requirements of most users. You can expand the 8 GB RAM onboard to 32 GB when your needs grow. The 512 GB SSD storage reduces load times for your projects and ensures high-speed file transfers. An additional slot is available in case you need to add a second SSD as well. The 17.3-inch FHD display offers a 1000:1 Contrast Ratio for crisp details in your visuals. With a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port that is compatible with the DisplayPort standard, your connectivity woes are solved too.
The hexa-core i7 10750H in the MSI GF75 packs enough processing power for on-the-go video edits. While the model only comes with 8GB of RAM, you can expand that to 64GB for complete mastery over multitasking. With a SteelSeries LED Backlit keyboard, you can use this laptop easily, even in rooms with low ambient light. The laptop comes with a Hi-Res audio certification, ensuring excellent audio delivery. Even under heavy load, this model maintains optimal thermals thanks to its four-pipe cooling system for the CPU and the GPU. The NVIDIA 1650 GPU can handle your gaming needs adequately as well.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021) pulls out all stops to deliver a powerful video editing experience. With an octa-core Ryzen 5900HS paired with an RTX 3060 with 6GB of VRAM, this model can handle even the more demanding renders. This performance is further enhanced by 16GB of RAM that can be expanded to 24GB. You also get 1TB of high-speed SSD storage, ensuring ample space even for larger edits. The 14-inch display features a WQHD resolution for greater detail. It covers 100 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut for a highly accurate visual representation of your video frames. For further reassurance, the display comes with Pantone Validation.
Powered by the latest M1 Pro chip, the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro packs a punch in a particularly portable package. The Apple-designed chip comes with an 8-core CPU and 14-core GPU that keeps your edits breezy and smooth. You get 16GB of RAM on this model, which handle demanding video processing on the go. The 512GB of SSD storage might require some prioritisation for your high-res footage or the help of external storage. Its Liquid Retina XDR display has a resolution of 3024 by 1964 pixels, offering a density of 254 pixels per inch for crisp visuals. You also get a wide range of ports for a dongle-free connectivity experience.