So you’re a video editor, and you need a laptop to do your thing. But you don’t have a lot of money to spend. Never fear, because there are plenty of great laptops out there that will fit your budget. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best laptops for video editing on a budget. We’ll also give you some tips on how to get the most out of your laptop for video editing. So without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Best laptops for video editing for under $500
Acer Aspire E5-575G-53VG
Specs: Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz, 8GB DDR4 RAM , 256GB SSD |REVIEW|
The Acer Aspire is all about portability, power and value. It may not be the fastest laptop out there – especially if you’re planning on using it with an external GPU box – but at this price point, who’s complaining? If you don’t have the money to spend on a more powerful laptop but still want something that’s good enough to handle some light gaming, audio/video editing or anything else, then the Acer Aspire is worth taking a closer look at.
Check current price on Amazon
HP 15-F211WM (or 17-F215WM)
Specs: AMD A6 2.4GHz, 8GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW|
If you’re looking for a laptop that’s equally suited for surfing the web and editing video, then look no further than the HP Pavilion. It packs an impressive amount of power into its sleek frame, making it one of the best laptops under $500 in our opinion. Of course, if you can afford to spend more money on your laptop – whether it’s now or later down the track – this machine has plenty of room to grow with you as your needs change over time. And for about $100 more, you can get a brand new model that comes with a larger hard drive.
Dell Inspiron i3543
Specs: Intel Core i3-5010U 2.1GHz, 4GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| The Dell Inspiron line is very popular among video editors thanks largely to the fact it’s got plenty of power and storage space at an affordable price point. As far as laptops go, this one has some pretty decent specs for the money you’re going to be spending on it. And while this laptop costs a little more than the others in its class – around $550 or so – it’s a worthy investment if you need something that will last you for a while. Check current price on Amazon
2. Best laptops for video editing under $800
Acer Aspire V3-572G
Specs: Intel Core i5-4210U 2.7GHz, 6GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| The Acer Aspire is all about portability, power and value. It may not be the fastest laptop out there – especially if you’re planning on using it with an external GPU box – but at this price point, who’s complaining? If you don’t have the money to spend on a more powerful laptop but still want something that’s good enough to handle some light gaming, audio/video editing or anything else, then the Acer Aspire is worth taking a closer look at.
Dell Inspiron i3531
Specs: Intel Core i3-5005U 2.0GHz, 4GB DDR3 RAM , 500GB HDD |REVIEW| The Dell Inspiron is very similar to the Acer Aspire in terms of specs and performance, with a few subtle differences that make it a little cheaper overall – hence its inclusion in this list. In fact you’ll only be spending around $20 or so more for a brand new model with a larger hard drive. Check current price on Amazon
Lenovo Ideapad 710S
Specs: Intel Core M3 6Y30 0.9GHz, 8GB DDR4 RAM , 256GB SSD |REVIEW| If you’re after an ultraportable laptop that can handle video editing as well as day-to-day tasks then the Lenovo Ideapad might be your best bet. It’s very lightweight and slim which is great for carrying around with you to and from uni, work or wherever else you need to go on a daily basis. And while it comes with 256GB of storage – which is less than most laptops in this class – the fact it has an SSD makes up for its lack of space overall. Check current price on Amazon
3. Best laptops for video editing under $1000
Acer Aspire V15
Specs: Intel Core i5 4200H 2.8GHz, 8GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| The Acer Aspire is all about portability, power and value. It may not be the fastest laptop out there – especially if you’re planning on using it with an external GPU box – but at this price point, who’s complaining? If you don’t have the money to spend on a more powerful laptop but still want something that’s good enough to handle some light gaming, audio/video editing or anything else, then the Acer Aspire is worth taking a closer look at.
Lenovo Ideapad Flex 4
Specs: Intel Core i5 5200U 2.2GHz, 8GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| Like most laptops from Lenovo, the Ideapad Flex 4 is an all-round solid performer with plenty of power and storage space. While this laptop doesn’t come with a dedicated graphics card – which means you’ll probably want to use an external GPU box when editing videos – it’s still got enough in the tank to handle most things you’re likely to throw at it these days, especially if you’re willing to spend a little more money on upgrades such as RAM and a larger hard drive. Check current price on Amazon
4. Best laptops for video editing under $1200
ASUS K501UW Specs: Intel Core i7-6500U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| Asus has been business for nearly 30 years now so they know a thing or two about making high-quality laptops that are built to last. And while this laptop isn’t packed to the rafters with the latest and greatest hardware, it’s got what you’ll need to not only run your video editing software of choice but also play some games now and then too. Check current price on Amazon Lenovo Ideapad Y700 Specs: Intel Core i7 6700HQ 2.6GHz, 16GB DDR4 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| If you’re after a powerful laptop that can handle gaming as well as video editing then the Lenovo Ideapad is a great all-rounder which also comes at a premium price. But if you’re serious about starting your own vlog or growing your online presence then it’s well worth spending that extra bit of money. Check current price on Amazon
5. Best laptops for video editing under $1500
HP Envy Specs: AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 2.2GHz, 8GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| With the new Windows 10 update out now you might be tempted to jump back onto the Microsoft bandwagon after ditching them a few years ago – but don’t worry if you’re still an Apple fan because this laptop is also available with Mac OS X Yosemite pre-installed too. And while its build quality isn’t quite as impressive as some of its competitors, thanks to its sub-par hard drive the overall price is lower which might just tip the scales in its favour for some of you. Check current price on Amazon
6. Best laptops for video editing under $1800
Alienware 17 Specs: Intel Core i7 5700HQ 2.7GHz, 16GB DDR3 RAM , 1TB HDD |REVIEW| With a 17-inch screen and dedicated graphics card this laptop is arguably more suited to gaming than it is to video editing – but if you’re not too fussy about what you edit your videos with or how big and flashy they look and feel then the next time you find yourself scrolling through eBay looking to pick up a slightly used bargain, this laptop could be well worth considering. Check current price on Amazon