Videographers and photographers on the go require a laptop that can handle tight deadlines and manage tasks such as color grading and 4K video editing seamlessly. For professionals seeking a laptop that excels in processing power, color accuracy, and battery life, the Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro) stands as our top recommendation. However, if you prefer Windows or need a laptop that allows for future repairs and upgrades, the Dell XPS 15 9530 is currently the best choice, thanks to its robust processing power and OLED screen. For those on a tighter budget, the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air offers an excellent display for its price range and a processor capable of smoothly editing 1080p video footage.
Everything we recommend
Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro, 2023)
The fastest editing laptop
The 16-inch MacBook Pro surpasses all other laptops we’ve tested in terms of photo and video editing speed, and it also boasts exceptionally impressive battery life.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Apple M3 Pro | Screen resolution: | 3456×2234 |
| Graphics: | 18-core (integrated) | Weight: | 4.7 pounds |
| Memory: | 18 GB | Tested battery life: | 15 hours |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD |
The Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro) combines a color-accurate screen with an incredibly fast processor, delivering an impressive 15 hours of battery life in our tests. Its large 16.2-inch display offers bright images and excellent contrast, ensuring you can see every detail in your photos and videos. When it comes to editing, the MacBook Pro processes video with the power of a desktop computer. However, the laptop is somewhat heavy at 4.7 pounds and lacks a USB-A port, so you may still need to carry a dongle for certain peripherals.
Dell XPS 15 9530
A great Windows alternative
The Dell XPS 15 features a vibrant 3.5K display and the processing power to handle any kind of footage on the go. Additionally, it is more repairable and upgradable than the MacBook Pro.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Intel Core i7-13700H | Screen: | 3456×2160 |
| Graphics: | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | Weight: | 4.2 pounds |
| Memory: | 32 GB | Tested battery life: | 8 hours |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD |
For those who prefer a Windows laptop, we recommend the Dell XPS 15 9530. Of all the Windows laptops we tested, it offers the best balance of features, with a nearly 4K display, a fast processor and graphics card, and a comfortable keyboard. The XPS 15 also allows for RAM and storage upgrades, so you can enhance your system’s specifications in the future without being locked into the original configuration.
Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch)
Great for working in 1080p
The MacBook Air is a common fixture on many modern office desks and home offices, but it’s also surprisingly capable of handling video editing, particularly for lighter tasks and 1080p footage.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | eight-core Apple M3 CPU | Storage: | 256 GB SSD |
| Graphics: | 10-core Apple M3 GPU | Screen: | 2880×1864 IPS |
| Memory: | 16 GB |
The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch) surpasses the previous M2 model in speed, making it not only an excellent budget option but also a viable first choice for many photographers and videographers without intensive processing needs. The M3-based Air is significantly lighter than our top pick, so if you’re a creative professional who does minimal editing or computer-generated effects and frequently carries your laptop, the 1.4-pound difference can save your back. The 15.3-inch display, with a resolution of 2880×1864 and 500 nits of brightness, is bright enough for outdoor use. It nearly matches the MacBook Pro in color accuracy and charges with a much smaller power brick. While creative professionals often gravitate toward the MacBook Pro for its robust features, Apple’s latest chips make the MacBook Air a compelling option.
Who should get this
An editing laptop is crucial for any videographer, photographer, or media professional. These laptops enable you to harness the power of a desktop computer, or most of it, on-site during shoots, and they allow you to edit footage from any location, including airport gates.
For those who require maximum power while on the go, we sought laptops with features like color-accurate displays, excellent battery life, the latest processors and graphics cards, and sufficient ports to connect all your peripherals and SD cards.
If you edit photos or videos or create illustrations that don’t require extremely high resolutions, such as those for social media, you don’t need to invest in our top picks. The M2 MacBook Air, our budget recommendation, is powerful enough to handle these tasks (albeit a bit more slowly) and can save you some money. Alternatively, one of our favorite ultrabooks could be a great compromise if you prefer Windows and only edit video occasionally, or if you’re just starting out and don’t need a fully professional setup.
Office-bound editors may find that they can obtain better performance for the same price by investing in or constructing a desktop PC. These machines do not contend with battery life concerns and can provide components with significantly more power. Additionally, they have more space for fans and heatsinks to maintain component temperatures. Furthermore, in the future, as your desktop computer ages, you’ll have the flexibility to upgrade it at a lower cost than purchasing an entirely new system.
How we picked
We hold video-editing laptops to a high standard due to their need to handle some of the most demanding professional workloads. Here’s our criteria for selecting and testing laptops in this category.
Performance:
- Processor: Often referred to as the CPU, the processor stands as the cornerstone of any editing laptop. Windows users face a choice between Intel and AMD processors. For Intel, we recommend opting for the latest 12th or 13th generation Core i7 chip. Alternatively, if considering AMD, look for processors labeled with the Ryzen 5000 or 6000 designation. Mac users should select a system equipped with Apple’s newest custom-built processors, such as the M3 Pro or M3 Max.
- Graphics card: Video editors and professionals in motion graphics should prioritize a system’s graphics card, or GPU. Since 2020, industry-leading software developer Adobe has expanded the capabilities of GPUs to accelerate editing tasks in its Premiere video-editing software, resulting in exports up to five times faster than previous versions. Laptops featuring Nvidia’s latest RTX line of graphics cards, such as the RTX 4000 series, have become more affordable and readily available. In our recent evaluations, we tested laptops equipped with these GPUs. However, it’s worth noting that higher-end GPUs are typically found in gaming laptops, which are often heavier, bulkier, and louder than the ultrabooks typically recommended in this guide.
- Memory: For both Windows and Mac laptops, we advise a minimum of 16 GB of RAM for photo and video editing tasks. However, if your projects involve handling large video files totaling dozens of gigabytes, we recommend upgrading to 32 GB of RAM.
- Storage: The majority of new laptops utilize fast NVMe drives, meaning that your primary consideration is determining the amount of storage required. We recommend a minimum of 500 GB for the storage drive, but we suggest this option only if you’re already archiving video projects on external hard drives or a network-attached storage system. Opting for a 1 TB drive provides your system with additional headroom and enables you to store a greater number of projects simultaneously.
Displays: In this testing cycle, we focused on laptops featuring displays of 15 inches or larger, ideally with a 4K resolution or nearing it. However, for our budget selections, we also assess models with smaller 13-inch displays.
Noise and heat: The higher the performance of a laptop, the more heat its components usually generate. In our testing, we’ve encountered laptops that became so hot that they caused discomfort when placed on our laps. Therefore, we prioritize laptops that remain cool under pressure. Many laptops combat this heat buildup by using fans, which can result in increased noise levels. We carefully assess how loud each laptop becomes under heavy workloads, although it’s worth noting that virtually every Windows laptop we’ve evaluated produces some level of fan noise.
Ports: We seek out laptops that offer a range of ports, ensuring versatility for various connectivity needs. Additionally, we verify that these connections are capable of handling large media files efficiently. Thunderbolt 4 stands as the latest standard for USB-C ports, boasting impressive transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. Furthermore, we specifically check for SD card slots that support UHS-II, the modern standard, to accommodate seamless data transfer from cameras and other devices.
Battery: Exceptional battery life on a laptop can feel like a superpower, while poor battery performance can seem like a curse. In our testing, we’ve found that many Windows laptops prioritize powerful components and energy-demanding displays, often resulting in compromised battery life. Conversely, this is an area where Apple laptops excel, consistently delivering impressive battery performance.
Size and weight: Photographers and videographers already bear the burden of carrying ample gear. Therefore, we meticulously assess the weight of these laptops and ensure they are compatible with various backpacks commonly used by professionals. Our testing involves fitting the laptops into bags from reputable brands such as Aer, Chrome Industries, Evergoods, Fjällräven, Tom Bihn, Osprey, and even a reliable Manfrotto camera backpack.
How we tested
We subject each laptop to a rigorous series of benchmarks and functional tests. These tests are conducted multiple times, and we calculate an average value from the results obtained. Additionally, we spend several days using each laptop to gain insight into its strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics. This hands-on approach allows us to provide a comprehensive evaluation of each machine.
To establish a baseline understanding of each computer’s processing power, we commence with running the PCMark 10 and Geekbench 5 benchmarks on every laptop. Subsequently, we progress to functional tests, which encompass exporting both 4K and 1080p video in Adobe Premiere Pro. For the benefit of video professionals, we export using the H.264 video standard, employing two-pass variable bit rate encoding with a target of 50 Mbps and maximum settings. Additionally, we engage in running graphics-intensive games on the laptops while they are placed on our laps, allowing us to gauge the amount of heat generated over prolonged periods. Furthermore, we utilize an infrared thermometer to take surface-temperature readings on our top picks.
To evaluate photo-editing performance, we utilize Photoshop’s Image Processor tool to gauge the CPU’s efficiency in processing image transformations and color-space alterations. For accurate and practical results, we employ a curated set of 330 images captured with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera, encompassing both JPEG and Canon RAW file formats.
Additionally, we transcode the movie “Night of the Living Dead” using Handbrake’s default Fast 1080p30 preset. Although this is a relatively small video file, it provides another valuable data point to assess each laptop’s performance in video encoding tasks.
Lastly, to evaluate battery life, we adjust each laptop to the same brightness level, as measured by a Spyder 5 colorimeter, and conduct standard laptop and pro-tablet battery tests. These tests utilize a customized Chrome extension designed to simulate typical web browsing and video playback activities. However, it’s important to note that video editing typically demands more processing power than simple web browsing. Therefore, while these battery life measurements are useful for comparing laptops within this guide, they may not accurately reflect how these systems would perform under heavy workloads.
Our pick: Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro, 2023)
The fastest editing laptop
The 16-inch MacBook Pro surpasses all other laptops we’ve tested in terms of photo and video editing speed, and it also boasts exceptionally impressive battery life.
When it comes to video editing on a laptop, the Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro) reigns supreme, leaving little competition unless you’re willing to shell out thousands more. In our evaluations, Apple’s latest professional-grade laptop outperformed any Windows laptop we tested, boasting editing, rendering, and video exporting speeds up to twice as fast. The MacBook Pro’s expansive, color-accurate display and rapid processor also facilitated precise adjustments to still images with ease.
The MacBook Pro sets a new standard for speed in its class. On average, it exported a one-minute 4K video in just 1 minute and 25 seconds, a remarkable achievement compared to the Dell XPS 15’s average time of 2 minutes and 29 seconds. This performance represents a significant improvement over the previous-generation MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro processor, which took about 45 seconds longer, and is approximately two minutes faster than the original M1 Pro chip we tested. We evaluated two versions of the MacBook Pro, one equipped with the M3 chip and another with the M3 Max. Given their relative performance and Apple’s track record with chip technology, we confidently recommend the mid-range M3 Pro processor. However, for those with no budget constraints, the M3 Max offers unparalleled speed, delivering performance up to three times faster than the M3 chip in certain tasks and benchmarks.
The MacBook Pro excels particularly in handling media tasks with remarkable speed. During a transcoding process where a low-resolution movie with a runtime of an hour and a half was converted to another format, the MacBook Pro completed the task in just 1 minute and 15 seconds. This was over a minute faster than any other machine tested. Although this test was relatively brief, the significant performance advantage over non-Apple machines is evident and noteworthy.
The MacBook Pro boasts an exceptional display, characterized by its sharpness, excellent contrast, and overall visual appeal for extended viewing sessions. Our color-accuracy tests revealed stellar performance, with the table below illustrating the MacBook Pro’s scores, including assessments of any color tint in the produced grays and the accuracy of colors to real-life representations. As expected, Apple’s displays consistently rank among the best in the industry. Furthermore, Apple offers a calibration tool to fine-tune XDR displays on the MacBook Pro, ensuring the utmost precision in color reproduction.
Color accuracy test results
| MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Max) | MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3) | MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro) | MacBook Air (M3, 2024) | Dell XPS 15 9530 |
|
| Grayscale | 1.8727 | 1.43 | 2.44 | 1.68 | 1.3928 |
| ColorChecker | 1.2813 | 1.07 | 1.32 | 1.38 | 0.7874 |
| Saturation | 1.12 | 0.90 | 1.26 | 1.25 | 0.7356 |
Its screen is sufficiently bright for editing under bright conditions. With a brightness of 500 nits, the MacBook Pro ensures clear visibility even in sunny or brightly lit environments. However, unlike previous iterations of the MacBook Pro, this model does not allow us to achieve a brightness of 1,000 nits through the normal screen-brightness controls. On both the 14-inch and 16-inch versions, we were only able to reach around 500 nits. Although this limitation aligns with Apple’s listed 500-nit standard-definition brightness on its website, it still renders the laptop’s screen less bright compared to previous models. While the panel may reach 1,000 nits for HDR content, we were unable to replicate this brightness level in our standard tests.
The MacBook Pro features a respectable webcam that delivers sharp imagery for video conferencing, particularly in well-lit environments. Even in lower-light conditions, where only the screen’s illumination was utilized, the webcam maintained acceptable image quality. Housed discreetly within a black notch at the top of the display, this design minimally interferes with the laptop’s daily usability.
The MacBook Pro operates with remarkable coolness, offering minimal noise and heat output. During our testing, we observed little to no noticeable noise or heat emission from the MacBook Pro, even during intensive export tasks. This ensured comfortable use, allowing us to keep the laptop on our laps without discomfort, even during heavy computing tasks. In contrast, every Windows laptop we evaluated exhibited warmth to the touch and activated audible fans when the processor was under significant editing loads, highlighting the MacBook Pro’s advantage in this aspect.
The MagSafe port remains a prominent feature in the latest MacBook Pro models, following in the footsteps of the 2021 iteration. Alongside the MagSafe charging port, the 2023 models also feature an SD card reader, an HDMI port, and three USB-C ports, while retaining the headphone jack. We appreciate the distribution of USB-C ports on both sides of the laptop, which minimizes the likelihood of bulky cables obstructing valuable port space. All USB-C ports on the MacBook Pro support Thunderbolt 4, enabling rapid charging, seamless connectivity to external displays, and high-speed data transfer. However, it’s worth noting that the absence of USB-A ports may pose limitations for users with legacy peripherals. Additionally, the 14-inch M3 model lacks a third USB-C port on the right side, which may inconvenience users relying heavily on USB-C peripherals. For those requiring enhanced connectivity options, particularly with bulky peripherals, opting for a version equipped with Pro or Max chips to access the third USB-C port is advisable.
The laptop boasts impressive battery life. During our rigorous battery test, which simulates web browsing and video playback at a consistent brightness level across all devices, the 16-inch MacBook Pro emerged as the top performer yet again. It lasted approximately 15 hours on a single charge, nearly double the endurance of the Dell XPS 9530. Similarly, the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro showcased commendable longevity, clocking in at 13.5 hours in the same test.
While not the most portable option, the MacBook Pro remains travel-friendly. Despite its size, it effortlessly fits into standard backpacks. The ample dimensions of the MacBook Pro accommodate a spacious 16.2-inch display and a formidable 100-watt-hour battery, the largest permissible on domestic flights in the United States. However, it’s worth noting that the 14-inch version features a smaller 70-watt-hour battery, contributing to its slightly shorter battery life compared to its larger counterpart.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Repairing or replacing components in the MacBook Pro is virtually impossible. Apple has soldered critical components such as the processor, RAM, and storage directly to the computer’s motherboard. This design choice severely limits the feasibility of repairing or replacing these parts individually, ultimately reducing their lifespan.
The camera notch on the MacBook Pro can be somewhat bothersome in certain situations. For applications with an abundance of menu tabs, numbering seven or eight or more, the notch may obstruct some of them. However, Apple has provided a straightforward workaround to address this issue. Users now have the option to switch certain apps to display their menu items below the menu bar, alleviating any potential obstruction caused by the notch.
The absence of USB-A ports in the MacBook Pro means that older peripherals will not function without the use of a dongle. While this may pose an inconvenience for some users, it’s important to note that USB-C has been prevalent for quite some time. As a result, many accessories have transitioned to USB-C compatibility. While it may be a bit cumbersome to use a dongle, we’ve observed that the majority of our accessories no longer necessitate the older cable.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro carries a notable weight of 4.7 pounds, excluding the charger or any additional accessories. While this weight may not pose a significant issue when stowed in a Pelican case alongside other gear, it can add up when carried in a backpack or bag. To put it into perspective, the laptop weighs roughly the same as a standard brick. If unsure about tolerating the weight, carrying a brick in your backpack could serve as an amusing test. Although we recommend the 16-inch version of the laptop for its ample screen real estate, particularly beneficial for video editing, those concerned about weight may find the smaller 14-inch model more suitable for their needs.
Also great: Dell XPS 15 9530
Dell XPS 15 9530
A great Windows alternative
The Dell XPS 15 features a vibrant 3.5K display and the processing power to handle any kind of footage on the go. Additionally, it is more repairable and upgradable than the MacBook Pro.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Intel Core i7-13700H | Screen: | 3456×2160 |
| Graphics: | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Weight: | 4.2 pounds |
| Memory: | 32 GB | Tested battery life: | 8 hours |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD |
If you’re in need of a Windows laptop tailored for media editing at the moment, or simply prefer Windows over Macs, we suggest considering the Dell XPS 15 9530. This laptop boasts a crisp, vibrant OLED screen that enhances your editing experience. Furthermore, it offers the flexibility to upgrade both the RAM and storage according to your evolving needs. Dell has also provided detailed guides on replacing most of the laptop’s components, empowering users to perform upgrades or repairs themselves.
The XPS 15 delivers impressive performance, nearly rivaling that of the MacBook. Across all our real-world tests, it excelled. It efficiently exported our test 4K video in just under two and a half minutes, outpacing last year’s models by over a minute. Moreover, its performance with photos surpassed expectations, swiftly processing more than 300 images in just under seven minutes.
Furthermore, the XPS 15 offers user-upgradability and repairability, enhancing its long-term value. In our testing, we examined a configuration featuring an Intel Core i7-13700H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and 32 GB of RAM. The laptop’s replaceable components, including the memory and storage, are easily accessible once the back plate is removed. This level of repairability, coupled with Dell’s comprehensive repair guides, deserves commendation for the longevity it provides to a laptop of this caliber.
The XPS 15’s display is tailored for professional editing tasks. Boasting a 3.5K resolution, the display delivers sharp visuals, further enhanced by its OLED technology, which offers an infinite contrast ratio. With OLED displays, each pixel can be individually turned off, resulting in deep blacks achieved through a true absence of light. While the display is exceptional, Dell obscures its potential with a subpar “Vivid” color profile hidden within the preinstalled MyDell software. However, switching the display setting from “Vivid” to “Internet” transforms the color inaccuracies from obvious to imperceptible to the human eye, unlocking the full potential of the display.
Color accuracy test results
| MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Max) | MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3) | MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro) | MacBook Air (M3, 2024) | Dell XPS 15 9530 |
|
| Grayscale | 1.8727 | 1.43 | 2.44 | 1.68 | 1.3928 |
| ColorChecker | 1.2813 | 1.07 | 1.32 | 1.38 | 0.7874 |
| Saturation | 1.12 | 0.90 | 1.26 | 1.25 | 0.7356 |
Our testing additionally corroborated that the XPS 15 boasts the capability to cover the entire sRGB color gamut and an impressive 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut. This extensive color-space coverage positions it as the laptop with the most comprehensive color representation among those we evaluated.
Featuring a commendable array of ports, the XPS 15 9530 includes an SD card reader for added versatility. Equipped with two USB-C ports boasting Thunderbolt 4 capabilities and an additional USB-C port supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on the opposite side, this laptop offers seamless connectivity options. Furthermore, the inclusion of an SD card reader and a headphone jack rounds out its port selection. For users who have transitioned entirely to USB-C peripherals and accessories and solely require an SD card slot, this laptop provides all the necessary ports. However, for those reliant on niche tools like colorimeters for display calibration or individuals with a preference for wired mice, the need for a dongle to accommodate USB-A attachments remains.
The XPS 15 boasts both portability and solid construction. With its slim profile and a weight of approximately 4.2 pounds, it’s easy to carry around. The laptop’s keys offer satisfying, deep travel, while the spacious and responsive trackpad adds to its user-friendly design. Coupled with the slim bezel of the display, these features contribute to an overall enjoyable user experience with the XPS 15.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The webcam on the 9530 leaves room for improvement. Sporting a resolution of only 720p, it falls short compared to many laptops that now feature a 1080p camera. While the difference may not be particularly noticeable in well-lit environments, the camera’s limitations become apparent in dimly lit rooms or during nighttime use, resulting in blurry and grainy images.
The battery life of the XPS 15 leaves much to be desired. Averaging around 8 hours, it falls short compared to the previous generation model. While this duration is still sufficient for a day’s worth of work without needing to plug in, it’s important to note that the battery depletes even more rapidly under heavy usage.
The XPS 15 tends to run a bit warm during intensive tasks. We observed that the laptop’s fans would kick in after a few minutes of GPU-intensive activities, owing to its capable Nvidia GeForce RTX 430750 Ti. During our testing, while running a game with the laptop placed on our laps to stress both the CPU and GPU, we noted that the underside of the laptop felt warmer compared to the previous generation. While the heat wasn’t unbearable, it could become uncomfortable over prolonged periods of use. Opting for the RTX 4060 option, which offers most of the performance at a $600 lower price point, could be a worthwhile consideration.
Budget pick: Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch)
Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch)
Great for working in 1080p
The MacBook Air is a common fixture on many modern office desks and home offices, but it’s also surprisingly capable of handling video editing, particularly for lighter tasks and 1080p footage.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | eight-core Apple M3 CPU | Storage: | 256 GB SSD |
| Graphics: | 10-core Apple M3 GPU | Screen: | 2880×1864 IPS |
| Memory: | 16 GB |
The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch) emerges as an excellent choice for photo and video editing tasks, boasting a spacious screen with remarkable color accuracy, unexpectedly impressive speakers, and the proficient M3 processor from Apple. For many photographers and video editors with straightforward workflows, opting for this latest MacBook Air over a MacBook Pro could prove to be a cost-effective and weight-saving solution. During our evaluation, we discovered that editing on the M3 Air was nearly on par with our top pick in terms of speed, despite the significant price difference.
While our top pick, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, reigns supreme for video and photo editing tasks due to its superior speed, higher-resolution screen, and extensive port selection, the MacBook Air is better suited for lighter workloads. Weighing 1.4 pounds less than its counterpart, the MacBook Air may appeal to individuals seeking a lighter backpack burden. Despite its lighter build, the MacBook Air performs admirably in editing 4K video, completing the task in an average time of 2 minutes and 51 seconds in our tests, just slightly slower than our Windows pick, the Dell XPS 15, which clocked in at 2 minutes and 29 seconds. For students, 1080p video editors, and photographers, the MacBook Air proves more than capable. However, for those handling extensive 4K footage, the MacBook Pro remains the preferred choice.
Color accuracy test results
| MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Max) | MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3) | MacBook Pro (16-inch, M2 Pro) | MacBook Air (M3, 2024) | Dell XPS 15 9530 | |
| Grayscale | 1.8727 | 1.43 | 2.44 | 1.68 | 1.3928 |
| ColorChecker | 1.2813 | 1.07 | 1.32 | 1.38 | 0.7874 |
| Saturation | 1.12 | 0.90 | 1.26 | 1.25 | 0.7356 |
Featuring a professionally accurate display, the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air offers a remarkable screen tailored for media-related tasks. Boasting a resolution of 2880×1864 and a brightness of 500 nits, its display rivals that of the MacBook Pro. While it falls slightly short in covering approximately 80% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and lacks the HDR capabilities found in the XDR display, its impressive color accuracy makes it a compelling option for media professionals.
Make sure to opt for additional RAM. In our suggested budget configuration, we prioritize allocating funds towards 16 GB of RAM rather than investing in Apple’s costly storage options, which demand an additional $200 for just 256 GB. Since you’re likely to utilize high-speed external solid-state drives for storage purposes, we advise utilizing the laptop’s internal storage for applications and documents while reserving external drives for storing other data.
What to look forward to
Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Samsung have all unveiled new PCs equipped with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X-series chips, designed to rival the power and efficiency of Apple’s M-series chips. Manufacturers claim these AI-enabled PCs boast significantly extended battery life and enhanced performance when handling AI tasks, such as powering large language models for chatbots or various other AI tools integrated into Windows by Microsoft. However, it remains to be seen whether these claims hold true in real-world usage scenarios. Therefore, we advise refraining from making any purchases until we’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly test the X-series processors to determine their suitability for professional tasks.
Several manufacturers are also launching laptops equipped with Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors, which were introduced at CES in January. As part of our ongoing evaluation process, we are currently testing laptops powered by Intel chips alongside those featuring Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X-series chips. This comprehensive testing approach allows us to provide accurate assessments of the performance and capabilities of laptops across different processor platforms.
