As laptop technology has improved and become more affordable, so too has video editing.
In the past, editors were limited to editing only in dedicated studios. But with the advances in technology, powerful computers can now travel with you and video editing can be done from most anywhere.
These five laptop computers will fit into any budget and provide the power to edit videos on the run, from the comfort of your couch, or at your desk.
Before we get into the best affordable laptops for video editing, let’s cover some basics.
How to Find a Good Affordable Editing Laptop
When shopping for a video editing laptop, there are a few specifications that are worth seeking:
- First and foremost, a solid-state drive (SSD). These drives work the same way an SD or CF card work in a camera. They produce little heat and require less energy. The real benefit is speed.
- Editing video is graphically intense, so having a dedicated graphics card is a must. A GPU will provide extra computing power for the complex processes of editing video.
- One thing you’ll want for editing at home is an accurate and movie watching-worthy video editing monitor.
- Beyond the computer, having an external SSD and high quality headphones will bring your editing up a notch.
Next, let’s get into five solid options for affordable editing laptops under $1,000.
5 Video Editing Laptops Under $1,000
Acer ConceptD 5 Creator Laptop – $799
This machine is fully capable to edit any of your videos. Complete with a 1 TB SSD drive and 16GB of RAM, this laptop is a perfect budget choice for editing videos. With a large 15” 4K screen, viewing your videos will be a joy.
The computer packs a punch with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 3.10 GHz Dual-Core processor. It is capable of boosting up to 4.10 GHz as needed. The battery lasts over seven hours, giving you plenty of time for editing videos.
It has a built in SD card reader along with 2 USB C ports, 3 USB A ports, and HDMI port, and a headphone/mic port.
View the Acer ConceptD on Amazon.
Acer Swift X SFX14-41G Creator Laptop – $818
For not much more, this Acer machine packs a hefty punch for video editing. Though the SSD is only 512 GB it comes with an AMB Ryzen 7 processor and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics processor. This combination is perfect for a dedicated video editing laptop, especially considering the 16 GB of RAM.
The screen is 14” and displays 100% of the sRGB spectrum, giving you a true to viewing editing experience. The batteries will last about 12 hours. Just over three pounds, this machine has plenty of connectivity: a USB-C Display Port, two USB 3.2 Ports, a HDMI 2.0, and a Headphone/Mic port.
View the Acer Swift on Amazon.
HP ProBook 450 G9 – $899
For just under $900 this machine will boost your creativity and be sure to make you a better video editor. With an Intel Core i7 1.70 GHz processor, it provides lightning past speed and peak performance. Coupled with the 16 GB of RAM, the Intel Iris Xe Graphics Card, and a 512 GB SSD, this computer can take on most editing projects with ease.
Having a 15” screen will provide viewing pleasure beyond editing videos. Connectivity is a breeze with this video editing laptop. It includes three USB Type-A ports, one USB-C port, which also serves as a DisplayPort, an ethernet port, a HDMI port, and a headphone/mic port.
View the HP ProBook on Amazon.
HP Pavilion Laptop – $949
This computer provides the best value and performance out of this list of video editing computers under $1,000. Out of the box you will get 32GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD. A drive this size is perfect for storing a video project on for quicker editing.
The processor is the Intel i7 2.80 GHz with boost speeds up to 4.70 GHz. With the Intel Iris Xe Graphics Card, this laptop can handle a wide array of video editing projects. With long battery life and a battery that will charge 50% in just 45 minutes, this laptop is perfect for any video editing projects, especially on the go.
View the HP Pavilion on Amazon.
Lenovo Legion 5 – $999
At just under $1,000, this video editing laptop is powerful, a great value, and perfect for any creator. With a large 17” screen, viewing your content will be a dream and when you need a break, the anti-glare will provide the perfect movie-watching experience.
With a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16 GB Ram, and 1 TB SSD this video editing laptop can perform. The graphics are driven by a NIVIDIA GeFore GTX 1650, which includes dedicated video memory, providing a smooth editing experience. Billed as a gaming machine, this laptop is the best video editing computer for the price.
The connectivity is unmatched, with four USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, a headphone jack, a HDMI and Ethernet port, and a SD card reader. This provides flexibility and compatibility for external monitors and much more.
View the Lenovo Legion on Amazon.
Conclusion
Computers have dropped in cost over the years while increasing in performance. As technology continues to improve, these video editing laptops for under $1,000 will boost any creator’s experience.
The best place to start with any video editing laptop is at least 16 GB RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and a dedicated graphics card. Screen size is more of a preference but if your budget can support a larger screen, bigger is better for creating and consuming video content.
For more content helpful in choosing the right video editing laptop, and more options, check out these articles: