One of the top requirements for video editing is having a powerful computer that can handle large files and high-resolution videos. There is no other way to pass through this. It’s either you invest in a computer for video editing or render low-quality output.
Video editing is a tasking process, so you'll need a few essential things in a computer that you intend to edit videos on. For one, you'll need a personal computer that comes with a discrete graphics card that allows you to render and convert raw footage efficiently. A lot of RAM is also necessary, just as well as a multi-core processor.
Here are some of the best computers for video editing. Read on to find out what works for you.
Powerful Computers for Video Editing
CPU: Intel Xeon W | Graphics: AMD Vega 64 (16GB HBM2 RAM) | RAM: 128GB | Storage: 2TB SSD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Screen: 27-inch 5K | Dimensions (W x D x H): 65 x 20.3 x 51.6cm
With its excellent design, the Apple iMac Pro is one of the most powerful PCs that Apple has ever made. It is arguably one of the best video editing computers money can buy right now. It is pricey to be sure, but in exchange, you will get sublime build quality, in addition to some of the most cutting-edge components around today.
Its Intel Xeon processor and AMD Verga 64 graphics card make the process of editing videos fast and smooth. As if that's not enough, there's enough horsepower to allow you to preview your edits while on the move. In a few words, it is fast and reliable.
CPU: Intel Core i5/Core i7/Core i9 | GPU: Intel UHD 630/Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti | RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB | Storage: 1TB HDD or 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch (1080p/4K/4K OLED) | Size: 13.6 x 9.1 x 0.7-inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds
If talking about displays, this computer from Dell is a frontrunner with its 3840 x 2400 screen that conveys 132% of the sRGB color gamut and brightness of 434 nits. This quality surely takes your creative eye on a whole lot of journeys of colors, providing you a crisper visualization of the video you are editing.
With its sharp and crisp visuals, Dell XPS 15 (2020) is a great choice along with its even sharper performance. It has a process of Intel Core i7-10750H and GPU of Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU.
CPU: Intel Core i7/Core i9 | Graphics: Intel UHD 630or Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch (4K) | Size: 14.4 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 4.2 pounds
Asus ZenBook Pro 15 is a lightweight computer that is packed with a processor that goes up to Inter Core 19 and a GPU of Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti. This computer from Asus has a ScreenPad that is the most interesting feature there is that is built to help enhance your multitasking.
Aside from the awesome ScreenPad feature, you will also enjoy the specs of its screen with a 141% sRGB color gamut on the 4k display. Editing videos and perfecting the color grading will be much easier and clearer.
CPU: Intel Core i5/Core i7 | GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti | RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch (1080p/4K) | Size: 14.2 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 4 pounds
This computer is the first Lenovo 15-inch product to have a discrete graphics card. It comes with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GPU and the capability to be outfitted with an 8th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU as well as 64GB of RAM. It takes about 10 minutes and 3 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p on the HandBrake benchmark.
The ThinkPad X1 Extreme can survive high humidity, exposure to sand and dust, extreme temperatures, and repeated drops. It also supports dTPM encryption, Intel vPro, a fingerprint reader, and an optional Smart Card reader, so it's equally great for business use.
You also get an optional IR camera that allows you to sign in to your laptop with Windows Hello facial recognition. It has a below-average battery life though, but it makes up for that with very fast performance. With its features, it is easily one of the best video editing laptops out there.
CPU: Intel Core i9-9920X | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 960GB SSD, 2TB HDD | Communications: Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 20 x 17.6 x 38cm
The Corsair One Pro i180 is one of the most powerful PCs on the market right now. It comes with an Intel Core i9-9920X, Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, 920GB NVMe M.2 SSD and 2TB hard drive. As far as video editing goes, those are some great cutting-edge features to have on a PC. The Corsair One Pro i180 lets you upgrade certain components yourself plus an amazingly compact design that means it can easily sit on or under a desk. Although it's on the high side, the freedom to add an external graphics card to the Mac mini makes it an ideal video editing PC.
CPU: Intel Core i5/Core i7 | GPU: Intel HD 620 or Nvidia Quadro M620 | RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD | Display: 14-inch (4K) | Size: 14.4 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches (0.6 tablet) | Weight: 4.9 pounds
Although the HP ZBook x2 is pricey, it is an adaptable tool for creative work. The matte, 14-inch 4K display lets you edit at any resolution on its comfortable keyboard. If you love stylus, there are shortcut keys for quick actions. You might even get to use the Bluetooth keyboard nearby if you choose. It's a great video editing computer although the Quadro GPU could be stronger.
CPU: Intel Core i7 | GPU: Nvidia MX150/GTX 1050 Ti | RAM: 8GB/16GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch (4K) | Size: 14.2 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches | Weight: 4.6 pounds
HP Spectre x360 (15-inch, 2019) has continuously impressed video editors with its quality, performance, and style. This elegant machine is capable of completing the HandBrake benchmark in only ten minutes and 45 minutes. How cool is that!
This flagship computer from HP’s Spectre series has a six-core, 12-thread Intel Core i7 processor. The processor is a 45-watt chip, most commonly seen in a gaming notebook. Your video editing will be as productive as possible with its 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card.
CPU: Intel 8th Gen Core i7/9th Gen Core i7/Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 2060/2070/2080 | RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB | Storage: 1TB HDD or 512GB/1TB/2TB SSD | Display: 17.3-inch (1080p/4K) | Size: 16.1 x 15.9 x 1.1~1.7 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds
This is arguably one of the best video editing laptops out there. The Alienware Area-51m has a space station aesthetic that is powered by an overclockable 9th Gen Core i9 desktop processor and the latest RTX 2080 GPU. It has laid claims to being one of the best video editing computers out there, by being able to transcode a 4K video to 1080p in 6 minutes.
In addition to this, it has excellent graphics and upgradeable components. Its immense, upgradable power, gorgeous design, 17.3-inch panel, and extremely fast SSD makes it a must-have. The downside is that it is expensive.
CPU: AMD Ryzen R7 4800H | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5600M | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch (1080p, 144Hz) | Size: 14.4 x 10 x 0.9 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds
If you are looking for a powerful computer for video editing, we are singling out this computer for you. Dell G5 15 SE is known to be the most affordable notebook out there packed with a lot of features and specs that handling editing 4K quality videos. This computer is packed with all-new AMD hardware and AMD R7 4800H CPU, blowing its competitors out of this techy world.
Dell G5 15 SE comes with a 15.6-inch display that covered 108% of the sRGB color gamut. During our Handbrake test, this affordable computer can transcode a 4K video to 1080p in 6 minutes and 43 seconds, passing most of the gaming laptops in the market with an average of 10 minutes and 35 minutes.
CPU: Intel Core i7/Core i9 | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5500M or Nvidia RTX 2060/2070 Super/2080 Super | RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB | Storage: 256GB SSD or two 512GB SSD or two 2TB SSDs | Display: 15.6-inch (1080p/4K) | Size: 14.2 x 10.9 x 0.8~0.7 inches | Weight: 4.7 pounds
Alienware m15 R3 is a powerful laptop that can complete and perform just like some desktop computers. This computer is equipped with Intel Core i7-7820 HK, Quad-Core CPU with 8MB Cache. Its storage can go with a maximum of 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD Drive for the operating system so you can work fast as well as a 1TB backup drive.
This computer bares a powerful 10th Gen processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX graphic card, which is 8GB GDDR5 of RAM. Alienware m15 R3 can transcode a 4K video to 1080p resolution in 8 minutes and 38 seconds. Video editing using this computer will be very efficient with its 15.6-inch display that can reproduce 149.7% on the DCI-P3 color gamut and is capable to emit a vibrant 369 nits of brightness.
Takeaway
If you read every word up to this point, then we believe you know what to do when you need to make a choice about the best computer for editing 4k video in 2021. These computers are mostly laptops but they can perform better if not the same with some desktop computers.
Laptops are known to be more convenient than desktops for one reason---portability. You can work with your project from the office to your home without transferring files or missing important documents. But did you know that you can still work on your project without the fear of missing your files or damaging them? ProMAX offers a video editing solution that helps video editors like you work remotely even outside the office or at the location for a shoot. See their packages to make your workflow much easier.