Best Laptops for Video Editing in 2027

What separates the best laptops for video editing?

All four machines ran the same 4K export, battery rundown and colorimeter. Scores weight performance 30, display 20, battery 20, build 15, value 15.

The Apple MacBook Pro 16" sits on top at 9.7. It exported 4K in 3m 41s, ran 22h 10m on battery, and its XDR display measured 99.8% DCI-P3 with ΔE 0.9. It costs $3,499, and the 64GB configuration is $4,299. RAM and SSD are fixed at purchase.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14" scores 9.3 at $1,999. Same XDR panel and keyboard as the 16" in a 1.6 kg body, 4K export in 5m 12s, 17h battery. Base memory is 24GB, and the speakers are smaller than the 16".

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 and Dell XPS 15 both score 9. The ASUS is $3,299 with an RTX 4090, a 240Hz OLED, and 41 dB under load. It hit 140 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1600p with DLSS on, weighs 1.85 kg, and ran 5h 20m in office use. The Dell is $2,899 with an RTX 4070, a 3.5K OLED touch display at 100% DCI-P3, and user-upgradeable SSD and RAM. It runs warm, fans are audible on long exports, and there is no HDMI or USB-A without a dongle.

What should you check before buying a video editing laptop?

Start with the export time you can live with. The 16" finishes in 3m 41s; the 14" takes 5m 12s. If you grade footage, look at the display numbers: 99.8% DCI-P3 and ΔE 0.9 on the MacBook Pro models, 100% DCI-P3 on the Dell. Battery matters if you cut away from a desk: 22h 10m, 17h, and 5h 20m are the measured figures here.

Then check what you can change later. The Dell lets you upgrade SSD and RAM. The MacBook Pro 16" and 14" do not. The ASUS is the quietest gaming laptop measured at 41 dB, but it is still a gaming machine at $3,299.

• Ports: the Dell needs a dongle for HDMI or USB-A.
• Memory: the 14" starts at 24GB; the 16" base is $3,499 and the 64GB build is $4,299.
• Weight: 1.6 kg for the 14", 1.85 kg for the ASUS, 700 g lighter than the Legion Pro 7i.

Which laptop for whom?

For the fastest 4K turnaround and the most accurate screen, the MacBook Pro 16" is the pick. For CUDA acceleration in Premiere Pro and Resolve plus upgradeable storage, the Dell XPS 15 at $2,899 fits. For gaming between edits, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 at $3,299 is the one.

If you need the fastest export and the most accurate display, the MacBook Pro 16" is the one. If you want that screen in a 1.6 kg body for less, the MacBook Pro 14" fits. For CUDA work and upgradeable storage, the Dell XPS 15; for gaming between edits, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16.