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Generally speaking, the answer is yes, gaming laptops can be a good choice for video editing as they both need similar components: strong CPU, lots of memory and good GPU.
If you have a good gaming laptop or are looking to get one, chances are it will do a fine job of video editing too.
There is one caveat though. If color accuracy is important, such as DCI-P3 or sRGB then be sure to check that, as not all gaming laptops provide 100% color accuracy.
Want to learn about other tips and tricks? Read on.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between a Gaming Laptop and a Video Editing Laptop?
In terms of performance, there is a pretty good overlap between the two. Some (especially higher-end) gaming laptops will probably have stronger GPUs than most video editors need (even at 8K). But in terms of performance, these two categories are similar.
As mentioned above, the main difference between some gaming laptops and video editing laptops is color accuracy.
Usually, gaming laptops’ screens are not as color-accurate as video editing professionals would like. So be sure to keep an eye out for this. If color accuracy is crucial, then be sure to check the sRGB and especially DCI-P3 percentages before buying one. The higher these percentages are, the better the color accuracy.
Unleash Cinematic Brilliance: Edit Like a Pro on Your High-Performance Laptop
What Makes a Good Video Editing Laptop?
If you’re looking for a powerful video editor laptop that can handle heavy workloads, the main things you need to look at are the CPU, RAM, GPU and display.
A quick tip
Any computer with a good GPU will have a decent CPU.
It Starts with You…
Let’s be clear on what kind of video editing you plan to do. Are you a beginner or only need a laptop for home videos and smaller HD video files? Or maybe you’re a pro who works on larger 4K videos or 8K movies?
Also, think 2-4 years in the future to be sure you choose a model that can handle the type of work you do (aka future proofing).
So are you a beginner, a more advanced user or a professional?
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
After you are clear on the type of editing you will do in the immediate and long-term future, the next question is about software. What kind of video editor program do you use? Adobe Premier Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Elements, CyberLink PowerDirector 365 or something else?
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 11th+ generation Intel Core i5 or i7 | 12th+ generation Intel Core i7 or i9 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB or more |
| GPU | 4GB of vRAM | 8GB of vRAM or more |
| Storage | 512GB | 1TB or more |
| Display | 15.6-inch | 17-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) or more |
Let’s take a look at the specific laptop components for video editing.
Processor (CPU)
For personal use, look for at least an 11th+ generation Intel Core i5 or i7. AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 (6000 Series) will also be fine.
A 12th+ generation Intel Core i7 or i9 will work for more advanced and professional video editors. If your budget can stretch, an Intel i9 with 12 or 14 cores, or an AMD Ryzen 9 (6000 series) would be even better. But this might be overkill for some.
Memory (RAM)
For very basic editing you could get by with an 8 GB RAM laptop. But if you edit HD media on a daily or weekly basis or want to think long-term, I’d check out 16GB RAM laptops. It will save you some money and headaches in the long run.
Professionals, especially those in the 4K or 8K video editing niche, want to look for a laptop with 32GB RAM or more.
Graphics card (GPU)
You don’t want to skimp here. A dedicated graphics card is a must for 2023 or newer video editing software.
Even an older graphics card with at least 4GB of vRAM will work if you are just starting out.
Go for a GPU with 8GB vRAM if you plan to work with HD and smaller 4K files and at least 8GB+ vRAM for 4K or higher.
Display
If you are not planning to use an external monitor, aim for laptops with at least 15-inch displays. And as mentioned above, color accuracy will matter if you are a pro, so make sure to check that first when selecting a laptop.
Of course, I’d always consider 4K gaming laptops as well, since they do offer the best displays on the market.
Storage
If you are short on budget, you can start with 512GB and get external storage as needed.
Most laptops nowadays come with 512GB – 1TB storage. Yes, you can find laptops with more, but you’d be hard-pressed to do so, and the upgraded storage will significantly add to the price. So my recommendation is to buy a larger external drive.
Although most of today’s laptops – and especially the gaming machines – come with SSD, make sure that you’re getting a laptop with an SSD drive (not an HDD).
Keyboards and all the trimmings
Keyboards, trackpads, sound, etc. are also essential, but these really come down to personal preference. In this article, we wanted to cover the most critical components and assure you that most gaming laptops are good for video editing.
Edit Like a Hollywood Pro on a Compatible Laptop
Gaming laptops are beasts in their own right – but they can also be very sophisticated video editors.
Before you say “shut up and take my money”, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into, i.e. what kind of a video-editing laptop you really need.
Do you want more specific recommendations? We put together a list of the top video editing laptops. If you are looking for something cheaper, look at these machines for video editing for under $1000.
