Video editing is often a tedious and intricate process that requires incredible attention to detail, long hours spent in front of editing software, and the ability to make a bunch of different factors (i.e. sound, graphics, film) line up and come together to achieve a great final product (aka, your masterpiece.)
There is no such thing as a 'Budget' computer for 4K editing, not unless you want to grow old waiting for it to render. Get the best you can afford with the fastest processor, 16GB RAM and a SSD. I use a iMAC i7 with the above and final cut pro and it works pretty good, could be faster.
Similarly, finding the best laptop to assist in your *work of sheer genius* also involves a lot of different components coming together into one kick-ass video editing machine.
The reality is: a laptop fit for video editing is going to require some serious specs.
Generally, a great video editing laptop will have a powerful processor (CPU) and graphics card (GPU), an impressive display, and a hell of a lot of memory and storage. In an ideal world, this laptop would also offer multiple different input/output options and be relatively lightweight, because if you happen to also be shooting the video you'll edit, the last thing you want to do is add weight to your already-heavy camera equipment bag(s). Lastly, in this ideal world, these laptops would be cheap. Spoiler alert: this is the real world and these things aren't cheap. However, some are definitely more affordable than others — so if you're on a budget, price is obviously another huge factor to consider.
SEE ALSO: Best photo editing software for your desktop
Unfortunately, until the laptop-manufacturing gods (or whoever is in charge of laptop branding) decide to make 'video editing laptop' as easily identifiable as 'gaming laptop,' we're forced to break down the specs for ourselves, seeking out the one that hits the most checkmarks on our list of necessities.
Fortunately for you, we've devoured the tech specs of all of the top contenders for the best video editing laptops and organized them in a way that'll help you pick the best option for you. So whether you dream about Premiere Pro and video playback in your sleep, or you're just starting out and need a laptop that can grow with you, these are our top picks.
Powerhouse CPU • Incredible speed • Almost no lagging • Sleek • lightweight design • Impressive display
Lacks USB or SD card port • Not the best battery life
If you can shell out the cash, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is the crème de la crème of video editing laptops and will handle pretty much whatever job you throw at it in a speedy fashion.
1. MacBook ProWith a powerful CPU, solid storage, TrueTone retina display, and sleek, lightweight design, it's a powerful machine that's truly tough to beat.
The MacBook Pro is a straight up power house, and when it comes to video editing, it doesn't get much better. The standard 2018 model's six core i7 processor boasts an impressive speed of 2.2GHz with Turbo Boost potential up to 4.1GHz. (If you're really feeling reckless you can dish out an extra $400 for the 2.9GHz and 4.8GHz Turbo Boost, which are actually the highest specs on any Mac laptop ever.) Either way, to say this thing is powerful is an understatement. On top of that, you can get the Pro with 16-32 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of SSD storage, so essentially you'll be able to run several giant programs (i.e Adobe Premiere, Lightroom, etc.) simultaneously without experiencing lagging. (Technically you can get up to 4TB of SSD, which is insane and costs more, but if that's what you need, you do you.) This speed will also come in handy when it comes to exporting videos. Video editing is time consuming enough that it's a real blessing when you get to knock off minutes (or even hours) wherever you can.
The MacBook Pro also features a 2880x1800 Retina display with True Tone technology, which, according to Apple, 'Uses advanced multichannel sensors to adjust the color and intensity” of the screen. So depending on what environment you're editing in, the screen will automatically adjust so that no matter what, you see the colors on your screen as you should. The Pro has a touch bar and four Thunderbolt 3 ports, but the one downside (aside from the hefty price tag) is that it doesn't have a regular USB port or SD chip reader like other Mac models (i.e. the MacBook Air), so you'll likely need an adapter for most data transfers. The battery life on the Pro also isn't the most impressive, as tested first-hand here at Mashable. But that being said, video editing is a battery-draining process regardless of your machine's capabilities, so chances are you'll keep it plugged in for long editing sessions anyway. Overall, the MacBook Pro was given its name for a reason. It's for the pros. So if you're okay with dishing out a considerable amount of dough, this is an easy pick. You can read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro here.
Extremely powerful • Slim and lightweight • 4K display • InfinityEdge display is amazing
Bad webcam placement
If you find yourself editing a lot of video in 4K, you'll need a laptop that can keep up. The Dell XPS 15's 4K display and internal horsepower will do the job like no other.
2. Dell XPS 15 TouchWith the Dell XPS's stunning 4K touch display and powerful processor, editing 4K videos on this thing is a treat.
As much as we love the MacBook Pro, if you don't have a fixed affinity for Apple products, the Dell XPS 15 gives the Pro a run for its money in a number of ways.
Firstly, you can get the XPS 15 with either an FHD (1920x1080) display *or* a 4K ultra HD display. Even with the 4K ultra HD display and 16 GB of memory, the XPS 15 still ends up less expensive than the MacBook Pro by several hundred bucks. With the 4K display, you're getting double the screen resolution as that of the MacBook Pro and you'll also be able to export 4K videos much faster than with the Mac—so if you plan to frequently edit 4K videos, the Dell XPS 15 is definitely a good choice. (Not to mention, it's just beautiful to look at, especially with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics.) The XPS 15 is super slim and surprisingly lightweight and comes with a powerful intel Core i7 processor and lots of storage potential, so your heavy-hitting editing programs should function smoothly and quickly. The touch screen is also a nice addition. At 4 lbs, the XPS 15 is slightly heavier than the MacBook Pro (3 lbs), but is still one of the lightest 15-inch laptops around. Webcam users though, beware. One minor downside of the XPS 15 is its awkwardly placed cam, which is located on the bottom bezel (the price you pay for an InfinityEdge screen in this case.) So if you're the type who's constantly in video-chat meetings or Skyping friends, the up-your-nose angle might be something to consider.
Powerful • Multiple ports • Doubles as a tablet • Good battery life
Pricey
Though it is pricey, its excellent battery life, detachable keyboard and multiple ports make it a good option for anyone editing on the move.
3. Microsoft Surface Book 2The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is definitely a force to be reckoned with and unmatched as far as power for 2-in-1 laptops. Its multiple ports and impressive battery life make it a good option for editing on the go.
Rarely does a tablet measure up to the power potential of a full workstation. The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a 2-in-1 laptop that doubles as a tablet with a detachable keyboard and gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to functionality.
While video editing typically lends itself to desktops or laptops, there are some noteworthy perks to this Microsoft combo that make it a great editing choice. For one, you can get it with an Intel Core i7 CPU with up to 16 GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce 1060 GTX discrete graphics card — all of which makes it a major powerhouse and right up there with the MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 15 in terms of stamina. What's also great about the Surface Book 2 is the fact that it has a variety of ports. Unlike the MacBook Pro, it comes complete with pretty much any port you would need, including a USB 3.1, full-size SD card slot, Surface Dock, and USB-C port, which you can use as a single connector to charge devices, transfer files, and display video on external monitors. It also boasts a super long battery life of up to 17 hours, which is important if you're going to be editing away from an outlet (i.e. in between shoots, on a plane, bus, etc.) And while the tablet aspect probably won't be the number one selling point when it comes to choosing a video editing laptop, traveling editors might appreciate the detachable keyboard that will give them the option of a nice tablet experience that's prime for Netflix binging once they're done editing. Not to mention, it makes for a great presentation screen for showing off your finished edits. Alas, the Surface Book 2 does lose some points in the affordability department, since the base model with the desired specs (i.e Intel i7 CPU, 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage) will cost you upwards of $2300.
Ultra HD display • Powerful performance • Add-on active capacity pen • Convenient fold-back design • Thin bezels • Less expensive than competitors
Processor chip slightly slower than newer chips
The Lenovo Yoga 720 4K has all the right combinations to make it great for both video-editing and school.
4. Lenovo Yoga 720 4KWith top-notch processing power, an Ultra HD 4k display and easy functioning with optional touch-screen pen, the Lenovo Yoga 720 gives students the versatility needed for both class and high-quality video editing.
If you're a student and need a versatile laptop that will take care of both your school and video editing needs, the Lenovo Yoga 420 4K is a good option to explore.
The Lenovo Yoga 720 has pretty much all the makings of a great video editing laptop, with an incredible touch-screen 4K Ultra-HD display and a Quad Core H Series Intel processor. It also comes with up to 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage, so like its big-name competitors, it should be able to handle whatever heavy editing programs you throw its way. Though the CPU is technical seventh generation, making it a step behind its eighth generation competitors like the Mac and Dell XPS, it still packs enough oomph to get the job done. Like the Surface Book 2, the Lenovo doubles as a tablet. The keyboard doesn't fully detach, but instead has a nice fold-back design that'll let you mold it into full tablet or tent mode. When in tablet mode you can use the touch-screen exclusively and for an extra 30 bucks or so you can tack on the active capacity touch-screen pen, which is great for taking notes. What's great about the Yoga 720 is that it allows students to keep up in terms of software learning and produce at an extremely high quality level, yet also provides the convenience of a tablet that's prime for school use. And let's face it, nobody wants to carry around two separate machines (or worse, one video-editing machine and a bunch of one-subject notebooks) when you can just get one device that meets your needs for everything. And what's even better? For some impressive specs, the 720 is still pretty affordable — it's nearly $1000 less than the Surface Book 2. So whether you're a student with a budget whose buying their own laptop or your parent/favorite relative is hooking you up with your back-to-school digs, we're sure everyone will appreciate the extra grand in savings.
Powerful processor • Crisp display • Good battery life • Thin bezels • Variety of ports
Not Thunderbolt 3 compatible • Limited storage/memory
The Asus Zenbook packs some super-impressive specs for a laptop under $1000. If you're on a budget but need a laptop that will plow through demanding editing, the Zenbook is up for the challenge.
5. Asus Zenbook UX410Packs some super-impressive specs for a laptop under $1000, like a 12-hour battery and a variety of ports.
The reason video-editing laptops come at such a high expense is — in one word — specs. Editing programs like Adobe Premiere, for example, require serious horsepower to get anything accomplished at a reasonable pace. We know by now that big specs usual equal a big price tag. Which is why the Asus Zenbook UX410 is a breath of fresh air.
The Zenbook rocks a 14-inch screen with thin, 6mm bezels and a full-HD display, giving it just the right amount of sharpness for a laptop of this size. It comes with 8 GB of RAM, which, although we prefer a good 16 GB for editing video, is still enough to get the job done. What's most impressive about the Zenbook though is its updated 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor. Very rarely can you find a laptop with such a powerful CPU for under $1000. Battery life on the Zenbook is solid thanks to the 48Wh battery, so you can expect to get up to 12 hours of playback time. Plus, it's also pretty lightweight for a 14-inch laptop, weighing just over 3 lbs. If you want the best bang for your buck, check out the Zenbook — it's a rare gem.
Final Cut Pro X compatible • Speedy processor • More powerful than previous Air versions • Improved RAM • Affordable as far as Macs are concerned • Good battery life
No Thunderbolt 3 port • No retina display • Smaller screen
Sometimes you just want (or need) a Mac. If you can't afford one of the more expensive models, the MacBook Air will still deliver the Apple experience and has some extremely solid video-editing specs.
6. MacBook AirWhether you're specifically trained in Final Cut Pro X or just really love Apple products, if you're set on buying a Mac for editing but don't have several grand to spend—get the Macbook Air.
Think you have to give up on your Apple obsession in order to make the next big blockbuster hit? Think again. When it comes to editing video, it's pretty common for people to favor Apple computers, especially those who are specifically trained in Final Cut Pro X (which, for the record, you can only use on a Mac.) The unfortunate thing about fitting into this category is that, as we all know, Apple products come with a hefty price-tag.
To be fair, most spec-fancy laptops ideal for video editing will come with a hefty price-tag, regardless of whether there's an Apple stamped on them or not. But what do you do if you're in the Mac market with a limited budget? Get the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air has received some noteworthy upgrades, one of which is its default RAM of 8 GB. This teamed with its Intel Core i5 processor make for fast, stutter-free editing and exporting. What it lacks in a slightly smaller 13-inch screen and lack of retina display, it makes up for in power and portability. It's obviously super lightweight (hence its name) and also comes with a solid array of ports, including two USB-3 ports and a full-sized SD card slot (which is more than we can say for the MacBook Pro.) The downside is that it doesn't have a Thunderbolt 3 port. But still, for the purpose of transporting data quickly and easily, the ports that it does have are ideal. The MacBook Air also has an awesome battery life of up to 12 hours, so you'll get pretty far on a single charge in a long editing session. Despite the smaller screen and limited RAM compared to our top picks, you're getting a powerful machine with Apple street cred that'll host pretty much any program of your choice for less than $1000. That, my friend, is a win.
Decent processor and amount of RAM • Super affordable comparatively
Heavy • Not as fast as top competitors
The HP Pavilion doesn't pack the power-specs of our top picks, but for those just getting their feet wet in the video editing world, it doesn't need to. The Pavilion is a way to start dabbling in video editing without breaking the bank.
7. HP Pavilion NotebookThe HP Pavilion lacks the frills and power of the more expensive models, but for entry-level video editors it's a good way to test the waters.
While it's easy to say it's worth it to drop top dollar on a video editing laptop, for those who are just starting out, that may not be the case. Not only would it feel pretty crappy to blow thousands of dollars on machinery for a hobby you might not even stick with, chances are, if you're just starting out, you probably don't even have the amount of footage or editing capabilities that would require the heavy power and storage specs of one of the ultra-expensive models. -->
So for those just getting their feet wet and learning the basics, the HP Pavilion is a decent entry-level model. For less than $600 bucks, it comes with an Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM, which, although isn't as powerful as an 8th-generation CPU, still brings solid speed and fluidity when editing. Not to mention, 8 GB is probably more than enough memory for someone just starting out. Apart from that it's got some solid Intel HD graphics and a 14-inch screen, which is a nice size for video editing. On the downside, its pretty heavy compared to most of the other laptops on this list, weighing in at almost 5 lbd. The weight of the laptop probably isn't as much as a deal-breaker for a beginner as it might be for a professional who's knowingly going to be carrying a lot of extra camera equipment on top of said heavy laptop.
Sep 02,2019• Proven solutions
Nowadays various professional video editing tools which provide amazing effects and abilities like green screen are available on the market. But these video editing tools can be too expensive and not very user-friendly, and have a steep learning curves. For example, Adobe Premiere has the Chroma keying feature, but you have to pay $19.99/month if you billed annually and take some time to figure it out how to use a green screen overlay video.
If you just want to edit some home movies, those programs will not very helpful for you. In this case, we have picked up 10 free and simple video editing software which also have advanced editing features including chroma keying or green screen. In the end, we will also have a bonus video about how to make green screen video.
Recommended Green Screen Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora9
If you are looking for a more powerful green screen video editor, we recommend you to try Wondershare Filmora9 (Latest Filmora version 9). As one of the best video editor with Chroma key feature for beginners, making a video with green screen is easy. You can also combine green screen with free video effects to make your video more amazing. You can download Filmora9 green screen video editing software on both Windows and Mac computer.
How to compositing green screen video easily
Import clips: You just need to import both the green screen background video or image and your main videos. Then place the videos on video timeline, and green screen video/image on the other timeline. Highlight the green screen clip, and then double click on the green screen clip in the timeline. Then video editing panel will appear at top.
Make green screen: Click Chroma Key. Use eyedropper tool to pick up your background color. Then you'll get what you want. You can also adjust offset, tolerance and edge feather to make it better.
It is easy to make green screen video with the steps above. Now download this software and try to make your own green screen video now!
Related Articles:
Top 10 Free Green Screen Video Editing Software [Windows/Mac/Linux]
As we said in last part, Filmora9 video editor is a good choice for green screen video compositing. But if you still don’t believe the benefits of using Filmora9 to do that, we have made a video about best 3 free green screen software for windows and mac briefly. Watch it and let me know your opinion.
1. VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC Free Video Editor is a capable green screen software with plenty of functionality like drawing and selection tools, plenty of color and lighting corrections, some useful filters, transitions, audio effects and more. It's also one of the very few freeware video editor programs that has green screen editing capability. Also, you can only use it in Windows computer to compositing a green screen video.
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2. iMovie
iMovie comes with every new Mac which helps bring your moving images together into one professional looking production. Besides the basic video editing functions like crop, rotate, trim, split, ect, it also provides a simplistic timeline, built-in sound and animations and various easy-to-use effects including green screen effect. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply green screen effect.
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3. VirtualDub
Virualdub is free and open source green screen editing software designed for fast processing and versatility. It’s not as powerful as professional video editing programs but helps you deal with the basic video editing like swap audio tracks, add filters, trim clips and adjust audio. It also includes a basic green screen option, although it is not as powerful as many other software titles.
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4. Wax
Debugmode Wax is a simple video editor for both commercial and personal use. It provides all-around special effects which enable users to produce dynamic pieces of video. These effects include chroma key composting and 3d effects. Another great feature is that Wax can either be used as a standalone green screen software or as a plugin to assist your main video editor software in applying effects.
Note: Wax can only works on Windows operating system (Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista).
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5. ZS4 Video Editor
ZS4 Video Editor is the new incarnation of Zwei-Stein green screen editor. It’s an advanced video editing and compositing tool with over 150 built-in video effects including excellent color and chroma key. You can also customize the width and height of the output video, add unlimited tracks and sub-composites, slave effects, compose controls to audio wave forms and more.
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6. Lightworks
Lightworks is a free green screen editor. It is a renowned editor for 25 years. This chroma key software will let you create green screen video with advanced features. If you have some experince in video editing, then Lightworks is a not bad choice. You can use audio & video FX to maker your green screen video more attractive. More than green screen, you can use proxy workflows for 4K.
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7. OpenShot
OpenShot is a free and open source chroma key/green screen software. It supports FreeBSD, Linux, Mac and Windows, and it is cross platform. You can quickly and easily make green screen video with it. You can can combine 3D animation with chroma key effects, which makes your video more stunning. As for the interface, you don't need to worry as its interface is intuitive. It is a great free green screen editor for us to have a try.
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8. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free green screen editor. It supports Linux, Mac and Windows system, and it is an open source video recorder. Many people think it is just a video recorder, but you can use it to do many things, like making green screen video. After recording or directly import video to it, start doing chroma key effects. Its UI allows you to customize the interface, so it is very handy!
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9. HitFilm Express
HitFilm is a free green screen editor. You can use green screen feature to make many creative videos in HitFilm easily. If you are a beginner and want to learn how to make green screen video, Hitfilm will also provide online course for you. You can make chroma key video with millions of users all around the world. If you want to use preset, it has more than 140 effects for you.
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10. DaVinci Resolve
It is a powerful editor for making green screen video. You can create chroma key video by advanced options, which will create the best composite. Besides, you can add keyframes in the timeline. Various transitions and effects are for you to use if you want to touch up your video. You also can add metadata to mark your frame.
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Best Video Editing Software Mac
Support: Mac/Windows/Linux
Conclusion
Below is a comparison table about the 10 best green screen software.
Above are some of the best free green screen software that you can use on the market, and you can see most of them have a limited video editing feature and the interface is not so intuitive and modern. As you may have heard about it: free is always the most expensive. These Free chroma keying software may satisfy your basic video editing needs, but if you need more advanced features, it's best to turn to a professional green screen software. In fact, we have composed another article based on that view about best green screen video editors in case that you are looking for it.
For those who are looking for a powerful enough but do not want to cost a fortune, we recommend you to try Wondershare Filmora9 (Latest Filmora version 9). Filmora9 is available on Windows and Mac platforms. Just watch the video below and check out how to easily make green screen video with Filmora9.
Video Editing Software For Mac
Easy-to-use and powerful video editor for all creators.
Bring up your video to a professional level with straightforward tools.
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November 2020
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