Best Video Editing Laptops of 2026

The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro represents an iterative refinement of Apple's professional laptop formula, delivering significant performance gains through its 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU configuration. The standout addition is the optional nano-texture display, which dramatically reduces glare without compromising color accuracy—a game-changer for professionals working in varied lighting conditions. Battery life remains exceptional, with real-world testing showing over 24 hours of mixed use, allowing users to work through multiple days without charging. The machine maintains the same premium aluminum chassis as its predecessors, featuring an improved 12MP Center Stage webcam and upgraded Thunderbolt 5 ports that deliver up to 120 Gbps bandwidth. While the visual design remains unchanged from the 2023 model, the internal upgrades make this a compelling upgrade for professionals running intensive creative workflows, particularly video editors, 3D artists, and photographers who benefit from the significantly faster single-core performance that currently faces no competition in the laptop market.

The Asus ProArt P16 stands as one of the most compelling Windows alternatives to Apple's MacBook Pro for creative professionals. This 16-inch workstation laptop combines the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with up to Nvidia RTX 5070 graphics, delivering performance that crushes demanding creative workloads from 4K video editing to complex photo manipulation. The centerpiece is a breathtaking 4K OLED touchscreen with PANTONE validation and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, ensuring color-critical work meets professional standards. Asus has equipped the ProArt P16 with thoughtful creative tools including an innovative DialPad control surface integrated into the touchpad, allowing precise adjustments in Adobe Creative Suite applications. The all-metal chassis meets US military-grade MIL-STD 810H durability standards while maintaining a slim 1.85kg profile that makes it genuinely portable for field work. With comprehensive connectivity including USB4, HDMI 2.1, and SD Express 7.0 card reader, this laptop targets photographers, videographers, and designers who demand desktop performance without sacrificing mobility.

The Dell XPS 17 (9730) represents the fourth iteration of Dell's flagship 17-inch productivity laptop, updating internal components while maintaining the proven design formula established in 2020. This 2023 refresh delivers Intel's 13th Generation Core i7-13700H processor alongside Nvidia's RTX 40-series graphics, providing substantial performance gains for professional workloads. The standout feature remains its stunning 17-inch UHD+ touchscreen with 3840x2400 resolution, achieving 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 color coverage. While the premium aluminum construction, exceptional build quality, and professional aesthetics continue to impress reviewers, critics note Dell has maintained the same external design for three consecutive years. The laptop serves demanding creative professionals and prosumers who require desktop-class performance in a portable form factor, though thermal management and component limitations prevent it from matching dedicated gaming systems.

Microsoft's Surface Laptop Studio 2 represents a refined evolution of the company's distinctive convertible laptop, pairing 13th Gen Intel processors with Nvidia RTX 40-series graphics in a chassis designed to transform between laptop, easel, and tablet modes. The device targets creative professionals and power users who need a single machine capable of handling design work, gaming, and traditional productivity tasks. While the hardware delivers competitive performance and the 120Hz touchscreen impresses, the Studio 2 faces stiff competition from both Windows alternatives and Apple's MacBook Pro lineup. The absence of an included Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus at prices starting near \$2,000 undermines the device's tablet functionality, and battery life falls short of Microsoft's claims. For users who genuinely need the unique convertible form factor and can justify the premium, the Studio 2 delivers a capable all-in-one solution, but most buyers may find better value elsewhere.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 represents the pinnacle of dual-screen laptop engineering, pairing a stunning Mini LED main display with a 14-inch secondary touchscreen. Powered by AMD Ryzen 9 processors and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics, this machine delivers exceptional performance for both gaming and content creation. The unique design elevates the secondary screen when opened, improving airflow and creating a distinctive multitasking experience. While the unconventional keyboard placement requires adaptation and battery life remains limited, the Duo 16 excels as a portable workstation for professionals who demand maximum screen real estate. Its bright displays, robust build quality, and surprisingly excellent speakers make it a compelling choice for users who can justify its premium positioning.

The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) represents the evolution of HP's premium convertible lineup, delivering a compelling package for professionals and content creators who demand versatility without compromise. Powered by Intel's Core Ultra processors with integrated Arc graphics, this 14-inch 2-in-1 features a gorgeous 2880x1800 OLED touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate, a standout 9MP webcam, and battery life that exceeds 11 hours in real-world testing. The convertible design allows seamless transitions between laptop, tent, and tablet modes, while the included MPP 2.0 stylus supports inking and note-taking. With its elegant metal chassis, comfortable keyboard, and quad speaker setup, the Spectre x360 14 holds its position as one of the best Windows 2-in-1 laptops available, though its premium pricing and soldered RAM may give some buyers pause.

The MSI Creator Z16 positions itself as a hybrid laptop that bridges creative workstation and gaming needs, featuring an Intel 11th Gen Core i9 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, and a 16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) touchscreen with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. The laptop excels in rendering, editing, and design applications while maintaining a slim aluminum chassis. However, the device struggles with thermal management, produces significant fan noise under load, and offers disappointing battery life. Professional reviewers praise its screen quality and creative performance, while consumer reports raise concerns about long-term reliability, particularly keyboard failures and overheating. The lack of HDMI and DisplayPort connections limits external display options, forcing users to rely exclusively on Thunderbolt 4 ports.

The Lenovo Legion 5i represents a compelling mid-range gaming laptop that balances performance with affordability. Across its Gen 9 and Gen 10 iterations, the Legion 5i delivers strong gaming capabilities powered by Intel's 13th and 14th generation processors paired with Nvidia RTX 40 and 50 series graphics cards. The standout feature remains its OLED display, which offers exceptional brightness, color accuracy, and fast refresh rates that elevate both gaming and productivity work. While critics praise its quiet cooling system and solid build quality, the laptop faces criticism for short battery life and Lenovo's confusing pricing structure. Consumer feedback reveals generally positive experiences with gaming performance and thermal management, though some users report reliability concerns and quality control issues. The Legion 5i succeeds as a desktop replacement for gamers who prioritize performance and display quality over portability.

The Dell Precision 7560 stands as Dell's flagship 15.6-inch mobile workstation, combining 11th generation Intel processors with NVIDIA RTX professional graphics to deliver desktop-replacement performance. Professional reviewers consistently praise its stunning UHD display with 100% Adobe RGB coverage, robust build quality, and extensive configuration options that include up to 128GB of ECC memory. However, both critics and users report significant thermal challenges during sustained workloads, with some experiencing temperatures exceeding 90°C even during routine tasks. The workstation offers impressive expandability with three M.2 storage slots and comprehensive port selection including Thunderbolt 4, though its 5.4-pound weight and keyboard layout quirks prevent it from being perfect. Consumer feedback reveals a divided experience: professionals appreciate the raw performance and color-accurate display, while others struggle with aggressive fan noise, heat generation, and reliability concerns that have required thermal paste replacement or core disabling.