9 Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing in 2024

It’s no secret that video editing can sometimes be demanding. There are many different factors to consider when searching for the best budget laptops for video editing, from the graphics card of a computer to how well it processes information to make things happen and have them look good at the same time!

The term budget varies from person to person. Still, generally, we think that anything under 1000$ or a few dollars above this price point falls under budget for a good video editing laptop.

We have compiled a list of laptops that we think are enough to make your task easier to fulfill your video editing needs on a budget.

Don’t believe the myths! There are plenty of cheap video editing laptops that will get the job done. For under $1000, you can pick up a-so-elite, but a serviceable machine that will contain enough hardware to edit your next YouTube hit without breaking the bank.


Our 9 Picks | Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing


Apple MacBook Air

Our Best Pick

Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing

The new M1-based MacBook Air is simply a great laptop. It’s built with premium materials and has the best build quality you can find; it features Apple’s latest processor.

With an all-day battery life with constant web surfing over Wi-Fi hotspots or Bluetooth cellular data networks and video playback in 1080p HD resolution, in addition to its extremely thin and lightweight design, you won’t have any portability problems with this machine. Hence, making this laptop an excellent travel partner.

The base model has 8 GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Plus, it’s powered by Apple’s M1 processor for an ultra-fast performance that won’t slow you down!

It is the perfect choice if all your work depends on opening multiple programs at once without slowing down or crashing them – like graphic design software or video editing. The Magic Keyboard is like the Lexus of keyboards, with its luxurious feel and easy-to-use features. It has a more comfortable typing experience that makes it perfect for all types of work!

The Touch ID sensor in the top right corner of this keyboard is a game-changer. You can get into your laptop with only one touch without having to type out any pesky passwords!

The Apple 13.3-inch Retina Display is once again utilized here, delivering 2K by 1,600 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio – which makes for a fantastic viewing experience as seen on other laptops with higher resolutions such as the full HD (1,920 x 1080) resolution that’s common among mainstream devices today!

In short, the Macbook Air is an excellent laptop allowing 4K video editing without any issue and smooth rendering of HD and UHD videos.

ProcessorApple’s M1 Chip
RAM8GB RAM
Storage256GB SSD
GraphicsApples 7-core graphics
Display13” Retina Display
Operating SystemMacOS
Battery LifeUp to 18 hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight2.8lbs (1.27KG)
Pros
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Super fast
  • Superb keyboard and trackpad
  • Excellent battery life
  • Top-notch display
  • Touch ID
Cons
  • Greatly lacks ports
  • Webcam is not good

LG Gram 15

Our Second Choice

The LG Gram 15Z90P has been powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, which can handle all your video editing needs without any problem. The latest generation of processors will give you high-speed rendering on Full HD videos, and even more importantly, it’s powerful enough to run most editing software!

The fantastic display is just the start of what makes this laptop so special. It has a 15.6 inch full HD IPS screen with an almost frameless design, four-sided, and incredibly slim for extra comfort while you work. The new Wi-Fi 6 module in the LG Gram 15 is a considerable improvement over its predecessor.

The LG Gram has a decent amount of 8GB DDR4 memory for next-level multitasking and prevents applications from crashing with this extra power going on tour in your computer!

The LG Gram 15 offers a great selection of ports. In addition to two USB 3.2 Type-A ports and two USB 4.0 Type-C ports, you’ll find an HDMI out for hooking up your desktop monitor or television to make use of all that screen real estate without hogging too; much space; on the tiny laptop’s panel!

This device also has speakers built right into their design, so no more smashing yourself against another audio source when listening through headphones; plug them straight into those holes instead!

The keys sit firmly in their cutouts and provide a good response during typing. They’re also easy to press, so you can keep your fingers on the home row while still getting all of that sweet type matrix action going!

This laptop shines when it comes to battery life. LG claims that this sleek monster can last up to 20 hours without needing a recharge. With a weight of only 2.47 pounds and mind-boggling battery life, this laptop makes for an insanely good travel companion.

Processor11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7
RAM8GB RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Xe Graphics
Display15.6″ Full HD IPS (1920×1080)
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery LifeUp to 20 Hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight2.47lbs (1.1KG)
Pros
  • Excellent battery life
  • Very lightweight
  • Variety of ports
  • Bright & Crisp display
  • Good keyboard
  • Fingerprint reader
Cons
  • Screen surface is reflective
  • Lid feels a bit flimsy

Lenovo Yoga C740

Our Budget Pick

The Lenovo Yoga C740 is a versatile, sharp-looking laptop that offers solid performance and excellent battery life for less than $700. The C740 is a sleek, modern laptop that takes the stage with its bold aluminum finish. The smooth Iron Grey lid and shiny Yoga emblem in the top-right corner are just enough bling for business meetings without being too flashy or overbearing.

The C740 is a step up from its predecessor. The 14-inch screen not only makes it easier to see what you’re working on but also provides more space for your tools. The C740’s island-style keyboard keys are responsive and clicky with a pleasant, bouncing keystroke.

The C740 is a laptop that will be able to handle any task you put before it with the help of its 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 512 GB PCIe SSD storage device! This powerful machine also has Integrated Intel UHD Graphics for video editing.

There are two ways to secure your laptop. The first and most popular feature is a fingerprint scanner for Windows Hello authentication; there’s also an extra physical shutter button on the webcam that can be used as another layer of protection against potential snoopers!

As for the ports, you get a USB 3.1 Type-A Gen 1 port on the right side next to the power button. You’ll find two USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 ports on the left side. Also, the headphone/microphone combo jack.

The C740’s 14 inch, 1920 x 1080 touchscreen is a thing of beauty thanks to its splendid colors and responsive touch. However, compared to other laptops, this panel makes up for what it lacks by picking up smudges quickly!

Processor10th Gen Intel Core-i5-10210U
RAM8GB RAM
Storage256GB SSD
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics
Display14″ inch 1920 x 1080 FHD Touch-Screen
Operating SystemWindows 10 
Battery Life12-13 hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight3.09 lbs (1.4KG)
Pros
  • Touchscreen laptop
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Good battery life
  • Sleek & Lightweight
Cons
  • No HDMI port
  • No SD card reader

ASUS ZenBook 13

The ZenBook 13 from Asus is a revolutionary ultra-compact laptop with an excellent OLED display. Despite its small size, the Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor ensures performance isn’t sacrificed for portability; in fact, this slim device can handle anything you throw at it with ease, thanks to its four cores and eight threads!

The ZenBook 13 is a high-end, aluminum-bodied laptop with unique features and benefits. The case made from this metal material offers good stiffness, making handling this laptop easier for users who prefer something more stable during usage while also providing structural support against drops or falls when placed carelessly on any surface imaginable.

The ZenBook 13 features an Infrared camera for facial recognition, which provides security and convenience for logging into the system. With Windows Hello enabled, you can easily access your password-protected computer with just a snap of a finger. The ClickPad is big enough to fit nicely between your hands and be the perfect size for typing.

The Intel Core i7-1165G7 turns this inconspicuous laptop into a real workhorse with four cores and eight threads. With basic clock speeds of up to 4.7GHz. Furthermore, the 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD will make multitasking on this machine a breeze.

The connectivity options offered by the Asus Zenbook 13 are a bit compromised. You only get one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port and an HDMI port in addition to the two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports for connecting external displays.

Asus claims the battery life of this laptop to be up to 13 hours; hence this battery life combined with its lightweight design makes for a travel-friendly machine.

Processor11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7
RAM8GB RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics
Display13.3” OLED FHD NanoEdge Bezel Display
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery Life12-13 hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight2.45lbs (1.1KG)
Pros
  • Screen clarity
  • Lightweight
  • Super portable
  • Good battery life
  • Mettalic Chassis
  • IR face recognition
Cons
  • Susceptible to fingerprints
  • No headphone jack
  • No option for 4K display or touch screen

HP Envy 13

HP’s Envy 13 is a modern, affordable laptop that offers fast performance and long battery life. It has an elegant design with all the necessary features at competitive prices for students or anyone who wants something durable yet portable to take their video editing skills to another level!

The 13.3″ 4K Ultra HD diagonal high-resolution LED-backlit touchscreen display for editing videos is excellent because it offers more functionality than your average laptop.

The various features on this particular type of screen make working easier if you’re a professional videographer that needs access to all kinds of tools at once while filming their latest project.

The Intel Core i7-1065G7 is a powerful processor that can handle any task you throw at it. This two-core, four-thread processor having Intel’s Turbo Boost Technology makes for a fantastic video editing experience! When it comes to the battery, this laptop can give an average of 8-10 hours of use, which is quite good.

The device is not just fast, but it has enough memory and storage to last you through any project. It also comes equipped with an 8GB DDR4 memory and 512GB SSD for extra rendering speed when editing videos on your favorite applications like Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Final Cut Pro X as well!

The Intel UHD Graphics on the envy 13 is a great and powerful choice for video editing. It’s also optimized towards photoshop/illustrator work – so it will make your life easier!

Processor10th Gen Intel i7-1065G7
RAM8GB RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics
Display13.3″ diagonal 4K IPS touchscreen (3840 x 2160) Display
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery Life8-10 hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight2.6lbs (1.2KG)
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Good battery life
  • Good privacy features
  • Very portable
  • Good performance
Cons
  • Noisy fan
  • Reflective screen

Acer Nitro 5

Acer’s Nitro 5 series is a low-priced laptop line consisting of devices primarily focused on gaming but will also get the video editing job done quite smoothly. Acer’s AN515-55 model aims to offer all you need at an affordable price without cutting corners on quality or performance!

The Nitro 5 is the first MediaTek-powered device to support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, thanks to an Intel communications module (AX201). The chipsets in these devices make it possible to have astonishing speeds when using these newest technologies!

The Nitrosense utility enables you to cycle through four brightness levels of the keyboard’s RGB backlight. With short, easy-to-press keys that lack any significant resistance and make a light but audible click sound when pressed all along their length, this device is suitable for people who have sensitive hands or eyesight!

The Acer Nitro 5 has a 15.6-inch display with an impressive resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, making it a decent choice for editors.

It’s a beast of an all-inclusive editing PC! The Nitro 5 has the Intel Core i5 10300H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, and 8 GB RAM so that you can work without any lag. This powerful machine is loaded with 256GB NVMe SSD storage, which is not very good but enough to house your basic video editing programs and files while providing good bootup times.

The Nitro 5 has a battery that lasts for an average of 3-5 hours. However, that largely varies with use. This laptop has been primarily designed for gaming; it’s pretty bulky. In addition, its battery life is not what it should be for a video editing laptop. Hence, if you’re looking for a computer you want to take on tour, this is not recommended.

Processor10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H
RAM8GB RAM
Storage256GB SSD
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
Display15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS Display
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery Life3-5 hours
Weight4.84lbs (2.2KG)
Pros
  • Easy upgradeablity
  • Excellent graphics card
  • Good 144Hz screen
  • Good keyboard
  • Plenty of ports
  • Great value
Cons
  • Short battery life
  • Small 256GB SSD

HP Pavilion 15

The Pavilion 15 is a powerful budget laptop that will meet your everyday computing needs. The port options on this system are decent. You can get HDMI 2.0 instead of 1.4. Hence, it can support external monitors up to 4K at 60 FPS and DisplayPort via USB-C, which may be attractive for some people with newer technologies coming out like VR headsets where they need better performance than most other systems offer nowadays.

The HP Pavilion 15 Laptop is an editing laptop with the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and 16GB RAM. It’s one of the most feature-rich laptops on this list, but it also happens to be affordable for those who need power without breaking their bank accounts!

With its Full HD display, you can edit videos seamlessly in high definition detail thanks to dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU).

A business laptop should be able to withstand the stresses of regular use. The updated Inspiron 15 Laptop is designed with quality in mind, and it has all the right features for any work you throw at it, whether it’s video editing, accounting, or you name it!

This new model from hp offers an excellent balance between performance and durability. Perfect if your job requires long hours on the go every day. The Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop is an affordable laptop option for those who want to get their hands on one of the best budget laptops for video editing.

Processor11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7
RAM16GB RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Xe Graphics
Display15.6″ Full HD IPS micro-edge Display
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery LifeUp to 8 hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight3.85lbs (1.75KG)
Pros
  • Fast performance
  • Lightweight
  • Great screen
Cons
  • Keys are hard to read
  • Non-backlit keyboard

Acer Swift 3

Acer’s minimalist design aesthetic continues with the Acer Swift 3. This lightweight aluminum chassis should feel familiar to anyone acquainted with it. The matte silver finish and polished logo on the back are about as flashy as you can get.

The Swift 3’s display is more than enough for most purposes. However, The color profile of the display doesn’t stand out as it should; if you’re a video editor, that can compromise the less color-accurate display, well and good otherwise, you can refer to the other options in the list. Other than the color accuracy, the display is pretty decent.

Now let us tell you the factors which will hasten you to purchase this laptop. This beast comes equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core processor, which is an absolute delight to see in this price range. The Ryzen 7 4700U even defeats processors like the Intel Core i7 10th generation. If you’re still not satisfied, this laptop comes with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

All these top specifications combined under only 700$ have made this laptop take the second position in our list even though the display’s color accuracy is a bit compromised.

The bezels along the sides are pretty thin even though this isn’t an ultra-thin laptop, so don’t worry about those edges taking up too much space on your desk when looking through its screen towards you–they’re just right.

The 14-inch screen is perfect for a laptop because the total real estate never feels cramped. In addition, you can open two application windows and keep them side by side without any horizontal scroll on Chrome or Microsoft Word, which proves that this size of screens is well-suited, similar to the larger devices with multitasking capabilities!

The built-in mic and webcam are functional, but they’re not good enough for Twitch streaming or professional YouTube broadcasting. However, they’ll work well with teleconferencing software like Zoom to make calls in the office!

Similar to the Lenovo Yoga C740, the Acer Swift 3 is another laptop included in this list from our previous article, “7 Best Laptop For Video Editing Under 700 Dollars in 2022.”

ProcessorAMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core
RAM8GB RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsAMD Radeon Graphics
Display14″ Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit display (1920 x 1080)
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery Life13-16 Hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight2.71 lbs (1.2KG)
Pros
  • Good battery life
  • Backlit keyword
  • Lightweight
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Super fast
Cons
  • Display color accuracy
  • No SD card reader

Lenovo Ideapad 3

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers a lot of bang for your buck. The giant 17.3″ screen can display crisp images and videos, while the speakers provide surprising quality.

The IdeaPad 3 runs on a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 which is not the latest, most fantastic chip but definitely enough to get you through your daily computing tasks. This laptop has Intel Iris Xe Graphics to fulfill your basic graphical needs.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB internal storage. With these specifications, web browsing and multitasking will be a piece of cake, and you won’t face problems such as lag while using advanced video editing software such as the Adobe Premiere Pro. Furthermore, as stated before, media playback will also sound great due to its powerful surround sound system!

The product’s left side has a charging plug, two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and an HDMI port. You get an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack on the right side.

When it comes to the battery life, you may get up to 9-11 hours of use. This laptop weighs nearly 4.6 pounds, probably due to the enormous display, but it is a drawback as you get incredibly light and portable devices in the same price range.

Processor10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1
RAM16GB RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Xe Graphics
Display17.3-inch HD (1600×900) Anti-glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Narrow Border Display
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery LifeUp to 11 hours (Battery life varies with use)
Weight4.6lbs (2.08KG)
Pros
  • Easy multitasking
  • Sharp Screen resolution and clarity
  • Large 17.3″ screen
Cons
  • Slightly bulky
  • Non-backlit keyboard

Buying Guide

Screen Size:

The best budget laptop for video editing should have a large screen size of at least 15 inches. The more space you have to work creatively and efficiently, the better! Don’t forget that if your computer also doubles as an additional monitor, then things will be even easier on both screens; plug it all into one universal USB port (or get surge protection), so there are no wires required going and connecting each device individually.

Resolution:

The next thing to consider is your laptop’s screen resolution. If you regularly color grade footage, then a color-accurate display and monitor calibration is necessary for preventing any potential egg on the face moments after Export (one of the best resources will help too). Also, keep in mind at what resolution your camera records the video to avoid using the artificial HD capabilities at which resolution because this can later result in permanent blurriness on a bigger screen.

Processors:

Intel offers an excellent range of processors perfect for any computer you want to buy. They have 4, 6, and 8 core chips, with the i5 being most popular among users, while their high-end line (Core-i7) is best suited towards power users who want top performance in video editing or other demanding tasks.

RAM:

Working with Full HD or higher resolutions will tax your computer, so you must have the right amount of RAM. 8GB will get things moving along smoothly for most users. We recommend getting at least this much, if not more, depending on how many open programs are simultaneously running intensive tasks like video editing in Premiere Pro CC.

Connectivity:

You can use an external graphics card to boost your video editing laptop’s performance. That will allow you to take on more demanding projects and render them at desktop-grade quality.

The final thing I’ll mention about connecting these devices is how easy it will be with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity – make sure all of the connections match up accordingly (a GPU or multiple GPUs).


Conclusion

So when searching for the best budget laptop for video editing, we have selected the MacBook Air laptop as our best pick as it’s packed with a stunning display and delivers beyond your expectations. However, if you are not comfortable with the macOS, then as our second choice, we have selected the LG Gram due to its long-lasting battery combined with excellent specs. Lastly, for the best budget laptop in this list, we have selected the Lenovo Yoga C740.

For more laptop buying guides and information Visit here.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is my laptop good enough for video editing?

Use these basic specs to find the perfect computer for video editing. Make sure you have at least 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 processor or higher, preferably with four or more cores, so it’s fast enough!

Do you need a good CPU for video editing?

A powerful video editing PC is a combination of many different components. One important element, the CPU (or processor), powers everything on-screen and speeds up workflow while giving minimum lag time between frames; this means it’s necessary to have one with high performance in order for your projects not only look good aesthetically but also function quickly enough so you can complete them efficiently!


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Thank you for Reading!

Mirza Hamza Baig
Mirza Hamza Baig has a passion for writing, and he loves to write about anything related to pc components and laptops.