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Are you looking for the best laptops for video editing under $1000? Video editing is one of the most time and energy-consuming tasks. Already the process itself takes time. It’s hell when you find yourself taking longer than necessary to edit a video because your laptop can’t keep up!
Whether it’s Adobe Premiere Pro that’s slow to use or videos that take forever to export, we’ve all experienced this challenge at one time or another. If you’ve ever missed a deadline not by your fault but because of your PC, you surely know what I’m talking about.
The cause is very simple: an unsuitable or aging laptop. The solution is simple: change the laptop. But the problem is there are a lot of models on the market, and they can get really expensive. This is why in this article, we’ll look at the best laptops for video editing that all cost below $1,000.
For readers in haste, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) is our favorite choice. We will check out the top video editing laptops with a brief overview of the specs. We’re looking for a laptop that comes within our $1000 budget. Therefore, we will have a look at the cost factor too.
1. Editor’s Choice: ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021)
Key features
- Intel Core i7-11370H 4.8 GHz processor
- GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- 512 GB hard disk size
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Massive 16.6-hour battery
A newcomer to Acer’s Aspire range, the VX15 is a bit of a successor to the Nitro Black, thanks in particular to a configuration powerful enough to ensure a good level of performance while editing videos.
Equipped with a 15.6-inch matte IPS panel in Full HD (1920 x 1080), the Acer Aspire VX15 seems cut out for hard video editing and gaming tasks.
The Core i7-11370H processor is a 4-core CPU with a frequency of 4.8 GHz. Accompanied by 8 GB DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB SSD hard disk, it allows the PC to be swift.
Based on a series of benchmarks (3D rendering, file compression, photo editing, audio, and video conversion), the power index is one of the highest in the 15-inch laptop category.
The battery run-time is quite good for a configuration of this type. By using it to edit videos or steak a video playback (Netflix in Chrome, screen brightness at 200 cd/m², headphones plugged in, and keyboard backlight off), you can use it for up to 16 hours after a full charge.
Pros
- A powerful and balanced configuration
- Solid construction
- Comfortable to use
- Great audio part
- Very powerful battery
Cons
- Screen lacking in brightness.
- Quite heavy and thick
2. Best Performance: MSI GF75 Thin
Key features
- 17.3 inches 1920×1080 screen display
- Intel Core i5-10300H
- 8 GB RAM
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphic card
- 512 GB SSD
The MSI GF75 Thin is a 17.3-inch laptop designed for gaming. But it still has an Intel Core i5 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, which makes it great for video editing. A video editing laptop has to be strong in RAM, CPU, graphics card, and storage.
Thanks in particular to its Intel Core i7-10300H processor, its Full HD panel at 144 Hz, but above all is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. The MSI GF75 Thin is available for less than $1000 with different RAM and storage sizes.
This device also features an Intel Core i5-10300H processor housing six hyperthreaded cores. It clocks at 2.7 GHz and can occasionally reach 4.5 GHz. To support it, MSI provides 8 GB of RAM.
The GF75 is equipped with a 51W battery made up of three cells, which is relatively weak for a PC of this size. You can get a battery run-time of 2 hours and 32 minutes, but some users mentioned it didn’t last long.
In terms of size, the GF75 is relatively compact compared to the size of its panel. At less than 2.3 cm and weighing 4.85 pounds, it is quite easy to transport, provided you have enough space in your bag.
Pros
- Good in-game performance.
- Outstanding RAM, CPU, and graphics card
- Easily accessible components.
- Connectors provided.
Cons
- Heat around the keyboard.
- Low battery power
3. Best Overall: Lenovo Legion 5
Key features
- AMD Ryzen 7 4600H processor
- 8 GB Memory (RAM)
- 256GB SSD and ITB HDD storage capacity
- 15.6″ screen size
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics chip
The Legion 5 is part of the new armada of gaming machines from Chinese Lenovo. Legion 2020 laptops are mostly 15.6 inches. Depending on the model, the thickness varies, and so does the power.
The gaming/work machine could be described as entry-level. It is still sold for less than $1000 and is ideal for those who want to play a lot of games from time to time without wanting to push all the details at all costs.
Lenovo has been consistent by betting on a good CPU calculation strike force made in AMD, a standard amount of memory (8 GB) for a gaming machine with 256 GB of SSD in PCI NVMe. And a GPU that will not suffer too many technical limitations imposed by the Ryzen 7 4800H processor.
The graphics chip is an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 with 4 GB of graphics memory. Let’s get things straight: don’t ask for the impossible, like running the latest Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at full speed. It will give up her arms long before you have had time to take them. But this laptop is powerful enough to run an Adobe Premiere Pro or Pinnacle Studio.
Pros
- Good price-performance ratio
- Pleasant keyboard
- Efficient cooling
- Good battery power
Cons
- The screen lacks brightness
- The fan can be noisy
4. Best Dual Storage Laptop: Acer Nitro 5
Key features
- 128 GB SSD and 1TB HDD hard disks
- 15.6 inches 1920×1080 screen
- Intel Core i5-9300H processor
- 8 GB RAM
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card
The Nitro 5 AN515-54 is ideal for video editing, thanks to its Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. However, it does not have the chassis of the Predators nor their latest innovations. Sacrifices that allow the computer to be sold cheaper than its counterparts (less than $1,000). It’s intended for those looking for a PC to work with without breaking the bank.
The Acer PC has a matte IPS panel with a size of 15.6 inches and a definition of 1920 x 1080 px. Acer did not bet on thin edges, but the screen/frame ratio remains quite acceptable since it measures around 76%. But it could be better for aesthetic reasons.
If the vertical edges are thin, those at the bottom and top of the slab are thicker. Finally, note that the panel has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, but certain versions of Nitro 5 offer a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54 has an Intel Core i5-9300H processor (4 cores, 8 threads) engraved in 14 nm and with a maximum frequency of 4.1 GHz. This processor is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM (2,666 MHz in dual channel) and a 256 GB M.2 format SSD. It is very easy to expand the storage on this PC; 256 GB can be a bit tight to store several videos or even photos.
Pros
- Good performance.
- Double hard disk storage
- Expandable RAM and storage.
Cons
- Very noisy while working
5. MacOS for Video Editing: MacBook 2020 Pro M1 Pro
Key features
- 8-core Apple M1 Pro chip processor
- 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD
- Apple 16 core graphics card
- 13 inches screen
- 20 hours battery
- 13.3-inch Retina display
Among Apple’s product lineup, the MacBook M1 Pro and M1 Max steal the show. The former has up to 32 GB of RAM in its latest edition and is 70% faster than the original M1. However, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro M1 is a scaled-down version. It only has a maximum of 8 GB of RAM.
However, the older 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro seems better for serious video work because it can be topped with an octa-core 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processor. However, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro will do the trick on important jobs.
The strong point of the MacBook is its Touch Bar, a horizontal touch screen located above the keyboard. A function that changes depending on the application you are going to use. If for example, you used the Premiere Pro, this version has quick options and a keyboard display.
Perhaps the greatest feature of the computer is its powerful battery which can last for 20 hours. It’s the longest-lasting battery in any Mac.
Pros
- Strong battery life
- Sleek, light, and fast
- The retina screen is bright enough
Cons
- It has no touchscreen
Buying Guide
Choosing a budget laptop for video editing is no easy feat. Some laptops may have sufficient storage and not the necessary processing power. Others will have the right graphics card to process high-quality video without the expected result.
It doesn’t matter whether you are an Adobe Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve, Hitfilm, After Effects, Sony Vegas, or Pinnacle user, as long as you know what components to consider and what type of computer to choose.
Therefore, we will help you on your way to buying a new under $1000 laptop for video editing, taking into account the following factors:
The processor
The impact of the processor is not negligible on the computer’s performance because it is the source of the number of physical cores and threads.
For starters, if you’re running video editing applications, choose a quad-core processor. Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7 microprocessors are among the best options. At least 4 physical cores and 8 threads will be essential. The latest generation models are more recommended if you do multitask.
The graphics card
Another important point when choosing your laptop is the graphics card. This manages all the processes related to the graphics, that is to say, the display. Its role is to render the images or videos on the screen of your computer. Without your GPU, you won’t be able to integrate your video editing.
RAM
At the risk of having to shut down your laptop in the middle of a video edit, select a laptop with a good amount of RAM. In general, to have a sufficient speed, you need between 8 GB and 16 GB of RAM. The latter will help you with 2K editing on simple projects.
Hard disk storage
Laptops and desktop PCs generally have two types of storage media, namely:
- The hard disk drive (HDD) is the oldest and the cheapest. However, it has slow performance in reading and writing data to disk.
- The SSD (Solid State Disk) has a faster speed. Unlike the first, it has a very good data reading and writing speed. To run your operating system and your software efficiently, you should choose a computer with this type of disc.
The ideal would probably be to have these two types of discs in a machine to have an excellent machine to work with—an SSD disk for the operating system and programs and a large hard disk to store files.
Screen
Editing a 4K video will be more appropriate on a laptop with a 4K display. The experience will not be the same as on a laptop with a standard 1080p display. The screen of this device will not be able to support pixels up to 1920×1080, unlike a 3840×2160 screen.
Conclusion
We have covered five of the best under 1000 laptops for video editing. Before purchasing a laptop for this job, ensure it has good storage, RAM, CPU, and graphics card. Below is how the products line up:
- Editor’s Choice: ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021)
- Best Performance: MSI GF75 Thin
- Beat Overall: Lenovo Legion 5
- Best Dual Storage Laptop: Acer Nitro 5
- MacOS for Video Editing: MacBook 2020 Pro M1 Pro
FAQs
You should get a dedicated graphics card if you do low-level video editing tasks. Projects such as 3D editing, compositing, rendering, encoding, and DCC tasks demand GPU power.
Not really, because the choice of RAM depends on the software you will use. However, a good processor is recommended for video codecs that support multithreading. If you’re looking for a budget laptop for video editing, you can still get a 32GB RAM laptop within this range.
Alone, the processor will not be able to do the job. It will need more memory and graphics cards. They will still require a lot of processing power. The addition of these two features in the right quality and size can play a big role in the laptop’s operation.
