Editing videos can be a very intense process for your computer. If you’re not using the right computer, your work could suffer and that could affect your bottom line. With new technology coming out all the time, we wanted to take a look at the Best Computers for Video Editing and provide you with machines that can take your work to the next level.
To start, let’s take a step back and build our shopping list with what we should be looking for when you begin looking for a new computer.
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What to Look for in Your Next Video Editing Computer
Processing Power
Having the right processor can help perform tasks on your computer. A powerful processor, like the one you should look for in a computer that is being used for video editing, can make it very easy to use multiple programs at once without any slowdown or crashes.
Memory
Your computer’s memory or RAM works in tandem with your computer’s CPU. The more RAM your computer has, the easier it is for it to do its job. When it can do its job easier, your computer is much faster, being able to handle multiple editing programs and it can be much easier to transfer data than with an inadequate amount of RAM.
Storage
Having enough storage should be a no-brainer, especially if you’re doing any kind of creative work. This type of work can create very large files on your computer and if you’re unable to save them because of the amount of room on your HDD or SSD, it can cause major problems and possibly cost your jobs.
Best Computers for Video Editing in 2020
- 21-inch Apple iMac with Retina display (2019) -$1199
- Microsoft Surface Studio 2 -$2879
- Mac Mini (2018) -$755
- HP ENVY 795 -$549
- Alienware Aurora R8 – $1549
- Lenovo Yoga A940 -$3349
- 27-inch Apple iMac with Retina display (2019) -$1719
- Acer Predator Orion 9000 -$6882
- Apple iMac Pro -$3499
- Lenovo IdeaCentre 520-AAST 21.5in AIO PC -$549
Best Computers for Video Editing in 2020 Compared
21-inch Apple iMac with Retina display
The Best Computer for Video Editing
CPU: 4-6 core Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 | Screen: AMD Radeon Pro 555X / 560X / Vega 20 | Graphics: 8GB – 64GB | RAM: 8-64GB | Storage: Hard Disk / Fusion Drive / 256GB – 1TB SSD | Ports: 4x USB-C (Thunderbolt) , Ethernet | Size: 52.8cm (w) x 45.0cm (d) x 17.5cm (h) | Weight: 5.66kg | OS: macOS
With six and eight-core 9th-generation Intel processors, the 21-inch iMac from Apple is without a doubt the best computer for video editing on our list. With an update that included a Retina display, it has become a video editing beast. Along with the high-quality 4K Retina display, the iMac is packed with a quad-core processor, an AMD Radeon Pro 555X graphics card and up to 1TB SSD storage. If you can find a better computer out there, we haven’t seen it.
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- 21. 5-Inch (diagonal) 1920-by-1080 resolution display
- Stunning 5-mm-thin design
- Dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 Processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
A great all-in-one Windows computer
CPU: Intel Core i7-7820HQ | Screen: 28-inch 4500×1300 resolution IPS display | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB -GTX 1070 8GB | RAM: 16-32GB | Storage: 1-2TB SSD | Ports: 4xUSB 3.0; 1xUSB-C; SD card slot; Gigabit Ethernet; 3.5mm headphone jack | Size: 63.7cm x 1.3cm x 43.9cm x 1.3cm (WxDxH) | Weight: 9.56kg | OS: Windows 10
Not everyone is a fan of using the MacOS for editing video and for those people, Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a great choice. With a 28-inch screen that has a hinge built-in so you can flip the screen down to edit video. The biggest feature is its touchscreen which lets you drag and drop video clips with the touch of your finger. With an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, everything you create will look amazing.
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- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product...
- Our most powerful Surface yet with Intel Core i7 processors, discrete NVIDIA GeForce GPU, and SSD storage
- The strikingly large 28" PixelSense Display is a stunning touchscreen with 13.5 million pixels of true-to-life color
- Tilt the display weightlessly to work at 20 degrees down in Studio Mode or upright in Desktop Mode
- Keep creativity flowing when you draw with the improved Surface Pen and use Surface Dial* for intuitive shortcuts
Mac Mini (2018)
Great things in a small package
CPU: 4-6 core Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 | Screen: Not included | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: 8-64GB | Storage: 128GB-2TB SSD | Ports: 4x USB-C (Thunderbolt) , 2x USB 3, Ethernet, HDMI | Size: 19.7cm (w) x 19.7cm (d) x 3.6cm (h) | Weight: 1.3kg | OS: macOS
Sometimes you don’t need a tower to have enough power to edit videos and this is exactly the case with the Mac Mini. With its diminutive design and flexibility, it offers editors who travel a lot. Packed with 8GB of memory and 128GB although these can both be upgraded. With a recent update, the Mac Mini is capable of editing videos as well as being a great desktop computer. Simply hook up a monitor and start working on your next masterpiece.
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- Quad-core i3 8th-Generation Intel Core Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 8GB 2666MHz DDR4
- Ultrafast SSD storage
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, one HDMI 2. 0 port, and two USB 3 ports
HP ENVY 795
A slim tower holding amazing potential
CPU: 3.5 GHz six-core Intel Core i7 – 3.3GHz 10-core Intel Core i9 | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Ports: 6 x USB 3, 1x USB-C, 2x USB 2, DVI, HDMI Ethernet, SDXC | Size: 37cm (w) x 15.4cm (d) x 36.5 (h) | Weight: 8.86kg | OS: Windows 10
Packed with an 8th-generation Intel Processor, the Envy desktop from HP is more than what it seems from the outside. A great choice for any video editor who is still climbing the ladder and with the tower packed with an Nvidia graphics card, its a great option if you do a lot of mid-range video editing as the card can help with processing tasks. While the base model RAM option is a bit low, you can easily upgrade to a larger size if your tech-savvy enough or if you are looking to spend a little more money.
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- 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8400 6-Core processor 2.8 GHz (Max 4.0 GHz Turbo)/ 12GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM Memory/ 1TB 72000RPM SATA Hard Drive/ 256GB Solid State Drive
- DVD Writer/ Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630/ Integrated Audio/ High Definition 5.1 Surround Sound
- Gigabit 10/100/1000 LAN Connection/ 802.11ac Wireless and Bluetooth 4.2/ HP Wireless keyboard and Wireless Mouse/ 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
- Front I/O: 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2, 1 USB 3.1 Type C/ Rear I/O: 4 USB 3.1, 2 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI Out, Display Port
- Windows 10 Home/ 310W Internal Power Supply/ Certified refurbished by HP Grade “A”, with a 90-day HP factory warranty
Alienware Aurora R8
A Monster Computer with and out of this world design
CPU: 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9700 | RAM: 16GB | Ports: USB 3, USB-C, USB 2, DVI, HDMI Ethernet, SDXC | Size: 8.35” (w) x 14.19” (d) x 18.6”:(h) | Weight: 8.86kg | OS: Windows 10
A technological powerhouse, the Aurora R8 from Alienware has a design that looks like to should be on an alien ship. With a 9th-generation Intel Core processor along with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card that powers the whole machine. The 16GB of RAM and dual storage option of a 2TB HDD plus a 256GB SSD means you’ll always have enough room for all of your work. While the Alienware brand is marketed for gamers, the specs that these powerful computers come with makes them a perfect option for video editors as well.
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- Alienware Aurora R8
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9700 (8-Core, 12MB Cache, up to 4. 7GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology)
- 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 up to [64GB], (additional memory sold separately) Dual Channel
- 256 GB M. 2 [PCIe] NVMe (SSD) Boot + 2 TB 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s storage
- Stunning graphics capabilities: The Aurora offers brilliant resolution and exceptional frame rates, featuring NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics with powerhouse performance, next-gen graphics, and...
Lenovo Yoga A940
A Great iMac Alternative
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8700 | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 560 4 GB | RAM: 32 GB DDR4 2666 MHz | Storage: 1 TB 5400 RPM + 256 GB PCIe SSD | Display: 27″ 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Multi-touch
The iMac line from Apple is the top of the line when it comes to video editing computers. However, they all use Apple’s proprietary software. If you’re a PC aficionado, it can be hard to replicate the performance they offer. However, the Yoga A940 from Lenovo is a great alternative. While not as powerful as the iMac Pro, the 8th-generation processor, and Radeon RX 560 graphics card still offer plenty of power even if they are getting older. The 27-inch 4K display will make any footage you’re working on look amazing.
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- Intel Core i5-8400T with TURBO BOOST to 3.30GHz
- 32 GB of RAM (ULTRA performance); up to 10GB graphics RAM
- 2 TB SSD (MASSIVE pure ssd); QI Wireless Charging;
- 27" Ultra HD 4K 10-point MULTI-TOUCH tilting screen with pen support, a content creation dial, and other innovative solutions engineered to provide the ultimate workspace for your creativity.
- Dolby Atmos Speaker System; 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, 1 x HDMI out/in, 3-in-1 Card Reader, 1 x LAN port RJ45, 1 x USB 3.1, 4 x USB 3.0, 1 x Intel Thunderbolt, 1MP web camera&mic, wireless...
27-inch Apple iMac with Retina display (2019)
An amazing machine at an amazing price
CPU: 4-8 core Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 570X / 580X / Vega 48 | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Ports: 4x USB 3, 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt), Ethernet, SDXC | Size: 65cm (w) x 20.3cm (d) x 51.6cm (h) | Weight: 1.3kg | OS: macOS
While the 27-inch Apple iMac is an amazing piece of technology, its price keeps it from being higher on our list. Other than that, the 5K retina display is amazing with superb colors that conform to the specification set by DCI-P3. With an eight-core processor inside, the render times that you may have experienced will be a thing of the past. While the price can increase with addons that Apple offers, you can easily add third-party options to keep costs low.
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- 27-Inch (diagonal) 5120-by-2880 Retina 5K display
- Stunning 5-mm-thin design
- 6-Core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
- Radeon Pro 570x, 575x, or 580x Graphics processor
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
Acer Predator Orion 9000
Aimed at Gamers, Excels at Video Editing
CPU: 3.5 GHz six-core Intel Core i7 – 3.3GHz 10-18core Intel Core i9 | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Ports: 7x USB 3, 1x USB-C, 2x HDMI, Ethernet, SDXC | Size: 30cm (w) x 70cm (d) x 64.3cm (h) | Weight: 19.2kg | OS: Windows 10
The Orion 9000, part of Acer’s Predator gaming line has the guts that also make it an amazing computer for video editors, with a price to match. Packed with a six-core Intel Core i7 or 18-core i9 processor and paired with an NVidia GeForce RTX means that this behemoth can handle anything you can throw at it. With up to 64GB of RAM, which you can easily upgrade, it can make any video editing project look like child’s play. Obviously, for a rig this packed, it’s not going to come cheap and the Orion is the most expensive computers on our list but if you can afford it, it more than makes up for it.
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- The Predator Orion 9000 takes smaller PCs and eats them for lunch. Whatever you have planned for this Mammoth desktop – it's ready! This ultimate gaming platform is VR Ready! !
- Intel Core i9-7980XE extreme Edition Processor (Up to 4. 2GHz), 64GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM (maximum 128GB), 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD & 2TB 7200Rpm HDD
- NVidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics with 11GB of GDDR6 Video Memory (3 x Display Ports, 1 x HDMI port & 1 - USB Type-C for display or virtual Link)
- Intel AC 8265 802. 11AC Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, creative Sound Blaster 720, 1 - USB 3. 1 (Type C) Gen 1 port, 7 - USB 3. 1 (Type A) Gen 1 ports, 1 - USB 3. 1 (Type C) Gen 2 port, 1 - USB 3. 1 (Type...
- Cooler Master Liquid-Cooled CPU, EMI compliant see-through panel, RGB lights up to 16. 7M colors, 1000W modular Power Supply, Predator flare mechanical gaming Keyboard & Predator Gaming Mouse
Apple iMac Pro
The Best Professional Video Editing Computer
Display: 27-inch 5K Retina | Processor: 8-, 10- or 18-Core | Turbo Boost: up to 4.5GHz | Memory: 32GB | Storage: 1TB | Graphics: Vega GPU | Size: : (h) 51.6cm x (w) 65.0cm | Weight: 9.7 kg | Connections: 10Gb Ethernet, four Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) ports, four USB 3 ports, SDXC card slot
At a price point that might rival some teenager’s first car, the iMac Pro is the top of the heap for professional video editing. For the money you’re spending, the bells and whistles are all there. A 27-inch, 5K retina display that can deliver up to an unbelievable one billion colors starts things off followed by an 8-core Intel Xeon processor, though there is an 18-core option available which is ridiculous. Any of your projects will never run out of room with a choice of either a 1 or 4TB SSD meaning you’ll likely never need an external drive. All of this and it comes with four Thunderbolt 3.0 ports and a 10GB Ethernet port. Seriously, if you can afford this computer, you owe it to your career to get it.
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- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product...
- 3.2GHz 8-core Intel Xeon W processor w/Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
- 32GB 2666MHz ECC memory
- 1TB SSD storage, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports, 10GB Ethernet
- Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB HBM2 memory
Lenovo IdeaCentre 520-AAST 21.5in AIO PC
The Best Budget-Friendly Video Editing Computer
CPU: Intel Pentium 4415U – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 530 | RAM: 4GB – 8GB | Screen: 23.8-inch Full HD (1920×1080) | Storage: 1TB – 2TB HDD
It can be hard to find an all-in-one computer that has enough quality to handle the video editing that a hobbyist or amateur may want to do on the weekend. An Intel Core i7 processor and up to 8GB of RAM help keep your programs running with ease while the Intel HD Graphics card helps make it easy to add graphics to your projects. With an available 2TB HDD for saving your work, the price that this is available at is a steal compared to many other similar options.
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- 23.8" All In One
- 8GB DDR4
- 1TB Hard Drive
- AMD Ryzen 3 3.2GHz
- Windows 10 Home
Best Computer for Video Editing in 2020
When you work as a video editor, having the best technology to work with is essential. Having inferior tech can just leave you behind and could honestly affect not only your clients but your business overall. We hope that our list of the Best Computers for Video Editing in 2020 can give you some ideas for your next piece of technology and how it can help your business succeed.
