Because of the power required to run demanding software and render 4K or even 8K videos, many of the finest video editing PCs have similar, powerful specifications. With so many options on the market these days, how do you know what’s best for you? From powerful graphics cards to the latest processors and large amounts of memory, how do you know what’s best for you?
Fortunately, we’ve assembled a list of our favorites below, and they all come with some of the most up-to-date and powerful components, allowing them to handle any video editing assignment with ease. Whether you choose Apple or Microsoft, there’s something for everyone in the macOS and Windows worlds.
Video editing computers are normally expensive due to their power, but with Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2021 approaching, you may save a lot of money. That doesn’t guarantee that the items on this list will be discounted, but it’s always worth looking around before making a purchase at this time of year.
If you require a portable solution, there are now video editing laptops with the newest mobile graphics cards and 4K or even OLED displays, which eliminates the need for numerous desktop settings for work and home.
Laptops have gone a long way, but nothing beats a desktop computer for rendering applications that require a lot of processing power. You may connect a desktop to any of the best monitors for video editing and connect your favorite peripherals, such as a graphics drawing tablet.
You can’t seem to find what you’re looking for? Go straight to the section on things to think about when buying one of the finest computers for video editing. If you’re seeking smartphone video editing apps, check out our list of the top YouTube video editing apps.
Along with fantastic all-in-one PCs and the most up-to-date Macs, we’ve also included a few gaming PCs. Because of the cutting-edge components inside, they make superb video editing PCs.
The Best Video Editing Computers:
1. iMac (24-inch, 2021)
Although the current generation of Apple iMac computers may not be the first product that comes to mind when thinking of video editing, this colorful AIO is more than adequate for most individuals, and its affordable price makes it accessible to even rookie or student video editors.
Its 24-inch monitor has a 4.5K resolution, which isn’t ideal for rendering 8K film but is more than sufficient for most editing needs and access to the macOS-only application Final Cut Pro.
Apple’s M1 silicon powers the new iMac, merging internal components such as the CPU, GPU, and more into a single, more responsive processor. The new iMac also features one of the most significant redesigns in years, with lower bezels and a variety of vivid colors that harken back to Apple’s original G3 all-in-one PCs.
If you need a larger screen and more graphical processing power, the slightly older 27-inch iMac (seen below) would be a better choice.
2. iMac (27-inch, 2020)
This variant of the legendary iMac desktop computer, which was released in 2020, may not be as elegant as its newer, younger sibling, but it still has competent components, including up to a 10th generation Intel i9 processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT graphics card.
That dedicated graphics card, combined with the larger 27-inch display, can outperform the M1 silicon found in the current iMac machine, making it ideal for those who need to run more demanding programs.
The webcam and built-in microphone have also been enhanced, which will come in handy for many people who now work from home. Although the appearance of this iMac hasn’t changed, making it appear obsolete in comparison to the current 24-inch iMac, it remains amazingly thin and attractive.
Its all-in-one design makes it simple to set up and looks great in any office, home, or studio, plus it’s a powerful PC for editing high-resolution videos.
3. Microsoft Surface Studio 2:
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a fantastic alternative to Apple’s iMac PCs, with a similar all-in-one design and a few added bonuses.
For starters, the Surface Studio 2 has a touch-sensitive 28-inch display with a large resolution of 4,500 x 3,000 pixels, allowing you to drag and drop video clips with your finger as well as a mouse, and plenty of ports to connect your favorite mice, keyboards, and other peripherals.
It also has a hinge that allows you to fold the screen all the way down to edit video, and it can be used to draw with a pen if you don’t want to spend the money on a graphical drawing tablet.
The components within are what keep Windows from overtaking Apple in this ranking, but despite their age, they’re still capable of operating video editing software with ease.
4. Apple Mac Pro (2019)
The now-iconic ‘cheesegrater’ PC in Apple’s desktop computer family may appear amusing, but if you’re looking for a video editing powerhouse and have a lot of cash, the Apple Mac Pro (2019) is no laughing matter.
This is the most costly commercial product in the Mac portfolio, but if you’re prepared to spend a lot of money, you’ll get a lot of flexibility. The Mac Pro may be customized to your needs, with hardware that allows you to finish intense video editing tasks considerably faster than with less capable PCs, which can have a significant impact on your production. It also features up to 12 Thunderbolt 3 ports on the back, plus two more on the top of the chassis.
Although the initial outlay may be high, because of its modular design, you may easily replace portions of the system later on, unlike many other Apple devices. As a result, it may be future-proofed for years, saving you money on a brand-new system.
This means that the Apple Mac Pro isn’t for everyone, as it’s far too powerful for most video editing needs, and its price makes it unaffordable for many. This is the ideal Apple computer for video editing if you have the money and are a dedicated Apple user.
5. Apple Mac Mini (M1, 2020):
The Mac mini is a small PC with Apple’s latest M1 CPU and an 8-core GPU, but don’t let its small size deceive you: it’s a powerful video editing machine, especially when paired with one of the top 4K monitors on the market. Because of its tiny size, it can simply be placed into a bag and carried around, offering you the functionality of a desktop with the portability of a laptop.
The base model has an Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, as well as a 256GB SSD and four expansion ports on the back for USB or Thunderbolt external storage, as well as HDMI 2.0 to handle two monitors at once. This is an excellent alternative to the more expensive Mac Pro.
It uses the same technology as the new iMac 24-inch model and provides very similar performance, but without the built-in display and at a much lower price. If you currently own a monitor that you enjoy using, the Mac mini is a terrific option for the new iMac that will save you money.
6. Dell G5:
Gaming PCs are excellent video editing machines because they typically include plenty of RAM, the latest multi-core processors, and powerful graphics cards, all of which are common needs for powerful computers for creative professionals. If you enjoy playing video games in your leisure time, this is wonderful news because one product may be used for both work and pleasure if you have enough storage to accommodate games and project data.
The Dell G5 isn’t the most powerful gaming PC on the market, but you don’t need it for video editing, and its configuration options allow you plenty of room to customize it to your needs.
The inexpensive Dell G5 is an excellent choice if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. It features Intel’s 9th-generation processors as well as Nvidia’s most powerful gaming GTX and RTX graphics cards. You may customize the G5 to suit your budget and demands, much like many other Dell devices, so you don’t waste money on power and features you don’t need. It’s also attractively designed, so it won’t appear out of place in an office or studio, and it’s built to Dell’s high standards.
7. Lenovo Legion Tower 5i:
The Lenovo Legion 5i is another outstanding example of a budget gaming PC that also works well for video editing, providing excellent value for money and versatility for anyone who enjoys games in addition to their creative pursuits.
You’ll get 10th-generation Intel processors and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super graphics card, both of which are slightly out of date compared to Nvidia and Intel’s most recent generational releases, but are still capable and powerful enough to run AAA games and any video editing application you can throw at it.
It may also be configured with up to 16GB of RAM, which should suffice for the majority of users’ needs. If you find you need more, you can always update it later – one of the best things about desktop PCs is how simple it is to upgrade them. Best of all, this PC can come with a lot of storage capacity, with up to 1TB of hard drive space and 1TB of SSD storage, making it great for storing all of your video assets.
8. Lenovo Yoga AIO 7:
The Yoga AIO 7 is a capable Windows-based competitor to Apple’s aging iMac Pro, with capabilities tailored to creative professionals rather than regular home or business use.
The 4K display has an optional 99 percent Adobe RGB color gamut and DCI-P3 99 percent color space, and it can be fully rotated to portrait mode with a single finger for anyone who needs to work on TikTok films from a different perspective.
You may choose up to an Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card to help with any demanding editing or rendering, and the 32GB of RAM will help speed up rendering and if you’re partial to using software like Adobe After Effects.
There’s plenty of room to save video footage, and lots of ports to interface with your favorite devices, with up to 1TB of SSD storage and the option for a 2TB HDD.
9. Apple iMac Pro:
You may still acquire the Apple iMac Pro, a powerful all-in-one that can handle practically any work you put at it, if you like the all-in-one design but find the newer iMac PCs lacking in capacity.
The cheapest iMac Pro, which comes with an 8-core Intel Xeon processor, is already quite strong, but those who can afford it can upgrade to an insane 18-core version. With internal SSD storage ranging from 1TB to 4TB, you’ll be able to preserve a lot of 4K video before requiring additional hard drives. It also has plenty of connections, with four Thunderbolt 3.0 connectors and a 10GB Ethernet port.
With a 27-inch screen and 5K resolution, the built-in screen is still one of the best on the market. It’s 43% brighter than ordinary Apple Retina monitors, and it can display up to one billion colors. There aren’t many screens out there that will make your footage look better, regardless of the device’s age.
10. Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10:
Budget-friendly gaming PCs have been discussed as a viable choice for video editors, but there are some real jewels out there if you prefer luxury. The Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 gaming desktop is one of the best AMD-based gaming desktops on the market, with plenty of configuration choices for customers to tailor the machine to their own demands.
Due to Dell’s ownership of the Alienware brand, you may be able to save money if your job or place of school offers discount vouchers for new equipment. This isn’t a guarantee, but it makes annual discounts like Black Friday a wonderful chance to get one at a reduced price.
The UFO-inspired appearance isn’t for everyone, and while the price is reasonable for the quality of the product, this is still a very pricey PC. Buying a single machine like this can give you the best of both worlds if you want to mix your passion of gaming with your video editing needs.