travel laptop for editing

The best laptops for video editing

The best laptops for video editing that can keep up with demanding software.

• 1. Best overall
• 2. Best budget
• 3. Best Windows
• 4. Best portable
• 5. Best 2-in-1
• 6. Best gaming
• 7. Best dual-screen
• 8. Best workstation

Also tested

How we test, how to choose.

Jump to the quick list↴ 1. Best overall : MacBook Pro (M3) 2. Best budget : MacBook Air (M2) 3. Best Windows : ASUS ProArt 4. Portable : Dell Precision 5470 5. 2-in-1 : Surface Laptop Studio 2 6. Best gaming : Acer Predator Helios 7. Best dual-screen : ASUS Zenbook Duo 8. Best workstation : MSI Creator Z17 Also tested How we test How to choose FAQs  

The best laptops for video editing have colour-accurate displays with a high brightness level and powerful CPUs and GPUs that can handle processing-hungry applications such as DaVinci Resolve and Adobe After Effects (or your choice of the best video editing software ). You'll also generally want at least 16GB RAM (32GB is better) to avoid lags. 

Creative Bloq's team of writers comprises a range of creative professionals, including video editors, who have tried and tested numerous laptops to allow us to make the choices in this guide. We've picked out options for different needs, for both novices and pros, and evaluated the pros and cons of each laptop. We don't recommend a laptop on here unless we've tested it ourselves.

Laptops boasting all of the ideal specs for video editing tend to be expensive, but we've also included smaller laptops which tend to be a little cheaper, and devices suitable for beginners. The good news is that the best laptops for video editing are usually also great choices for other creative work. If you would prefer a desktop PC, see our pick of the best video editing computers , and if you're on an especially tight budget, you might want to check our list of the best student laptops . To complete your setup, you might also want one of the best monitors for video editing .

This powerful laptop can be boosted by the new M3 Pro or M3 Max chips, and its gorgeous, large display is ideal for video editing. Plus, it offers 22 hours of battery life, a fantastic keyboard and trackpad, and tons of memory and storage. Read more below

This lightweight laptop is more than capable of slightly less intensive video editing and has a roomy 16:10 display supporting the P3 wide colour gamut. And, with the M3 just out, this M2 model can be found regularly for under $1,100 - an absolute steal for this calibre of tech. Read more below

Combining some stellar specs and fantastic performance, this laptop stays cool, calm, and collected even under the duress of intensive tasks like video editing. The 16.0-inch 3.2K OLED screen is a big and beautiful canvas for editing, too, making it a great all-rounder. Read more below

This simple and sweet laptop can handle all manner of tasks without suffering in the performance department, and can go toe-to-toe with a far more expensive 14-inch MacBook Pro. It's also got great battery life, too. Read more below

With its versatile form factor, this 2-in-1 laptop is great for multi-faceted creatives; especially those who might want to do some digital artwork, thanks to its easel mode. Its performance is decent, and the touchscreen is especially suitable for those who want to work directly on the screen. Read more below

The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a great one-stop shop for video editors who like their gaming experience as full-on as their work, thanks to its NVIDIA 40-series graphics cards and powerful components. The 16in display offers up to 250Hz refresh rate, and there's even a MicroSD slot built in! Read more below

• Back to the top ⤴

Best overall

01. MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3, 2023)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If Apple ’s Macs are known for one thing, it’s their popularity among creatives, and the MacBook Pro 16-inch from 2023 beautifully displays this specifically with a video editing workflow in mind.

The key is the amount of power Apple manages to pack into this laptop, perfect for all the video editing processing-hungry apps you'd wish to use on it. And that's before you even consider going for the M3 Pro or M3 Max. The straightforward M3 is  capable of working through a DaVinci Resolve or Adobe After Effects workflow. 

If you're a professional who is dealing with a super demanding workload, the M3 Pro or M3 Max chips, are exceptional at dealing with demanding jobs, with the latter chip being the most powerful chip available in Apple’s portable Macs. Apple says the M3 Max is 80% faster than the M1 Max for multithreaded workloads. What we can guarantee is that in our testing the regular M3 was more than fast enough for a decent amount of pro-level video editing.

Another reason this is perfect for video editors is the MacBook Pro’s gorgeous display. It’s large and spacious at 16.2 inches across and comes loaded with Apple’s mini-LED panel that provides super-accurate colours and deep blacks. When testing it, we also appreciated the brightness that the display achieves, which is essential for accurate editing.

Add in 22 hours of battery life, a fantastic keyboard and trackpad, and tons of memory and storage, and you’ve got the best laptop for video editing, hands down.

Read our full review of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3, 2023) to find out more.

Best budget laptop

02. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Things changed drastically with the M1 chip, and although you'd want to shell out for the Pro or Max of that iteration if you wanted a video editing laptop, these days, with the M2 (and more recent M3), the entry level model is plenty suitable for lightweight to moderate video-editing tasks. 

That's why we think the M2 Air a great choice for novices and enthusiasts that want a capable laptop, but also don't necessary want to spend the big bucks for its Pro sibling (see above). Starting at $1,100 from Apple – but available through other retailers for well under a grand – you're getting a lot for your money here. 

It doesn’t come with a fan, the idea being that the chip is so efficient it only needs passive cooling. We found that it does start to lag when doing the absolute heaviest DaVinci editing tasks, but that said, it can chew through most tasks just fine.

In June 2023, Apple brought out a 15-inch MacBook Air (M2) to complement the 13-inch edition. When it comes to editing videos, that extra space can be very welcome.

Read our Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review for more info.

Best Windows laptop

03. ASUS ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604)

Apple not your thing? No problem, because the ASUS ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604) shows you don’t need a Mac to get a superb video-editing laptop. If you prefer the Windows OP, we believe this is the best choice around. Why are we so fond of it? Well, it manages to combine an excellent set of specifications with the ability to run cool and quiet, meaning it can output strong performance without breaking overheating. For intensive tasks like video editing, that’s a real boon.

We got our hands on the model packed with a 13th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, a Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card, and 64GB of memory. And in our testing, the bottom line is that you won’t miss out on performance if you opt for Windows over macOS . Also, we loved the gorgeous, bright and sharp OLED screen when conducting our video-editing work. This laptop is a class act. 

Read our ASUS ProArt Studiobook OLED (H7604) review for more information.

Best portable laptop

04. Dell Precision 5470

Not every great video-editing laptop is a chunky, heavy beast with enormous fans and RGB lights sparkling everywhere you look. Case in point: The Dell Precision 5470. This understated computer might not catch the eye, but you’d be acting way too hastily if you wrote it off because of that.

Our testing found it held up to all manner of tasks absolutely admirably, producing results comparable to a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip - something that costs more than Dell’s offering.

That’s a good indication of the kind of value you get from this laptop. Despite its understated style, it’s a real wolf in sheep's clothing, giving you the exceptional performance and long-lasting battery life that is so important to video-editing work. 

You can read more in our review of the Dell Precision 5470 to learn more about why it’s a worthy purchase. It's also been updated very recently by the Dell Precision 5480, which we'll be testing very soon.

Best 2-in-1

05. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

A 2-in-1 laptop allows you to switch between video editing on a laptop to tweaking your timelines as if you were on a tablet. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels at this flexible use case, and you’ll love how seamless it is to shift from one form factor to another.

If you also dabble in a little digital artwork, you’ll appreciate its ‘easel’ mode, which sits the screen at an ideal angle for using a stylus, if you prefer working directly on your screen when doing your video-editing work. What’s more, its strong integration with Microsoft’s Slim Pen 2 makes on-screen edits an absolute breeze.

It’s a respectable performer when it comes to video editing, and while there are more powerful options out there, few have the flexibility and portability you get with the Surface Laptop Studio. If you work on the go, want to mix video editing with digital art, or just want something that doubles up as a fantastic tablet, this 2-in-1 is a great choice. We'd go for the Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics configuration.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 review to find out more.

Best gaming laptop

06. Acer Predator Helios 16

The Acer Predator Helios 16 is as prototypical a gaming laptop as you'll ever find in the wild, but that may also be why it makes for a fantastic video-editing laptop as well. 

It's packed with everything needed for effortless high-performance video editing, such as the 40-series graphics cards from NVIDIA, up to 32GB of RAM and a 16-inch screen that offers up to 250Hz refresh rate and ample brightness. We loved using it for all manner of work during our testing (as well as play, obviously).

Yes, battery life isn't the best, and it's decked in RGB lighting, but if you can look past that, you won't find a much better laptop for video editing. Better yet, you can also run every game in existence once your day job duties are done. 

Read our full Acer Predator Helios 16 review for the full lowdown.

Best dual-screen

07. Asus Zenbook Duo OLED (2024)

Make no mistake about it, the Asus Zenbook Duo OLED (2024) is one striking laptop. It packs in not one but two displays, with a second full-size screen cleverly located underneath the detachable keyboard.

What can you do with this second display? As it turns out, it’s perfect for video editing. That’s because you can extend your workspace onto that screen – think a set of controls and tools, or a video timeline. Instead of having them crowd up your main screen, they’re moved below where they get their own dedicated space. It’s a great tweak to a video editor's workspace.

Of course, none of that would mean much if this laptop wasn’t very capable. But it’s equipped with a powerful 14th-gen processor that will chew through video work with ease, even though it's "only" equipped with Intel Arc Graphics. That means you get a shedload of performance encased in an innovative, intuitive workspace that feels custom-built for editors and renderers. Battery life is compromised a little with the two-screen setup, but it's still much-improved from the previous generation, thanks to the AI-boosted NPU integrated into the new Intel Core Ultra processors.

Read our complete Asus Zenbook Duo OLED review for more details.

Best workstation

08. MSI Creator Z17

The MSI Creator Z17 brings you MacBook Pro/gaming laptop power, without being a MacBook Pro or decked out in garish RGB lighting. Coming in at over $3,000 on release, it's reduced slightly in price, earning its choice here as a great balance of desktop-like power and (some) portability. It's heavy, and the battery life is poor, so you'll need to keep an eye out for a power outlet if you do venture into the wild with it, but when you do, you're carrying 8K video output capabilities and a sharp touchscreen with powerful, well-cooled internals from one of the best laptop makers for creatives out there.

Read our complete MSI Creator Z17 review for more details.

While the options above may be our top choices for video editing, each for its own reason, there are a lot of laptops out there worthy of your attention. We'll be constantly adding and updating the list below of other laptops we've tested that you should feel confident in using in your video-editing work, so if none of the above quite do it for you, all hope isn't lost: you might just find your future workmate below.

Framework - Great modular laptop Framework is a unique laptop in that you can hot-swap components in and out depending on your requirements, which makes it uniquely useful to video editors who need to multitask. Add to it the compact, easy-to-carry design, and you've got yourself a very useful video-editing workmate. Read our 4.5-star review . 

ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 - Great budget option for Windows users The ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 is a great multi-purpose laptop for creatives, including students in design-related industries, with the OLED screen complementing any video work perfectly. It has plenty of processing power, and the dedicated GPU keeps all visual tasks running smoothly. It's not got the best battery life, but that's a small price to pay. Read our 4.5-star review . 

Creative Bloq's team of hardware experts bring with them many years of experience using, testing and benchmarking laptops with a focus on running creative applications. All the laptops in this guide have been tested either by using software used by video editors or benchmarked to ensure the CPU and GPU are capable of pro-level video-editing jobs. We run different benchmark tests on each device depending on its intended use by its maker, but the laptops we've included in this guide have all been run through the following:

• Cinebench R23/2024 - this assesses the performance of a computer's CPU and GPU using real-world 3D rendering tasks

• Geekbench 5/6 - this tests the CPU's processing power, both by using a single core for a single task at a time as well as all the CPU's core to see its ability to multitask

• Handbrake - we use this free and open-source transcoder for digital video files to render a short 4K animated film, using the same file for all our tests

• 3DMark - this assesses a computer's ability to run graphic rendering tasks, which is necessary for video editors

• PCMark 10 - this test assesses a computer’s ability to run all everyday tasks from web browsing to digital content creation, testing app launch speeds, video playback and loading, and even battery life

But perhaps more importantly than technical benchmarking, we evaluate machines in real-world situations, pushing them to the limit with multiple applications running to see how they perform in real project-like conditions. Power, speed, flexibility, and what a computer looks and feels like to use are all criteria in our reviewing process. We do much more than simply unpack a test unit, run some benchmarks and then pack it up again; we have lived and worked with all of the above computers, running them in real-life scenarios and completed projects relevant to the subject of this guide, otherwise we wouldn't recommend these models to you. For more details, see our article on How we test .

How should I choose the best laptop for video editing?

What makes a great laptop for video editing? First, you need to power. Video editing, especially when working with ultra-high-resolution footage, can be demanding, so you’ll want a laptop with plenty of RAM (at least 8GB, although 16GB is advisable). You’ll also want a modern processor, either from Intel or AMD, or if you’re after a MacBook, Apple’s own M-series chips have proved to be awesome hardware for video editing.

Video editors will also want a laptop with plenty of fast SSD storage because video files can be very large. Even if you’re using external storage solutions, you’ll want something that can open up your files quickly, or allow you to move them between the laptop and a backup drive, for example.

In most cases, you'll also want a dedicated graphics card, especially if you're using professional software, creating visual effects, or using AI-boosted applications. Nvidia and AMD are great options here. That said, Apple has developed its own silicon that has integrated graphics that are very powerful and efficient, particularly in the M Pro and Max chips, which have been optimised for greater efficiency in video work.

The best video-editing laptops will also come with high-resolution screens so you can comfortably work on them, and they will display your footage with accurate colours. Some of the laptops on this list will actually come with professionally calibrated screens to ensure your footage looks its very best.

High-quality built-in speakers are also a great bonus, as the soundtrack to your videos is just as important as the footage itself. Having great speakers lets you listen and edit your video’s soundtrack without needing to invest in external speakers (although the chances are you will want to).

Do I need a dedicated graphics card for video editing?

For regular video editing, a dedicated graphics card isn’t strictly necessary, but if you’re looking to do more professional video editing and rendering complex graphical effects, then a laptop with a dedicated GPU could be a good investment. “Investment” is a key word here, as laptops with dedicated graphics cards are often far more expensive, so you’ll want to make sure that you actually need that kind of power before you put down any money.

Some laptops containing Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics cards can run Nvidia Studio drivers, which are specialized drivers that use AI to boost performance across a wide range of different creative applications. These GPUs are typically on the pricey side, so any laptops with the latest Nvidia hardware is likely to be more expensive than something with an older GTX series card or those running with integrated graphics (meaning graphics processors that are built into the CPU).

When it comes to MacBooks, they no longer come with a dedicated GPU. Instead, the company’s M-series chips have powerful integrated GPUs that work brilliantly and are more than capable of running all the popular video-editing applications.

Are laptops for video editing expensive?

Because of their combination of powerful hardware and slimline designs, many of the best laptops for video editing can also be pretty expensive. However, you can still find a great video-editing laptop without breaking the bank. You might be confined to editing lower-resolution footage or may have to put up with longer rendering times, but for many people that will be absolutely fine.

You may notice from the list above that quite a few companies that specialise in gaming laptops, like Alienware and Razer, also make laptops designed for creative professionals. These laptops use the same powerful hardware you’d find in a high-end gaming device, but without some of the game-centric features (and garish designs). Most importantly of all, they include powerful graphics cards that can drastically cut the time it takes to edit and render videos.

With lashings of CPU and graphics power, they’ll chew through the best digital art software and encode videos faster than any standard laptop, and you’ll find them included in this list as well. Whether you’re a Mac fan or a Windows wizard, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a laptop for other uses as well, see our roundups of the best laptops for programming and the best laptops for music production .

Should I buy a MacBook or Windows laptop for video editing?

When looking to the best laptop for video editing, one of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is whether to get a MacBook or a laptop that runs Windows.

Part of this is down to individual taste. If you’re used to using the Windows operating system, you may find that macOS (which is what MacBooks run on) is a bit confusing with how things are done – and vice-versa.

However, both Windows and macOS offer broadly the same video-editing software packages. However, the popular Final Cut Pro app is only available on macOS.

MacBooks are very popular among video editors thanks to their powerful performance and stylish designs, but in recent years Windows laptops, such as the Dell XPS line, can easily match Apple’s laptops in both style and substance.

Windows laptops also benefit from being made by a large range of manufacturers, so if you don’t like the design of a certain brand’s laptop, you could always go for another. With MacBooks, only Apple makes them, so if you want a MacBook but don’t like Apple’s style, then you’re out of luck.

You can choose Windows for video editing, but many video editors use Apple computers. Some Apple laptops (such as the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air) offer a fanless design, and all come with native support for Apple’s Final Cut Pro video-editing app. All of Apple’s latest laptops come with the company’s own M-series chips, and the flagship designs (like the M2 Max) offer exceptional video-editing performance, even at ultra-high resolutions like 8K.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Get the Creative Bloq Newsletter

Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.

Adam is the Content Director of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversees many of the articles the publisher produces about antivirus software, VPN, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews. Leading and developing a great team, Adam can still be seen dusting his keyboard off to write articles for the likes of TechRadar, T3 and Tom's Guide, having started his career at consumer champions Which?.

• Beren Neale Ecom Editor

Related articles

What are you looking for?

12 best travel laptops you can buy in 2024 [for all budgets].

Bradley and I have been digital nomads for around 5 years now.

And one of the most important things we’ve invested in is our laptops. 

They are what we use to run our business and if they didn’t work well, then we’d be in trouble!

Over the years, we’ve used a number of brilliant laptops for travel, and we thought it would be a good idea to give you some guidance on the best travel laptops on the market this year. 

We’ve done a lot of research, and we’ve included all the best ones we’ve found, including the laptops we currently use, and laptops we have previously used. 

So, if you’re in search of a laptop to suit your travel needs, then look no further. We’ve got you covered!

Want a quick answer? Our top pick is the Asus Zenbook 13 .

Travellerspoint

Quick roundup of our top picks

What to look at when choosing a travel laptop

The best laptops for travelers excel in many or all of the following categories ...

Before actually thinking about the features and specs of the laptop, make sure you know your budget. It’s also worthwhile to compare laptops on a similar price point so you can choose the best one, without spending more than you should.

2. Weight and Size

The portability of a laptop matters too, especially for travel. Is it lightweight and small enough to make it convenient to travel with? Would it need a suitcase to fit? How heavy is it to lug around on a two-week backpacking trip ? Can it breeze through airport security?

These are just some questions to consider in terms of your laptop’s weight and size. It helps to know what you need!

3. Battery Life 

Longer battery life typically correlates with a higher price tag, but if you’re working on the road, having a long battery life can make your life so much easier!

Even if you’re stuck on a long flight or train journey where you can’t plug your laptop into a power source, a powerful laptop means you can still work.

4. Storage Space 

Again, you’ll pay more for more storage, but think of this as a long-term investment. Storage is especially crucial if you create content such as videos and photos, as they take up more space than mere word documents.

An option is to buy an external hard drive to expand your storage capacity. It can be a great alternative if you don’t have the budget to buy a higher storage capacity to begin with.

5. What RAM do you need?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is where your laptop stores data before processing them, and its size affects how well your laptop can handle “multi-tasking”.

Imagine editing photos on Lightroom, then writing a blog article on Google Docs, and then watching a YouTube video ( p.s. Check out our channel ). Having a large RAM lets you switch between tasks smoothly.

Here’s a quick summary of the most common RAM sizes:

• 4GB: Great for general browsing, word editing software, and writing emails.
• 8GB: Everything above, plus video calls and light photo editing. If you’re running a simple blog without doing anything too heavy, 8GB of RAM should be enough.
• 16GB : You’ll need at least this amount for editing up to 4K videos and photos while multitasking. It’s the minimum RAM size for digital nomads. Trust us, it will make your life (and travel) much easier!
• 32GB: Usually used in gaming laptops or heavy video editing, and by that we don’t mean travel or Youtube videos, we’re talking movie quality stuff!

Of course, the more RAM, the more expensive the laptop, so it’s important to strike a balance between what you need your laptop to do, and your budget. 

6. Processing Power 

If you are running editing programs and high-resolution videos, you should also prioritize the processing power. Trust us, this will make working on your laptop so much more enjoyable.

The CPU is like the heart and brain of your laptop. For high-power activities like video editing, you need to go for at least an i7, although the i9 is now on the market and the most powerful.

We opted for high processing power as Adobe Premier Pro can be very demanding for video editing, especially during the rendering process. Cloud/browser based video editors like Clipchamp may be less demanding for laptops with lower processing power.

i5 will work for a travel laptop if you’re not doing anything too heavy, or don’t mind editing at a buffering pace and have a lot of patience. However, anything less than an i5 processor (i3) will not be suitable as a travel laptop unless you just plan on answering emails and surfing the internet.

A separate graphics chip allows gamers, 3D designers, and high-res video editors to run their programs without taking up a ton of RAM and slowing the overall performance of the computer.

I use an i7 CPU and this allows me to edit video footage, including 4k very easily, and I can edit on Lightroom, Photoshop, and After Effects without any issues. It can also perform multiple of these tasks at one without crashing, which is a real testament to the quality! 

7. Do you have a software preference: Windows vs Apple vs Chrome OS?

Apple may seem like the quintessence of all technology brands, but if you don’t already use their products or like the Apple software system, there is no point in getting an Apple laptop. 

But if you already use Apple and want easy integration with their other products, then it would make sense to choose one of their laptops. 

For us, we don’t like Apple products and opt for Windows instead. It has never let us down so far, and there are so many more options to choose from!

Pros of Windows Operating System

• Excellent compatibility with Microsoft software
• Easier to upgrade
• Familiar interface, even for non-techy users
• More budget and model options

Cons of Windows Operating System

• More vulnerable to virus and hackers
• Windows updates may feel disruptive
• The huge range of options can be overwhelming

Pros of Apple Operating System

• Seamless integration with other Apple devices
• Feels premium and very durable
• Excellent for video, photo, and audio editing

Cons of Apple Operating System

• Extremely pricey and limited choice
• Few options for hardware
• May need to buy tons of adaptors

Pros of Chrome Operating System

• Feels fast compared to Windows laptop of the same price
• Easy set-up and usage 
• Chromebooks have great battery life

Cons of Chrome Operating System

• Cannot run Windows software
• Most web-based apps won't’ work without connection
• Weaker build, screen and audio quality

The 12 Best Travel Laptops

1. asus zenbook 13 - best overall travel laptop.

Weight: 1.11 kg

Battery Life: Up to 13 hours

Specs: Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 Processor, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

Display: 13.3", Full HD 1920 x 1080p

Operating system: Windows

In terms of weight, size, power and price, we decided that the ASUS Zenbook 13 comes out top as the best travel laptop you can currently buy.

It's not the most powerful on this list, but it is still an absolutely amazing piece of kit and is the exact laptop I have been suing since late 2018 on our trip to Sri Lanka .It is still working 100% the same as it did when we first bought it and I have used it to run our website for more than 3 years now.

It does everything most travelers could possibly need, and more; and costs roughly 40% less than it's slightly more powerful counterparts (the DELL XPS 13 and Apple MacBook Air 13 - both discussed below).

Battery life is also a key component of any great travel laptop and the ASUS Zenbook 13 boasts up to 18 hours of battery life, which in addition to its compact and ultralight design, makes it perfect for travelling.

Plus, the Zenbook 13 is the world’s thinnest 13” laptop that still has complete I/O ports, including USB-A and HDMI. It's small enough to even fit in my Loctote Flak Sack , which is testament to it's power-to-size ratio.

If you like having a number pad but don’t want to carry large laptops around, the innovative ASUS ScreenPad 2.0 will excite you! You can activate this feature and watch the touchpad light up.

Pros of the ASUS Zenbook 13

• Excellent battery life of 18 hours
• Ultra-thin design but still complete I/O ports
• Unique NumberPad 2.0 technology

Cons of the ASUS Zenbook 13

• Fan is easily triggered, which can be a bit loud
• You can’t upgrade RAM after purchasing
• Extra function keys may make keyboard feel cramped

2. Dell XPS 13 - Most powerful 13 inch travel laptop

Weight: 1.27 kg

Battery Life: Up to 4 hours

Specs: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1195G7 Processor, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

Display: 13.4", Full HD 1920 x 1080p

I would say that the DELL XPS 13 is definitely my second top pick for travel laptops.

Perfect for those of you that need a slightly more powerful laptop that the ASUS Zenbook 13 and are happy to pay the higher price tag.

But why is it better than the XPS 15? (discussed below).

Well, it’s not quite as powerful, but has a lower price tag, smaller screen size, weighs less, and is absolutely perfect for 90% of travellers. It’s what we would travel with if we didn’t need the video editing capabilities of the XPS 15.

At only 1.27 kg, it can easily fit into your backpack and you won’t even remember it’s there! Perfect if you’re moving around a lot and don’t want a heavy laptop. (On that note, be sure to check out the range of digital-nomad-friendly backpacks from Solgaard ).

The Dell XPS 13 has an Infinity Edge screen that is nearly borderless, so you can still enjoy beautiful colors on this display. Whether it’s for watching films or editing videos, a large screen can be very useful!

Moreover, it features the Killer 1535 Wireless-AC card , which means you will get impeccable Wi-Fi performance. It can be a lifesaver if you are travelling and working somewhere with limited connection.

Pros of the Dell XPS 13

• Extremely sleek and portable
• Infinity Edge Display with anti-glare finish
• Killer Wi-Fi performance, literally (Killer AX 1650 WiFi 6)

Cons of the DELL XPS 13

• Only one USB-C port
• No USB-A port
• Awkward camera angle

3. Dell XPS 15 - Best travel laptop for video editing

Weight: 2.05 kg

Battery Life: Up to 13.5 hours

Specs: Intel Core i7-10750H Processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

Display: 15.6", Full HD 1920 x 1200p

If you’re a video editor, then you can’t go wrong with the Dell XPS 15 . It’s the one we currently use and has proven to be absolutely amazing.

You can edit 4K videos without lagging and multitask with no problem. In fact, it’s probably one of the best laptops on the market today.

It is pretty thin and easy to store in a van (as we are currently travelling in), but it’d be excellent to travel with even if we were still using a backpack.

With incredible performance and storage space, the Dell XPS 15 is a great choice if you need a high-performance laptop and aren’t too bothered by its relatively heavier weight.

One minor issue is that this laptop overheats easily. While this doesn’t actually shut down the system or affect its running, you can feel it get super hot, which is quite uncomfortable.

Top tip: If you are editing a lot, and want the extra screen space, I have been using the Duex Max Portable Screen Monitor . You plug it in via the USB port and it's a convenient way to have some extra woring space.

Pros of the DELL XPS 15 

• Super fast performance, excellent for travel vloggers and bloggers
• High-resolution screen for editing photos and watching films
• Excellent battery life, even when doing heavy work

Cons of the DELL XPS 15

• It may feel a little too heavy for backpackers
• The price can be an investment 
• It can overheat easily

4. MacBook Air M1 - 13 inch - Best Apple travel laptop

Weight: 1.29 kg

Battery Life: Up to 18 hours

Specs: Apple M1 chip and Octa-core Processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

Display: 13.3", Quad HD 2560 x 1600p

Operating system: MacOS Big Sur (11.0)

Maybe Windows isn’t your thing, and you prefer using Apple OS for your travel laptop. In that case, our top recommendation would be the MacBook Air M1 . It’s thin, premium-looking, and incredibly fast.

And because it's so slim and lightweight, it can even fit in most decent camera backpacks ; great if you already carry lots of tech with you when travelling.

Obviously, the new Apple M1 chip offers astounding performance. It’s 3.5x faster and has excellent thermal efficiency. There is no fan inside the machine so it operates silently.

Better yet, it can perform heavy tasks without using up too much battery, which means you can use this laptop for up to 18 hours! We cannot stress how life-changing this can be, especially for a digital nomad who moves around a lot.

There are also additional features such as the Retina Display screen, True Tone technology , and massive 512 GB solid state drive for instantaneous loading. Plus, the updated Touch ID sensor ensures all your data is secure while you’re on the road.

Pros of the MacBook Air 

• Excellent battery life lasting whole day (18 hours)
• M1 chip is incredibly fast and powerful
• Inclusive built-in software like iMovie and GarageBand can be useful

Cons of the MacBook Air

• Limited connectivity with only two ports 
• Doesn’t support multiple screen displays
• No embedded 4G/5G option

"The MacBook Air M1 is the latest MacBook series with a custom Apple designed processor in it, tuned for the efficient execution of MacOS applications compared to the old ones. The design is thin and lightweight, similar to a ChromeBook but has the processing power of a high end laptop making it a perfect choice for travelling.

I used to travel with my ChromeBook, but it was not sufficient for travel content creation applications, whereas the MacBook solves this problem. All the Adobe applications (Lightroom, Photoshop and Illustrator) as well as Davinci, designed for video creation, work smoothly on this laptop with efficient battery usage.

This laptop is a perfect combination to go with the latest Iphone 12 Pro as your blogging camera and have all your travel content easily accessible to share on social media on the same day. MacBook Air M1 is certainly an optimized laptop from Apple with user experience in mind, perfect for travellers, due to its weight and content creation capabilities."

5. MacBook Pro 13 Inch - Most powerful Apple travel laptop

Weight: 1.4 kg

Battery Life: Up to 20 hours

Specs: Apple M1 chip and Octa-core Processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

Again, if you're an Apple-fan and want the most powerful travel laptop you can get, look no further than the MacBook Pro 13” . It’s a true workhorse that can handle any intensive tasks while on the go.

Its M1 chip is obviously an advantage, but we also love that it features the Magic Keyboard. With a redesigned scissor mechanism and 1 mm of key travel, as well as an integrated Touch Bar, you can now streamline your workflow and make it super effective.

And if you thought the MacBook Air has a great battery life, then the MacBook Pro 13” is exceptional. Imagine having up to 20 hours of playback when using Apple TV, or 17 hours of wireless browsing !

It’s slightly heavier, but at 1.4 kg this is still a lightweight travel laptop that can easily fit in your backpack.

Our only complaint would be the low standard of 256 GB SSD, which despite being quite large, is still only half of most laptops nowadays. Considering the steep price tag, it’s also disappointing that the MacBook Pro 13” doesn’t come with a 1080p webcam.

Pros of the MacBook Pro

• Has one of the longest battery life for a laptop
• Fast and powerful performance from M1 chip
• Touch Bar and Touch ID fingerprint sensor
• Features Magic Keyboard for the best typing experience

Cons of the MacBook Pro

• Lower storage standard at 256 GB SSD
• Webcam is only 720p, which is mediocre for its price
• Only two Thunderbolt or USB-C ports

"I took my 13 inch Macbook Pro around the world for 14 months and couldn’t have been any happier with it. Its fast graphics performance, large storage, long lasting battery and retina display made video and picture editing a breeze. I also love the thin sleek look of it.

The 13” Macbook Pro is on the high end of laptops for price, however it’s worth the splurge if you plan to use large programs for video or picture editing on your travels. The 13” size and 3 lbs weight also make it easy to store and carry around in your backpack."

6. HP ENVY 13.3" Laptop - Intel® Core™ i5 - Best HP travel laptop

Weight: 1.3 kg

Battery Life: Up to 9.5 hours

Specs: Intel® Core™ i5-10210U Processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

The HP Envy 13.3” laptop offers a stylish design and powerful performance, while its relatively affordable price tag makes it the perfect go-to laptop for those on a tighter budget.

It’s the first travel laptop we ever bought and is what we used for our first ever 4 month backpacking trip around South America.

We personally feel that this laptop could be the best laptop for travel photography, mainly because of its incredible performance. The NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics also lets you edit videos with relative ease, though you can still expect a certain degree of buffering.

The HP Envy has a screen with 400 nits, which is pretty bright and useful for working in bright spaces. Some might find the reflective screen a little distracting, but we don’t think it should be a problem for most.

Even better, you can get the model which supports a 4K display for stunning graphics and accurate colors. You can use this to view mesmerizing images at 8.2 million pixels!

Pros of the HP Envy

• Fast performance that is useful for editing high-quality images
• Bright display of 400 nits
• Powerful and excellent speakers

Cons of the HP Envy 

• Shorter battery life compared to other travel laptops
• No HDMI and Thunderbolt 3
• Reflective screen makes it harder to see in outdoor work spaces

7. ASUS C223 11.6" Chromebook - Best budget travel laptop

Weight: 1 kg

Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

Specs: Intel® Core™ Celeron N3350 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC

Display: 11.6", HD Ready 1366 x 768p

Operating system: Chrome OS

Those on a budget would love the ASUS C223 11.6" Chromebook , which in our opinion is probably the best budget travel laptop on the market today.

It’s extremely lightweight and has a thin profile (this is one of the thinnest Chromebooks). In addition to the 10 hour battery life , it really is an excellent travel companion.

However, this laptop is only suitable for basic functions like writing blog posts and basic internet browsing. It’s not capable of heavy tasks such as video or intensive photo editing. 

If all you need is a laptop to stream Netflix, Facetime your friends, reply to emails, and other less demanding tasks, this Asus Chromebook is perfect.

And coming in at under $200, it's even a viable gift for backpackers .

Pros of the Asus Chromebook

• Very affordable, especially considering its fast performance
• Lightweight and thin, so it’s easy to carry around
• High-definition images for watching films and videos

Cons of the Asus Chromebook

• Not suitable for heavy and intensive tasks
• Limited RAM of only 4 GB
• You can only use Microsoft products through subscription

8. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 - Best laptop for business travellers

Weight: 0.77 kg

Battery Life: Up to 10.5 hours

Specs: Intel® Core™ i5-1035G4 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD

Display: 12.3", Quad HD 2736 x 1824p

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 may not be the best choice for creative workers, including graphic designers and video editors, but it excels for business functions.

This 2-in-1 model which combines a laptop and tablet into one device is perfect for the travelling businessman or entrepreneur. 

In terms of versatility, it’s an absolute dream! You can use it in Tablet, Laptop, or even Studio Mode, depending on what you need at the moment. Unfortunately, you have to purchase the keyboard and pen separately, and the extra costs can add up.

However, this makes room for plenty of personalization as you can choose any color or design you want for each of the accessories.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is also very lightweight, at just 0.77 kg. Meanwhile, the high-resolution PixelSense Display and Dolby Audio Premium ensure you can enjoy a good movie comfortably.

Pros of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7

• Extremely lightweight and portable
• Switch between Laptop, Tablet and Studio Mode
• Sharp display and crisp images

Cons of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7

• Keyboard and pen are sold separately
• No Thunderbolt port
• No fan means performance can drop when used for long

9.  LENOVO IdeaPad Flex 5 - Best notebook for travel

Weight: 1.5 kg

Battery Life: Up to 10 hours battery life

Specs: Intel® Core™ i5-1035G1 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

Display: 14", Full HD 1920 x 1080p

Compared to a laptop, a notebook is essentially its smaller, cheaper, and less powerful counterpart. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean it’s bad!

In fact, if you’re looking for a more portable and versatile option for non-intensive tasks, then you might be better off buying the LENOVO IdeaPad Flex 5 . It’s not the lightest 2-in-1 laptop, but the design is still slim enough to fit in your laptop backpack .

This model is also something of an in-between. It’s both a laptop and tablet, while the touch screen and 360-degree hinge let you switch between modes easily.

You can be writing articles one second, scrolling through images the next, and catching up on your favorite show after that.

Also, the 10-hour battery life is pretty impressive. You can easily take only the IdeaPad to a nearby cafe or local library, and you won’t need to charge it the whole day!

Pros of the LENOVO IdeaPad

• 2-in-1 design with touch screen
• Durable, soft, and stylish chassis
• Privacy shutter for webcam

Cons of the LENOVO IdeaPad

• Relatively heavy for a 2-in-1 model; not the most portable
• 250-nit display is quite dim
• 4GB RAM is unsuitable for heavy multitasking

10. HP Spectre x360 i7

Battery Life: Up to 19.5 hours

Specs: Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

The HP Spectre x360 i7 has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which makes it excellent for streaming your favorite films and shows. Not to mention that the near borderless display is stunning too.

Aside from that, you can use this laptop to work on almost anything. It has a pretty powerful processor and 8GB RAM so you can multitask and handle heavy tasks comfortably.

However, the true charm of the HP Spectre x360 is in its exterior. It has an exquisite gem-cut design that feels premium, while the all-aluminum body is both durable and beautiful.

This HP laptop has some excellent security features too, including a fingerprint reader and privacy switch for the camera.

Lastly, true to its name, you can easily flip the screen 360-degree to get the desired viewing angle. It also works well on Tent mode for viewing texts or watching.

Pros of the HP Spectre x360

• Excellent and fast performance
• Great security features (fingerprint and face recognition
• Beautiful gem-cut design with all-aluminum body

Cons of the HP Spectre x360

• Overheats quite easily
• Fan noise can be loud and distracting
• Maximum volume may produce harsh audio

"I love my HP Spectre 360 i7 because of its top-of-the-line quality, while still being light and small enough to bring along without it being a hassle. It fits easily in my carry-on or day pack without taking up needed space.

I find that flipping between laptop and tablet modes is helpful when trying to get some work done or entertain myself, in smaller spaces such as during a train ride, on an airplane, or in the back seat of the car.

When you are a travel writer, you need to be able to easily get work done on the go. The touch screen is helpful as well when you cannot have a full desk setup. It is one of the best ultra-portable travel laptops I have had, without having to sacrifice power or usability."

11. DELL Inspiron 13

Battery Life: Up to 17 hours

Another excellent travel laptop to consider is the DELL Inspiron 13 . This is another versatile model that you can use in Laptop, Tablet or Tent Mode.

Like the IdeaPad Flex, you can use the DELL Inspiron 13 in different viewing modes and fold the screen into Tablet Mode. However unlike the Microsoft Surface laptop, you cannot actually detach the monitor from the keyboard.

Moreover, it has spectacular battery life of up to 17 hours. This is truly incredible, considering the powerful performance it also offers. With 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD, you can use this laptop for editing or even gaming.

You’ll also love the Windows Hello feature , which uses the webcam to automatically unlock the computer. Additionally, you can use the privacy shutter to feel more secure when browsing.

Pros of the Dell Inspiron 13

• Excellent battery life
• Incredible performance for a 2-in-1 model
• Full HD screen with touchscreen or Active Pen support

Cons of the Dell Inspiron 13

• Onboard memory cannot be upgraded
• Few ports and limited connectivity options
• On the heavy side for a 2-in-1 model

12. HP 14a 14" Chromebook

Weight: 1.46 kg

Specs: Intel® Celeron® N4020 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC

If you’re looking for a budget Chromebook to bring with you on your travels, the HP 14a 14" Chromebook is a brilliant choice.

We recommend this for simple tasks that can be done easier on a laptop than a smartphone. From researching or planning your journey, to streaming blockbuster films, and catching up on social media.

Plus, the virtually borderless Full HD screen is great if you’re planning to watch lots of movies or shows on the road!

Not to mention that it offers high-quality audio , thanks to the custom tuning by experts over at Bang & Olufsen.

One of the biggest drawbacks of using the HP 14a, much like other Chromebooks, is that you cannot run desktop-based software. This includes Microsoft Office, Photoshop and any graphics-intensive game. Instead, you can run them on a browser, but this will limit the functionality.

With that said, you can access Google Play, which means you will have a pretty much endless choice of apps for your every need. It’s great if you prioritize user-friendly interface and convenience over powerful performance.

• Affordable Chromebook for travel
• Large 14-inch screen for comfortable viewing
• Limitless app choices for everything
• May not be the best for demanding tasks
• You can’t run desktop-based software
• Not suitable for offline work

Other things to consider when buying a travel laptop

1. Do you need your laptop for work-related purposes?

If your job requires the use of a laptop and you’re planning to work while travelling, it’s a good idea to invest more and buy a higher-grade laptop. This is especially important if your work is related to your travels, for example if you’re a travel blogger or vlogger .

It’s better to spend more in the beginning than getting a bargain and discovering later that you can’t work because your laptop is unreliable!

2. What else will you use your laptop for?

Are you going to use your laptop just for entertainment on long journeys? Watching Netflix and browsing the internet in the evenings? For planning your travels? Editing photos and videos?

It’s great to know what you’ll be using your laptop for so you can buy accordingly, as some laptops are better suited for certain tasks.

For example, if you’re going to be editing, you might want a laptop with excellent colors and fast performance. Alternatively, for watching films, it’s nice if your laptop has high-quality audio and resolution.

If you solely want it to help plan upcoming trips , booking accommodation and finding what to do, then something more basic will be fine.

3. How light and portable do you need your laptop to be?

Travelling with a backpack immediately reduces the size and weight of the laptop you should buy. After all, you wouldn’t want your laptop to take up half the capacity of your bag.

If you plan on traveling with a larger suitcase, you might have more room for a larger laptop when packing for your trip . This also means you can enjoy more flexibility in terms of price. If you want a recommendation for a great laptop backpack, check out our Matein review .

4. What are your budget constraints?

Just like buying any gadget or electronic device, you should only buy a laptop within the price range you’re comfortable with. Our top tip is to set a budget before even starting your research. 

It will help you stick to it and not be enticed by the latest technologies and cool features which you might not necessarily need. Plus, it helps to be realistic of what a certain price point can get you.

After so long spent saving money for your travels , you don’t want to blow too much on an unnecessarily high performance laptop.

Reasons why you should travel with a laptop

If you’ve been pondering over the idea of whether getting a laptop for travel is the right choice for you. Let’s delve into some of the top benefits and reasons why getting a laptop for your travels is an awesome decision. 

1. You’re more productive 

Yes, phones have become extremely powerful and practical that you can probably perform most simple computing tasks on it. But working on a laptop is much easier and more motivating.

Even with things such as replying to emails, writing blog posts, or editing travel photos , you’ll find that a laptop allows you to do them faster. If you’re a creative individual, you may find it impossible to function on the road without a laptop.

2.  Better access to entertainment

Imagine being stuck in a hotel room with poor WiFi, or on extremely long train journeys with nothing else to do. A good laptop equals an excellent source of entertainment, whether that’s video games or watching downloaded movies.

Sure, you can do all these on a phone, but any film or TV show will surely seem more exciting on a laptop screen! Additionally, it is easier to play games together on a laptop than on a phone.

3. Easier to backup photos and videos 

If you take a lot of photos and videos throughout your travels, investing in a laptop can be worth it. It’s especially true for individuals who create for a living and might be worried about losing your content.

There are more ways to backup files on your laptop than on a phone. This includes an external hard drive, on the laptop itself, or cloud services - more options, more security!

4. Travel planning is much easier

Finally, a laptop can make planning your travels infinitely easier! It’s much simpler to book hotels, train tickets and flights, as well as map your journey on a laptop interface.

There is quite literally more space to search, open multiple tabs and plan your route, which can be frustratingly difficult on a small screen. You’ll be more efficient, which can probably save money. 

Travel laptop FAQs

What is the best travel laptop for blogging .

The Dell XPS 13 would be a good option for blogging because it’s lightweight and perfect for running all aspects of a blog.

We personally use the XPS 15, but that’s because we like the bigger screen for video editing. If you’re like us and “vlogging” as well as blogging, then the XPS 15 would be a better investment. Otherwise, the XPS 13 should be enough!

What is the best cheap laptop for travel? 

Chromebooks offer the best value for money. Out of the two listed above, we recommend going for the HP Chromebook , simply because the software in HP laptops works well. We have also used HP in the past and have never had any issues with it.

What is the lightest travel laptop? 

Strictly speaking, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 , weighing just 0.77 kg, would be the lightest travel laptop around. But it’s a 2-in-1 tablet and laptop that is more suitable for business purposes and lightweight functions. But if you’re planning on doing more intensive tasks, the ASUS Zenbook would a better bet.

Is a tablet a better option than a laptop?

Not if you’re planning on working remotely. This includes running a business, blogging, vlogging, or anything that requires heavy work, even editing pictures. A smaller laptop would still be a better investment than a tablet.

But if you simply want to stay connected on a bigger screen, watch Netflix, or reply to emails and do meetings, then a tablet would work perfectly. It’s much lighter, smaller, and more portable than even the most lightweight laptop.

Which travel laptop is right for you?

As you can see, there are a LOT of fantastic options out there.

Ultimately, which travel laptop you go for depends on …

• What you plan on using it for
• How often you travel
• How much space you have
• Your budget

Regardless of which sort of traveller you are, you should be able to find the perfect laptop from the list above.

Now, over to you …

Which laptop do you think you will go for?

Do you have any other ideas that aren’t on this list?

Just drop a comment below and let me know!

Other gear guides you might like:

• Best portable power stations
• Best GoPro alternatives
• Best travel drones

Leave a comment

Let us know what you think.

5 million people can't be wrong

The best laptops for video editing, according to an experienced editor

Shopping for a new laptop is a tough task. With the sheer number of options, it's easy to fall into choice paralysis, where making a final decision feels impossible. If you're a creative type who needs a laptop for a very specific purpose — in this case, video editing — the stakes are even higher. Make the wrong choice, and it will really come back to bite you. You'll find yourself with a laptop that doesn't perform and end up in a deep financial hole.

To find the best video editing laptops, we reached out to Denver McQuaid , a creative marketing strategist who is also a seasoned VFX artist and video editor with a large following on Instagram and TikTok .

In an email conversation with Mashable, McQuaid walked us through the process of shopping for a great laptop for video editing. And after surveying the top laptops of 2024 , there was one clear winner — the new MacBook Pro . Still, it's not the only laptop we have to recommend.

What makes a video editing laptop "good"?

With so many laptops offering wildly different features , it's important to narrow down which ones matter the most. In McQuaid's opinion, there are three qualities that a good video editing laptop absolutely needs: Speed, solid battery life, and a good display size.

Having a laptop that can process tasks quickly and efficiently is paramount for video editing. "[Speed] can be achieved in many ways," said McQuaid, "including RAM, hard drive write speeds, processor clock speed, and graphics rendering." Battery life is pretty self-explanatory — the less time you spend charging, the more time you'll have to actually work on your projects. When it comes to display size, McQuaid said the more you can see, the better. "I edit on a 13-inch [laptop], but often with an external monitor." He travels for work, so he uses a more lightweight laptop with a smaller screen, though he recommends newer editors go bigger. "I don’t regret it, but more screen space is always nice to have."

What are the best laptops for video editing?

Like we already said up top, the MacBook Pro was the clear winner as the best video editing laptop for most people. (Are you surprised? Probably not.) While the latest M3 MacBook Pro is your best bet, McQuaid told us that even older MacBooks will do the trick. He uses a 2019-era MacBook Pro that predates even the M1 chip, and it still works just fine for his needs. "MacBooks have some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion," McQuaid told Mashable. "The MacBook OS is more user-friendly and ideal for transferring files from computer to phone, or vice versa, especially iPhones."

Of course, we realize that not everyone wants to jump into the Apple ecosystem, so we have recommendations from outside the famous fruit company. Check out our picks below, all chosen with vigorous hands-on testing and expert advice.

HP Spectre x360 14

Best for windows stans.

• Battery Life : About 11.5 hours
• CPU : Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
• Features : 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 3K2K OLED display, Intel Iris Xe graphics, touchscreen, headphone/mic jack, 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port, microSD slot
• GPU : Intel Arc graphics
• Screen size : 13.5 inches
• Storage : 2TB SSD

The premium sibling (at a premium price) to our favorite HP Envy x360, HP's Spectre is the laptop to strive for if you're a self-proclaimed PC loyalist. Its specs are solid, the build quality is outstanding and it looks — and feels — sleek and powerful. (Did we mention it’s trimmer and lighter than the past generation, too?) It even has glam metallic edges that hint at what a jewel of a machine it is: It’s built to speed through all the gaming and multitasking you want to do, with 1 TB of storage, a radiant 3000 x 2000 AMOLED touchscreen display and an impressive 12+ hours of battery life.

Apple MacBook Pro (M3)

Best macbook.

• Battery Life : About 17 hours
• CPU : Apple M3
• GPU : Apple M3 10-core
• Storage : 1TB SSD

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3) .

Why we picked this:

Apple's M3-chip-equipped MacBook Pro is a powerhouse of a laptop that can handle all of your college-centric needs, from basic note-taking to demanding Adobe Suite projects. The new 14-inch screen feels just right compared to the usual 13-and-16-inch models and boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display that looks absolutely stunning. Mashable Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, also praised the device's audio output, saying that the MacBook Pro "arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market." So, if you like to listen to music while you study, you're in for a treat.

On top of the Pro's sheer speed and power, it also has an incredibly long battery life, clocking in at around 17 hours on a single charge. Unfortunately, it's not your cheapest option — the model our reviewer tested starts at $1,999. On top of expensive tuition payments, that might not be feasible for a lot of students (don't worry, we have a more affordable MacBook coming up).

Who it's for:

The MacBook Pro (M3) is a great choice for students who need a laptop that can handle processor-heavy projects like video and photo editing. Its long battery life and crystal-clear speakers also make it a solid pick for anyone who likes to hunker down for extended study sessions. Finally, you may want this device simply because you're already ingrained in the Apple ecosystem, and that's okay, too.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Best upgrade pick.

• Battery Life : About 8 hours
• CPU : Intel Core i7-13700H
• GPU : Nvidea GeForce RTX 4060

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 .

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a match made in heaven for artists. The unique, pull-forward design really enhances the experience of working on big projects, and the gorgeous 120Hz display only sweetens the pot. Although heavy, the build quality is incredible and sure to last you for many years to come. Video editors, this laptop needs to be on your shortlist (as long as you have the budget, that is).

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is one of the more special laptops that we've had the pleasure of testing out. To call it just a laptop doesn't seem right. According to Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon, the device is better described as "a digital easel and tablet" thanks to its unique and convenient pull-forward design. It only gets better when you consider the beauty of the 120Hz, 2,400-by-1,600-pixel display (which sits somewhere between Full HD and 4K). The build quality of the machine is a marvel. The dual-level base helps keep the computer cool during intense usage with the vented lower level, and the upper level features a buttery-smooth touchpad and keyboard combo that is a joy to use. It makes the Surface Laptop Studio 2 quite heavy overall, but it's a fair tradeoff.

Other highlights of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 include a great-sounding audio system, as well as a built-in space for storing and charging a Surface Slim Pen 2, which frustratingly isn't included. Other than that somewhat egregious omission, and the fact that the device is a bit of a chore to lug around, the price point is high enough to make us tear up. While you do get what you pay for here, the over-$3,000 cost of admission is going to turn many content creators away, and we can understand why. But, if you've got the budget (or if you find it on sale ), we say go for it.

Dell XPS 15

Best design.

• Battery Life : About 14 hours
• CPU : Intel Core i9-13900H
• Features : 4K UHD touchscreen display, Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 graphics card, backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, 3 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, headphone/mic jack
• GPU : Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
• Screen size : 15.6 inches

Graphic design? Product development? Photography? This is your new indispensable device. Dell's traditional powerhouse laptop, the Dell XPS 15 Touch is decked out with Dell's revamped InfinityEdge technology, which is a fancy term for extra-thin bezels and a wide-as-possible, gorgeous, anti-reflective screen. The 15.6-inch ultra HD display is vivid and incredibly sharp, and the NVIDIA GeForce 1650 Ti with 4GB GDDR6 offers graphics clear enough for even the pickiest gamers or designers. It's also equipped with Dell Cinema — featuring the best color, sound and up-to-the-second streaming that a video enthusiast could ask for — and a top-mounted webcam. Inside sits an 9th-gen Intel Core i7 processor (an amazing CPU that keeps you up to speed), but like any other high-end laptop, constant 4K+ use drains the battery fairly quickly.

Recommended For You

Trending on Mashable

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. For more info please read my Disclaimer .

5 Best Travel Laptops for Remote Work – Light Laptops for Travel and Work

by Denise Mai | Last updated Sep 22, 2023

If you want to travel and work online at the same time you need a reliable laptop. Since there are many things to take into consideration, I have listed some of the best travel laptops for remote work out there at the moment to help you pick the right one.

As always, I only recommend products and services that I have used before, that I am currently using, or where I have first-hand recommendations from fellow digital nomads, so you can be sure it’s good quality.

Table of Contents

Key Features of Travel Laptops for Remote Work

Before we look at the recommendations, let’s quickly look at the key features a good travel laptop should have:

You definitely want to go for a laptop with a long battery life. As a digital nomad, you travel a lot and work from places where a plug socket might not be right next to you. Maybe there won’t be electricity at all, just think of basic buses or trains or frequent power outages.

I recommend that your new best friend has a battery life of at least 8 hours . Just to be on the safe side.

Super important when it comes to travel laptops. I know it’s easier to work on a big screen. But you also have to carry your laptop around with you almost on a daily basis, either when you work from a café or coworking space or when you change accommodation or travel to a new city.

So you want it to be as light as possible and as small as possible (while still being able to work comfortably). That’s why I love ultrabooks so much. They are super light and thin and still manage to deliver a fantastic performance.

In general, I recommend that you go for a laptop that is less than 3.5 pounds with a screen size of 13-15 inches.

3. Storage Space

The problem is that most small and lightweight travel laptops don’t come with too much storage space. But that’s exactly what you need. After all, you will have plenty of photos and videos from your trips AND probably need to save quite a bit of work-related data.

If possible, go for storage space of at least 128 GB. Also, make sure you have additional methods to save your data. You could, for example, bring an external hard drive with you. Even big ones with 1 terabyte are available in pocket sizes.

Another way is using cloud storage , for instance, Google Drive or Dropbox . You will have to pay a monthly fee, depending on the capacity you need, but it’s well worth it. That’s also highly recommended as a backup strategy in case your laptop gets stolen or breaks.

4. Processing Power

This one strongly depends on what you are going to do with your laptop. If you are a content writer and only need a text program like Microsoft Word and do maybe a little bit of photo editing, you won’t need a super-strong processor as a web developer or graphic designer does.

A good and well-performing CPU would be the Intel Core i5. If you want or need something strong, you can go for an Intel Core i7 but have to pay a lot more.

You could also use a separate graphic chip to not take up too much RAM, which would slow down your laptop. That’s a great option for video editors or 3D designers. A “normal” user will be fine with the integrated graphic chip, though.

A big factor to keep in mind is the price of your future laptop. Especially, if you are at the beginning of your digital nomad career, you might not have the budget to spend $2,000 on a laptop.

And you don’t have to! Yes, it will be your number one working tool and yes, it should definitely have a decent quality. However, I’m a big advocate of only buying stuff that you really need.

If you only do basic work on your computer, like web research, writing, and maybe running a few simple programs on it, there is no need to pay for the best product on the market.

So before you decide what laptop you want to buy, make sure you know what you need it for .

Best Laptop for Travel and Work

Okay, now let’s look at some of the best digital nomad laptops out there.

1. MacBook Air

First of all, the MacBook Air is an ultrabook and therefore, super thin and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around while traveling. Apple products are also known for their durability. Most users have their laptops for four, five years, or even longer. You don’t get that with every brand.

In terms of performance, MacBooks are also top-class. Powerful processors, a big default memory, and extensive storage options make it a fantastic laptop for people with an online business.

The only downside : If your MacBook breaks in any small town somewhere in the world, it can be harder to get it repaired or to get spare parts for it. A friend of mine needed a new charging cable when he was in Guatemala.

Since it wasn’t available anywhere, the computer shop guy had to order it for 140 USD and it took 3 weeks to deliver. What a nightmare!

2. MacBook Pro

If you prefer Mac OS X over Windows or Linux and need a computer that is super powerful, then this might be the perfect choice for you. The 1 TB flash storage, high resolution, increased speed, and long battery life make it a brilliant choice for professionals like web developers or graphic designers.

I strongly advise you to go for the 13-inch option . Since this one is no ultrabook, bigger versions can get quite heavy if you have to carry it around a lot.

On the downside , this kind of quality is by no means cheap so you should be ready to invest quite a bit.

3. Asus ZenBook

The metallic design feels and looks very classy . The battery always lasted forever with me and the processor speed was brilliant (again, I’m one of those people who use their laptop all day, every day, but only basic stuff).

The only reason why I haven’t bought it again is that the prices had gone up for it at the time I needed a new one.

4. Dell XPS

It comes with a very glamorous InfinityEdge display which means the screen has a very thin border creating an elegant design. Definitely one of the best on the market right now.

Extra edition: The Dell XPS is also available as a 2-in-1 hybrid. That means you get a normal laptop which you can simply flick around and use it as a tablet with a touchscreen. A great option for everyone who likes working with a tablet every once in a while but doesn’t want to carry two devices around.

The downside: As with every 2-in-1 solution they are usually not as strong as a normal laptop. So the hybrid won’t be as strong as the normal XPS. But it can still be strong enough for some of you.

5. Lenovo Ideapad

If your work includes mostly “simple” tasks, like web surfing, editing documents, running basic programs, or if you want to watch a movie on it every once in a while, you will get all that with the Idea Pad. On top of that it is super lightweight and has a nice battery duration.

Slightly negative part: The touchpad doesn’t have the best quality and the storage space is very limited. Oh well, can’t have it all. But you could simply use an external drive or cloud to deal with that issue.

In case it gets stolen or banged up (which happens to my laptops all the time – meh), you won’t be too upset because it didn’t cost you the world.

Overview Best Laptop for Remote Work

Just to give you an idea about some of the key points, have a look at the following table. Please note that things like storage space or processor space can vary from one offer to another. Manufacturers usually give you a couple of combination options, for example, you can buy the Lenovo Ideapad with more storage space if you want to.

Travel Laptop Accessories

A decent laptop is important but only part of the fun. If you work on your computer all day long, 7 days a week, you might appreciate the following extras.

1. Laptop Stand

When you bend down to your laptop screen all day, your posture changes, and after a while, you might get a stiff and painful neck and back. To avoid this, you can use a laptop stand . Your neck will automatically be in a straight position since the screen sits higher.

That makes working in front of your laptop all day so much easier! Plus, these stands are usually very lightweight and foldable. So perfect if you want to work from different places and have to carry it.

2. External Keyboard

Since your laptop sits higher in a laptop stand, you will need an additional keyboard to be able to work. But don’t worry, there are super thin and light ones out there that can easily fit into your hand luggage.

You might have guessed it…if you need an extra keyboard, you will also need a mouse . Even if you don’t use a laptop stand, it makes your work much more comfortable. Go for a wireless one to avoid even more knotted cables in your bag.

4. External Drive

As mentioned before, I recommend you use an external drive. For one, this is great if your laptop doesn’t come with too much storage and you have loads of photos or data to save. And two, you should always have a backup copy of your data in case something happens to your laptop.

5. Laptop Sleeve

Don’t throw your laptop in your bag just the way it is! Use a sleeve to protect it from scratches, liquids, bugs, or whatever danger lurks in your bag.

6. Mobile Hotspot

And the last accessory I highly recommend you bring with you is a mobile hotspot . Internet might not be great in every hotel, café, or airport you are in.

If you can’t use your phone as a hotspot (because it would be too expensive and you can’t use a local SIM card because your phone is locked), you will need another way to get WIFI.

I love bringing my Skyroam global hotspot with me. It works in (almost) every country and I don’t have to worry about buying local SIM cards or anything.

You can read my review about Skyroam or head straight to their website.

Found the Right Travel Laptop for You?

I hope this list gave you an idea about some of the best travel laptops for remote work out there. As you can see, performance varies greatly, as does the price.

If your job requires you to have a top-end laptop with strong performance and high quality, you will definitely find a good option for you. Naturally, you will have to pay more for such a powerful laptop.

But please don’t assume that you should buy a very expensive and popular one. If you only need to do basic work and don’t have a big budget, there is absolutely no need to spend that much money. There are affordable options with decent quality out there, too.

Whatever digital nomad laptop you go for, you surely can’t do much wrong with the ones I have listed here.

How to Start a Remote Work Career from Scratch

Join my online course where I share my proven 3 step strategy to find a remote job that you love AND that pays the bills.

You don’t need to have any type of experience or skills to be able to work remotely!

Awesome! Please check your inbox!

Founder of Digital Nomad Soul

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping by! My name is Denise and I have been working online for more than 10 years. In the past, I worked as a remote employee and freelancer & managed to build a six-figure online business. I know that many others would love to work from home or work while traveling, too. That’s why I want to share my experience and help you on your way to your remote career!

You May Also Like

Top 10 Trending Digital Nomad Places 2024 – New Countries to Visit

If you have an online job and want to work from somewhere else than your hometown for a bit, you should check out these trending digital nomad places in 2024. These are cities or regions that are perfect for us location-independent folks for many reasons, like visa...

18 Work-from-Home Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Data

I know, I know. Data security is not exactly the most exciting topic. However, when you work from home or work remotely in general, is it your duty to make sure your data is safe. So to make it as easy as possible for you, I’ve collected a list of 18 of the most...

12 Digital Nomad Dating Apps – How to Date as a Digital Nomad?

Dating as a digital nomad is hard. You are constantly on the move, travel a lot, and oftentimes don’t work the usual 9 to 5. Although, the digital nomad lifestyle is becoming more and more popular, finding love is still tricky. Luckily, there are quite a few digital...

13 Best Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads in 2024

  Did you know that you can’t just save money by using certain credit cards while traveling but actually MAKE money by using the right ones? That’s right! You can get money for free with travel credit cards via cashback, rewards, or sign-up bonuses. That’s why...

9 Surprises Of The Digital Nomad Experience To Expect

  Despite all of the exhaustive research, preparing, and planning you’ve done to finally launch into your digital nomad experience, as soon as you embark, some huge surprises will still crash into you like waves.  If you’re not prepared for them, they could...

The Best Digital Nomad Visas – 8 Countries That Love Remote Workers

One of the major issues that digital nomads are facing is the visa situation. Although many are traveling and working online with a tourist visa, this is often a grey area or even prohibited. Luckily, more and more countries working on dedicated digital nomad visas...

Great share!! These recommendations are good enough for digital nomads to get a good laptop. Thanks for sharing such a valuable stuff!

Thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed it!

Choosing the best travel laptops for digital nomads is not an easy task! Thanks for sharing with us such great list as well as to sharing all the detailed information! This will make choosing easier!!

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I have read and accepted the Privacy Policy *

Submit Comment

Zero to Remote Work Success

Get the most comprehensive online course on Remote Work now!

8 New Remote Jobs for Introverts – Trending Work from Home Jobs

In this blog post, I want to show you 8 new remote jobs for introverts that are currently high in demand and relatively new on the market. These jobs can be done from anywhere in the world and they don’t require you to make calls or participate in meetings. Here you...

14 Digital Products to Sell on Etsy as a Beginner in 2024

In this blog post, I want to show you 14 of the most popular digital products to sell on Etsy. You don’t need any experience to create these products and there are many free online tools out there you can use to design them. At the end of the post, I also show you a...

How to Create AI Art for Free – 7 Ways to Make Money with AI Art

An extremely popular way to earn an income online these days is by using artificial intelligence. I’ve already talked about the different ways to make money with AI in general. In today’s blog post, I want to focus on AI-generated art and not only show you how to...

8 Best Online Chat Support Jobs from Home for Beginners

Online Chat Support Jobs are brilliant job options for remote workers and digital nomads. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a laptop. Most of the time, you don’t need a degree or previous experience. You also don’t need to do any phone calls which...

Insured Nomads Review 2024: A Legit Insurance for Digital Nomads?

Insured Nomads is a relatively new insurance company for travelers and remote workers. In this Insured Nomads review, we want to look at what exactly is covered by the policy and what isn’t covered. We are also going to learn how much Insured Nomads costs and if it’s...

Find Remote Jobs from Home – Part-Time & Full-Time!

Flexible, Beginner-Friendly & Scam-Free

Best laptops for graphic design in 2024

The best laptops for graphics design based on our testing

• Best Overall
• Best Windows
• Best 2-in-1
• Best 17-inch
• Best Budget

How To Choose a Laptop for Graphic Design

How we test laptops for graphic design, why trust laptop mag.

1. The list in brief

2. Best Overall

3. Best Windows

4. Best 2-in-1

5. Best 17-inch

6. Best Budget

9. How To Choose a Laptop for Graphic Design

10. How We Test Laptops for Graphic Design

11. Why Trust Laptop Mag

The best laptops for graphic design strike a balance between powerful performance and a beautifully vivid display. A great graphic design laptop will be equipped with a modern processor, at least 16GB of RAM, plenty of storage, a brilliant display, and in some cases, a discrete GPU. These hefty specs can often come at a steep price, but you'll be investing in a laptop that’ll see you through many, many graphic design projects over the next few years. 

Apple comes in strong in this list, with the MacBook Pro 14 M3 (2023) as the best laptop for graphic design overall and the MacBook Air 15 as the best budget option. If you’re more of a Windows person or you want something that’ll double as a graphic design laptop and a gaming laptop, we’ve got you covered with stellar options from HP , Lenovo, and Samsung .  

If you’re looking for a graphic design laptop with a solid battery life that’ll last you while you’re on campus or just out and about during the work day, any of the MacBooks mentioned above are solid choices. For a long-lasting Windows laptop that’s great for graphic design, you’ll want to check out Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i or Samsung’s Galaxy Book 3 Ultra. 

Read on for a closer look at our top choices for graphic design. Whatever your specific graphic design needs are, one of these amazing laptops is bound to do the trick. 

The Quick List

The best overall laptop for graphic design

The MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 (2023) is an all-around fantastic laptop with its top-tier internals, stunning display, and long-lasting battery. 

Read more below

The best Windows laptop for graphic design

Samsung’s Galaxy Book 3 Ultra features a gorgeous AMOLED display, a speedy SSD, and a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU—and it weighs just under 4 pounds. 

The best 2-in-1 laptop for graphic design

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is equipped with two vivid OLED displays, a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, and a great rotating soundbar. 

The best 17-inch laptop for graphic design

HP’s ZBook Fury 17 G8 may cost a pretty penny, but you’ll get a stunning 17-inch 4K touchscreen and almost unstoppable performance with its CPU/GPU combo.  

The best budget laptop for graphic design 

MacBooks can be expensive, but the MacBook Air 15 is relatively affordable and still packs impressive specs and a bright Liquid Retina display. 

Best Laptop for Graphic Design Overall

1. MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 (2023)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 (2023) is the best overall laptop for graphic design. The new MacBook Pro M3 14-inch is a beast, offering a whopping 17+ hours of battery life on or off the charger. Whether you're designing and editing on a plane, in the office, or conquering deadlines at a coffee shop, this laptop won't slow you down.

Need even more muscle? Upgrade to the M3 Max chip for a mind-blowing 14-core CPU and 30-core GPU. Plus, it boasts a crazy 32GB of RAM (expandable to a ridiculous 96GB!), making it perfect for rendering videos, running complex software, or just bragging to your friends.

Prices start at $1,599 for the base model (which is still no slouch with an M3 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD). The M3 Max configuration will set you back $3,199, but hey, for that kind of power, it might be worth it.

Sure, the design isn't a huge upgrade, but who needs flash when you have this much performance under the hood?  The MacBook Pro M3 14-inch delivers the perfect combo of portability and muscle, making it a great choice for creators, and graphic designers on the move.  Whichever model you pick, base or maxed-out, you're getting a laptop that won't let you down. 

See our full MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 review.

Best Windows Laptop for Graphic Design

2. Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra

If you want a great laptop for graphic design that's not a Mac, check out the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra. It's incredibly light at just under 4 pounds, but it packs a lot of power into that small body. For $2,399 you get a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU with 6GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. 

The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra scored a stellar 12,212 on the Geekbench 5.4 test, well above the premium laptop average of 10,261. It also aced the 3DMark Fire Strike  graphics test with a score of 14,307, far higher than the 8,413 category average. So, this laptop is definitely up to the task for graphics-intensive apps and projects. 

Graphics design tasks will look great on the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra, too, thanks to its incredible 16-inch 2880 x 1800 Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. It averaged with 378 nits of brightness and covered 86.2% of the DCI-P3 color gamut in our testing. That's a bit lower than the premium laptop averages of 88.8% and 393 nits, but you can crank up the brightness to 509 nits with HDR turned on. 

Plus, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra features one of the most color-accurate displays we've ever tested, earning a 0.15 on the Delta-E test compared to the category average of 0.24 (lower is better). You get fairly strong battery life, as well. The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra lasted 9 hours and 3 minutes in our tests, which is slightly below the premium laptop average (9:55), but still more than enough for a full day. 

See our full Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra review . 

Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Graphic Design

3. Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

We gave the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i an Editor's Choice award and for good reason – it's one of the best 2-in-1 laptops out there and a great choice for graphic design in particular. The price is a bit high for a 2-in-1 at $1,999, but you get a stunning design featuring dual 13.3-inch 2800 x 1800 OLED touch displays. The Yoga Book 9i also includes a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse as well as a folio case and the Lenovo Digital Pen. 

The unique dual display setup of this 2-in-1 makes it a powerhouse productivity laptop for graphic designers. You can use the two displays like a dual monitor setup, fold them to use individually or use both as tablets at the same time. You'll get a fantastic image on these displays, too. In our colorimeter test, the top display covered 136.5% of the DCI-P3 color gamut test with the bottom display scoring similarly at 136.7%. That's far better than our premium laptop average of 93.3%. 

Inside you get a 13th Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and Intel's Iris Xe integrated graphics. The Yoga Book 9i scored 7,765 on our Geekbench test, just below the 7,767 premium laptop average. 

The screen brightness could be a bit better with the top display coming in at 335 nits and the bottom at 344 nits, which is lower than the 392 nits category average. The battery life was also a tad low at 9 hours and 18 minutes, below the category average of 10 hours and 32 minutes. That's still plenty of battery to get through the day, though, especially considering the Yoga Book 9i is powering two displays. 

See our full Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review .

Best 17-inch Laptop for Graphic Design

4. HP Zbook Fury 17 G8

A large display can be great for graphic design, so the HP ZBook Fury G8 is definitely worth checking out. It features a spacious 17.3-inch 4K BrightView LED touch display, an Intel Xeon W-11955M processor, and Nvidia RTX A5000 with 16GB of VRAM, 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. 

With those specs, it's no surprise that the ZBook Fury G8 delivered incredible performance in our tests. The display covered 161.7% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, nearly double the premium laptop average of 84.4%. It also averaged 532 nits of brightness, well above the 392 category average. 

The ZBook Fury 17 G8 scored 9,716 on Geekbench, almost double the premium laptop average score of 4,753. Even more impressive, it scored a whopping 20,444 in our 3DMark Fire Strike graphics benchmark, over four times the premium laptop average of 4,351. With scores that high, this is also one of the best workstation laptops , so it can handle data and graphics-intensive tasks with ease. 

That performance won't come cheap, though. Our review unit configuration comes in at $6,421. It's also quite power-hungry, lasting only 7 hours and 10 minutes on our battery test, about 3 hours less than the category average. 

See our full HP Zbook Fury 17 G8 review .

Best Budget Laptop for Graphic Design

5. MacBook Air 15

It's no secret that Macs are fantastic laptops for graphic design, but if the M2 MacBook Pro is a bit too pricey for you, fear not. The MacBook Air 15 delivers similar performance at a much more affordable price. 

Our review unit configuration goes for $1,699 and included an 8-core M2 processor, a 10-core M2 GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The 15.3-inch 2880 x 1864 Liquid Retina Display averaged 473 nits of brightness and covered 78.9% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. That's a higher brightness than the 345 nits category average but notably lower than the 129.8% color gamut category average. It has a great Delta-E color accuracy score, though, coming in at just 0.17, far below the 2.62 average (lower is better). 

The only real drawback of this laptop is the lack of a dedicated GPU. Despite that, the MacBook Air 15 performed great on our Geekbench test, scoring 9,993, which is above the 8,389 category average. It also has more than enough battery life, lasting 14 hours and 59 in our test, far more than the category average of 9 hours and 55 minutes. 

See our full MacBook Air 15 review .

When thinking about how to choose the right laptop for graphic design, there are a few key specs to consider. In order to run graphics-intensive programs effectively, your laptop needs plenty of RAM, a powerful processor running the show, a high-resolution and color-accurate display, and a discrete GPU if you can afford it. Then, your laptop needs enough speedy SSD storage to download and store your graphic design files. 

Generally speaking, a great laptop for graphic design purposes should have at least 16GB of RAM, at least 512GB of SSD storage, and in a perfect world, a 4K OLED display, but it’s more important to make sure your display is bright, has a good DCI-P3 percentage, and high color accuracy. When it comes to processors, it’s best to stick with at least the latest M2 CPU for MacBooks and either a 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core i7 or i9, an Intel Xeon, or an AMD Ryzen 5000/6000 for Windows laptops.   

It’s worth noting that your perfect configuration for a graphic design laptop could be different from someone else’s. If you primarily work with static graphic designs, creating fun pamphlets, engaging infographics, or other non-moving files, you may be able to save some money by choosing less storage space, integrated graphics rather than discrete, and a slightly less beefy processor. If you work with motion graphic design, you’ll need to splurge on a discrete GPU, a powerful processor, and as much RAM as you can afford. 

If you plan on using your laptop to work on graphic design projects on the go, you’ll need to ensure your laptop has a solid battery life. For anyone who plans to play games on their laptop as well as use it for graphic design, one of our best gaming laptops may be more up your alley. Gaming laptops naturally share the same specs needed for graphic design software. 

Every laptop we review — which includes each pick on this list — goes through a series of benchmark tests by our dedicated testing team before it reaches one of our reviewers. To find the best laptops for graphic design, we primarily looked at testing results for performance, graphics, and the display. 

Performance testing includes Geekbench’s CPU Benchmark and the BAPCo Crossmark test, both of which evaluate the laptop’s ability to handle a variety of different tasks and continue running smoothly. To test a laptop’s graphics capabilities, we use the 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark and see how well an older game like Sid Meier’s Civilization VI runs. Laptops with beefier discrete GPUs receive even more demanding gaming tests with newer titles.  

When testing a laptop’s display, we look at how bright it gets, how accurately it reproduces colors, and how much of the DCI-P3 color gamut it covers. We use the Klein K10-A colorimeter and Klein’s ChromaSurf software to measure brightness and DisplayCal to evaluate a screen’s Delta-E value and sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut percentages.

We also measure how hot a laptop gets after watching a 4K or 8K YouTube video for 15 minutes, as well as how long the battery lasts when the laptop continuously surfs the web at 150 nits of brightness. 

Laptop Mag reviews over a hundred different laptops every year, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest in gaming. 

We are 100% independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. In fact, Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades, and we continue to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on. 

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it. 

Our editorial trustworthiness is enforced by one of the world's largest technology publishers,  Future Publishing . As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.

Stay in the know with Laptop Mag

Get our in-depth reviews, helpful tips, great deals, and the biggest news stories delivered to your inbox.

• Mark Anthony Ramirez

Save $500 on the latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon with Intel Ultra CPU

Dynabook's new featherlight business laptop may challenge the best from Lenovo, Dell

HP Spectre x360 with Intel Ultra 7 gets $300 price cut in HP sale

Most Popular

• 2 It's been 30 years since Apple released this boldly innovative product
• 3 Lenovo Yoga 7i vs Lenovo Slim 7i: Which Gen 9 Lenovo laptop should you buy?
• 4 How to use Quick Share on Android: Send photos and files in seconds
• 5 Apple M4 chip rumors: Everything you need to know

Best Laptops for Travel in 2024

G oing on a trip with the right travel partner can transform your experience, and when it comes to tech, nothing beats the perfect travel laptop. There are many laptops for every type of traveler, from digital nomads to busy professionals. Finding a laptop with good performance, portability, and long battery life is important for a better travel experience. So, if you're getting ready to travel, you'll want to check out our expertly curated selection of the best laptops for travel.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 Gaming Laptop

Msi raider ge78 hx 17.3 gaming laptop, alienware x14 r1 gaming laptop, asus tuf f17 gaming laptop, razer blade 18 gaming laptop (rtx 4090), hp victus 15, choosing the ideal travel laptop.

When selecting a laptop for travel, consider these essential factors:

• Portability and Weight : Lighter laptops make travel more comfortable without sacrificing screen size or quality.
• Battery Life : Long-lasting battery life keeps you going with productivity and entertainment throughout long flights or layovers.
• Durability : A strong build can handle the challenges of travel, including airport security and bumpy rides.

Choosing the best laptop for travel sets the stage for work and enjoyment on the move. But pairing it with the right accessories can further improve your experience. Discover the best wireless mice for laptops , designed for easy connectivity and portability, ensuring your setup is as mobile as you are.

The Best Gaming Laptops for 2024

Game rant's best laptops for travel.

The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 Gaming Laptop comes packed with features including a Mini-LED 2K display, the best Intel laptop CPU money can buy, and plenty of storage and RAM in a neat 16-inch package that still allows you to get the performance you need versus competing 17-inch laptops.

Operating System Windows 11 Pro

CPU Intel Core i9-13980HX

GPU RTX 4090 Laptop GPU

Storage 2TB (1+1TB in RAID 0 config)

Battery 4 cell 90WHr Battery

Display (Size, Resolution) 2K (2560 x 1600), Mini-LED, 240Hz

Camera 720P Camera

Speakers 4 Speakers

Memory 32GB DDR5

Ports USB-C, USB-A, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, Headphone Jack, HDMI 2.1

Network Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5G Ethernet

Dimensions 13.94" x 10.39" x 0.89"

Weight 5.73 lbs

Brand ASUS ROG

Power 330W AC Adapter

• Intel Core i9 for high-end performance
• Stunning 2K Mini-LED 240Hz display
• Dual 1TB SSDs in RAID 0 for speedy storage
• Heavier laptop for carrying around
• Premium price point

The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 tops our list as the best overall laptop for travel. It has the latest Intel Core i9 processor and RTX 4090 Laptop GPU in a travel-friendly 16-inch size. Its 2K Mini-LED display at 240Hz makes everything look amazing on your trips. Also, with 32GB DDR5 RAM and two 1TB SSDs, you get plenty of storage and speed to handle any task.

Its size and weight might challenge some carry-ons, but paying for such high-end specs is often worth it for those needing exceptional performance on the go. Given these considerations, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 secures its position as the best overall laptop for travelers, especially for gamers and creators who demand no compromise on performance and quality during their travels.

The MSI Raider GE78 HX 17.3-inch Gaming Laptop is one of the best all-around RTX 4090 PCs players can currently grab with the top-of-the-line Intel Core i9 processor, the RTX 4090. It also has an excellent display coupled with plenty of RAM and SSD space.

Operating System Windows 11 Home

GPU RTX 4090 16GB GDDR6 175W

Storage 2TB NVME SSD

Battery 4-Cell 99 Whr Battery

Display (Size, Resolution) 2K (2560x1600) 17.3'', 240Hz

Camera 1080P 30FPS

Speakers 2x 2W Speakers, 4x 2W Woofers

Colors Core black

Ports USB Type-C, USB Type A, SD Card, HDMI, Ethernet

Network Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2.5G Ethernet

Dimensions 380 x 298 x 23 mm

Weight 6.8 lbs

Form 17.3''

Power 330W AC Power Adapter

• Stunning 2K 240Hz display
• Massive 2TB NVMe SSD storage
• Flexible 32GB DDR5 RAM
• Heavy 6.8 lbs build
• Expensive price tag

The MSI Raider GE78 HX is our top choice for a gaming laptop suitable for travel. It's a high-performing machine specifically crafted for gamers who are frequently on the move. This model is powered by the latest Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and an RTX 4090 GPU, delivering uncompromised gaming performance in terms of both speed and graphics quality.

The Raider GE78 HX impresses with its excellent specifications and surprising portability, featuring a durable build and a long-lasting battery. Whether gaming in a hotel room or editing videos on a flight, this laptop is the best gaming laptop for travel, offering a perfect blend of high performance and easy portability.

The Alienware X14 R1 is a super lightweight and ultra-thin gaming laptop with a clean white case. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 16 GB of RAM, and a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H, gamers can expect decent specs despite the impressively compact packaging. Weighing just over four pounds with a thickness of only 0.6 inches, this laptop is one of the thinnest and lightest gaming-specific laptops on the market.

Operating System Windows 11

CPU Intel Core i7-12700H

GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060

Storage 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD

Display (Size, Resolution) 14-inch, 1920 x 1080

Dimensions 12.7 x 10.3 x 0.6 inches

Weight 4.1 pounds

Brand Alienware

Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

• Ultra-slim 0.6-inch profile
• Powerful Intel i7 and RTX 3060 combo
• Exceptional portability at 4.1 pounds
• Limited upgradability due to compact size
• High performance can lead to heat build-up

The Alienware x14 R1 stands out as the best lightweight laptop for travel on our list, offering powerful gaming capabilities in a sleek, thin design perfect for on-the-go gaming. Equipped with an Intel Core i7-12900HK processor and an NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics card, it effortlessly manages the most demanding games, making it an excellent choice for traveling gamers. The 14-inch FHD display delivers vibrant visuals, while the 16GB RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD ensure fast performance and ample storage.

Even with its powerful hardware, the x14 R1 maintains a remarkably light and slim profile, which is uncommon among gaming laptops. While some may find the keyboard space a bit limited, the superior build quality and gaming experience it provides are second to none. For those who prioritize gaming performance as well as travel convenience, the Alienware x14 R1 is an unparalleled choice, standing out as the best lightweight laptop for travel without any compromise on performance or portability.

Read the full review here.

The ASUS TUF F17 is a laptop powered by an Intel Core i5-11400H processor with six cores and a boost speed of up to 4.5 GHz. It features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card with 4 GB of GDDR6 RAM. The display on the laptop is a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS panel with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.

As part of the TUF Series, this laptop is designed for durability and meets the MIL-STD-810H military standard. It uses a dual-fan system for cooling.

CPU Intel Core i5-11400H Processor

GPU NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6 Graphics

RAM 8 GB DDR4 3200MHz

Storage 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD

Memory Memory Speed 4.5 GHz

• Fast Intel Core i5-11400H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• Impressive 17.3-inch FHD 144Hz IPS display for vibrant visuals
• 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD and 8 GB DDR4 RAM
• Larger size may not be ideal for portable needs
• 8 GB RAM might need upgrading for intensive multitasking

Meet the ASUS TUF F17, our top pick for the best mid-range laptop for travel. It's an outstanding choice for those who seamlessly blend travel with work. Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and a GeForce RTX 3050, it guarantees that users won't have to compromise on work or enjoyment, even while traveling. The 17.3-inch screen vividly brings every detail to life, enhancing the travel experience with more colorful and enjoyable visuals.

While it offers exceptional performance, the ASUS TUF F17 is big and heavy, which might not be ideal for those who want portability. But its durability and specs make it an excellent choice. For a travel laptop that strikes a balance between performance, durability, and visual excellence, the ASUS TUF F17 stands out as the best mid-range option.

The Razer Blade 18 Gaming Laptop is a laptop that pushes the boundaries of what people can genuinely call a gaming laptop (but in a good way). Razer has no qualms about it, calling it the ultimate desktop replacement with a feature-packed offering that also comes with some of the most premium pricing on the market.

• Desktop-grade performance in a portable design
• 240Hz 2K display for stunning visuals
• 32GB DDR5 RAM for superior multitasking
• High price point
• Shorter battery life under heavy use

The Razer Blade 18 Gaming Laptop is the best high-end option for those seeking to merge top-tier performance with portability. Equipped with an Intel Core i9-13950HX 24-core processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, it delivers desktop-like performance, making it an excellent choice for both gamers and professionals. Its 240Hz 2K screen offers stunning visuals, elevating gaming and content creation to an immersive experience.

The Razer Blade 18's premium price reflects its exceptional build quality and advanced components, often matching a desktop's performance and setting a high standard among Windows laptops. Its powerful features and solid build may exceed the needs of regular users, and its larger size could be a factor for those who prefer more compact travel options. However, for those who prioritize exceptional performance on the go, the Razer Blade 18 is unrivaled, making it the best high-end travel laptop, catering to those who refuse to compromise on power and quality while traveling.

With a decent Intel Core i5 12th generation processor and a GTX 1650 GPU powering it, the Victus 15 isn't the fastest laptop, but it does offer decent pricing, a 144Hz display, and a healthy slew of ports.

CPU Intel Core i5-12450H

GPU GTX 1650

Storage 512 GB NVMe SSD

Battery 52.5 WHr

Display (Size, Resolution) 15.6", 1080p, 144 Hz

Camera 720p

Colors Mica Silver

Memory 8 GB DDR4 3200 MHz

Ports 1 USB Type-C, 2 USB Type-A, Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, SD Card Reader

Weight 5.06 lbs

• Powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i5 performance
• Amazing 15.6" 1080p 144Hz display
• Plenty of storage with 512GB NVMe SSD
• 8GB RAM may need upgrading for heavy multitasking
• Larger design compared to ultraportables

For budget-conscious travelers seeking a combination of affordability, performance, and portability, the HP Victus 15 emerges as the best choice. It is equipped with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H CPU and NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU, making it adept at handling both work related tasks and entertainment needs while traveling. The laptop's fast display enhances the smoothness of visuals, perfect for photo editing or enjoying games during layovers.

While the HP Victus 15 features a sturdy design and a comprehensive selection of ports for added versatility, travelers should consider its noise level and battery life. Even with these factors in mind, the overall value of the HP Victus 15 is exceptional, making it an outstanding choice for travelers seeking the best budget laptop at an affordable price.

Best Laptops for School in 2024

Final thoughts on choosing your travel companion.

Picking the best travel laptop is all about finding the right balance between its specs and what fits your travel style and needs. When considering purchasing a laptop for travel, don’t forget about three, very important concerns. These are portability and weight, battery life, and durability.

Portability and Weight

The ideal travel laptop should be your go-to gadget without being too heavy. Look for models that balance lightweight design and screen size perfectly, so you don't sacrifice usability for portability.

Battery Life

Long flights and travel layovers require a laptop that can keep up. Choose laptops with extended battery life to make sure you are still working or enjoying entertainment, no matter how far off from home your travels may take you.

Travel can be unpredictable, so your laptop should be designed to handle some rough and tumble. Durable materials and a solid design can protect your laptop from bumpy rides, airport security, etc.

Q: How important is a laptop's durability for travel?

Extremely important. Travel laptops should have a solid body to handle the challenges of moving from place to place, offering peace of mind on your trips.

Q: Can travel laptops handle demanding tasks like video editing?

Many travel-friendly laptops have high-performance specs that can handle demanding tasks like video editing and gaming and offer a great balance of power and portability.

Q: How do I secure my laptop while traveling?

Look for laptops with advanced security features like fingerprint readers or facial recognition to keep your data safe while traveling.

The best laptops you can get

The best laptops for you, from ultraportables to gaming machines, macbooks to chromebooks..

By Joanna Nelius , Monica Chin , and Nathan Edwards

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

We test a wide variety of laptops each year here at The Verge , and many of them are very good. But you can’t buy them all. So I’ve done the very difficult ( very difficult, trust me) task of selecting some of the best laptops you can get. Whether you’re looking for a Chromebook, a gaming laptop, a 2-in-1 convertible, an ultralight notebook, or something that’s a little bit of each, I’ve got multiple options for you here. These aren’t necessarily the best laptops of all time, but they are, in my opinion, the best laptops you can buy right now .

Our current pick for the best laptop is the MacBook Air M3 . It’s a device that does just about everything right. While it’s certainly not perfect, there are no major flaws. It’s a great pick for productivity, browsing, and even light gaming.

• What’s the best student laptop? We asked students
• The best gaming laptops

It's getting harder to buy a bad laptop, but what separates the best laptops from good laptops is how they balance power, efficiency, portability, and comfort. A great laptop should have a fantastic keyboard and trackpad — after all, those are the two biggest reasons you'd choose a laptop over a smartphone or tablet. Its display should be easy on the eyes, bright, and sharp enough that you aren't distracted by jagged edges and visible pixels. It should be powerful enough for most anything short of intensive video editing and advanced gaming. It should be easy to carry around from place to place, and it should be able to last all day without needing to be plugged in.

What we’re looking for

Price is a very important factor in evaluating devices for this page. We’re seeking laptops that offer great value for their asking price and that are the best of the best compared to other laptops in their price category. The more expensive a device, the more exceptional it has to be to make it on here.

Performance

We want laptops with enough power to accommodate their target audience. An ultraportable laptop should be able to handle a standard office workload without excessive heat or fan noise. A gaming laptop should run today’s popular games.

Keyboard and trackpad

These are the two biggest reasons you’d get a laptop over a smartphone or tablet. They’d better be good or you’ll hate every minute.

We like displays that are color-accurate, bright, and sharp enough that you aren’t distracted by jagged edges or visible pixels.

We’re looking for laptops with a solid, durable build that can handle a standard amount of briefcase wear-and-tear while (in most categories) easy to carry around from place to place.

Battery life

Battery life is much more important in some categories than it is in others. That said , in general, we assume that most shoppers are choosing a laptop over a desktop because they value some ability to work away from a plug. Battery life gives a user more freedom and makes a device more reliable for travel, so we consider it here.

Port selection

The more ports, the better.

Our other picks for the best laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s include the MacBook Pro 16 and the HP Spectre x360 14 . Check out the full list of best laptop picks below or our roundup of the best gaming laptops , if you’re looking for a powerful machine that doesn’t sacrifice portability.

The best laptop

Apple MacBook Air M3 (13-inch)

The MacBook Air M3 is a jack of all trades, with a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency. It also now supports dual displays with the lid closed, and the storage speed is noticeably faster. You don’t need to think about if this laptop will meet your needs — it just will.  Read our review .

CPU: M3 (8-core) / GPU: M3 (8- or 10-core) / RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 24GB / Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, 2560 x 1664 or 2880 x 1864 , 60Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches or 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 inches / Weight: 2.7 pounds or 3.3 pounds

The Apple MacBook Air M3 is the best laptop for most people — Mac users, of course, but also the platform-agnostic or anyone who wants a no-fuss, straightforward machine that doesn’t bombard them with advertisements or bloatware. It’s a productivity laptop that can do a bit of everything, and it now comes in a 15-inch version for those who like their laptops a little larger. It’s hard to find another laptop that offers this kind of combination of performance and battery life in a thin and light chassis.

Despite losing its way around the mid-2010s , Apple has a long history of sending quality MacBooks to market, and the Air M3 is no different. A smooth, almost ethereal trackpad, check. Chiclet-style keyboard that makes typing feel like a dance, check. Fast Wi-Fi adapter, color-rich display, 1080p webcam, and MagSafe charging, check. The Air M3 wasn’t made for heavy gaming, video editing, or 3D modeling or for those who want more than two USB-C ports, but for nearly everyone else, it’s a great option.

It’s absolutely worth spending an extra $100 to get the Air M3 over the MacBook Air M2, which Apple still sells. It’s about 16 to 18 percent faster than Apple’s M2 chip, and the storage on the 256GB configurations is up to twice as fast . The new Airs also support two external displays with the lid closed, which is another improvement from the previous generation. The speakers on 15-inch Air M3 are vastly superior, especially on the low end. You can actually hear the bass, whereas on the 13-inch, it’s nearly nonexistent. If you opt for the midnight colorway in either model, keep a microfiber cloth handy. The amount of fingerprints it collects turns the chassis into a CSI’s playground.

We recommend upgrading the MacBook Air M3 to at least 16GB of memory. It will improve the laptop’s ability to multitask now and will give you a few extra years of service down the line. (Important since you’d have to buy a whole new laptop to upgrade the memory.) 256GB of storage is easier to get away with, given the plethora of cloud and external storage options available, so if you can only upgrade one thing, make it the memory. You get an automatic GPU bump when you do, anyway.

Apple MacBook Air M3 (15-inch)

The 15-inch MacBook Air is also equipped with Apple’s M3 chip. It features a larger display and better speaker array than the 13-inch MacBook Air M3. Read our review .

Read our review of the Apple MacBook Air M3 .

The best chromebook.

Acer Chromebook Spin 714

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 offers a powerful package with fast Intel processors and Thunderbolt 4 support, while boasting perks like an HDMI port and a garaged stylus.

CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 8GB / Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD / Display: 14-inch IPS, 1920 x 1200, multitouch / Dimensions: 12.31 x 8.82 x 0.71 inches / Weight: 3.1 pounds

The Chromebook Spin 714 is a great 14-inch 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook with a 1920 x 1200 screen, blazing fast processors, and a good keyboard. It was a pretty good deal at $700-ish when it launched, but these days you can regularly find it for under $500 with a 13th-gen i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB NVMe SSD. That’s a screaming deal while it lasts.

The Spin 714 has more going for it. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 1080p camera, Wi-Fi 6E, even a stylus tucked away in there. It’s also been updated with Chromebook Plus certification, which means it’ll get 10 years of software updates.

Read our Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review .

The best convertible windows laptop.

HP Spectre x360 13.5

The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is the best 2-in-1 laptop, especially with the optional OLED screen. It can be configured with up to a 13th-gen Core i7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.

CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U, i7-1355U / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 16GB, 32GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 13.5-inch IPS, 60Hz, 1920 x 1280 / OLED, 3000 x 2000, touch option / Dimensions: 11.75 x 8.67 x 0.67 inches / Weight: 3.01 pounds

The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is a drop-dead gorgeous machine with a sturdy build and a premium look and feel. It can be configured with a 3:2 OLED screen that’s vivid, crisp, and bright and has an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. You also get a comfortable keyboard, clear and bass-heavy audio, and a practical port selection. (There are even ports on the corners.) HP ships it with a number of webcam features via its GlamCam package, which you can use to “glam” your video calling experience if that is of interest.

Performance (on the unit we received) was quite speedy and was cool and quiet throughout much of our day-to-day testing. If you’re looking for a sleek and beautiful device, you should look no further than HP’s Spectre line.

You can get the Spectre x360 13.5 for under $1,000 with a Core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 400-nit 1080p IPS touchscreen; the configuration we tested has a 3000 x 2000-pixel OLED screen, Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage for around $1,500.

This machine comes with a couple major caveats, however. First, the battery life on the OLED model we tested is not great. We averaged between four and five hours of continuous use. That’s not necessarily unexpected given the screen’s high resolution and refresh rate, but it will still make the Spectre an impractical buy for some people. Previous models with IPS screens lasted longer in our tests, so if battery life is a higher priority, configure accordingly.

Read our HP Spectre x360 14 review .

The best laptop for high-end gaming.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D (2023)

The ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D is one of the fastest gaming laptops you can get, thanks to its AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor and Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU. With 32GB of RAM, 1TB storage, and a 240Hz 1440p screen, it’s the high-end laptop to beat.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D / GPU: Nvidia Geforce RTX 4090 / RAM: 32GB / Storage: 1TB / Display: 17-inch IPS QHD, 240Hz display, 3ms, 300 nits, 100 percent DCI-P3 / Dimensions: 15.55 x 11.1 x 1.11 inches / Weight: 6.51 pounds

The ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D is big. It’s loud, it’s garish, and it’s flat-out the fastest gaming laptop we’ve tested. Thanks to its AMD Ryzen 9 79045HX3D processor, it leaves models with the same top-tier RTX 4090 graphics card and Intel’s fastest CPUs in the dust. It can run many of today’s AAA titles at 1440p with triple-digit frame rates.

The Scar 17 X3D has a 17-inch 2560 x 1440 240Hz screen with G-Sync, oodles of ports, a pleasant keyboard, and RGB galore. At over six and a half pounds and 17 inches on the diagonal, it’s your classic high-performance, barely portable gaming laptop.

Its webcam is potato, battery life is exactly as bad as you’d expect from everything we just listed, and it’s expensive, but for now this is the high-water mark for gaming laptops.

For more down-to-earth performance and price, you can also get the ROG Strix Scar 17 with an RTX 4070 for about $1,800 or with an RTX 4080 for about $2,900 .

Read our Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D review .

The best macbook for photo and video editing.

Apple MacBook M3 Pro/Max (16-inch)

The 16-inch MacBook Pro remains Apple’s largest laptop for creators and power users. The latest model includes a spec bump to the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, with a claimed battery life of up to 22 hours, and is configurable with up to 128GB of RAM.

CPU: M3 Pro, M3 Max / GPU: M3 Pro, M3 Max / RAM: 18GB - 36GB (M3 Pro), 36GB - 128 GB (M3 Max) / Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB / Display: 14.2 / 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3024 x 1964 / 3456 x 2234, adaptive refresh up to 120Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 / 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches / Weight: 3.5 / 4.7 pounds (M3 Pro), 3.6 / 4.8 pounds (M3 Max)

If you need more power for intensive creative work — like 3D rendering and working with ultra-high-resolution photos and video — the MacBook Pro is your huckleberry. Both the 14- and 16-inch models are available with powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max processors. There’s also a 14-inch Pro with a plain-old M3 processor, but it’s kinda weirdly positioned and most people shouldn’t get it .

Processors (and the new space black color option) aside, the MacBook Pro has remained largely unchanged since 2021. It has a bright, beautiful, color-accurate, high-definition screen with HDR and adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz; amazing speakers, a comfortable keyboard and trackpad; and a good port loadout: three Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 ports, plus HDMI and an SD card slot. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the 16-inch, but aside from the very lowest processor options, most configurations are available in either size, so pick whichever works for you.

In our benchmarks, which test a variety of creative tasks including encoding, playback, and export time, the MacBook Pro 16 did better than any laptop we’ve ever used — the only other machines that have come close to matching this thing in some of our benchmarks are high-end desktop PCs. The battery life is also record-shattering. The top-of-the-line 16-inch M3 Max model lasted around 18 hours in our most recent testing, with no battery-saving features enabled.

Most people who need more power than a MacBook Air — including pro photographers —will be fine with an M3 Pro model, which starts at $1,999 for the 14-inch with an 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 18GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD. The 16-inch starts at $2,499 for a 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 18GB of memory, and 512GB SSD. The Pro chip can be configured with up to 36GB of memory and a 4TB SSD, at the usual absurd Apple markups, and it supports up to two external displays.

If you absolutely need more GPU power — or more than two external monitors — you can step up to the M3 Max. The base M3 Max with 14 CPU cores and 30 GPU cores, plus 36GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, starts at $3,199 in the 14-inch and $3,499 in the 16-inch. There’s also an M3 Max with 16 CPU and 40 GPU cores, which starts at $3,699 and $3,999, respectively. The M3 Max models are configurable with up to 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage and can support up to four external monitors. The vast majority of people don’t have workloads heavy enough to notice a difference between the M3 Pro and M3 Max; if you do, you probably know it.

Apple MacBook M3 Pro/Max (14-inch)

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro comes in a space black color and is configurable with either an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. It looks a lot like the previous M2 generation, but spec-wise, the M3 Pro models start with a 12-core CPU, 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

Read our reviews of the MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max and MacBook Pro 14 M3 .

The best 14-inch gaming laptop.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The ROG Zephyrus G14 is an astonishingly good gaming laptop for its size. Its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 40-series GeForce RTX GPU can push powerful, smooth graphics performance in games with its QHD display while also being surprisingly efficient for other tasks.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940 HS / GPU: GeForce RTX 4070, RTX 4080 / RAM: 8GB, 16GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB / Display: 14-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600, 120Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 12.28 x 8.94 x 0.73 / Weight: 3.64 pounds

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the best 14-inch gaming laptop you can buy. It’s a perfectly portable device at just 3.79 pounds and 0.77 inches thick, and it comes with a great keyboard, touchpad, port selection, and screen. The frame rates it produced in our testing were solid, and we got all-day battery life, which you don’t see in gaming laptops every day.

If you are interested in having an animated grid of colored lights on your computer, you can also pay more for a model that has Asus’ AniMe Matrix. We don’t think these models offer particularly good value for their price, but they do have some cute benefits — you can customize them to display words or images of your choice, and there’s a virtual pet on it that you can play with.

Read our Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review .

The best dual-screen laptop.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (2024)

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a dual-screen laptop that can fold and flip into several different modes. A Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus come with it, along with a keyboard folio that can transform into a laptop stand. It’s the Swiss Army knife of laptops. Read our head-to-head review .

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U / GPU: Intel UHD (integrated) / RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X / Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / Display: 13.3-inch (2880 x 1800) 60Hz OLED touchscreen w/ stylus support / Dimensions: 11.78 x 8.03 x 0.63 inches / Weight: 2.95 pounds

A dual-screen laptop is exactly what it sounds like: a laptop with a second screen where the keyboard normally goes.

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has a 360-degree hinge, which lets you use it as a regular laptop, a (large) tablet, and more. You can put it in clamshell mode and write or sketch on the bottom screen with a stylus or fold the keyboard folio into a stand to prop it up and take advantage of both screens. That’s how I usually use it at home: propped up and plugged into an external monitor as a three-screen desktop replacement. But when I’m away, I use the included Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Its touchscreen gestures are super responsive but too responsive for the virtual keyboard and trackpad. It’s easy to mistype and accidentally minimize windows.

The Yoga Book’s only real competitor is Asus’ Zenbook Duo. The Duo’s physical keyboard includes a trackpad and makes it look a lot more like a traditional laptop. Its 14-inch OLED screens are a little bigger and brighter, it has a ton of port options, it’s more powerful, and it’s a little easier to fold up and put away. But it’s also heavier (at 3.64 pounds), its top lid doesn’t fold back far enough to use it as a tablet, and its touchscreen gestures aren’t as responsive.

Read our head-to-head review of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i and the Asus Zenbook Duo.

The best repairable laptop.

Framework Laptop 13 (AMD)

The Framework Laptop 13 is the best laptop for those who want full control of their experience. Everything from the processor and RAM to the keyboard and bezels is user-upgradeable. It comes in Intel and AMD variants; most people should get the AMD. Read our review .

CPU: Intel Core i5-1340P / i7-1360P / 17-1370P, AMD Ryzen 7 7840U / GPU: Intel UHD / Iris Xe, Radeon 700M / RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB / Storage: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 13.5 inch IPS, 2256 x 1540, 60Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 11.68 x 9.01 x 0.62 inches / Weight: 2.87 pounds

If you want a 13-inch laptop that you can configure and assemble yourself, from the ground up, the Framework Laptop 13 is pretty much your only option. The Framework is a modular laptop that users can repair and upgrade over the length of their ownership. Everything from the RAM, to the storage, to even the processor can be upgraded down the line. The company has even come out with upgrades for parts like speakers and hinges that you can install yourself. Not only can you buy it as a prebuilt system, but you can also order it as a DIY kit, allowing you to assemble the entire thing yourself and swap out parts as you please. 

Repairability aside, the Framework has a number of laudable features as a laptop itself. The display is bright and high resolution, the speakers are great, and the chassis is quite portable, coming in at under three pounds. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides a lot of room to work and is still a somewhat rare find on today’s market.

That said, I won’t pretend that this is the best 13-inch laptop you can buy. On its own merits, it is an unremarkable system with a somewhat generic look and plasticky build, particularly compared to others in its price category. Nevertheless, the Framework’s standout feature is the unprecedented access it allows its users to replace and repair its parts. We’d love to see more companies make that kind of commitment to sustainable design.

Read our Framework Laptop 13 review .

The best laptop under $400.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the most affordable Chromebook with the new Plus label. It has a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, plus a 1080p screen, for just under $400. Read our review.

CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U / GPU: Intel UHD / RAM: 8GB / Storage: 128GB, 256GB UFS / Display: 14-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz, non-touch / Dimensions: 12.9 x 8.4 x 0.74 inches / Weight: 3.17 pounds

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the least expensive laptop with Google’s new Plus certification . At around $400 for a Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, it’s the baseline Chromebook you should consider if you can’t spend any more.

It’s so easy to get a bad Chromebook at this price, so it’s a relief that the Chromebook Plus CX34 is so good. Not only does it have respectable internals, but the 1080p screen and 1080p webcam are good for the price, the keyboard is great, and the trackpad is fine, if a bit stiff. Battery life is decent, too, and like all Plus Chromebooks, it comes with 10 years of software updates. You can spend more on a laptop, and you probably should, but don’t buy a Chromebook less powerful than this one.

Read our review of the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 .

Update, April 30th, 2024: Added best dual-screen laptop category with the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (2024) and renamed best AAA gaming laptop to best high-end gaming laptop.

Hands-on with the new iPad Pro: yeah, it’s really thin

More tesla employees laid off as bloodbath enters its fourth week, the 7 biggest announcements from apple’s ipad event, apple announces new ipad pros with oled displays and thinnest design ever, these are the upcoming sonos ace wireless headphones.

More from Tech

Assassin’s Creed Mirage trust falls onto the iPhone this June

If your iPhone alarm has gone quiet, Apple says it’s working on a fix

Pixel 8A leak reveals $499 starting price

Binance founder’s sentencing hearing

The best laptops for video editing, according to an experienced editor

Shopping for a new laptop is a tough task. With the sheer number of options, it's easy to fall into choice paralysis, where making a final decision feels impossible. If you're a creative type who needs a laptop for a very specific purpose — in this case, video editing — the stakes are even higher. Make the wrong choice, and it will really come back to bite you. You'll find yourself with a laptop that doesn't perform and end up in a deep financial hole.

To find the best video editing laptops, we reached out to Denver McQuaid , a creative marketing strategist who is also a seasoned VFX artist and video editor with a large following on Instagram and TikTok .

In an email conversation with Mashable, McQuaid walked us through the process of shopping for a great laptop for video editing. And after surveying the top laptops of 2024 , there was one clear winner — the new MacBook Pro . Still, it's not the only laptop we have to recommend.

What makes a video editing laptop "good"?

With so many laptops offering wildly different features , it's important to narrow down which ones matter the most. In McQuaid's opinion, there are three qualities that a good video editing laptop absolutely needs: Speed, solid battery life, and a good display size.

Having a laptop that can process tasks quickly and efficiently is paramount for video editing. "[Speed] can be achieved in many ways," said McQuaid, "including RAM, hard drive write speeds, processor clock speed, and graphics rendering." Battery life is pretty self-explanatory — the less time you spend charging, the more time you'll have to actually work on your projects. When it comes to display size, McQuaid said the more you can see, the better. "I edit on a 13-inch [laptop], but often with an external monitor." He travels for work, so he uses a more lightweight laptop with a smaller screen, though he recommends newer editors go bigger. "I don’t regret it, but more screen space is always nice to have."

What are the best laptops for video editing?

Like we already said up top, the MacBook Pro was the clear winner as the best video editing laptop for most people. (Are you surprised? Probably not.) While the latest M3 MacBook Pro is your best bet, McQuaid told us that even older MacBooks will do the trick. He uses a 2019-era MacBook Pro that predates even the M1 chip, and it still works just fine for his needs. "MacBooks have some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion," McQuaid told Mashable. "The MacBook OS is more user-friendly and ideal for transferring files from computer to phone, or vice versa, especially iPhones."

Of course, we realize that not everyone wants to jump into the Apple ecosystem, so we have recommendations from outside the famous fruit company. Check out our picks below, all chosen with vigorous hands-on testing and expert advice.

HP Spectre x360 14

Best 2-in-1.

• Battery Life : About 11.5 hours
• CPU : Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
• GPU : Intel Arc graphics
• Storage : 2TB SSD

Read Mashable's full review of the HP Spectre x360 14.

Who it's for:

If you want the flexibility that comes with a 2-in-1 laptop but still want to be able to edit video efficiently, the HP Spectre x360 14 will be a solid option for you. It's got a pretty decent battery life, but where it really shines is in its ample storage and beautiful OLED display. It's also on the heftier side for those who want a more durable device, and the keyboard is downright addicting.

Why we picked this:

The HP Spectre x360 14 is one of our favorite convertible laptops for more reasons than one, but among the biggest draws for the device is the 120Hz OLED touchscreen display. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon lauded the screen in her review, saying that "the rich, colorful visuals that emanated from the screen were stunning." The computer also has a powerful suite of internal specs, including a high-end Intel Core Ultra processor, 16GB of RAM, and two whole terabytes of SSD storage. Of course, the ability to switch from laptop to tablet mode at a moment's notice is another convenient feature for traveling creatives, and the whole package comes with an included stylus, which is always a welcome bonus.

While the HP Spectre x360 14 is a bulkier machine, those who want a more durable computer will probably be fine with the laptop's weight. It also has a great-feeling keyboard and trackpad setup, and the audio system sounds crystal clear. If we could change anything, it'd be the port placement — placing them on the corner of each side was a strange choice in our opinion, and it makes the device awkward to charge. But, that's easy to forget about once you start working with this genuinely great convertible.

Apple MacBook Pro (M3)

Best overall.

• Battery Life : About 17 hours
• CPU : Apple M3
• GPU : Apple M3 10-core
• Storage : 1TB SSD

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3) .

Apple's most recent iteration of the MacBook Pro is going to work best for anyone who runs processor-heavy apps concurrently, which is great news for video editors. In addition to the speedy M3 chip (you can also upgrade to the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips at the online Apple store ), the machine boasts an impressively long battery life, crisp speakers, and an eye-popping 14-inch display that'll have all of your footage looking great.

The M3 MacBook Pro is the most powerful MacBook on the market, bar none. During our testing period, Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon highlighted the laptop's amazing performance and battery life, tackling processor-hungry tasks with ease for up to 17 hours at a time. The display is a huge bonus, too. The Liquid Retina XDR screen is one thing — it produces a vivid and accurate color gamut — but the 14-inch size of the display itself feels like the perfect median between Apple's usual options. The audio system is also a high point — Gedeon says that this MacBook model "arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market."

Although the MacBook Pro M3 is already pricey as is, we recommend upgrading in the RAM department, because the base model doesn't have enough in our opinion. For video editors specifically, we also recommend going with the 1TB SSD over the base 512GB.

In terms of ports, you'll get two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, an SDXC card slot, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. That should make it easy to connect to your external monitor, hard drives, and headphones of choice. However, we should note that the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 only supports a single external monitor . If you'll be editing with two monitors, then you'll need to go with the MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip .

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Best upgrade pick.

• Battery Life : About 8 hours
• CPU : Intel Core i7-13700H
• GPU : Nvidea GeForce RTX 4060

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 .

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a match made in heaven for artists. The unique, pull-forward design really enhances the experience of working on big projects, and the gorgeous 120Hz display only sweetens the pot. Although heavy, the build quality is incredible and sure to last you for many years to come. Video editors, this laptop needs to be on your shortlist (as long as you have the budget, that is).

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is one of the more special laptops that we've had the pleasure of testing out. To call it just a laptop doesn't seem right. According to Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon, the device is better described as "a digital easel and tablet" thanks to its unique and convenient pull-forward design. It only gets better when you consider the beauty of the 120Hz, 2,400-by-1,600-pixel display (which sits somewhere between Full HD and 4K). The build quality of the machine is a marvel. The dual-level base helps keep the computer cool during intense usage with the vented lower level, and the upper level features a buttery-smooth touchpad and keyboard combo that is a joy to use. It makes the Surface Laptop Studio 2 quite heavy overall, but it's a fair tradeoff.

Other highlights of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 include a great-sounding audio system, as well as a built-in space for storing and charging a Surface Slim Pen 2, which frustratingly isn't included. Other than that somewhat egregious omission, and the fact that the device is a bit of a chore to lug around, the price point is high enough to make us tear up. While you do get what you pay for here, the over-$3,000 cost of admission is going to turn many content creators away, and we can understand why. But, if you've got the budget (or if you find it on sale ), we say go for it.

Dell XPS 15

Best pc option.

• Battery Life : About 14 hours
• CPU : Intel Core i9-13900H
• GPU : Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070

The Dell XPS 15 is a PC powerhouse that'll be well-suited for video editors who want a balance between power, build quality, and upgradeability. If you don't want to jump into the Apple ecosystem but still want a traditional laptop, you'll find everything you want here, including a great lineup of internal specs and a long battery life. And how could we not love that edge-to-edge OLED touchscreen display?

While we haven't personally tested the Dell XPS 15, our friends over at PCMag (owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) did, and they liked what they saw quite a bit. They gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "one of the best and most flexible luxe laptops for a range of audiences." So, what makes it so great? For starters, the build quality is stellar, and it strikes a fantastic balance between sleek and sturdy. It also has a battery life that, when pushed to its limit, can still reach around 14 hours on a single charge.

The real star of the show, though, is that edge-to-edge OLED display, which looks outstanding. Creative professionals who want to prolong the lifespan of their laptop will also appreciate the upgradeability of the XPS 15's specs, which are already pretty great out of the box, including a powerful CPU-and-GPU combo, lots of RAM, and a good amount of storage space.

As for downsides, there aren't many, but the biggest is that the laptop features a lackluster 720p webcam, which is confusing at this price point. But if you're going to be using the device primarily for video editing , this shouldn't be a dealbreaker. We also wish the laptop wasn't so heavy and that it had a more diverse array of ports, but the included adapter does make up for that a little bit.

Recommended For You

Trending on Mashable

Best laptops for photo editing of 2023

The best laptops for photo editing are thinner, lighter, and more powerful than ever.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

We’ve come a long way since photographers were dodging and burning their images in the darkroom thanks to laptops. Nowadays, anyone can easily brighten shadows, lower highlights, and perform any number of advanced edits and from anywhere in the world thanks to portable computers. The increased power and portability of modern laptops have made them a key part of creative workflows everywhere. If you’re a photographer who is constantly on the go, these are the best laptops for photo editing.

• Best overall: MacBook Pro with M1 Pro

Best portable: MacBook Air with M1

Best windows laptop: dell xps 15, best rugged: lenovo thinkpad x1 extreme, best 2-in-1: hp spectre x360 15, how we picked the best laptops for photo editing.

I have over five years of experience editing photos, and more than 10 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics for websites like Popular Science , TechnoBuffalo , XDA Developers , and more. I’ve owned a ridiculous number of cameras over the years and I don’t go anywhere without one around my neck (preferably a Fujifilm X100v ). 

For this roundup, I pulled from my own experience editing photos and also consulted photographers who write for our sister site Pop Photo. I also looked at editorial reviews, user impressions, and forums from around the industry to gain more perspective on the features photographers value most in a laptop. 

Things to consider before buying a laptop for photo editing

To find the best laptops for photo editing, we prioritized a number of criteria, some of which are broadly important, while others cater specifically to photographers and other creatives. At the top of our list are performance, screen resolution, and battery life. These features allow photographers to perform their best work without the hardware and software getting in the way. We also considered weight and design, connectivity, and price. Your top pick will depend on your own workflow, but these are the main features to look out for when shopping for a laptop for photo editing.

Performance

Editing photos requires ample processing power, especially if you’re editing multiple RAW files, which many photographers prefer over JPEGs for their abundance of image data and editability. We looked at laptops with higher CPU performance, which can be measured in clock speed (GHz), and the number of cores it contains. Most modern laptops marketed to creators come with 10th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, which can offer 6 or 8 processor cores.

We also looked at Apple’s lineup of laptops that contain its M-series chip, which can offer up to 10 processor cores. The higher the clock speed and the more processor cores you have at your disposal, the better your laptop will be at performing intensive tasks. The amount of RAM also makes a difference, because it provides applications with a place to store and access data on a short-term basis and can directly impact how fast a computer feels. Finally, a good GPU, like an Nvidia GTX or RTX card, will help the CPU during graphics processing. 

A high-resolution display with good color accuracy is critical for photographers who want their photos to look as close to real-life as possible. You’re going to be staring at your screen for extended periods of time, so you want that high-resolution display to give enough room for an editing software’s interface along with a big version of the image itself. We recommend laptops with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, or 4K, and a screen that’s 13 inches and above. Screens smaller than that can feel very cramped. 

As for color accuracy, you want a screen that covers 99% to 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Some laptops take a step beyond this with support for DCI-P3, which offers 26% more color space than sRGB. This means DCI-P3 offers a greater range of colors for a more saturated and vibrant image.

Weight and design

Looks aren’t everything, but a laptop with a design that’s thin and light will be easier to carry with you in the field. We looked for laptops that offer great performance but are under 5 pounds and around half an inch thick, give or take. We also took screen size into consideration. Anything under 13 inches is too small for longer editing sessions, while screens that are 17 inches feel a bit too large to constantly haul around. Of course, your preferences might differ from ours but, in general, we feel like a good middle ground for a laptop is roughly 3 to 5 pounds with a screen size between 13 and 16 inches.

Connectivity

Photographers carry around a lot of accessories, from external hard drives to CF cards. Laptops that offer a variety of connectivity options allow photographers to connect peripherals, back up their images, and more—ideally without annoying dongles. That means having high bandwidth ports like Thunderbolt/USB-C for quickly importing and exporting files, and an HDMI port to connect your laptop to an external display (and don’t forget the HDMI cables ). It’s also nice when laptops have a CF card reader built in—something that disappeared briefly in some circles in the tech industry.

Battery life

While laptops are getting thinner and more powerful, one of the first things to take a hit is battery life. That means you’ll have to monitor your usage when you’re not near a power outlet. The laptops on our list should generally last you a full workday, but if you’re out in the field processing hundreds of RAW files, your battery could drain very quickly. If battery life is your biggest concern, larger laptops typically come equipped with larger batteries, but the tradeoff is typically a heavier machine.

Laptops designed for creatives are generally more expensive than something you’d use to write term papers and browse the web. If that’s more your speed, you should check out an ultrabook , which is thinner, lighter, and less powerful than laptops designed for creative work. You get what you pay for, as they say, and a pro laptop has increased performance, screen resolution, and port selection. Most high-end laptops start around $1,500 and can be more than $3,000. Prices can quickly climb if you upgrade things like RAM and internal storage. Some companies also give you the option to upgrade a laptop’s screen resolution and technology.

As you’re doing your research, you should ask yourself how serious you are as a photographer. Do you consider yourself a hobbyist who will occasionally edit photos? If so, you might not need 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage—a base pro model will likely suffice. If you plan to edit thousands of RAW images, spending the extra cash on upgrades will be worthwhile thanks to the time it will save you.

A laptop in the $1,500 to $1,800 should provide plenty of power for hobbyist photographers who do light editing. If price is a real concern, I would recommend upgrading RAM but going with a lower storage option. Your computer will last longer and keep up with the demands of modern applications. You can always purchase an external hard drive , which tends to be less expensive than upgrading a laptop’s internal storage.

The best laptops for photo editing: Reviews & Recommendations

RAW images can be as big as 200MB—and even larger if you own a medium-format camera—which can quickly push a high-end laptop to its limits. That’s why your next laptop needs a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and the right ports. It’s also nice to have a high-resolution display, so you can see every detail in the images you’re editing. Depending on your needs, you may not want to upgrade to the highest possible RAM your machine supports, but with photo editing software requiring more powerful minimum specs, paying a little extra could be worth it in the long run.

Best overall: MacBook Pro 16-inch (M1 Pro)

Stan Horaczek

Why it made the cut: Apple’s newest MacBook Pro offers excellent performance, battery life, and a variety of ports. 

Specs  

• Processor: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max
• GPU: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max
• RAM: Up to 64GB
• Storage: Up to 8TB
• Screen size: 16 inches
• Screen resolution: 3456 x 2234
• Excellent performance
• Long-lasting battery life
• Amazing display
• Display notch

Apple’s 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models come equipped with the latest Apple M1 silicon, which integrates the system memory with other components, including the CPU, GPU, and neural engine. This results in an efficient, seamless experience between Apple’s hardware and software, and provides users with desktop-like performance and fantastic battery life. 

Apple’s newest MacBook Pro models also bring back the ports that creators actually use, like the SD card reader and HDMI port. The high-resolution screen features Mini-Led backlighting, can achieve a peak brightness of 1600 nits, and supports the P3 color gamut, so you can get your images looking exactly right in post-production. We recommend the 16-inch model with M1 Pro for editing photos because it offers the best balance of performance, features, and price; the M1 Max is a nice bump in power, but better suited for people who do a lot of video editing.

Why it made the cut: The MacBook Air with M1 chip is the perfect blend of performance and portability.

• Processor: Apple M1
• GPU: Apple M1
• RAM: Up to 16GB
• Storage: Up to 2TB
• Screen size: 13.3 inches
• Screen resolution: 1680 x 11050
• Portable design
• Fantastic battery life
• Lacks SD card reader and HDMI port

The MacBook Air may not have “pro” in its name, but it still offers plenty of power thanks to Apple’s M1 chip (you can check out our Air vs. Pro comparison for more head-to-head details). Even the base model is good enough for light photo editing, and its thinner design makes it easy to haul around. The battery also lasts long enough that you won’t need to worry about a charger when you’re on location.

While there’s a lot to like about the MacBook Air, there are a few downsides. It doesn’t include an SD card reader or HDMI port—features that are only found in the Pro model. Luckily, there are plenty of USB-C hubs and adapters available, so connecting your accessories shouldn’t be a huge problem. If you need a little more oomph, the 13-inch MacBook Pro offers basically the same hardware with the addition of a fan-based cooling system, which helps boost performance during long editing sessions. It doesn’t add much bulk or cost. 

Why it made the cut: The Dell XPS 15 offers great all-around performance that continues to be one of the best Windows laptops money can buy.

• Processor: Intel Core
• GPU: Nvidia RTX
• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Screen resolution: 3456 x 2160
• Great performance
• Gorgeous OLED display
• Ample upgrade options
• No HDMI port

The Dell XPS 15 sports a gorgeous 15-inch 3.5K OLED display with a resolution of 3456 x 2160 and a 16:10 aspect ratio (check out our TV screen tech primer for more on why OLED impresses). The taller screen gives users a bit more space to get work done, and the minimal bezel eliminates distractions. The cherry on top: The XPS 15’s display is 100% AdobeRGB, so colors look rich, saturated, and accurate.

There are a few different versions to configure with 12- or 14-core Intel processors, and you can upgrade the RAM all the way up to 64GB, which is more than enough for editing a large batch of images. The laptop also includes an SD card reader and three Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports. This has been one of the top models for several generational refreshes now. Dell has figured out what works and stuck with it, which we’re glad about.

Why it made the cut: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is the ultimate workhorse for adventurers.

• RAM: Up to 64 GB
• Storage: Up to 2 TB
• Screen resolution: 3840 x 2400
• Extreme durability
• Beautiful 4K display
• Thicker design

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Extreme is the perfect laptop for adventurers. Featuring an Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of RAM, and a 4K display, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme is powerful—and built to last. It was tested against 12 military-grade requirements, including withstanding extreme temperatures, mechanical shock, and altitude. This means it should be able to handle the elements, whether you’re taking pictures at your local park or on assignment for National Geographic. 

Why it made the cut: The HP Spectre x360 15 takes hybrid work to a whole new level.

• GPU: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: Up to 16 GB
• Storage: Up to 1 TB
• Screen resolution: 3840 x 2140
• 2-in-1 design
• Stylus support
• Limited to 16GB of RAM

Featuring an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 15.6-inch 4K display, the HP Spectre x360 would be great even if it was a typical clamshell laptop. But HP went the extra step by turning the Spectre X360 into a laptop/tablet hybrid that comes with a stylus. The stylus features 1024 levels of pressure and supports the Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), so you can use it with other Windows devices that also support MPP. The 2-in-1 design makes it easy to get precise with your edits when tweaking colors and boosting shadows; there’s something about editing photos with touch that makes it feel more immediate. 

Q: Should I buy a Mac or Windows laptop?

If you’re already tied to a particular platform, you should stick with the one you already use. Neither Mac or Windows is necessarily better for editing photos and both have access to the most popular apps and services. For example, Lightroom, one of the most widely used services for editing photos, is available on Mac and Windows. In the rare situation when there is an app exclusively on one platform, you can likely find an alternative for the other platform that’s just as good. Personally, I would recommend an Apple laptop. Not only has the company worked to optimize the hardware and software of its newest machines, but if there’s an Apple Store nearby, you can make an appointment to get it fixed—something that’s harder to do if you own a Windows laptop.

Q: Is 32GB of RAM overkill for photo editing?

Popular photo editing software continually adds features, which can increase the power it requires to run smoothly. As a result, faster processors and more RAM are necessary to run big programs. Lightroom requires a minimum of 8GB of RAM to run but recommends 16GB of RAM for the best performance. These requirements will likely increase at some point, and while you may not need 32GB of RAM right now to edit photos, you may need it in the future. If you plan to edit a large volume of RAW files, having more RAM will make a big difference to how quickly you can process, edit, and export photos. For people who make a living shooting weddings, upgrading to more RAM will make a big difference.  

Q: What processor is best for photo editing?

There’s no “best” processor when editing photos, but the most popular photo editing programs do have minimum and recommended requirements. At the very least, you need a processor that includes 64-bit support and a clock speed of 2GHz. Like we mentioned earlier, you should look out for a laptop with six or eight processor cores. These will ensure you get the performance you need without generating too much heat and eating up too much battery. Intel, AMD, and Apple make powerful CPUs that can deliver the performance needed to edit photos.

A final word about the best laptops for photo editing

The best laptops for photo editing should offer a blend of performance, screen resolution, and battery life. The choices on our list offer plenty of power and color-accurate screens—features that will help photographers get the most out of their images. At the end of the day, no specific laptop will make you a better editor or photographer—that comes with practice. But the one you choose will keep up with your workflow and the demands of modern software. 

Like science, tech, and DIY projects?

Sign up to receive Popular Science's emails and get the highlights.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Additional menu

Vlogger Gear

Best Vlogging Gear and YouTube Equipment 2024

Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing in 2022: The Complete Roundup

last updated on April 13, 2021

Just like running games, video editing is also a heavy task. It requires a high-performing laptop to seamlessly carry out video editing, especially with the high video quality standards consumers and clients expect nowadays.

While you make your mind up to go for a laptop that can serve high-end performance, it isn’t easy to keep hold of the budget. To be honest, not everyone is capable of investing thousands of dollars right away.

If you’re considering getting into the video editing industry – no matter if it is as a content creator or as a video editor for businesses – it’s better to invest in a laptop that can get the work done without breaking the bank.

But where do you begin?

Let’s start by defining a good budget laptop for editing.

• Best Video Editing Software for YouTubers
• Best Laptops for YouTubers
• Best Laptops for Streaming
• Best Laptops for Video Conferencing
• Best Ring Lights for Laptops

What Is The Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing?

Making compromises of some sort with performance seems obvious considering the budget factor. Still, it might come as a surprise to many that affordable devices out there can aid in efficient video editing.

If you seek my recommendation, there’s no better choice than the 2020 Apple MacBook Air with M1 Chip .

Ever since it got released, it has blown everyone’s mind in terms of performance, thermos, and all-around user experience.

Of course, it is on the high-end of the spectrum, but this laptop will last you all the way to professional work if you have the money.

Having said that, I have compiled this list of the 10 best budget laptops for video editing you can find in the market and devised it according to varied price ranges to make it easier for you to pick the one that best fits your budget and needs:

Best Video Editing Laptops Under $500

• Lenovo IdeaPad 3
• Asus Vivo Book

Best Video Editing Laptops Under $700

• Asus Vivo Book 15
• 2020 HP 17.3” HD+ Premium
• Acer Swift 3

Best Video Editing Laptops Under $1000

• Acer Nitro 5
• Asus TUF Gaming
• Lenovo Legion 5
• M1 Macbook Air

Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing (Under $500)

1. lenovo ideapad 3 : best video editing laptop under 500.

Engineered to perform everyday tasks seamlessly, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is the cheapest laptop you can have for video editing.

The 15.6 Inch Full HD display with excellent color saturation makes sure you never miss any detail. 10Th Gen Intel i3 processor powered with 8 Gigabytes of RAM makes sure its users never compromise with mild performances.

Although it might not be a great option to carry out heavy editing (like 4k editing), considering how it carries mid-level editing, IdeaPad 3 can be an excellent choice for beginners.

Lenovo Idea Pad 3 Specs:

Best perks for video editing:.

• Full HD Display
• Capable Processor
• Availability of required ports.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 costs around $449.00.

2. Asus Vivo Book : Best IdeaPad 3 Alternatives

The second laptop in our “under $500” list is the 17.3 Inch Vivo Book from Asus. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 3 chipset, this laptop serves performance with ease. Moreover, the latest 4-way Nano Edge full HD display helps to take your visual experience to a whole new level.

8 Gigabytes of RAM, 256GB fast SSD Storage, and built-in AMD Radeon Graphics build up to a good laptop for video editing under a tight budget.

Asus Vivo Book Specs:

Best perks video editing:.

• Processor with accelerated power and efficiency
• High Performing Display
• Availability of multiple ports.

The Asus Vivo Book 17.3” costs around $491.99

Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing (Under $700)

3. asus vivo book 15.

The 15.6 inches full HD display with an 88% screen-to-body ratio of the Asus Vivo Book 15 makes up for impressive visuals.

In addition, its AMD Ryzen 7 processor powered with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM makes the device well capable of carrying out heavy tasks.

Asus Vivo Book 15 Specs:

• Powerful Processor with 2M cache and up to 4 GHz
• Built-in AMD Radeon VEGA 10 Graphics
• Availability of required ports

The Asus Vivo Book 15 costs around $649.99.

4. 2020 HP 17.3” HD+ Premium

The 2020 edition HP HD+ makes it to our list of laptops for video editing with an impressive 12 GB of DDR4 RAM assisting the Ryzen 5 chipset towards high performance.

The 17.3-inch laptop comes with a 512GB super-fast SSD and AMD Radeon R5 GPU, which is a perfect choice for handling any video editing project you need to complete.

However, you might end up facing some issues while processing edits at the extreme high-end levels.

HP HD+ Laptop specs:

Best perks for live streaming:.

• Powerful Processor with a memory speed of up to 2400 MHz
• Capable GPU

The 2020 HP 17.3” costs around $657.00.

5. Acer Swift 3 : Best Laptop Under $700

Powered by the latest Ryzen 7 processor and 8 Gigabytes of RAM, the Acer Swift 3 is relatively swift and smooth in performing heavy tasks.

In addition, this laptop comes with a performance unit AMD Radeon GPU for carrying out visual renderings.

Acer Swift 3 specs:

• Powerful Processor with capable GPU
• 4.1 GHz memory speed

Acer Swift 3 costs around $679.99. 

Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing (Under $1000)

As we move towards more powerful laptops for video editing, the first one I have for you is the Nitro 5 from Acer.

6. Acer Nitro 5

Known for processing heavy tasks, the Acer Nitro 5 is an excellent choice for editing videos. It comes with the powerful 10th Gen intel i5 chipset assisted by 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU to take the performance factor to the next level.

Acer Nitro 5 specs:

• 1080p Display with 144 Hz Refresh Rate
• 10 th Gen Powerful Processor
• High performing GPU
• Excellent battery Life

The Acer Nitro 5 costs around $729.99

You also have the option to go for other upgraded variants that comes with 9th Gen intel i7, but for that, you have to break that $1000 threshold.

7. Asus TUF Gaming Laptop

The third best budget laptop to have for dealing in all the video editing processes, we have the 9th Gen Intel i7 powered Asus’s TUF Gaming variant. Designed to perform, the TUF gaming processes heavy tasks with somewhat ease. Whether it be for beginners or professionals, this laptop can efficiently render high-end videos and edit them accordingly.

Asus TUF Gaming Specs:

• Powerful Processor high performing GPU
• Memory speed of up to 2666 MHz

The Asus TUF costs around $879.00

8. Lenovo Legion 5

The second-best video editing laptop under $1000 is the flimsy, light, and powerful Lenovo Legion 5.

it comes with unmatched adaptability and performance factor, offering plenty of execution alternatives for any video editor to meet its purpose.

Highlighting AMD Ryzen 7 processors with 8 super responsive centers, NVIDIA GTX 1660Ti GPU, and 16 GB DDR4 RAM, this device is flexible for carrying out the video editing task with ease.

Lenovo Legion 5 specs:

• Full HD Display with 144 Hz refresh rate
• SSD Storage
• Powerful Processor Powered by 16GB RAM
• Powerful GPU

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop costs around $941.28.

1. Apple MacBook Air with M1 Chip : Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing

We are all well aware of Apple’s performance with its laptop, and the case is no exception when talking about video editing.

This powerful device lets you solve video editing ventures with the blasting fast 8-center CPU. To add to that, the 16 Core neural engine makes sure the overall AI processing is up to 9 times faster.

Besides its performance, its fanless design will make long hours of video editing feel more comfortable and peaceful.

Unlike most laptops on this list, the M1 doesn’t have that many compromises when it comes to power and usability. However, you’ll have other types of compromises like:

• You’ll have to use Final Cut Pro to use the whole potential of the laptop. It still can use Premiere Pro but we’re still waiting for a native M1 version of the software.
• Port options are not that great. This is easily fixable with an adapter but it can be annoying for those that use a lot of external drives, screens, etc.

That said, these two areas aren’t as big of a deal as it seems. There are workarounds for both issues and – unless you have a super rigid workflow – it won’t matter in the long run.

M1 Macbook Air specs:

• High performing display
• Latest M1 chip for high performance
• Excellent battery life
• Availability of thunderbolt 3 and other required ports.

The Apple MacBook Air costs around $949.00

Note: Other available variants come with 512 GB of SSD storage, but you will need to break your budget for that as it costs around $1170.

Tips for choosing the best budget laptop for video editing

Before you leave, I want to share with you some factors I always consider when purchasing a new laptop for my workflow.

• Make sure you go for a device that comes with at least 8GB of RAM.
• Go for laptops with SSDs for faster processing. To aid the storage purpose having an external drive is recommended.
• Most of the time, companies charge way too much for extra storage. Go for lower storage capacity as you can always use an external SSD for cheaper without compromising read/write speed.
• While choosing the laptop, make sure you have a clear view of what level of editing you want your device to process.
• Make sure the laptop comes with a GPU to back up the processing of your chipset.

I hope you found what you were looking for on this list. If you already have some of these, please share your experience in the comments. I’ll update the article and you’ll definitely help some editor in need.

Happy editing!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to optimize a budget laptop for video editing.

To optimize your budget laptop for video editing, you’ll need to keep the OS updated, make sure all the utility drivers are up to date, and avoid third-party or malware applications.

Are laptops good enough for video editing?

The answer is a straightforward yes. Ensuring you have access to the laptop with appropriate specifications will let you edit videos on your laptop efficiently. We recommend the M1 Macbook Air or the Acer Swift 3.

Can we use gaming laptops for video editing?

Yes, gaming laptops are built to deliver high-end performance. This makes gaming laptops well capable of dealing with heavy-duty video editing.

Is Core i5 good for video editing?

If you are looking for a budget laptop for video editing, Core i5 can be an efficient choice. However, if you can afford i7 processors, then that’s a better choice for future-proof your machine.

Is 8GB RAM enough for video editing?

For budget laptops, the ones with 8GB RAM are enough for editing videos. However, if you are capable of breaking your budget, having at least 16 GB is recommended to increase the longevity of your device, and multitask more efficiently.

Does video editing require GPU or CPU?

CPU and GPU enhance the processing power of any device, thus having a good CPU or GPU is vital for having a smooth experience while editing videos.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Lifestyle, Guide

How to Choose the Perfect Laptop for Business Travel

Dec. 10 2022

Author: ASUS    Reading time: 10 minutes

As business travel picks up in the post-pandemic world, you might be looking for a new laptop. If you’re not sure how to choose, we have some tips on what to consider as you decide on your purchase.

Table of contents

Portability, smooth operation & app compatibility, connectivity, display technology, battery life, keyboard & touchpad, clear communication, other considerations.

The first thing to consider when choosing a laptop for business travel is how easy it is to just pack up and go. Three factors to look at here are chassis size, thinness, and weight. Of course, laptops are portable by nature, but you should aim to the most compact model that will suit your needs.

Laptop sizes are usually determined by their screen size, which is measured diagonally and is described in inches. Most mainstream machines are sized anywhere between 13 to 17 inches, which doesn't include bezels (the frame around your display).

Thanks to design that allows for remarkably thin bezels, some laptops come with a larger screen size than the body of the laptop would suggest. For instance, laptops with ASUS NanoEdge design fit a 14-inch screen into a chassis size normally used for a 13-inch laptop.

Good travel laptops are also thin. Some machines are designed with maximum portability in mind while others compromise on thinness to pack more powerful components and more connectivity options. Travelers who need a laptop for simple tasks such as communication and word processing will likely want to choose a thinner variant.

Finally, you should also pay attention to the weight of the device. Usually, if a laptop is thin, it will also be lightweight.

Our recommendation:

For business travelers who primarily need a laptop to edit spreadsheets or other documents, or who need to be able to connect with colleagues using videoconferencing tools, we recommend choosing a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop with less than 2 cm thickness (preferably closer to 1.5 cm) that weighs as close to 1 kg as possible.

Zenbook S 13 OLED perfectly fits the bill, here. It’s the world’s lightest 13.3-inch 2.8K resolution OLED laptop.

However thin and light your laptop is, you want it to be able to handle any task you throw at it. Whether you’re working on spreadsheets or editing photos for presentations, you want a machine that has enough power to keep workflows moving smoothly.

Your laptop’s operating system is key to smooth performance. Microsoft Windows is still a leading choice, as it offers seamless, expansive software coverage―which is especially important for professionals.

You will then want to look at the specifications of the laptops you’re considering.

Most important is the CPU (aka processor). There are many ways to judge the processor's power, but to simplify the choice, consider these facts. The two types of processors that are most commonly used in laptops are Intel and AMD. Each of these companies applies a tiered naming rule for their products―e.g., Intel® Core™ i3, i5, i7, and i9; AMD Ryzen™ 3, 5, 7, and 9). Models with the same number level―e.g. Intel® Core™ i3 and Ryzen™ 3―perform similarly. As a rule of thumb, the higher the number, the stronger the CPU.

The second thing to look at is RAM. This refers to the amount of memory your computer can access quickly, which translates into how many processes you can run in parallel, or how many apps you can have open at once without your computer slowing down. That will determine how well you are able to multitask. Measured in GB, once again, the higher number, the better.

To ensure that your laptop can perform all the functions you need, we recommend choosing a laptop with at least an Intel® Core™ i5 or AMD Ryzen™ 5 CPU. We also recommend at least 8 GB of RAM.

For this level of performance, Zenbook 14X OLED is ideal. It’s a thin, portable laptop that handle any everyday work task―and then some.

Your laptop’s storage translates into how many files you can keep on your laptop. This spec is especially important for travelers, because when you are on the go, very often you will use your laptop without an internet connection.

There are two types of storage: HDD and SSD. The latter is faster and much more suitable for travelers, as it is more immune to damage from vibration, unlike an HDD. SSD memory also helps boot your laptop faster.

Aim for an SSD drive with no less than 512 GB of storage space. If you deal with a lot of large files, we strongly recommend going with 1 TB of storage. You may want see if the laptop you’re considering has an expansion slot―because it makes it easy to add storage space in the future.

Thin laptops often compromise on connectivity. Certain useful ports such as HDMI® or USB-A might not be available in the thinnest laptops. This is okay for some, but others will eventually end up buying a hub or a dongle for the connectivity they need. And that's not only an additional cost but also another item to carry around.

USB-C and Thunderbolt™ 4 are quickly becoming the new standard for laptop ports. You may want to buy a laptop with one of each to ensure flexible connectivity in the future.

An audio jack port is also a useful connectivity option for travelers. Wireless headphones are popular, but it’s nice to have an option to plug your headset in, if there is the option.

As the bare minimum, we recommend buying a laptop with 2 USB-C ports (at least one with power delivery support to enable notebook power bank charging) and an audio jack. Having at least one USB-A port is also advisable. Finally, an HDMI port is a nice option, as it makes it easy to display media in a larger format.

Traditional vs. Convertible Laptop

If you're a frequent flier or work in cafés often (where table space can be limited), you may benefit from owning a 2-in-1 laptop. These devices are essentially a cross between a laptop and a tablet, and they come in various formats. Some laptops feature a detachable keyboard; some come with a 360° hinge that allows you to flip the screen around to the back; and others come with a foldable OLED screen, allowing you to use them flat like a tablet or folded like a laptop, giving you the versatility of six different usage modes.

For many, a convertible "flip" laptop is the optimal solution. These machines offer great flexibility and perform like regular laptops (vs. laptops with a detachable keyboard, which are usually more similar to tablets in their performance). They usually feature a touchscreen, and some of them are compatible with styluses. You can flip them completely around and lie them flat on the table to start annotating or to make handwritten notes.

Another situation when “flip” laptops are useful is when you have very limited space and cannot comfortably open a regular laptop (e.g. while flying). You can use the device like a tablet or simply flip the screen 300° degrees and stand the device on the table to view the full screen.

Thin and portable convertible laptops are a great go-to device, as they perform like laptops while providing the versatility of a tablet. Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED is a wonderful choice for travelers who need a flexible device.

At a slightly higher price point, one of the most versatile laptops on the market right now is the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED , featuring an eye-catching foldable OLED screen. This laptop can be used in six different ways and is perfect for those who often switch between a desk and working on the go.

Traditional laptops suffer from poor visibility in some situations that you may face when on the move. When you dim your screen while using the laptop in the dark, you can’t see very well; and when showing others your screen, they will struggle to see content clearly unless standing almost directly in front of the screen. These challenges are common in most laptops that still employ LCD technology for their displays. LCD screens use backlighting to illuminate pixels. When dimmed, the amount of backlight reaching the pixels is equally decreased, including the portions of the screen that should remain fairly vivid, resulting in a loss of color richness and contrast and leading to low image quality.

Choosing an OLED laptop carries multiple benefits. The pixels in these displays are individually illuminated, meaning they project imagery with amazing clarity and contrast even in low brightness (for example, when working on a plane when the lights are off). The color depth is also exceptional. You will notice this particularly in black areas of the screen.

OLEDs also carry various other benefits, including the fact they emit much less harmful blue light and are flicker-free, which helps reduce digital eye strain. Viewing angles are also much broader than LCD displays, making in-person collaboration easier.

When choosing a business travel laptop, we recommend choosing one with an OLED screen. You will get better imagery and reduced blue light and eye strain.

Learn all you need to know about OLED screens

When on the go, you may be away from an electrical outlet for extended periods. You will want a laptop that can keep working for long hours on a single charge. That’s why it’s important to check the battery specs when choosing a laptop for business travel.

While the battery size is a good indication of how long you can expect to work between charges, it doesn't tell the whole story. Various hardware and software solutions are employed in laptops to increase their battery life.

For instance, the MyASUS app can help optimize battery life, ensuring the longest-possible usage without charging.

User habits also play a role in battery life. If you’re a content creator and often use your laptop for editing or designing, you may want to invest in a dedicated creator laptop that is optimized to run well with creative software.

Aim for no less than eight hours of battery life. If you cannot see battery life in the spec table, look for laptops with batteries that indicate a minimum of 60 watt-hours.

Often overlooked, the keyboard and touchpad on your laptop can determine whether your experience is comfortable—or not. When selecting a laptop, make sure to try the keyboard and see if it suits your preferences.

If you don’t have a chance to try it (e.g., when purchasing online), here are some pointers for what to look for.

First of all, even in a small laptop (13- or 14-inch), you will want a regular-sized keyboard. Some laptop keyboards have what’s called an edge-to-edge design to enlarge the keyboard layout.

You will also want to consider key travel for good tactile feedback. Dished keycaps are another feature to consider, as they help ensure accurate, comfortable typing.

If you use spreadsheets a lot, you will also appreciate a number pad. Some laptops embed a number pad in the touchpad.

If you can try various laptops, select one with a keyboard and trackpad that feel the most comfortable and accurate.

If you don’t have a chance to try before buying, select one with an edge-to-edge, full-sized (19.05 mm key pitch) keyboard with dished caps and long (at least 1.4 mm) key travel.

Many ASUS laptops feature either an ASUS NumberPad 2.0 or an ASUS ScreenPad. Those technologies augment what the touchpad can be, adding additional functionalities in a tap.

See how NumberPad 2.0 works in the video below. Note, if the touchpad is also a screen―ASUS ScreenPad™―you’ll be able to extend your work space, which is a real bonus!

For business travelers of all kinds, videoconferencing is a vital tool. But video calls on the move can suffer from weak connections or from background noise, making it difficult to communicate with colleagues.

To determine how well your laptop is prepared to handle online calls, look at a couple of things.

First, the built-in camera is something to consider. Cameras come in various resolutions and placements. If you often have online calls, a 720p HD camera is the minimum, and a 1080p is preferred.

You will also want to make sure the laptop you’re considering has a built-in microphone. If your laptop features AI noise-cancellation technology, it will likely provide much better audio. Noise-cancellation software analyzes audio input and filters out unwanted background noise, delivering a much better signal to those at the other end of an online call.

ASUS Zenbooks are built with the needs of business travelers in mind. They all feature high-resolution cameras on the top of the screen, high-quality microphones, and all come equipped with AI noise cancellation software that helps deliver clear sound. Whichever Zenbook you choose, you can rest assured online communications will be smooth.

The best business travel laptops allow a good enough experience without any external accessories such as a Bluetooth mouse or headphones, or laptop power banks.

The material used to make a laptop another key consideration. Some laptops are more durable than others, allowing you to carry them without a sleeve or protector.

Get a laptop with high-quality speakers (e.g. Harman Kardon-certified ones in Zenbook S 13 OLED ), a large touchpad, and a strong battery.

If you do have a strong preference for using accessories, aim for those that will work without a hub or a dongle—look for plenty of I/O ports.

Check if the laptop is certified for durability. For instance, many ASUS laptops have been awarded a US Military Grade standard badge for how tough they are.

Related products

Zenbook 14X OLED (UX5401, 12th Gen Intel)

Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED (UP5302, 12th Gen Intel)

Zenbook S 13 OLED (UM5302)

Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (UX9702)

Related articles

Aug. 30 2022

Aug. 10 2022

Shop and Learn

• For Creators
• For Students
• Accessories
• Technology / Innovations
• Mobile / Handhelds
• Wearable & Healthcare
• Gaming Handleds
• Displays / Desktops
• All-in-One PCs
• Gaming Tower PCs
• Workstations
• Motherboards / Components
• Motherboards
• Graphics Cards
• Gaming Case
• Power Supply Units
• Sound Cards
• Optical Drives
• Data Storage
• External Graphics Docks
• Single Board Computer
• Networking / IoT / Servers
• WiFi Routers
• Whole Home Mesh WiFi System
• Business WiFi Solutions
• Range Extenders
• Modem Routers
• Wired Networking
• AIoT & Industrial Solution
• Mice and Mouse Pads
• Headsets and Audio
• Streaming Kit
• Apparels, Bags and Gears
• Adapters and Chargers
• Docks, Dongles and Cable

• Luminar Neo
• Luminar for iPad
• Portrait Background
• Structure AI
• Supercontrast
• Composition AI
• Studio Light
• Water Enhancer AI
• Twilight Enhancer AI
• See All 30+ Features
• Extensions Pack
• Supersharp AI
• Focus Stacking
• Background Removal AI
• Noiseless AI
• Magic Light AI
• Panorama Stitching
• Landscape Photography
• Wildlife Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Family Photography
• Wedding Photography
• Newborn Photography
• Photoediting for beginners
• AI Photo Editor
• Real Estate
• E-commerce Photography
• Food Photography
• About Skylum
• Technology Licensing
• Photo Tours
• Ambassadors
• Affiliate Program

New tools. New look. New possibilities.

Special offer: Up to 83% off

January 12, 2024

Best Laptops for Photo Editing on a Budget: TOP 17 Models Review

Vladislav Patana

Amateur Photographer, Web-designer at Skylum

Were you looking for a laptop for post-processing tasks? Please take a look at the list of the best cheap editing laptops in 2024 that we have put together for you.

In one of the previous articles, I already wrote about how I was looking for the best photo editing laptop . Still, I came to the conclusion that Mac or Alienware (Sheldon's laptop) is the best for editing images. Unfortunately, these are costly devices that not everyone can afford. And since I have studied the modern technology market quite well lately, I would like to tell you more about cheaper models that can also be great assistants to a professional photographer.

How Was I Looking For the Best Laptops at This Price Point?

Nowadays, you can buy an inexpensive device with enough power for photo and video editing, homework, or even simple games. However, if you're considering a budget photo editing laptop, don't expect some of the latest high-end octa-core processors or high-storage space SSDs. I recommend taking a closer look at these models: you will be surprised at what a laptop in this price category can offer.

In this top of the best budget laptops for Photoshop and other photo editors, I will focus primarily on the characteristics of the laptop screens as they affect the processing of the photo. First, consider screen size. Screen sizes range from 11.6 inches to 17 inches. There are tiny screen-portable laptops, but these are inconvenient for extended use. I assume you will be doing most of the work at home, so over a 14-inch laptop might suit you.

You also need to pay attention to the quality of the screen. Two LCD technologies are mainly used for laptop screens: TN and IPS. TN is a cheaper technology with limited contrast and small angles, so you must constantly tilt the screen up or down to get the right angle. IPS screen technology is more advanced, so choose a screen with this technology if you need it for photo editing. And, of course, you can not ignore such a parameter as screen resolution. If your computer has a screen diagonal of 15.6 inches, its resolution should be Full HD (1920x1080), as anything less than that won't allow you to work with photos properly.

As for the central processor, the “engine” of the device, you should pay attention to models with quad-core processors. This is already a powerful enough laptop to edit photos and work. And, of course, the higher the clock frequency, the better.

Exclusive Tools of Endless Possibilities in One AI Editor

Top 17 Best Budget Laptops For Photo Editing

1. lenovo thinkbook 15 gen2.

Verdict:  The best ultra-budget laptop for photography in terms of price/quality ratio.

The ThinkBook 15 Gen 2 is thin and light at 18.9mm thick and weighs only 1.7kg. Outwardly, it looks aesthetically pleasing and attractive, making it the perfect laptop you can use at home or work. Now manufacturers are actively trying to reduce the number of ports. Despite this, the ThinkBook 15 offers an extensive choice of connections. You'll find modern Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, 2 USB-A ports, as well as headphone/mic, LAN, and HDMI ports, and even a full-sized SD card reader. Battery life is up to 8 hours for the larger 60 Wh battery or up to 6 hours if you use the smaller 45 Wh battery.

The screen specs are impressive as this laptop comes with a Full HD 1920x1080 display. Be sure to choose a model with an IPS screen to get high-quality viewing angles, as well as perfect color reproduction and contrast. An entry-level LCD version based on TN technology is also available, but this model is best avoided as color and contrast accuracy will be sub-par.

• Powerful processor;
• Great screen;
• Limited RAM.

2. Acer Nitro 5

Verdict:  One of the best affordable laptops for photo editing software (under $1,000).

The Acer Nitro 5 line of gaming laptops delivers maximum performance for photo editing tasks at minimum cost. The focus is unashamedly on gaming, so the look of the laptops is slightly chunky and practical, and you get specific specs like a backlit keyboard. But look at the rest of its specs, and you'll see that the Nitro 5 has much to offer non-gamers. There are several variants of the Nitro 5, but they all feature a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS screen, so you don't have to worry about the quality of the laptop screen when choosing this line. I didn't pick the most expensive model in the lineup. Still, even it offers a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 2500U quad-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive for plenty of file storage (other configurations with a smaller but faster SSD are also available.) The laptop is also equipped with a powerful graphics card, and even if you have not been a gamer before, this laptop can give you a new hobby!

• Fast processor;
• Potent graphic card.
• Specific design that not everyone will like.

3. MSI GF63 Thin 10UD-416RU

Verdict:  Best affordable laptop for photo editing and design.

This laptop from MSI is the best choice for professional designers and photographers. It has excellent performance characteristics that allow you to freely use Photoshop and other similar programs .

The GF63 Thin 10UD-416RU has a 6-core processor that processes data quickly, 8 GB of RAM, a discrete graphics card, and a Full HD IPS display. The LI-Pol battery deserves special attention, which is responsible for the autonomy of the equipment. Its resource is enough for 7-8 hours of work, during which you can manage to process dozens of pictures.

• Good feature set;
• Full HD IPS screen;
• Long battery life.
• Not detected.

4. MSI Stealth 15M A11UEK-275RU

Verdict: The best laptop for advanced photo editing.

This laptop from MSI is popular with photographers who often deal with complex shots. It has a modern design, is equipped with a powerful processor, and is characterized by high performance. Also, this model economically consumes battery power and works for a long time without recharging.

Stealth 15M A11UEK-275RU has a durable metal case. Thanks to this, you can always carry it with you without fear for the integrity of the internal parts. It is also worth noting the compactness of the laptop and the presence of many useful additions.

The laptop has 512 GB of internal memory and supports the installation of microSD cards.

• High performance;
• A long period of work without recharging;
• Metal case;
• Many useful extras.
• High price for this segment.

5. Dell Inspiron 14 5000

Verdict:  Best budget photo editing laptop and tablet in one.

Want a laptop and tablet in one? Then check out the Inspiron 14 5000, which offers outstanding versatility and functionality at a very reasonable price. The 14-inch Full HD screen can be rotated around its axis, allowing it to be used as a tablet. This touchscreen laptop can be used as a basic pen-enabled graphics tablet, which is very rare in the budget sector. Dell also did not forget about the quality of the display, as the panel is made using IPS technology. Hidden under the chassis is the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor with a full base speed of 1.6GHz and boost up to 4.2GHz. Pair that with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD and you've got very high all-around performance. The only downside is that this is a 14-inch laptop, which is noticeably smaller than a standard 15.6-inch and can be a little awkward to work in Photoshop photo editor. But this trade-off might be worth it if you're prioritizing portable laptops for photo editing on the go.

• All-around tasks screen.
• The 14-inch screen size makes the laptop not the best budget laptop for Photoshop.

6. HP Pavilion 15

Verdict:  One of the best cheap laptops for photo editing.

The HP Pavilion lineup is budget-friendly yet well-designed models that are great for various tasks, including professional photo editing. You can use a variety of CPU and RAM configurations, but we recommend AMD Ryzen 5-based midrange versions as they offer the best balance of power at a reasonable price. 8GB of RAM is the minimum available for the current Pavilion 15 range, and it's enough for photo editing. If you need to edit huge images, look for 16 GB of RAM versions. Despite belonging to the budget segment, the line offers a good list of connectivity options: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and even an integrated SD card reader. Also impressive is the 15.6-inch Full HD 1920x1080 screen with IPS technology, so your photos will be displayed at their best.

• Excellent battery life.
• Ryzen 7-based models are expensive.

7. ASUS VivoBook S15

Verdict:  The best cheap laptop for photo editing (portable).

Asus' VivoBook range is vast and quite confusing, but if you look closely at the specs, you can get a 15.6-inch model with a high-quality Full HD IPS screen with wide viewing angles and excellent contrast. Several processor options are available, but we recommend the Intel Core i5 processor as it strikes an outstanding balance between performance and price, allowing you to run editing applications without freezing. Most S15 models have 8GB of RAM and a small but fast 256GB SSD. At just 1.8kg, the VivoBook is a reasonably portable budget laptop, proving that low cost doesn't necessarily make the laptop bulky and gaudy.

• Decent screen specs.
• Not all S15 models have an IPS screen

8. DELL G5 15 5500

Verdict:  The best cheapest laptop for photo editing for professionals.

This laptop is one of the best in terms of value for money. It is popular with professional photographers and becomes their indispensable assistant. This model has excellent performance characteristics that allow you to install and open any photo editor .

A built-in battery powers G5 15 5500 for several hours of active equipment operation. Among other advantages of the device, the keyboard backlight, the ability to read flashcards, and support for various wireless standards are worth highlighting.

• Quality assembly;
• Acceptable cost;
• Capacious battery;
• Strong heat during operation.

9. Huawei MateBook X Pro

Verdict:  Perhaps the best inexpensive laptop.

Huawei is well-known as a phone manufacturer. But it also makes relatively affordable laptops that directly compete with similar laptops from Apple and Dell, usually at lower prices. But despite the low price, you get great design and performance. The MateBook X Pro is no exception. Our recommended configuration has an Intel Core i7-10510U processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a dedicated NVidia graphics card. Considering the price, this specification is quite impressive.

The 13.9-inch IPS touchscreen display has an unusual width-to-height ratio of 3:2 (most laptop displays have a screen ratio of 16:9). This unique attitude provides more vertical screen real estate to edit photos than other laptops with 14-inch displays. Like many portable laptops, the MateBook X Pro lacks an SD card reader and doesn't have many ports. There are 1 Thunderbolt port, 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, and a 3.5mm headphone port.

• Long working time;
• Touchscreen laptop;
• Unique screen ratio 3:2.
• Has no SD card reader.

10. ASUS Laptop 15 X515JP-BQ029T

Verdict:  The great assistant to make your photos impress.

This laptop from ASUS is one of the best laptops in the budget segment. It is perfect for home photo editing, as it has the appropriate characteristics and is easy to use.

Advanced yet easy-to-use photo editor

The laptop is great. It has a standard Full HD resolution IPS display. This provides excellent color rendition and allows the photographer to distinguish each shade and process high-quality images. An additional advantage will be the presence of an extensive battery, which makes it possible to work for a long time in places without electricity.

A 4-core Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor powers this model.

• Ease of use;

11. Dell Vostro 15 3500

Verdict:  One of the best cheap laptops for editing and for travel photographers .

This budget laptop is perfect for photographers and designers who lead an active lifestyle. It has a small size and weight, so it fits easily in a backpack or bag and makes it possible to avoid discomfort during long-term transporting.

According to the characteristics of the Vostro 15 3500, it is not much different from other models in the budget price segment. It has 256 GB of hard disk space, 3680 mAh battery capacity, and 15.6 inches screen size. All this makes it possible to comfortably work in Photoshop and use the device in places without access to electricity.

• Acceptable price;
• Compactness;
• Lightweight;
• Optimal characteristics for working in photo editors.

12. Lenovo IdeaPad 110-15ACL

Verdict:  Good laptop for Photoshop.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 110-15ACL comes with 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz RAM, AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 (2.2 GHz) quad-core processor, and a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. The discrete graphics adapter AMD Radeon R5 M430 has 2 GB of video memory. All this is enough for comfortable work with Photoshop.

• Good Quad-Core A8-7410 processor (2.2 GHz).
• Not Full HD.

13. HP 255 G5/15-ay091ur

Verdict:  The cheapest Hewlett-Packard laptops for photographers.

The HP 255 G5 processor is weaker than the Lenovo IdeaPad 110-15ACL. Instead of 2.2 GHz, here we have a quad-core AMD Quad-Core A6-7310 with a frequency of 2.0 GHz. RAM is the same 8 GB DDR3 with a frequency of 1600 MHz. But this model has a high-speed solid-state hard drive (SSD) with a capacity of 128 GB on board. The screen diagonal is 15.6 inches, but the resolution is already Full HD (1920x1080 pixels), so you can use your new laptop for better photo processing.

The HP 15-ay091ur is similar to the HP 255 G5. The differences are that instead of a solid-state hard drive, a regular 1 TB HDD is installed. Also, the assembly is not based on AMD but on a dual-core Intel i3-5005U processor with a frequency of 2.0 GHz.

• Full HD screen resolution (1920x1080 pixels);
• Weaker processor than Lenovo IdeaPad 110-15ACL.

14. Acer Aspire E5-575-32DV

Verdict:  A no-frills laptop for professional photo editing .

The Acer Aspire E5 is another 15.6-inch Full HD model. The laptop is based on a dual-core Intel Core i3-6100U (2.3 GHz) processor. On board, it has 8 GB of DDR4 RAM. A nice bonus is a 128 GB solid-state hard drive. In general, this is a fast workhorse that will do a great job with photo processing.

• 128 GB solid-state hard drive.
• Not the best choice for video editing software.

15. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro16ITH6H

Verdict:  Best cheap 16-inch laptop on the market.

This Chinese laptop has an 8-core CPU from the Core i7 series, 16 GB of RAM, and plenty of free space on the SSD. Thanks to these qualities, the device can simultaneously open several large programs and gives you an opportunity to store plenty of files in the memory of your computer.

The screen of the Legion 5 Pro16ITH6H has a diagonal of 16 inches. This one is equipped with an IPS matrix and anti-reflective coating to protect the user's eyes from harmful glare and minimizes the load on the organs of vision. A bonus is the long battery life.

• A large amount of RAM;
• The ability to work in several programs at the same time;

16. MSI Pulse GL6611UCK-424XRU

Verdict:  The rarest of the best cheap laptops for photo editing.

Professional designers and photographers can safely buy this easy-to-use laptop. It comes with a powerful CPU, a good graphics card, a capacious battery, and a high-quality display, and it also has excellent performance characteristics. This combination makes the device perfect for working in Photoshop and other photographic software.

Pulse GL6611UCK-424XRU has many valuable additions. These include a backlit keyboard, many connectors for connecting additional devices, and support for modern wireless standards.

• Many useful extras;
• Attractive appearance;
• Good feature set.
• Hard to find for sale.

17. ASUS X540LA

Verdict:  Traditional laptop for productive work

ASUS X540LA is based on a dual-core Intel Core i3-5005U CPU. Here we have the same 8 GB of DDR3 RAM with a frequency of 1600 MHz, a 128 GB solid-state hard drive. The display also has a diagonal of 15.6 inches and a Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels).

As you probably already understood, all Windows laptops in this price category have approximately the same parameters with minor variations. In general, for $500-1000, you can get a reliable working machine that will not give you much trouble when working in PS, Lightroom, and other photo editing software .

The Extra Requirement: Luminar Neo Must Go On!

I guess you noticed that I mentioned Photoshop more than once in this article. I did this because it is the most popular photo editing software. However, there is an alternative software, that is more convenient and faster for everyday use. 

Your AI-Powered Photo Editor for MacOS and Windows

I often process photos in Luminar Neo . This artificial intelligence program allows you to process photos faster and more creatively than Photoshop. For me, this software is better in every way: it is easier to use, has all the same features as PS and even more, allows you to make adjustments in a couple of clicks, and also has a fantastic set of tools for creativity. For example, I can make a model's eyes more expressive in a matter of minutes, such as in the famous "Afghan girl" by Steve McCurry. 

Well, it is clear that a "heavy program" with artificial intelligence requires more RAM than other photo editors . That's why it's essential for me to find a laptop that I can use to work Luminar Neo without freezing.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recommend Luminar Neo to you, even if you are already using PS. The fact is that this program can be installed both as a standalone photo editing application and as a plug-in for Photoshop. This can save you a lot of time and give you a whole new photo editing experience.

Some Final Words

If you ask a professional photographer what is the best laptop for photography on a budget, he will tell you that it is best to buy a desktop PC and a good monitor for it. Well, there is some truth in this. However, laptops are cheaper, and if you don't have all the money in the world, this is your choice! In addition, we have already seen that some models can outperform even some desktop PCs , at least in terms of performance. I'm talking about gaming laptops. Yes, these little ones may surprise you! These laptops are the best for photographers, and I would recommend them first because no one makes laptops, especially for you and me, unfortunately. Yes, and sometimes there is a desire to play. For example, I haven't played the latest God of War, have you?

I hope that with this list of the best laptops on a budget, I hit the bulls-eye and you found your laptop among those I talked about. And if not, now you at least know what to look for to choose the best model.

What is the Best Laptop for Photo Editing?

High-end models like the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch and Dell XPS 15 are top choices due to their powerful processors, high-resolution displays, and color accuracy.

What's the Best Laptop for Photo Editing Under $700?

In this budget, consider the Acer Aspire 5 or Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5, both offering good performance and display for their price range. We can say that these are the best laptops for photo editing on a budget.

What is the Best Laptop for Photo Editing And Graphic Design?

Laptops like the Apple MacBook Pro (especially with the M1 or M1 Pro/Max chips) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio stand out for their performance and displays suitable for both photo editing and graphic design.

What Laptop is Best for Photo and Video Editing?

The Dell XPS 17 and Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch are internals, large high-resolution displays, and dedicated graphics capabilities that handle both photo and video editing tasks efficiently.

What is the Best Laptop for Photo Editing Under $1000?

Within this budget, the Asus VivoBook Pro 15 and HP Envy x360 15 are solid choices. They offer good performance, decent displays, and dedicated graphics options suitable for photo editing tasks. They are also considered the best budget laptops for storing photos.

Experience the power of Luminar Neo

Did you enjoy this post.

Share it on your social media

Most Popular

October 03, 2023

Essential Travel Photography Tips: From Planning To Post-Production

January 16, 2024

Best Camera For Streaming For Content Creators

March 06, 2024

Discovering Your Drone Photography Editing Style

A special perk for our blog readers.

Get a 10% discount on Luminar Neo and dive into professional photo editing today!

I agree to my personal data being stored and used to received newsletters and commercial offers from Skylum.

Thank you for subscribing.

Your gift is waiting in your inbox!

Skylum Blog

The latest news and updates. direct from Skylum

Use Aurora HDR for free for 14 days.

Sent successfully!

Please check your inbox. We've sent you a copy via email.

Looks like you're subscribed already

This is sad. Looks like you’ve earlier unsubscribed from Skylum emails.

Thank you for downloading Aurora HDR

Preparing your download...

Did your download not start? Dont worry, just click here to try again.

Oops! Something went wrong. Don't worry, just click here to try again.

Step 1 Find & Open Aurora HDR Installer

Step 2 Follow the instructions to install Aurora HDR

Step 3 Enjoy new photo editing experience

Get started for free

Try out Luminar Neo for free for 7 days. No credit card needed.

Please check your email

Make sure it's a valid email address

Unlock Pro-Quality iPhone Photos with Our Free Guide! 📸

Gain instant access to simple yet powerful tips for enhancing composition, lighting, and editing—everything you need to transform your photos effortlessly!

👇 Fill out the form below to receive your guide directly via email.

Curiosity is the doorway to skill

Thank you for your interest! Discover the secrets to pro-quality photos in your guide, waiting in your inbox.

Try the request again later. If the error does not resolve, contact support.

Best Laptop for Video Editing

Pro Tier Benefits

Plus Tier Benefits

Elite Tier Benefits

Lenovo Pro  Business Store

Sign Up/ Log In >

About Lenovo Pro >

Lenovo Education

About Education Store >

{{SalesNumber}} option #2

{{SmallBusinessNumber}} option #1 (Servers & Storage included)

Whatsapp Number: +6531385500

Chat Now >

Visit Sales Support Page >

Order Support:

Order Lookup >

Visit Order Support Page >

Technical Support >

• Servers & Storage
• Services & Solutions
• About Lenovo
• Explore Sign Up/ Log In About Lenovo Pro for Business
• Shop Business Laptops Business Desktops Business Monitors Servers & Storage Software Essentials
• Explore Sign Up/ Log In About Lenovo Education
• Shop Laptops for University Laptops for Primary & Secondary Education Accessories Sign Up/ Log In to Explore Deals
• Explore NEW! Legion Go Lenovo Legion Customisable Gaming PCs
• Shop Gaming Laptops Gaming Accessories Gaming Deals

Sign in / Create Account Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and My Lenovo rewards, all in one place        

Access your orders, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile

Create a wishlist of your favorite products

Create an account to earn or view your rewards

View & track your orders

Product Registration

Register your product and/or update your warranty dates

• Latest Deals Summer Sale New Arrivals Clearance Sale ThinkPad Deals Yoga Deals Gaming Deals IdeaPad Deals Workstations Desktop Deals Accessory Deals
• Best Sellers ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Legion Pro 5i (16", Gen 9) ThinkPad T14s G4 ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 Yoga Slim 7i (14", Gen 9) Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 IdeaPad Slim 3i (14", Gen 9) ThinkPad P14s Gen 4 (AMD) ThinkCentre M70q Gen 3 Lenovo G24-20 23.8" FHD Gaming Monitor
• For Home Use Yoga Slim 7i (14", Gen 9) Yoga Pro 7i (14.5", Gen 9) Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 Legion 5i (16", Gen 9) Legion Pro 7i (16", Gen 9) IdeaPad Slim 3i (14", Gen 9)
• For Business Use ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (14″ Intel) ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (14″ Intel) Yoga Book 9i (13", Gen 9) Mobile Workstation P14s G4 ThinkCentre M75q Gen 2
• Explore Laptops Business Laptops Gaming Laptops Student Laptops Mobile Workstations Customize Your Laptop
• By Brand ThinkPad ThinkBook LOQ Legion Yoga IdeaPad
• Best Sellers ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 ThinkPad T14s G4 Yoga Slim 7i (14", Gen 9) Yoga Book 9i (13", Gen 9) Legion Pro 5i (16", Gen 9) Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 IdeaPad Slim 3i (14", Gen 9) ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
• Explore Desktops Business Desktops Gaming Desktops Workstations View all Desktops
• By Brand ThinkCentre IdeaCentre Legion
• Best Selling Models ThinkCentre M70s Gen 3 (Intel) ThinkCentre M90q Gen 3 Tiny (Intel) ThinkCentre M75q Gen 2 ThinkStation P360 Tiny Workstation ThinkCentre M70t Gen 3 (Intel) ThinkStation P520 Workstation
• Explore Gaming Gaming Deals Build Your Own Gaming Laptops Gaming Desktops Legion Laptops and Desktops Gaming Monitor Gaming Accessories Legion Go
• Trending Now Legion 5i (16'', Gen 9) Legion 7i (16'', Gen 9) Legion 9i (16'', Gen 9) Legion Pro 5i (16'', Gen 9) Legion Pro 7i (16'', Gen 9) Legion Slim 5 (16", Gen 9) Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9 Legion Pro 5i (16″, Gen 8) Lenovo LOQ 16IRH8
• Explore Workstations Mobile Workstations Desktop Workstations View all Workstations Build Your Own Workstation Lenovo Pro​
• Best Selling ThinkPda P14s Gen 3 (Intel) ThinkPad P16s (16" Intel) ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (Intel) ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (14'' AMD) ThinkPad P15v Gen 3 (Intel) ThinkStation P360 Tiny Workstation
• Explore Tablets Android Tablets Tablets for Business Tablet Accessories Tablet Deals Shop All Tablets
• Find My Tablet Tablets for Kids Tablets for Gaming Business Tablets
• Best Selling Tablets Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 Lenovo Tab M9 (9″ MTK) Lenovo Tab M11 (11″ MTK) Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 Lenovo Tab P12 Tablet
• Products Docks Chargers & Batteries Mice & Keyboards Cables & Adapters Cases & Bags View all Accessories
• Quick Links Accessory Deals Lenovo Go Accessories PC Gaming Accessories Find compatible accessories Google Workspace
• Monitors by Size Monitors Less than 23" 23" - 24" Monitors 27" - 28" Monitors 29" or More
• Monitors by Use Gaming Monitors Home Monitors Office Monitors Monitors for Professional Business Monitors Docking Monitors
• Monitors by Resolution & Shape 4K Monitors QHD Monitors FHD Monitors Curved & Ultrawide Monitors
• Quick Links Monitor Deals Shop All Monitors Monitor Accessories Tiny-in-One Monitors
• Customer Support Sales Update drivers Search solutions Download manuals Support resources Get Technical Help
• Order Support Email Support Order Visibility Portal Online Chat Call Me Back Premier Support PremiumCare
• Technical Support PC Technical Support Premier Support Warranty Lookup Check Repair Status Forums Contact Us
• Industry Trends AI for all Cloud Computing Data Management Edge Computing Infrastructure Service
• Partners/Alliances AMD Solutions Intel Solutions Microsoft Solutions NVIDIA Solutions Red Hat Solutions SAP Solutions VMware Solutions
• Resources Smarter infrastructure stories Lenovo Press Lenovo Xperience Newsroom
• Explore Solutions Backup & Disaster Recovery Big Data & Analytics Business Applications Client Virtualization & Infrastructure Cloud Service Provider
• More Solutions Database DevOps Edge-AI High-Performance Computing Hybrid Cloud Lenovo Value Recovery OEM
• Business Solutions SAP Small and Medium Business Storage Solutions Telco Infrastructure Services Shop All Solutions
• Resources Smarter infrastructure stories Lenovo Partner Hub
• Explore by Processor AMD Servers Intel Servers
• Explore Servers Rack Servers Tower Servers Edge Servers High-Density Servers Mission Critical Servers Options & Accessories
• Explore Storage Unified Storage Storage-Area Network Direct-Attached Storage Tape Storage
• Resources Options & Accessories
• Hyperconverged ThinkAgile HX Series (with Nutanix) ThinkAgile MX and SXM Series (with Microsoft) ThinkAgile VX Series (with VMware) Shop All Software-Defined Infrastructure
• Explore Software Infrastructure Management Cloud Marketplace
• Explore Services & Solutions
• Warranty Lookup
• Support Services Premier Support Plus Premier Support Premium Care Plus Premium Care Legion Ultimate Support Replacement Parts Store Lifecycle Warranty & Protection CO2 Offset Services Lenovo Live Assistant
• Deployment Services Planning & Optimization Asset Management Customization Post Deployment
• Managed Services Device as a Service (Daas) Smart Lock
• Explore Services Solution Services Implementation Services Support Services TruScale Infrastructure Services
• Product Solutions AR/VR Smart Edge Workplace Solutions OEM Solutions Smart Collaboration Digital Workplace Solutions Lenovo Certified Refurbished Explore More >
• Solutions by Topic Big Data Cloud Employee Experience Productivity Remote Working Explore More >
• Solutions by Industry Retail Education Financial Services Public Administration Explore More >
• Our Leaders
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Sustainability
• Lenovo News
• Investor Relations

Hello Summer! HOT DEALS AT 40% OFF! Grab the latest deals on our range of laptops from ThinkPad, Yoga and Legion. Offer on the-new ThinkPad X1 Carbon and more!    Shop Now

The all-new ThinkPad X1 | Save up to 26% on ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 & X1 2-in-1 laptops. Get backpack & mouse at $1 with PC purchase.  Call 800-601-1481 or Whatsapp 31385500!    SHOP NOW

Lenovo Pro Members week (8 - 14 May)| Enjoy 1 week UPGRADE in member offers up to EXTRA 14% OFF! Elite members start 6 May!   

Join Lenovo Edu and enjoy up to $150 Welcome Discount    JOIN FOR FREE

TIME SALE Get extra discounts off selected products from midnight – 8am and on weekends

How can we help you?

Already know what you need?

Finding the best laptop for video editing can sometimes seem like a daunting task even though almost every device, from laptops to cellphones, are able to do basic video editing. Although many devices might do the job for extremely simple video editing with low resolution, if you want to work on anything that is long in length and has a high screen resolution, even if it is lower than 4K, you will need a laptop with the specific capabilities to get the job done without crashing or slowing down.

This means that laptops for video editing need to have a set of basic capabilities and specs if you are serious about video editing and want to work on videos that contain large amounts of information either as a fun hobby or as part of your professional career.

Multimedia laptops in general tend to have higher processing capabilities, more RAM, better quality graphics cards, more storage space, and larger monitors than the average laptop. Finding the right package with this combination is important for effectively getting any video editing work done.

That is why we have listed the best Lenovo laptop options for video editing below:

The All-Around Best Video Editing Laptops

Perhaps you are not entirely sure about the specific demands required for your video editing work and are considering getting a great all-arounder that combines processing power, battery life, and an affordable price.

While some laptops specifically designed for editing large, high resolution video files can require a larger investment, we do offer models with all of the processor requirements for video editing while also balancing that with affordable prices and practical battery life for when you have to work while traveling.

A great all-round option is the ThinkPad P17 Mobile Workstation . This comes with a 17” screen size, and up to a NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 graphics card, up to 4TB of fast M.2 storage, and up to 14 hours of battery life depending on the model you choose. Additionally, you can choose between the Intel® Xeon® with vPro® technology or 10th Gen Intel Core™ i9 processors depending on the models you choose. All of this ensures that you can seamlessly edit large, UHD video files without any issues.

The ThinkPad 17 Mobile Workstation also features an Ultra Performance Mode, which when turned on optimizes the entire system for maximum efficiency, allowing the system to boost its performance when you need that extra bit of power. This is perfect for when you are at home or near a power source in general and switching off this feature means that you can stretch out the charge of the battery when traveling.

Another great all-arounder is the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 laptop. With a NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 graphics card, lightweight design, multiple monitor support, and up to 14+ hours of battery life, this laptop will allow you to get the most video editing work completed without any interruptions, be it amateur or professional work. The processor is up to 10th Gen Intel® Core® vPro™ H series with a for maximum speed processing. It has a 15.6” FHD antiglare screen and Dolby Vision with a measurement of 500 nits, meaning that you will benefit from enhanced screen brightness and real life color details that will enhance the video editing experience.

The Best Laptop For Video Editing When Traveling

If you are constantly on the move and need to make the most of your time while traveling, then you are going to want to prioritize long battery life and compact design over other aspects, although you will still need an effective processor, graphics card, and storage capacity.

The Lenovo Yoga C740 2 in 1 laptop combines an extremely responsive 10th generation Intel Core processor with a 15.6” touchscreen along with up to 15 hours of battery life. That is enough battery life to take you from the LAX to Australia, and you are going to want as much battery life in order to keep on working since power sources are normally busy at most airport terminals.

The Yoga C740 has a 10th Gen Intel Core™ i7 processor with between 1.80GHz to 4.90GHz, an Integrated Intel UHD graphics card, 1TB of hard drive space, and an FHD glossy touchscreen with 500 nits that ensures every detail on the display is highlighted with superior brightness and resolution. Like many other Lenovo models, the Yoga C740 laptop also has a rapid charge feature where it can charge up to 80% in just 1 hour when switched off or in standby mode, perfect for any layovers where you quickly need to plug in for extra charge.

Another great travel option that also has more of an entry-level price than the Yoga C740 is the Lenovo IdeaPad S540. This is the perfect travel laptop with its 18 hours of battery life, 10th generation Intel Core i7- processor and smaller 13.3” QHD screen that makes the entire device smaller and more compact for travel, while delivering crystal clear images with realistic colors.

Because of its slightly smaller processor and storage capacity, the IdeaPad S540 might not be able to handle the same workload as the Yoga C740 , however it might be the better option to choose if a compact laptop design is more important.

The Best Laptops for Video Editing Under budget

While some of the Lenovo laptops already mentioned cost under $1,000, there are more options that you can choose from when keeping a lower budget in mind.

One of these options is the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 with an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor that can reach up to 4.80GHz with its Turbo Boost feature. This laptop features a 14” FHD display with 400 nits for great resolution and brightness, an Integrated Intel UHD graphics card, and an 8GB DDR4 memory with up to 16 hours of battery life.

Another affordable choice perfect for video editing and multimedia work is the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2. This laptop has the latest 11th generation Intel Core i3 processor that can reach up to 4.10GHz with a 14” FHD screen. The hard drive comes with 1TB of space with an Integrated Intel UHD graphics card.

These budget-conscious gems are video editing workhorses.

The Best Video Editing Laptops for High Demands

If finding the lowest price isn’t your main priority and you are looking to invest in a high performance laptop that can handle the most demanding video editing tasks for professional use, then the following three options will serve you the best.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold PC. The world’s 1st foldable laptop with dual screens, it is one of the best on the market equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and a 13.3” 2K OLED touchscreen and resolution of 1536 x 2048 which allows it work well for high resolution editing. Its 8GB of memory and 1TB of hard drive space is perfect for larger video files, making this a worthwhile investment for video editing.

Another great laptop to consider for your editing projects, is the ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 with an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor Its 14” FHD display produces up to 300 nits for improved brightness that enhances the details of the screen with 16GB and 4266MHz of memory along with 512GB of hard drive space.

Its Integrated intel® Iris® Xe graphics card gives it the best capabilities when it comes to high resolution video editing, and with the inbuilt Intel Evo platform, the ThinkPad T14s allows users to find the perfect balance between performance, battery life, responsiveness, and visual details.

One of the other best options for high demand video editing is the ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2 . This 2-in-1 laptop has the latest of the Intel Core i7 with vPro processors and an Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics card. Its 16GB of memory allow it to easily process large quantities of data along with 1TB of hard drive space, and the 13.3” WUXGA touchscreen produces 500 nits for additional brightness that highlights the realistic colors and details of the screen.

The display of the ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2 features a 16:10 display all the way up to the WQXGA resolution, equivalent to 2560×1600 for some of the best visuals.

The ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2 is a 2-in-1 laptop that has built in flexibility that allows it to function as a laptop or tablet where it can be folded over to create its own stand for better access and ergonomics when using the touchscreen.

Whether you are traveling, looking for a video editing laptop within a budget, or looking for the best investment that you can make to ensure that all of your video editing needs are met without any issue, there is something for everyone within our range at Lenovo.com. Although this is not a completely exhaustive guide, we hope that the above information provides the best recommendations for your needs, and since many of the above laptops feature model variations, you will likely find the perfect match.

Shop Related Products

ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Ultraslim business laptops.

Everyday Laptops

Premium 2-in-1 Laptops

Gaming Laptops

Laptop Deals

Desktops Deals

Tablets Deals

Shop lenovo intel ® evo™ certified products.

Yoga 9i (14”)

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9

ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga

ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6

AMD Premium PCs

AMD Gaming PCs

AMD ThinkPad

AMD ThinkBooks

* The prices mentioned are exclusive of all taxes &octroi

**Actual battery life may vary depending on application usage, settings, features or tasks selected, network configuration, operating temperature and many other factors.

Availability: Offers, prices, specifications and availability may change without notice. Lenovo is not responsible for photographic or typographic errors. Other models are available. Find out more in Lenovo Authorized Retailers Shop.

General System Information:  Review key information provided by Microsoft  that may apply to your system purchase, including details on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and potential upgrades/downgrades. Lenovo makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party products or services.

Pricing: Reseller prices may vary. Lenovo does not set reseller prices.

Warranty: Regional Carry-in Warranty is only applicable in ASEAN countries. Lenovo makes no representation or warranty regarding third party products or services.

Trademarks: Lenovo, ThinkPad, ThinkCentre and the Lenovo logo are trademarks of Lenovo. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and the Windows logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Ultrabook, Celeron, Celeron Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, Xeon Phi, Xeon Inside and Intel Optane are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other company, product or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

• ABOUT LENOVO
• Legal information
• Jobs at Lenovo
• Product Security
• Laptops & Ultrabooks
• Virtual Reality and Smart Devices
• Desktops & All-in-Ones
• Workstations
• Accessories & Upgrades
• Newest ThinkPad X1 Family
• Product Recalls
• CUSTOMER HELP
• Contact Lenovo
• Shopping Help
• Order Status
• Where to Buy
• Blogs & Forums
• Lenovo Employee Purchase Program
• ThinkCentre
• Accessories