Video editing is one of the most critical aspects of video creation. After all, whether it’s basic or advanced, every video out there has undergone a certain degree of editing before it’s published for the world to see. Just like RAW photography, RAW footage, too, requires touch-ups and fine-tuning in various aspects. And even if a video is shot with the best equipment and with the utmost care, it will have its share of flaws. All of these flaws in the videos need to be rectified before the video is published on various platforms — and that’s precisely what video editors do. But what is the best computer for video editing? Read on below to learn more.
What Do Video Editors Do?
If the final edited footage is the art, the video editor is the artist. The primary role of a video editor is to blend footage, graphics, and sound to create a single video that’s ready to publish. Raw video footage sometimes requires only basic refinement, such as color correction or cropping. But the job of a video editor doesn’t stop here. It extends to more advanced video editing techniques such as exposure adjustment, color correction, trimming, frame cropping, cross dissolving, fade in/fade out, and re-sequencing.
Professional and amateur video editors rely on different types of video editing software that are equipped with essential tools. These tools help video editors enhance videos and ensure they are crystal clear, vibrant, and, most importantly, publish-ready. To ensure that the video editing process is seamless, every video editor should invest in a good-quality laptop and a couple of accessories.
We’ve listed some of the best laptop models and accessories for video editing. But before that, let’s have a look at the specifications you need to look for in a laptop for video editing:
How to Choose a Video Editing Computer
As a video editor, your prime job will be editing a lot of RAW footage. Video editing is a complex process. If you don’t have the right equipment for it, you’ll be left frustrated with frequent lag or, worse, software crashes. The type of laptop you invest in also depends on the type of videos you edit. But here are some general aspects you need to consider.when purchasing a video editing computer.
CPU
Strong CPUs with multiple cores/threads are well-suited as a video editing computer. If you’re working with Full HD videos of 1920 x 1080 resolution, choosing a CPU with 2.8 GHz to 3.8 GHz clock speeds is advisable. For 4K videos, you’d require a CPU with higher clock speeds of 4.2 GHz. For videos of lesser resolution than Full HD and 4K, a CPU with 2.8 GHz.
Storage
Most computers offer 4GB RAM, but this storage capacity isn’t enough for video editing. To ensure your computer doesn’t crash while performing video editing and other related tasks simultaneously, we recommend investing in a laptop with minimum 16GB storage. 16GB is perfect for amateurs who take on a limited number of video editing projects. For professional video editors, 16GB wouldn’t suffice, so upgrading to 32GB storage is essential. The large storage capacity would allow you to render large video files and play around with visual effect software effortlessly.
Display Type
LCD monitors offer high-quality contrast ratios, color gamut compatibility, and brightness levels — all of which make them perfect for video editing. Even among LCD monitors, the IPS (in-plane switching) models are preferred compared to the TN (Twisted nematics) ones, as the former models offer better viewing options than their counterparts. For professional usage, OLED monitors are well-suited as they offer wider viewing angles and higher contrast and brightness levels. The only downside is that they are higher priced than LCDs.
Laptop/Display Size
The larger the screen size, the better experience you’ll have editing videos. But, of course, you need to look into other aspects, such as travel compatibility. If you edit videos on the go, you can look for a 13-14 inch screen laptop. And if you’re looking for a proper laptop for professional video editing, any display size more than 15″ inches will be perfect.
Battery Life
Video editing is an elaborate process, and you require a laptop that can help you cruise through your long working hours with ease. A laptop that can last for more than eight hours without the requirement of plugging it in is ideal for video editing. However, these days, you have many laptop models that offer 15 hours of battery life. The longer the battery life, the more efficient and streamlined your workflow will be – hence make sure you pick a laptop with good battery life.
Ports
Connectivity is an important aspect to look for in a video editing laptop. Monitor input ports include HDMI, USB, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt, which make sure the display of your laptop is compatible with the system’s video output. Choose monitors that offer audio I/O options, as they give you the flexibility to split embedded audio to external speakers with ease.
Best Laptops for Video Editors
Best Laptop for Color Grading – Acer ConceptD 5
The Acer ConceptD 5 boasts a classy design and is packed with a bunch of excellent features, which include its large, high-resolution display, eight-core Intel Core i7 CPU, and stellar graphics. With plenty of ports, this laptop offers excellent connectivity, making video editing a breeze. The laptop is Pantone-validated and renders precise, sharp details and rich, well-saturated colors.
Pros
- Large, impressive display
- Wide variety of ports
- Fingerprint scanner
Cons
- Small keyboard
- Slightly heavier as compared to its counterparts
- No VGA port
Best Mobile Workstation – Apple MacBook Pro 16″
One of the best laptops on the market, the Apple MacBook Pro 16″ is powered by the class-leading M1 Max chip to deliver a balance of stellar performance, ultimate graphics, and processing power.
Pros
- Extremely fast for processing on the go
- Excellent viewing angles and quality thanks to the Liquid Retina XDR display
- Excellent connectivity via different ports
Cons
- Considered expensive in relation to other laptops on the market
Best for Showcasing 4K Content – Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 is crafted considering the requirements of gamers and content creation. It features excellent display quality, a 360 Hz FHD screen, and is perfect for showcasing 4K content.
Pros
- Easy to control with Synapse
- Great graphics performance
- Excellent touchpad
Cons
- High price as compared to its counterparts
Best Enhanced Workflow (Dual Screen) – ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo comes with two touch-screen displays, giving creators the flexibility to make the most of their laptops. The classy laptop is sturdy and houses a number of ports. It ships with Intel’s Core i7-1165G7 processor and is equipped with 32GB memory too.
Pros
- Dual screen design
- Excellent battery backup
- Good overall performance
Cons
- A bit heavy
- Trackpad isn’t of much use
- Wrist rest is absent
Best Hybrid Laptop for Video Editing – Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
A powerful and flexible model, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is well-suited for engineers, artists, content creators, and, most importantly, video editors. The workstation-styled PC has an excellent 120Hz screen with Dolby Vision. The detailed speakers, effortless touchpad, and robust digital stylus support make it an excellent investment for video editors.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Runs quiet
- Impressive haptic touchpad
Cons
- Bulky chassis
- Limited number of ports
- No AMD CPU option
Best Computer Accessories for Video Editors
Best Monitor for Video Editing – BenQ SW321C FotoVue Monitor
Coming from BenQ, this model is an excellent monitor for video editors. It offers wide color space coverage and impressive color reproduction capabilities. It is larger than the BenQ SW271 model and has a 32-inch display, making it easier for video editors to work on editing projects with it.
Pros
- Excellent build
- Smooth tonality
- Pro specifications at a reasonable price
Cons
- Exterior isn’t attractive
- Large in size, so you would require a big desk to accommodate it
Best Video Memory Card – Angelbird AV PRO MK2 CFexpress Memory Card
The AV PRO MK2 CFexpress memory cards from Angelbird have a larger capacity and minimum v90 speed rating. It’s just right to store large volumes of RAW and edited footage. The memory cards also feature Angelbird’s Stable Stream technology, which ensures uninterrupted read and write performance for smooth, drop-free results. The minimum write speed of these cards is 260 Mbps. All of these features make the Angelbird AV PRO MK2 CFexpress memory cards a great pick for video editors.
Pros
- Excellent power for RAW video content
- Available in a variety of storage capacities
- Impressive read and write speeds
Cons
- Expensive as compared to its counterparts
Best External Desktop SSD – SanDisk Professional G-Drive External Desktop Hard Drive
A high-capacity external drive, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive External Desktop hard drive offers exceptional transfer speeds and a high capacity. Considering how complex video editing and its process is, the speed offered by this hard drive makes it essential to your kit. Durable and sturdy, the hard disk promises reliable storage as well. It is reasonably sized, making it easy to carry around, even when you’re working on the move.
Pros
- Compact design
- Reliable and fast
- Smart appearance
Cons
- On the higher end of the price range
Best Keyboard – Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard
Incredibly comfortable, this keyboard from Blackmagic is intelligently designed, considering the requirements of video editors. It features color-coded hotkeys, which make it easier for editors to navigate through. Large and sleek, the Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard is designed to ensure editors have an effortless, comfortable experience during those long editing hours.
Pros
- Simple, user-friendly design
- Speeds up your workflow
- Tough, durable design
Cons
- Large in size and takes up a lot of space
- On the higher side of keyboard editors
Best Headphones for Video Editing – Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
One of the best models from Audio-Technica, the ATH-M50X, are excellent closed-back headphones built for critical listening. As a video editor, you need to consider adding these headphones to your kit, as they can instantly enhance your workflow. They have impressive sound reproduction capabilities of bass, mid, and treble ranges. Sturdy and durable, these headphones are expensive but worth it, considering their features.
Pros
- Balanced audio reproduction
- Comfortable and sturdy build
- Powerful bass
Cons
- Poor noise isolation capabilities
- Lack of buttons or audio control options
Summing Up
Video editing is a complex process, but with the right gear and accessories, it can be a complete breeze for you. Throughout this article, we’ve listed some of the best video editing computers and accessories that you should definitely consider adding to your kit.
As beginner video editors, it’s totally okay to start with basic equipment. Although, as you progress into your journey of becoming a professional video editor, you need to scale up in terms of equipment too.
As you progress in your creative career, you’ll quickly realize a good video editing computer will pay for itself. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to level up your video editing game and invest in these high-end gadgets and make your workflow better than it ever was.
