If you are a beginner Youtuber, professional editor, or just someone who likes to get their hands dirty on video clips, our pick of Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500 helps you to get the best bang for your buck.
Video editing can be exhausting and when done on a meager device it feels like rubbing salt into the wounds. Therefore, a machine with powerful hardware and stunning display should be foremost.
Almost all laptop designers have fabricated heavy-duty notebooks in such a way that gives a desktop-level performance without issue. But, hand-picking those monsters is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
It is also important to know what to look for in an agile video editing laptop. For video editing laptop CPU, GPU, memory, and storage are the main specs, besides this plenty of ports, long battery life, and display size is crucial.
But, every hardware contains different potential so to choose precisely which hardware can handle the needs of Video Editing apps is a must.
Truth to be told, when it comes to video editing – you don’t need to create videos with advanced editing tasks such as color correction and shading. Unless your audience demands or your Youtube channel is dedicated to designing or graphic editing.
So, getting a budget to mid-range laptop with powerful specs inside is by far the best choice.
Now the real question is which hardware should define as mediocre or potent?
Below Buying Guide discusses just that.
What To Look In Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500
1) Processor or CPU and Memory (RAM)
The processor or CPU is the heart of any device whether it’s a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. A processor provides the instructions and processing power the laptop needs to do its work.
Modern CPUs come with multi-core and threads which usually means it has more cores and threads. For video editing the more cores and threads you have, the better.
Multithreading is also important, it allows cores to execute two processing threads simultaneously. For a heavy-duty task as editing, at least four cores and eight threads are minimum to run the laptop smooth as butter.
Right now, Intel and AMD processors dominate the market by offering CPUs with as many as 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel processors are mainly recognized as i3, i5, i7, and i9, the same goes for AMD which features the same row with Ryzen 3, 5,7, and 9.
Most high-end CPU features ‘H’ (on a gaming laptop) at the end of the model name (ex.i7-10750H & Ryzen 5 4600H) and offer tremendous power to execute some of the demanding tasks. However, they use a lot of battery juice and come in a bulky laptop design.
On the other hand, both AMD and Intel build power-efficient mobile workstation processors labeled as ‘U’ and ‘G’ in thin and light laptops to offer long battery life. They can tackle video editing but take time to render videos and make the process sluggish.
Finally, processor generation is also important, at the time of writing this article, Intel has released the latest 11th generation CPUs and AMD has released the 5th generation CPUs.
We recommend picking i5 (with either 10th or 11th gen) or Ryzen 5 (With either 4th or 5th gen) processor for light video editing and i7 or Ryzen 7 for heavy tasks. If you have a budget i9 or Ryzen 9 is a sweet spot.
As for Memory, many video editing apps such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Da Vinci recommend a minimum of 8 GB RAM to run apps lag-free. We also recommend the same, 8 GB RAM is minimum and 16 GB is the sweet spot. Just make sure your laptop has an empty slot to expand the memory in the near future.
2) Graphics Card or GPU
GPU is a graphics unit of a laptop that accelerates graphics rendering. It transfers numerous graphics data and teams up with the CPU to help in gaming, video editing, or programming.
Video editing can be done by integrated GPU such as Intel Iris or AMD Radeon, and for most folks, it is enough. However, when your videos have dozens of graphics elements to add and mix, it requires a dedicated GPU to render elements without freezing or lagging issues.
So, getting a dedicated GPU unit such as NVIDIA or AMD Radeon is necessary. You’ll find GPU mostly in gaming laptops, there are other light laptops that also feature these GPUs. So getting hands-on with those beasts is also a good option.
3) Storage
Every Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500 requires plenty of storage to store clips, draft videos, or collect stock footage to make it to the final scene. But, that’s not all, as much as the size of the storage is important, so does the type of disk that runs the unit. Typically, two types of storage disks we’ve seen on a laptop; SSD and HDD.
An SSD (Solid State Drive) is a reliable option not just for fast data transfer, but also for booting laptops in seconds and starting installed apps quickly.
On the flip side, an HDD (Hard Drive Disk) offers you more storage and is less expensive, but comes with trading-off speed. So, an SSD is a must and an HDD is a sweet spot as secondary storage.
For Youtube Video Editing, get a laptop with at least 256 GB of SSD. If a laptop allows getting a separate HDD for your own convenience to store enormous data.
4) Port Selection
In general, almost every laptop packs with 2 or 3 USB ports, an HDMI port, USB Type-C port, and an ethernet port to transfer data, support fast charging, and latency-free broadband connectivity.
Nowadays, there are advanced Thunderbolt ports available that allow fast data transfer and connect an external monitor. We recommend picking a laptop with at least one either of Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4.
We also suggest looking after Media Card Reader – especially to transfer clips direct from camera to laptop.
Enough with a hardware Unit, now let’s suggest to you which is the best laptop for editing videos.
Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500
1) Lenovo Legion 5
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- Graphics :- 4 GB of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM :- 16 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Lenovo Legion 5 is an absolutely gorgeous design laptop that comes with potent hardware inside and a solid build outside. It is powered by AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and pairs with a 16 GB memory rig and 512 GB SSD to give you an unmatched video editing experience.
The GPU is equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti so you can enjoy terrific visuals whether you edit videos, play demanding AAA titles, or just watch anime.
Display-wise, Lenovo packs a 15.6-inch panel along with a 165 Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB. So, you can mix audio clips and use shortcuts to make your task swift.
Video Editing is a heavy task and as you deep dive into clipping, it requires more and more energy to transfer data. This process releases heat and makes the laptop warm – to prevent it, Lenovo offers Coldfront 3.0 technology and ensures your notebook stays cool under stress.
The 4-zone RGB backlight keyboard makes things easier when you continuously use the same command or shortcut to edit videos flawlessly.
2) Asus Zenbook 13
- Display :- 13.3 Inch OLED display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel Core i7-1165G7
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- RAM :- 16 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Crafted with Military-Grade Durability and features a gorgeous OLED screen – Asus Zenbook 13 is the king of the hill when we talked about the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500.
Not only does it have a beautiful display but also features an 11th generation i7-1165G7 processor and takes your editing journey to a whole new level. The display features a 13.3-inch OLED panel with 400 nits of brightness along with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and HDR enhanced realism.
Apart from this, Zenbook 13 features a new edge-to-edge ergonomic keyboard and Asus Numberpad 2.0. The Graphic unit features integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics which are not dedicated but still get the job done.
Even when you do heavy editing it won’t freeze or bargain on performance. What makes the Asus Zenbook great for video editing? Of course, it’s the battery life that lasts for 12 hours straight and supports fast charging to quickly pour juice.
Zenbook 13 weighs just 2.45lb and makes it easier to carry around. You can also expect pleasant typing through its ErgoLift hinge which slightly lifts the rear of the laptop and settles a great typing position.
3) Dell Inspiron 15 5510
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel i5-11300H
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphic
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Dell Inspiron 15 5510 is a great combination of potent specs and a long battery that lives with user expectations. Thanks to its 11th generation i5-11300H CPU, you can edit Full HD video, run dozens of Chrome tabs and play YouTube Videos, simultaneously.
The display features a stunning 15.6 inch Full HD panel that contains a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The overall design contains Silver color with narrow borders and compact size to offer a pleasant viewing angle.
As for memory and storage, you’ll get 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD to run the heaviest tasks smoothly.
The keys are fast and feel snappy with their 1.3 mm key travel. The processor coupled with shared Intel Iris Xe Graphics and produces beautiful images with vivid color and highlights. Though GPU is integrated and it takes some time to render videos with graphic elements.
Finally, you’ll get a plethora of ports selection along with the newest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 technology.
To conclude, if a budget is an object for you and looking for a heavy usage laptop then Dell Inspiron 15 5510 is a great choice.
4) Apple Macbook Air
- Display :- 13 Inch display with 2560 X 1060 pixels
- Processor :- M1 Chip
- Graphics :- M1 GPU
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
For hardcore Apple lovers and fans of Final Cut Pro X – Apple Macbook Air is hands down the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500.
Inside the beast, Apple wraps a newly designed M1 chip to fuel both processor and Graphics card. Performance-wise, M1 is more powerful and power orientated that gives breathtaking speed whether you edit heavy videos with dozens of separate clips or run multiple apps at once.
Above all, the M1 chip has improved Macbook Air battery life and offers continuous 15 hours of usage without requiring a power adapter.
Likewise, its predecessor, Apple provides a gorgeous 13-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 X 1600 pixels. The Retina display manifests sharp and clear text with significantly improved colors vibrant.
The base model starts with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD, you can select a model with memory up to 16 GB and storage up to 2 TB. But, it’s going to be very expensive. We suggest purchasing an HDD rather than spending money on an SSD to save some bucks.
5) Asus TUF Dash 15
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel Core i7-11370H
- Graphics :- 4 GB of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Video editors who play games after completing editing or steamers who like to upload gaming videos after adding effects and visuals Asus TUF Dash 15 is a top-notch choice for the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500.
It shoulders with an 11th generation i7-11370H processor and features 4 cores and 6 threads. The display features a 15.6-inch panel with a 144 Hz of refresh rate and adaptive syncs.
The processor pairs with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti and offers potent gaming or video editing experience.
Asus has forged this beast with Military-Grade Toughness and is capable of withstanding accidental bumps and knocks on the move. Not just that, it also has passed the rigorous MIL-STD-810H test.
On the port side, Asus offers three USB ports, one Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI 2.0, an RJ45, and one audio combo jack.
Despite having a solid design Asus TUF doesn’t know as a bulky machine, you can carry it around without any issue. Out of the box, you’ll get 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD.
6) Acer Nitro 5
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel Core i5-10300H
- Graphics :- 4 GB of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
If budget is an issue for you and still needs a mighty laptop to perform tasks with ease then Acer Nitro 5 is a great pick. However, with its cheap price tag, you have to compromise on durability. Acer has covered the machine with a cheap plastic body so it won’t feel premium.
But, don’t let its design fool you, despite having a plastic body, it still offers tremendous performance and lasts for long.
Acer equipped this baby with a 10th generation i5-10300H processor along with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card to deliver unmatched computing.
As for the display, Acer packs Nitro with a 15.6-inch panel and integrates a 144 Hz refresh rate, and allows you to analyze graphics-intensive videos with the finest details.
The inclusion of 8 GB RAM and 256 GB Solid State Drive makes things even simple. You can expand RAM up to 32 GB and storage up to 2 TB.
To sum up, Acer Nitro 5 is really a beast and handles everything you throw at it.
7) Lenovo Ideapad 5
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel i7-1165G7
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphic
- RAM :- 12 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
If you need a 2 in 1 laptop to complete your Video Editing tasks then Lenovo Ideapad 5 is the best bang for the buck. It features an 11th generation i7-1165G7 processor with 4 cores and 8 threads and provides enough room to handle heavy-duty mixing and editing along with light gaming sessions.
Apart from this, It has integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics to boast impressive color and clarity. Above all, you’ll get an immersive 15.6-inch touch-enabled panel that allows you to edit clips in the shortest time possible.
Coming to the memory – Lenovo equipped this agile machine with 12 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD to run apps like Adobe Premiere Pro or Photoshop smoothly along with accessing other apps as well.
The only drawback is its battery life which roughly gives up to 6 hours of juice and it even decimates quickly while video editing.
Leaving this drawback aside, Lenovo Ideapad 5 is the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500 that comes in the midrange.
8) Asus Zenbook Duo
- Display :- 14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel i5-1135G7
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
The Asus Zenbook Duo is my personal favorite and comes with a dual-screen that revolutionizes the way people use their notebooks.
The main display features a stunning 14-inch panel to give plenty of room for editing and mixings. On the other hand, the secondary screen features a 12.6-inch matter touchscreen that can be useful to read documents, access Spotify or drag main video editing tools to make editing quicker and smoother.
The processor features the 11th generation i5-1135G7 chip and provides enough potential to run multiple apps at once. It also comes with Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and produces vivid colors with better brightness.
As for memory and storage, Asus offers 8 GB RAM with a 512 GB SSD to collect important data, stock footage, and various apps data.
Speaking about the design, it is wrapped inside a robust yet portable body and allows you to carry it around without any issue. Whether you’re a film student or professional YouTuber, Asus Zenbook Duo would be a stunning addition to your studio.
To sum up, if you want to take your productivity to the next level then the Asus Zenbook Duo is the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500.
9) Acer Swift 3
- Display :- 14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Ryzen 7 4700U
- Graphics :- AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
If you are a big admirer of thin and light notebooks yet desire to get a laptop that can withstand a heavy gaming machine in terms of performance then Acer Swift 3 is without a doubt an excellent choice.
It is armed with a mighty Ryzen 7 4700U CPU along with AMD Radeon graphics to deliver heavy-duty performance without any hiccup.
The display has a 14 inch Full HD panel and produces immersive visuals and realistic colors which allow analyzing videos and graphics precisely without missing any details.
Acer Swift 3 has the capacity to give full-day battery juice with its 10 hours long battery life. So, you don’t need to carry an adapter every time you go outside. Not just that, it also supports fast charging to refill power in just 90 minutes.
The only downside of the notebook is its soldered memory stick attached to the motherboard. It doesn’t leave room to expand the memory in the future.
To conclude, Acer Swift 3 has everything the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500 needs and comes within the budget of less than $700.
10) MSI Stealth 15M
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Intel i7-11375H
- Graphics :- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- RAM :- 16 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
MSI Stealth 15M is solely for hardcore video editors and gamers who need a promising performance from a laptop and can handle some toughest computing tasks without any stress.
The display features a 15.6-inch screen and refresh rate of 144Hz that allows editors to run graphics smoothly and games without frame drops. The processor unit is fueled by an 11th generation i7-11375H CPU and handles almost everything you throw at it.
Moreover, it has NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics and when it teams up with a processor there is nothing it cannot beat. Finally, you’ve 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD as ample memory and plenty of storage to collect vast data.
Final Words
So, these are our picks of the Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $1500. Remember, figure out what’s your editing requirements are and how heavy your videos gonna be then pick a laptop that won’t disappoint.