Video editing is not just a job. It's when you are simultaneously a director, an artist, and a sound engineer. It requires imagination, technical knowledge, creativity, and attention to hundreds of details—from frames to fonts. And then there are tons of programs, effects, plugins, and timings. And just when inspiration strikes, you're in the flow, creating... your laptop freezes. The program can't keep up with your hands, the fans are roaring, the screen is flickering, and the laptop reboots on its own. And everything goes to waste: the idea, the mood, and several hours of your life. Sound familiar?
The problem is not with you or the program. Most often, it's with what's inside the laptop. Video editing is a world of its own, and here it's important not just to have a "high-end model," but to understand which parameters are really important. Otherwise, even a laptop costing over €1,000 can slow down more than a budget model that's been assembled correctly.
What to look for in the specifications
The "insides" of a laptop are not just numbers in the description. They are what affects your work every day: how quickly a project will open, how many tabs DaVinci can handle, how long the render will take, whether everything will freeze at the most crucial moment. To avoid this, let's break down the key components in simple terms and with examples so that it's clear what to look for.
Processor
This is not something you can skimp on or just pick "whatever." Look for something from the big leagues. For editing, it's important that the processor has many cores and threads because programs like DaVinci or Premiere can distribute the load between them. The more there are, the more "hands" your laptop has.
Optimal:
- Intel Core i5 (H series, not U!) 11th generation or newer - for example, i5-11400H.
- AMD Ryzen 5 (H series) 5000 series or newer - for example, Ryzen 5 5600H.
- Intel Core i7 or i9 H series - modern and powerful, handle editing well and don't freeze under load.
- AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 (7000/8000 series) - fast and durable, suitable even for heavy video projects.
If you see "U" in the name (for example, i7-1255U), this is not the right choice for you. U stands for energy-efficient models for office use. They have longer battery life, but "choke" under editing. The base frequency should be at least 2.5-3.0 GHz. Turbo Boost is a bonus, but it's important that the "starting speed" is also normal. Also pay attention to the cache memory - the more (12-24 MB and above), the better the laptop remembers important things and slows down less when repeating actions
Let's summarize
| Level | Model examples | What they can do |
| Minimum | Intel Core i5 H (11–12 gen) Ryzen 5 5600H | Handles Full HD and light editing |
| Optimal | Intel Core i7 H/HX (12–14 gen) Ryzen 7 6800H / 7735HS | Comfortable for 4K, complex timelines |
| Pro | Intel Core i9 HX (13–14 gen) Ryzen 9 7945HX / 8945HS | For multi-layered projects, VFX |
Video card
Video editing is impossible without a good graphics card. It is responsible for previewing, rendering speed, and smooth effects. If you choose a laptop with integrated graphics, even the first complex project will turn into torture.
For comfortable work, choose models with a discrete video card, preferably from NVIDIA — programs such as DaVinci or Premiere can work effectively with it via CUDA. The minimum is RTX 3050, but 3060 or 4060 is better for 4K.
But even the 10xx series is still relevant:
- GTX 1050 / 1050 Ti - the minimum you can start with if your budget is very limited;
- GTX 1060 - already provides comfortable operating speed for most tasks;
- GTX 1080 Ti - the top of the line from that era. It has powerful cooling and lasts a long time without overheating. And it still handles heavy projects.
Also, consider the amount of video memory: 6-8 GB is sufficient for stable performance. For complex effects or 4K, 12 GB is preferable. And pay attention to NVIDIA Studio driver support—they are more stable for creative tasks.
Let's summarize
| Level | Model examples | Suitable for |
| Minimum | NVIDIA GTX 1050-1080, but in 2025, RTX 3050 (4–6 GB VRAM) is better | For Full HD, basic effects |
| Optimal | RTX 3060 / 4060 (6–8 GB VRAM) | Good for 4K, color grading |
| Pro | RTX 4070 / 4080 / 4090 (8–16 GB VRAM) | For heavy 4K/8K, complex effects, and VFX |
Random access memory (RAM)
The more creative you are, the more RAM you need. When you edit videos, run DaVinci, open several tabs in your browser, listen to music — all of this "lives" in your RAM. And if you don't have enough, your laptop starts to "think," slow down, or even freeze. And you're no longer creating, you're just fighting for survival. So:
- The minimum for video editing is 16 GB. This is enough to comfortably edit Full HD video, work with multiple tracks, and apply basic effects.
- The optimal amount is 32 GB. With this amount, you can work with heavy timelines, edit in 4K, work on several projects at once, and use color correction without any problems.
- For 4K with effects, 3D, VFX, or multi-layer projects, 64 GB is not a luxury but a necessity. Yes, this is already the level of semi-professional or professional builds, but the result is commensurate.
Pay attention to the type of memory. DDR5 is faster but also more expensive. If the choice is between volume and type, it's better to have more DDR4 than less DDR5.
Let's summarize
| Level | RAM | Suitable for |
| Minimum | 16 GB DDR4/DDR5 | Full HD editing, multiple tracks |
| Optimal | 32 GB DDR5 | Comfortable 4K, complex timelines |
| Pro | 64 GB DDR5 | VFX, 3D, multi-layer projects, 8K |
Memory
Video files are large. Very large. A single project in Full HD can take up dozens of gigabytes, and if it's 4K, the count goes into the hundreds. Therefore, a regular HDD, which is "barely enough for movies," is not a good option here. You need an SSD—and preferably more than one.
The ideal scenario for editing is two drives:
- The main SSD (500 GB or 1 TB) is for the system, programs, and temporary files (cache) that are actively used. The faster the SSD (such as NVMe), the less you will have to wait for everything to open or save. Read our article to learn how to choose an SSD drive.
- Second SSD or HDD (1-2 TB or more) - for storing video archives, final renders, and projects.
Also pay attention to the write and read speeds. With budget SSDs, this parameter can be very modest, and then the whole point of speed is lost. These components are not a luxury, but a guarantee of stable operation. Editing is not about experimentation, but about precise calculation.
Let's summarize
| Level | Configuration | Purpose |
| Minimum | 512 GB NVMe SSD + 1 TB HDD5 | For the system, programs, cache, and small projects |
| Optimal | 1 TB NVMe SSD + 1–2 TB HDD/SSD | For projects and cache |
| Pro | 2×1 TB NVMe SSD (RAID) + external SSD | For large archives, 4K, and fast rendering |
Monitor: a screen that can't deceive
In video editing, a monitor is not just a "screen." It is your main tool: colors, clarity, composition—everything goes through it. If the display distorts shades or "blurs" small details, you won't be able to work properly. And what's worse, the client will notice the mistakes, not you.
To prevent this from happening, the screen must be clear, large, and accurate. The minimum is 15.6 inches and Full HD. For 4K video, something from 2.5K or 4K is better—you can see more details and are less likely to miss something. More pixels mean more detail, more accurate frame assessment, and more noticeable noise and flaws. And this is where it is important to understand which matrix is responsible for all this. The choice here is small but very important:
- IPS is the best option for editing.
- OLED - very cool picture, but more expensive and can burn out.
- TN is not suitable, as colors are faded and distorted at an angle.
Next, it is important to understand how accurately the screen reproduces colors. The optimal choice is 100% sRGB or higher. If you see AdobeRGB or DCI-P3, even better. These are not "bright colors from the store," but real shades.
Brightness - preferably 300 nits or higher. If you often work on the go, make sure it has an anti-glare coating. Without it, you won't be able to see anything in the sun.
Let's summarize
| Level | Configuration | Purpose |
| Minimum | 15.6", IPS, Full HD, 100% sRGB, 300 nit | Good start for Full HD editing |
| Optimal | 15.6–17", 2.5K, IPS или OLED, 100% DCI-P3 | For precise color-correction, 4K |
| Pro | 17", 4K IPS/OLED, HDR, 100% AdobeRGB | For professional color editing |
Ports: so you don't have to look for an adapter at the most crucial moment
Editing is not only about video, but also about external drives, cameras, monitors, and microphones. And here, every port matters. If something is missing, you have to play around with adapters, lose quality, or, worse, not connect the device at all.
Therefore, it is desirable to have:
- HDMI or DisplayPort - to connect an external monitor. Full HD will work with regular HDMI, but for 4K you need HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort.
- USB 3.0 or 3.2 (type A) — for flash drives, hard drives, and card readers. At least two, preferably more.
- USB-C (with video and charging support) - the modern standard. You can use it to connect a monitor, charge your laptop, and transfer data.
- Card reader (SD) - convenient if you work with video from cameras or drones.
- Audio output (3.5 mm) - for headphones or a microphone. It's better to have one.
- Thunderbolt 3/4 (if available) - a great option for editors. You can connect multiple monitors, drives, an audio interface, and even a docking station through a single port. Plus, it offers high transfer speeds.
The rule here is that the more you already have in your laptop, the less stress and surprises you'll have at work.
Packed doesn't always mean better
Sometimes you want to get the "maximum" laptop: one that has everything you need so you don't have to think about it. But in video editing, this is not always beneficial. It is often better to get a base model with a good processor and video card, and then add more RAM or a larger SSD yourself.
This is important because:
- The RAM in many models can be increased. This gives you a reserve for the future—start with 16 GB, then easily upgrade to 32.
- Storage devices also change frequently. You can add a second SSD or replace a slow one with a faster one.
- Upgradeable laptops last longer—they adapt to your growth as an editor.
But if all the components are already soldered in place, then there is nothing to add. And you will either have to put up with it or buy a new laptop sooner than you planned. When choosing a laptop for editing, first sit down and think about what exactly you need, what tasks you will be performing, and what your budget is. Only then should you buy. If you are just starting out, you don't necessarily need to get a "fully loaded workstation" right away. You can easily work on a simpler option. Understand what is important, and with experience, choose more accurately. There are many options now, so everyone will find a model for themselves.