Is MacBook Pro really better than Windows for video editing?

For Final Cut Pro workflows, yes — there is no Windows version of Final Cut. For Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, both platforms are competitive. Apple Silicon M4 Pro is exceptional for efficiency, battery life, and sustained performance without fan noise. Windows laptops with RTX 4070+ GPUs often win in GPU-accelerated effects in DaVinci Resolve. The choice depends on your software and workflow.

How much RAM do I need for 4K video editing?

16GB is the practical minimum for 4K H.264/H.265 editing with proxy workflows. 32GB is comfortable for native 4K editing without proxies, multicam, and color grading. 64GB or more is for 6K+ RED, ARRI, or complex compositing workflows. Apple's unified memory is more efficient than dedicated system RAM — 16GB M4 Pro equals roughly 24-32GB of PC RAM in real editing performance.

Do I need a dedicated GPU for video editing on a laptop?

For basic timeline editing, a dedicated GPU is not strictly required. For DaVinci Resolve's color grading and Fusion VFX, a dedicated GPU with at least 8GB VRAM dramatically speeds up node-heavy timelines. For Premiere Pro, Adobe's Mercury GPU Acceleration uses the GPU for effects and exports. The RTX 4070 and 4070 Ti are the sweet spots for professional laptop GPU performance.

What display should I look for in a video editing laptop?

Minimum 100% sRGB for web video delivery. For professional color work, 90%+ DCI-P3 is the target — all professional delivery specs (Netflix, Amazon, YouTube HDR) use P3 as the color space. OLED panels have perfect blacks and are excellent for HDR grading. Avoid glossy displays in bright environments. Calibration should achieve Delta E under 2 for accurate color representation.

Can I use an external GPU (eGPU) with my laptop for video editing?

Yes, via Thunderbolt 4 — though eGPU support varies by software and platform. On macOS, eGPU support has been reduced in recent macOS versions and no longer works on Apple Silicon. On Windows, Thunderbolt 4 eGPUs can add RTX desktop GPU performance for workstation use, though with some bandwidth overhead. For most portable editing workflows, the built-in GPU is sufficient with the laptops in this guide.

Best Laptops for Video Editing 2026: Tested