Editor choice

8 Best Laptops for Video Editing under $700 in 2024

Video editing on a laptop has become more and more common.

With the rise of Youtube and other video-sharing social media platforms, it’s never been easier to share your content with the world.

The best laptops for video editing under 700 are ones that can handle some heavy processing while also being able to run on battery power for an extended period of time.

This in-depth guide is designed to help you find the best budget workstation laptop for video editing.

We have compiled a list of what we believe are the top 8 laptops that are perfect for video editors on a budget.

Gadget Geek will look at different laptops from leading brands such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Microsoft, and ASUS in order to find you the best value laptop for your buck.

Best Laptops For Video Editing Under 700 Dollars – Top Reviewed

So, here’s how we’re going to go about it:

1) offer you a list of laptops that can handle practically any work you throw at them, and

2) break down the exact features you’ll need to narrow down your choices.

Does that make sense? Let’s get started.

Top 8 Laptops For Video Editing Under 700 Comparison

LaptopsDisplay SizeRAMSSDProcessorGraphics
Asus VivoBook 1515.6″8GB512GBQuad-Core R7-3700U processorAMD Radeon Vega 10 Graphics
Acer Swift 314″8GB512GBAMD Ryzen 7 4700UAMD Radeon Graphics
Lenovo Flex 514″16GB256GBRyzen 5 4500UAMD Radeon Graphics
Dell Inspiron 1515.6″8GB512GBIntel Core i5integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
HP Pavilion 1515.6″12GB512GB10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1‎Intel UHD Graphics
Microsoft Surface Go12.4″8GB256GB10th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor‎Intel UHD Graphics
Asus ZenBook 1313.3″8GB1152GB11th generation  Intel Core i5-1135G7‎NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
MSI Modern 1414″8GB512GBIntel Core i5-10210UIntegrated GPU
1

Asus VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop

Asus VivoBook 15

The ASUS VivoBook Thin & Light laptops are designed for the way you live.

Powered by up to the latest 8th Gen Intel Core processors, they deliver amazing performance and energy efficiency.

Whether you’re using it for work or for fun, its stunning visuals will bring your ideas to life in vivid detail.

With a full HD display with 4-way NanoEdge bezel technology, an ultra-thin 3.9mm bezel maximizes screen space so you can enjoy more of what you love in every frame.

The result is a larger canvas that’s great for multitasking.

An AMD Quad-Core R7-3700U processor, 12GB DDR4 RAM, a massive 512GB PCIe SSD, and integrated AMD Radeon Vega 10 Graphics make video editing a snap.

SPECS
Dimensions14.1 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
Display Resolution1920X1080 pixels
Screen Size15.6 inches
Weight3.53 lbs
Memory8 GB
Hard Disk Size512 GB
Processor Count4
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAM
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home

The backlit ergonomic keyboard offers a strong, near-silent feel to it, although the key travel is limited.

The touchpad in the Clickpad design is responsive.

On the top-right corner of the touchpad, there’s even a fingerprint reader.

Due to the slimmer chassis, various ports such as the DVD player and Ethernet have been removed.

One USB Type-C port, one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, a combination audio jack, 802.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.1 are all present and correct.

The 2-cell, 37Whr battery’s performance isn’t outstanding, lasting only around 6 hours.

As a result, plan to work near a power outlet.

9.2Expert Score
Laptop for Video Editing Under 700

Positive
  • Bright and crisp display in full HD
  • Solid performance
  • USB Type-C port
Negative
  • Average battery life
2

Acer Swift 3 Ryzen 7 4700U

Acer Swift 3

The Acer Swift 3 is another flagship laptop from Acer that delivers excellent performance at a low price.

It comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core CPU that delivers impressive performance.

It does anything without blinking, whether you merely need to render basic video or work with HD video.

The laptop’s main selling point is its 14-inch display, which has a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio.

It is bright and colorful, and it provides a pleasing visual experience.

The laptop is made on a lightweight aluminum and magnesium metal chassis and weighs about 2.6 pounds.

You can simply transport it due to its portable design.

The Acer Swift 3 also has a long-lasting battery that may last up to 12 hours, allowing you to continue your activities while on the road.

SPECS
Dimensions12.73 x 8.62 x 0.63 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels
Screen Size14 inches
Weight2.65 lbs
Memory8 GB
SSD512 GB
Processor Count8
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAM
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home

The keys are easy to push, and they seem sharp while typing quickly.

Furthermore, the keyboard has a lighted layout to let you work more efficiently at night.

It has Acer Purified Voice, which includes two built-in microphones and a great HD webcam that produces sharp pictures with rich color and depth for improved communication.

It has an embedded Fingerprint reader on the right bottom of the keyboard that conveniently awakens your laptop and offers further protection to your data.

The only criticism I have of the Acer Swift is its shoddy build quality.

If you’re looking for a tiny and portable computer to use as your best laptop for video editing under 700, the Acer Swift 3 is the correct pick.

9Expert Score
BUDGET LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING UNDER 700 DOLLARS

Positive
  • It's really light and thin.
  • Outstanding performance
  • Features of a good design Fingerprint Reader Embedded
  • Battery life is extended.
Negatives
  • The build quality is only OK.
  • There is no opportunity to upgrade.
3

Lenovo Flex 5 2 in 1 Laptop

Lenovo Flex 5

The Lenovo Flex 5 is a fantastic two-in-one laptop for video editing.

It comes with a Ryzen 5 4500U CPU with six cores for better and quicker performance.

The screen is a 14-inch IPS touchscreen with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.

In addition, it boasts four slender side bezels that feel sleek and strong in the hand.

Lenovo laptop includes a digital pen with a laptop to help you realize your creative visions.

It’s simple to create graphics and take notes using a pen.

It effortlessly processes commands and boosts efficiency when working with applications like Premium Pro or DaVinci.

The 360-degree hinge allows you to utilize computers as you like.

It has 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD.

Memory is not upgradeable, but storage is.

SPECS
Dimensions12.66 x 8.56 x 0.82 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels
Screen Size14 inches
Weight3.63 lbs
Memory16 GB
SSD256 GB
Processor Count1
RAM TypeDDR4
Operating SystemWindows 10

In terms of graphics, Lenovo includes AMD Radeon Graphics out of the box, which provides excellent visuals.

Lenovo has done an amazing job by providing this baby with a robust keyboard that provides a quick typing experience.

Finally, the battery may last up to 10 hours and can be charged to 80 percent in just one hour.

Lenovo Flex 5 is a good pick for the best laptop for video editing around $700 because of its narrow bezels, pleasant touch screen, and strong processor.

8.8Expert Score
2 IN 1 LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING UNDER 700

Positive
  • The touchscreen is very smooth.
  • A digital pen is included.
  • Exceptional battery life.
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Hinge at 60°
Negatives
  • Average build quality
4

Dell Inspiron 15 5502 Review

Dell Inspiron 15

The Dell Inspiron 15 is an excellent laptop to have on board if you require a laptop with a robust build and premium body.

It has a 15.6-inch Full HD Anti-Glare LED Backlight display with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.

It is powered by an Intel Core i5 CPU from the 11th generation, which has an 8 MB cache and a turbo speed of 4.2 GHz.

The CPU guarantees that laptops run quickly even while doing a lot of work or multitasking.

Dell ships with 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB solid-state drive.

The storage allows you to install video editing tools and save your altered videos to your laptop.

When it comes to storage, the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics is capable of creating photos with more precise color combinations.

SPECS
Dimensions9.23 x 14.02 x 0.7 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels
Screen Size15.6 inches
Weight3.78 lbs
Memory8 GB
SSD512 GB
Processor Count4
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAM
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home

Backlit keys on the keyboard help you to type precisely in low-light situations.

Apart from that, it has a fingerprint reader, Wi-Fi 6, and a variety of ports.

The Dell Inspiron 15’s only flaw is its short battery life, which lasts around four hours and takes a long time to charge.

To summarise, the Dell Inspiron 15 is an excellent choice for your everyday activities and is capable of tackling difficult work without difficulty.

8.5Expert Score
BUDGET LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE

Positive
  • Lid Opener of the Year
  • HD screen
  • Intel HD graphics
  • Lightning-quick fingerprint sensor
  • Exceptional performance
  • The Intel i5 CPU is fantastic
Negatives
  • Average Battery Life
5

HP Pavilion 15 Touchscreen Laptop

HP Pavilion 15

The Pavilion laptop is HP’s top-of-the-line consumer model.

It has a sleek, silver design and is available with an optional touchscreen display.

The best of both work and play, this laptop provides the power to complete your most important tasks.

The HP Pavilion 15 comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) so that you can run multiple programs at once without any lag.

You can also add 32GB of Intel Optane memory for storage acceleration in the economical laptop for video editing work.

The screen has a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, so you can watch movies or play games on it in high definition.

The HP Pavilion 15 Touchscreen Laptop (Intel Core i5, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Silver) features a 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Quad-Core processor and 12GB of 2666MHz DDR4 memory to handle all your daily tasks.

The 512GB solid-state drive provides quick access to frequently used files and programs.

SPECS
Dimensions14.24 x 9.67 x 0.7 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels
Screen Size15.6 inches
Weight4.08 lbs
Memory12 GB
SSD512 GB
Processor Count4
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAM
Operating SystemWindows 10

The 15.6″ diagonal LED-backlit touchscreen display has a 1920 x 1080 native resolution powered by integrated Intel UHD Graphics.

The HD screen display delivers crystal clear images with rich colors that will make your content pop off the screen.

A backlit keyboard lets you type in low-light conditions so you can keep working late into the night.

The HD webcam makes it easy to connect with friends and family in crystal clear quality. And when you need some extra room, it folds down flat so you can easily carry it.

You’ll find USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A for data transfer, HDMI ports, 1 AC smart pin, and one headphone and microphone combination among the ports.

8.3Expert Score
TOUCH SCREEN LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING UNDER 700

Positive
  • Excels in performance
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Built-in HD webcam
  • Dedicated graphics are just awesome
  • Responsive touchscreen technology
  • Best for high-end video editing
Negatives
  • Average battery life
6

Microsoft Surface Go Laptop

Microsoft Surface Go

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is a sleek and powerful laptop that’s perfect for work and play. This compact, portable laptop has a stunning 12.3″ PixelSense touchscreen display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability and scratch resistance.

It weighs less than 2 pounds, so you can easily take it anywhere.

The 10th Gen Intel Core processors deliver more power than ever before, so you can run your favorite apps and keep up on social media with ease.

And the battery lasts up to 13.5 hours of video playback.

The Surface Laptop is available in four colors: Platinum, Burgundy, Cobalt Blue, and Graphite Gold.

SPECS
Dimensions9.27 x 12.19 x 1.93 inches
Display Resolution1536 x 1024 pixels
Screen Size12.4 inches
Weight2.45 lbs
Memory8 GB
SSD256 GB
Processor Count4
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAM
Operating SystemWindows 10

This budget-friendly laptop also has an 8MP rear camera for taking high-quality pictures.

Fortunately, the Microsoft Store has a number of excellent video editors, including Animotica, an easy-to-use video editor that allows you to connect, split, cut, and mix video clips and photographs, as well as add transitions, voices, and effects.

Although the Surface Go isn’t as powerful as typical laptops, its convenience, extended battery life, and ultra-portable form more than make up for it.

You may also get the Microsoft Surface Pen to write and draw intuitively, in addition to the Microsoft Surface Go Type Cover.

8.3Expert Score
LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING UNDER 700 USD

Positive
  • Lightweight
  • Long battery life
  • 64GB of eMMC drive
Negatives
  • Less sharp screen
7

ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop

Asus ZenBook 13

For those seeking an ultra-thin laptop with true color and a bright display, the Asus Zenbook 13 is the highly recommended and finest video editing laptop option.

It has an Intel Core i5 CPU from the 11th generation, which is meant to give excellent performance and is primarily for video makers looking for a low-cost laptop.

The display is a 13.3-inch OLED screen with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.

Furthermore, the display has a brightness of 400 nits, allowing you to be perfectly visible even on sunny days.

In terms of memory, it has 8 GB of RAM, which easily handles all video editing activities and guarantees that the laptop performs without overheating or freezing.

It also has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, a 133 percent sRGB color spectrum, and HDR-improved realism for discrete graphics during video editing.

SPECS
Dimensions1.98 x 7.99 x 0.55 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080
Screen Size13.3 inches
Weight2.45 lbs
Memory8 GB
SSD1152 GB
Processor Count4
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAM
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home

A new edge-to-edge ergonomic keyboard with Asus Numberpad 2.0 placed on the trackpad and function keys is included with the 13-inch display.

Best of all, it has a built-in camera for face recognition, which raises the bar on laptop security.

The Asus Zenbook is a high-end laptop with a strong frame and superb build quality.

What makes it even better is that, although being made of sturdy materials, it only weighs about 2.45 pounds.

As a result, it is a fantastic option for both travel and education.

8.7Expert Score
LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING AND GRAPHIC DESIGNING

Positive
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Perfect Laptop for content creation
  • Features Asus NumberPad 2.0
  • Long-lasting battery
Negatives
  • Expensive Laptop
8

MSI Modern 14 Ultra Thin and Lightweight Professional Laptop

MSI Modern 14

The MSI Modern 14 is an excellent pick if you want a laptop with solid build quality, a strong processor, and a good graphics card.

The MSI Modern 14 has an ultra-thin and lightweight design that makes it very easy to take about and a great travel companion.

Full HD resolution, 72 percent NTSC, and 300 nits of brightness are all available on the 14-inch IPS panels.

Furthermore, the display is attractive and brilliant.

It has an Intel Core i5 CPU with 4.2 GHz turbo boosts from the 10th generation.

The laptop was designed by MSI with an ultra-light chassis, hair-brushed aluminum, and white keyboard lighting, making it one of the most durable laptops on the market.

SPECS
Dimensions12.68 x 8.74 x 0.63 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080
Screen Size14 inches
Weight2.60 lbs
Memory8 GB
SSD512 GB
Processor Count4
RAM TypeSODIMM
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home

The keys are simple to press and excel in areas where quick typing is required. It has integrated Intel graphics on the inside, which offer better image quality.

You’ll receive 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD for storage.

Both the memory and the storage may be upgraded.

The battery may last up to ten hours and provide continuous performance for a whole day.

SD card reader, USB 3.2 Gen Type C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI port, and audio and microphone combination are among the connections available for data transfer and connection with external displays.

If you only need a laptop to create content, the MSI Modern 14 is the ideal option.

8.8Expert Score
LAPTOP FOR VIDEO EDITING UNDER 700 BUCKS

Positive
  • An ideal choice for content creation
  • Durable and sturdy build quality
  • 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
  • Plenty of ports options
Negatives
  • Dull webcam

Important Considerations For Buying Best Laptop for Video Editing Under $700?

Before buying a laptop for editing videos, ask a few questions yourself.

  • How much RAM do you need? (More than 8GB is best)
  • What storage speed do you need? (A quick hard drive like the latest 7200RPM or SSD is best)
  • Do you want a matte screen with no touch functionality, or should it have a touch and glossy touchscreen display?
  • What should you do if you want to buy a laptop under 700 for video editing?
  • How will you use your laptop? (For work, school, travel?)
  • Do you need an optical drive?
  • Do you need it to be light or thin?
  • Do you mind carrying around some extra weight in order to get more features or better components?
  • Are you willing to buy a refurbished laptop with little to no warranty?
  • Do you need an extended warranty like AppleCare?

Conventional wisdom says you need a certain amount of power to process video footage for editing in real-time, although that’s not the whole story.

If you’re doing serious video editing, then any Mac or Windows machine can handle up to two streams of Full HD footage in real-time without a problem – but what about 4K or more?

Clearly, it’s going to be different for each machine and workload, so let me explain how we do the testing, and what we’ve learned so far.

And before you pick a model, you need to decide on your budget as well as how much power you’ll need for your editing tasks.

Read more about laptops for multiple monitors!

Video Editing is Different from 3D Animation

The biggest difference between video editing systems and those used for 3D animation is that video editing systems need to be able to decode and playback compressed files,

Which are far more time-consuming than the uncompressed 3D animation data typically used for rendering.

The compressors that create these files also require lots of processing power (which is why fast CPUs are needed).

These processors simulate real-time playback using various algorithms that read in a compressed file and then “unwrap” it into a form that can be played back.

This process is referred to as “decode” rather than render since the computer simply unpacks the data from the compressed file rather than creating multiple frames from scratch.

3D animation often requires rendering dozens of individual unique frames, each requiring a healthy dose of computing power, so the fact that video editing systems are decode- rather than render-centric is an important distinction.

Choosing the Right Processor for Video Editing

There are many factors to consider when you choose your next laptop, but one of the top things is picking out the right processor.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re using a Mac or Windows machine, the CPU is king when it comes to performance in video editing.

The difference in power between the latest Skylake CPUs and even last year’s Haswell processors is staggering.

And if all you need is the ability to edit Full HD footage, then I’d actually recommend looking for a laptop with a Core i5 CPU rather than spending more on a Core i7 CPU if your budget would benefit more from better storage.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can find laptops with even better processors, like the Xeon CPUs found in our Mac Pros or Dell Precision workstations, but those are overkill for most video editing tasks.

So the first thing you need to know is whether your video editing application can take advantage of multiple CPUs (or “cores”) that are in your laptop’s CPU.

If it can, then feel free to buy a laptop with more cores; if not, then you probably shouldn’t pay for extra cores.

For example, Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2015 only benefits from having a multi-core CPU, so any laptop can take advantage of Adobe’s Mercury Playback Engine.

If you’re using a version of Final Cut Pro prior to version 10.2, however, or if you use Avid Media Composer or something else that isn’t optimized for multi-CPUs, then you shouldn’t pay for extra cores if your software can’t take advantage of them.

And I stress the word “shouldn’t” because it’s a given that any laptop with a quad-core CPU is going to be faster than a dual-core CPU in the same price range, but not all laptops with quad-core CPUs are the same.

At the time of writing, there are quite a few laptops that offer 6 cores, but it’s rare to find an 8-core CPU in a laptop.

How Many Cores Do You Need?

Video editing is heavily dependent on RAM and storage, but most people only need more than 4 cores if they’re doing more complex color grading, graphics, or special effects in their video editing projects.

So when you see laptops with 6 cores, be sure to ask yourself if the extra two cores are worth it for your needs.

For example, I edit huge RED files in Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2015, so my laptop has a Core i7 CPU with 8 cores.

I could do fine with a laptop that has a Core i5 CPU and 6 cores, so I’d save money by going with the Core i5.

If you never work on huge RED files or use effects in your video projects, then you likely don’t need more than 4 cores.

All that being said, unless you have T-Rex enabled in your video editing software, you probably don’t need more than 2 cores.

But if you want to futureproof yourself for whenever Adobe updates Premiere Pro so it can take advantage of 6 or 8 cores, then get a laptop with at least 6 or 8 cores.

Pro-Tip

Creative professionals use laptops very differently than everyday users.

They’re on the road and they need something that can edit video, color grade 8K footage, and render 3D graphics as quickly as possible with minimal lag.

If you’re buying a laptop that’s only going to be used for browsing the web and checking email, then that $500 laptop will do just fine.

But if you need something for video editing and photo/video manipulation, then I recommend spending around $700-$2,000 on a solid workstation.

Final Thought

So, these are the finest laptops for video editing around $700 that perform admirably without breaking the budget.

Each laptop has been carefully studied and tested before being put on the list; there are others, but these are the best laptop for video editing for under $700.

All laptops come with a reasonable display and correct color, ensuring that you have a hassle-free video editing experience while on the road.

We wish you luck in your search for the ideal laptop.

Don’t worry if you’re still perplexed; we’ll be here to help you at any time.

Simply let us know what’s keeping you from making a solid choice in the comments below, and we’ll assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which budget laptop is best for video editing?

Time is money. If you’re a creative professional and time is of the essence, then you need to invest in a laptop that will handle your needs.
It’s possible to get by editing video on a $700 – $1000 laptop, but I recommend spending at least $2,000-$3,000 if you want something that will meet your needs now and in the future.
I hope this article helps you learn how to choose the best laptop for video editing under 700 that will help you work faster and take your craft to the next level!

What are the best laptop specs for video editing?

Based on my experience, I recommend the following components for a laptop that’s specifically used for video editing:
Intel Core i7 CPU or better
Minimum 8GB of RAM required but 12-16GB preferred. For photo/video manipulation work, more is better.
SSD hard drive – not an HDD one. The speed boost will be noticeable.
A good-sized screen with no touchscreen capability, but I find 1080p to be fine for video editing. 4K is nice if you have the money and the laptop supports it well.
I’ve had success using laptops with NVIDIA graphics cards, but most laptops that already come with a discrete graphics card also cost more than $2,000.
If your laptop can handle most of what Adobe Premiere Pro can throw at it, then you’re probably good to go for video editing with anything under $2,000.

Are Macbooks good for editing videos?

The MacBook Pro 16-inch can easily run any video editing program thanks to its strong Intel CPU and superb AMD graphics card. In 2021, you won’t be able to get a better laptop for video editing than a MacBook.

Are Chromebooks good for video editing?

While it’s a popular misconception that Chromebooks are solely suitable for browsing the web, this is not the truth. If you need to perform some video editing on your Chromebook, there are a number of options available. A Chromebook is quite capable if you only need to perform minimal editing.

What are good and cheap laptops for video editing in the market?

Here are some nice and inexpensive video editing laptops.
HP pavilion.
Asus VivoBook.
Acer Aspire.
Dell Inspiron 15.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

GAGDET GEEK
Logo