The best laptops for video editing, according to an experienced editor

Read Mashable’s full review of the HP Spectre x360 14.

Who it's for:

For thrifty shoppers that need both a tablet and a laptop, the HP Spectre x360 14 is a stellar option. Its hinges are stronger in this most recent model, and the beveled-edge chassis is a sleek sight to behold. It’s also a great pick for anyone who needs a delightfully clicky, springy keyboard.

Why we picked this:

The HP Spectre x360 14 was one of the first Windows laptops we tested that actually had great battery life, a welcome change for long-time Windows users. On top of that, it’s equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, which delivered an impressive Geekbench 6 score worthy of calling it “the most powerful Windows laptop” at the time of review.

Tech editor Kimberly Gedeon also had great things to say about the laptop’s keyboard, display, and speakers. Gedeon says she “couldn’t stop typing” on the Spectre x360 14’s larger, rhythmic keys. Then, the laptop’s display is “eye-catching,” with “rich, colorful visuals,” and crisp sound that “would definitely be a decadent piece of apple pie” if sound were edible.

If you’re searching for a 2-in-1 laptop, there’s a good chance you might want to use the webcam on video chats with the laptop in tablet mode. Luckily, in a laptop market full of lackluster webcams, the HP Spectre x360 14 has a 9-megapixel webcam that’s sharp, “excellent at recreating colors,” and features a wide viewing angle.

One of the only downsides to consider before buying the Spectre 360 14 is an oddly placed USB-C port. Right next to the only other USB-C port on the back right edge, there’s a USB-C port on the corner. If your charging setup is to your right or you don’t mind maneuvering a cable, this minor con won’t be a dealbreaker.

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3).

Who it's for:

The M3 MacBook Pro is best suited for creatives who regularly run processor-intensive apps — photo and video editing software, for example. Its long battery life and high-quality speakers also make it a solid pick for anyone who likes to listen to music during marathon work sessions. You may just want this MacBook because it's Apple's most recent MacBook Pro release, which is also okay! However, if you're not using power-hungry apps every day, we think your money may be better spent elsewhere, perhaps on an older model.

Why we picked this:

Apple's recently released MacBook Pro equipped with the M3 chip is one of the most powerful MacBook models on the market. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon praised the laptop for its performance and battery life, as it was able to handle heavy usage for around 17 hours. She also noted the display as a highlight, not only for the beauty of the Liquid Retina XDR screen, but also for its size. The 14-inch model is, in our opinion, the perfect median between the MacBook's usual 13-inch and 16-inch options. Gedeon also enjoyed the device's audio system, saying that this MacBook Pro in particular "arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market."

Unfortunately, the M3 MacBook Pro is one of the most expensive MacBooks out there, so make sure you're ready for the investment before you lock in your choice. The selection of ports is also pretty underwhelming on this model — you'll have to be willing to switch over to a mostly-USB-C setup.

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.

Who it's for:

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is an unconventional and versatile machine for deep-pocketed professional artists. Gedeon also "[recommended] this laptop for differently abled users who could take full advantage of [its] adaptive touch trackpad feature."

Why we picked this:

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is, as its name suggests, a laptop. But the unique pull-forward design of its 120Hz, 14.4-inch touchscreen display means it can also "transform into a digital easel and a tablet," said Gedeon, "[making] it an artist's playground." Just like its predecessor from 2021, it's fine-tuned for drawing, sketching, and other creative work — though it still doesn't come bundled with a stylus, which feels like a silly omission on Microsoft's part. (It does have built-in storage and charging for the Surface Slim Pen 2, at least.) Notably, though, its silky-smooth haptic touchpad has an adaptive touch mode for users with limited mobility; it's the same one on the Surface Laptop 7.

Things start looking more familiar once you move inside the Surface Laptop Studio 2, as far as higher-end laptops go. There's a desktop-grade Intel Core H-Series processor and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card in the base model, which you can opt to upgrade to a dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU for more oomph. It's not technically a Copilot+ PC, since it doesn't have a Snapdragon X Series CPU, but it does have an NPU that equips its 1080p webcam with Windows Studio Effects. It also counts a microSD card reader among its ample array of ports. All that machinery means it's quite a bit heavy and doesn't last very long away from a power supply, so it'll probably pass on plein air doodling sessions in favor of staying parked on a desk.

Who it's for:

The Dell XPS 15 is a PC powerhouse that'll be well-suited for video editors who want a balance between power, build quality, and upgradeability. If you don't want to jump into the Apple ecosystem but still want a traditional laptop, you'll find everything you want here, including a great lineup of internal specs and a long battery life. And how could we not love that edge-to-edge OLED touchscreen display?

Why we picked this:

While we haven't personally tested the Dell XPS 15, our friends over at PCMag (owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) did, and they liked what they saw quite a bit. They gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "one of the best and most flexible luxe laptops for a range of audiences." So, what makes it so great? For starters, the build quality is stellar, and it strikes a fantastic balance between sleek and sturdy. It also has a battery life that, when pushed to its limit, can still reach around 14 hours on a single charge.

The real star of the show, though, is that edge-to-edge OLED display, which looks outstanding. Creative professionals who want to prolong the lifespan of their laptop will also appreciate the upgradeability of the XPS 15's specs, which are already pretty great out of the box, including a powerful CPU-and-GPU combo, lots of RAM, and a good amount of storage space.

As for downsides, there aren't many, but the biggest is that the laptop features a lackluster 720p webcam, which is confusing at this price point. But if you're going to be using the device primarily for video editing, this shouldn't be a dealbreaker. We also wish the laptop wasn't so heavy and that it had a more diverse array of ports, but the included adapter does make up for that a little bit.