Introduction: Why You Need the Right Laptop for Video Editing
In 2026, video content dominates everything from YouTube and TikTok to professional filmmaking. But not everyone can afford a $3,000+ workstation. The good news? The best budget laptops for video editing now pack serious power, making them perfect for creators on a tighter budget.
The best budget laptops for video editing in 2026 offer:
✅ Powerful processors (Intel 12th–14th Gen, AMD Ryzen 7, Apple M4 chip)
✅ Dedicated GPUs (RTX 3050, RTX 4060, Apple’s integrated GPU) for smooth rendering
✅ 16GB–32GB RAM for multitasking and editing software
✅ Fast SSD storage (minimum 512GB–1TB) for handling large video files
✅ Color-accurate displays for editing precision
✅ Affordable price tags under $1,200
If you’re a beginner editor, student filmmaker, or content creator, these laptops are designed to give you smooth editing performance in Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and After Effects — all without breaking the bank.
Here are our top picks for the best budget laptops for video editing in 2026:
- Apple MacBook Air 2025 (M4 Chip) – Best budget laptop for Apple video editors
- Acer Nitro V 16 Gaming Laptop – Best performance budget laptop for editing & gaming
- HP Victus 15.6 Gaming Laptop – Best affordable Windows laptop for video editing
Quick Comparison: Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing 2026
| Laptop | Display | Processor | Graphics | Memory & Storage | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) | 13.6″ Liquid Retina | Apple M4 Chip | Integrated 10-core GPU | 16GB Unified / 256GB SSD | Best budget Mac for video editing, Final Cut Pro | [Check Price] |
| Acer Nitro V 16 (2025) | 16″ WUXGA 165Hz | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB) | 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD | Best budget powerhouse for editing & gaming | [Check Price] |
| HP Victus 15.6 (2025) | 15.6″ FHD 144Hz | Intel Core i5-12450H | NVIDIA RTX 3050 | 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD | Best affordable Windows laptop for editing | [Check Price] |
Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing
1. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) – Best Budget Mac for Video Editing
- SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
The Apple MacBook Air 2025 with the new M4 chip is the most affordable way to edit videos on a Mac in 2026. Thanks to Apple’s unified architecture, the M4 chip combines CPU, GPU, and neural engine performance in a slim and silent fanless design.
Key Specs:
- Display: 13.6″ Liquid Retina Display
- Processor: Apple M4 chip with Neural Engine
- Graphics: Integrated 10-core GPU
- Memory: 16GB Unified Memory
- Storage: 256GB SSD (expandable to 512GB/1TB)
- Camera: 12MP Center Stage webcam
- Security: Touch ID
Why It’s Great for Video Editing:
- Optimized for Final Cut Pro and Apple’s editing ecosystem.
- M4 chip performance rivals mid-tier workstations in editing tasks.
- Lightweight and silent → perfect for creators who edit on the go.
- Color-accurate Liquid Retina display ensures accurate color grading.
✅ Pros:
- Excellent performance for Final Cut Pro & DaVinci Resolve
- Lightweight, slim design with no fans
- Apple Intelligence support for AI-assisted editing
- Long battery life (18+ hours)
❌ Cons:
- Limited base storage (256GB SSD)
- Fewer ports compared to Windows laptops
Best For: Creators who want an affordable Apple laptop for video editing with Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve.
2. Acer Nitro V 16 Gaming Laptop – Best Budget Powerhouse for Editing & Gaming
- 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD
- Equipped With The Most Powerful and Fast AMD Zen 4 Octa-Core Ryzen 7 8845HS Processor
- 16″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS 165Hz, Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Graphic
The Acer Nitro V 16 is a gaming laptop that doubles as a video editing beast. With its Ryzen 7 8845HS processor and RTX 4060 GPU, it delivers smooth rendering, fast previews, and top-tier performance at a budget price.
Key Specs:
- Display: 16″ WUXGA IPS, 165Hz refresh rate
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (Zen 4, 8-core)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB VRAM)
- Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- OS: Windows 11
Why It’s Great for Video Editing:
- RTX 4060 GPU accelerates rendering in Premiere Pro & After Effects.
- 32GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking with editing software.
- 165Hz large display helps with fluid playback and editing accuracy.
- 1TB SSD provides plenty of space for raw 4K video files.
✅ Pros:
- Outstanding performance at budget pricing
- Dedicated RTX 4060 GPU for GPU-accelerated editing
- 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD standard
- Great for both video editing & gaming
❌ Cons:
- Heavier than MacBook Air (less portable)
- Battery life shorter during editing workloads
Best For: Editors who want a budget-friendly powerhouse laptop that also handles gaming and 3D rendering.
3. HP Victus 15.6 Gaming Laptop – Best Affordable Windows Laptop for Editing
- [High Speed RAM And Enormous Space] 32GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer
The HP Victus 15.6 is one of the most affordable Windows laptops for video editing in 2026. With Intel’s Core i5-12450H and NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, it’s powerful enough for 1080p and 4K editing without lag — all at a lower price point.
Key Specs:
- Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Extras: Backlit keyboard, SD card reader, Wi-Fi 6
Why It’s Great for Video Editing:
- RTX 3050 GPU accelerates Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.
- 32GB RAM → more than enough for editing workloads.
- 1TB SSD storage → handles large video projects with ease.
- Affordable price compared to RTX 4060 laptops.
✅ Pros:
- Excellent value for budget editors
- Plenty of RAM and storage
- Dedicated GPU for smooth editing
- Lightweight compared to bulkier gaming laptops
❌ Cons:
- RTX 3050 weaker than RTX 4060
- Display not as color-accurate as MacBook
Best For: Students, YouTubers, and beginner editors who want a budget laptop for video editing that balances performance and price.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Budget Laptop for Video Editing 2026
1. Processor (CPU)
- Intel i5/i7 (12th–14th Gen) or AMD Ryzen 7 → great for editing.
- Apple M4 chip → best efficiency for Mac users.
2. Graphics Card (GPU)
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 / RTX 4060 → best budget GPUs for video editing.
- Apple integrated GPU (M4) → optimized for Final Cut Pro.
3. Memory (RAM)
- 16GB → entry-level editing (MacBook Air M4).
- 32GB → recommended for smooth 4K editing (Acer Nitro, HP Victus).
4. Storage
- 512GB SSD minimum → for project files.
- 1TB SSD preferred → for large 4K and RAW footage.
5. Display
- Color-accurate Retina / IPS displays → best for grading.
- 144Hz–165Hz panels → smooth playback for editing + gaming.
FAQs: Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing 2026
Q1: What’s the best budget laptop for editing YouTube videos?
👉 The HP Victus 15.6 – affordable, RTX 3050 GPU, 32GB RAM.
Q2: What’s the best Mac laptop for video editing under $1,200?
👉 The Apple MacBook Air M4 (2025) – optimized for Final Cut Pro.
Q3: Which budget laptop is best for Adobe Premiere Pro?
👉 The Acer Nitro V 16 with RTX 4060 GPU and 32GB RAM.
Q4: Do I need 32GB RAM for video editing?
👉 For 4K editing & multitasking, yes. For basic 1080p editing, 16GB is fine.
Q5: Can gaming laptops be used for video editing?
👉 Yes. Both Acer Nitro V 16 and HP Victus are gaming laptops that excel at editing.
Final Recommendation
- Best Budget Mac Laptop for Video Editing → Apple MacBook Air 2025 (M4 Chip) – slim, efficient, Final Cut Pro-ready.
- Best Budget Powerhouse for Editing & Gaming → Acer Nitro V 16 (2025) – RTX 4060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD.
- Best Affordable Windows Editing Laptop → HP Victus 15.6 – RTX 3050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD.
👉 Start editing today:
[Check the Best Budget Laptops for Video Editing on Amazon]
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