(2024) 5 BEST Video Editing Laptops For $800 or Less!

32GB RAM & an i9 processor for under $800? Seems like it's too good to be true right? Well it's not! Here are some of the most highest performing video editing laptops that can run popular programs such as After Effects and Premiere Pro on a budget of only $800 or less!

January 22, 2024
(2024) 5 BEST Video Editing Laptops For $800 or Less!
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Best Laptops For Video Editing Under $800

Embarking on the journey of purchasing a new laptop can be thrilling, especially for the tech enthusiasts amongst us. There's an undeniable allure in unboxing a brand new device that promises improved performance and efficiency over your previous gadget. But when you're a video editing maven, the pursuit isn't just about newness or performance in general; you want a laptop that handles your editing needs like a pro, without burning a hole in your pocket. That's where we come in. We've compiled a list of the best laptops for video editing under $800, tailoring to your specialized needs without causing a fiscal headache.

At a price cap of $800, you are striking a balance between affordability and stellar video editing performance. Yes, this range might not bring you the top-of-the-line models, but with a keen eye and a bit of patience, you can discover truly remarkable devices that challenge their pricier counterparts. This list of video editing laptops reflects our commitment to finding these hidden gems. Remember, while these laptops are priced under $800 at the time of writing, it's a fluid market, and prices are subject to change. However, rest assured that each selection provides great value for your video editing needs. So, let's dive into the world of affordable, yet powerful, video editing laptops.

Laptop Comparison for Video Editing Under $800 Budget

Laptop Processor RAM Graphics Storage Main Benefit
Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087 Intel Core i5-10210U 8GB Intel UHD Graphics 512GB SSD Large display for detailed editing
Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5-9300H 8GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 256GB SSD High-performance graphics for intensive editing
Asus ZenBook UX330UA Intel Core i5-7200U 8GB Intel HD Graphics 620 256GB SSD Excellent color accuracy for photo and video editing
HP ENVY x360 AMD Ryzen 5 4500U 8GB AMD Radeon Graphics 256GB SSD Versatility and touch display for interactive editing


Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087 - Best 17-inch Video Editing Laptop under $800

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With similar specs to the Dell G5590, the heart of the Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087 is its Intel Core i5 processor. This chip, I found, truly stands up to the rigors of video editing tasks. On days when I was working on complex After Effects projects, I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it handled layer upon layer of video and effects. The 8GB DDR4 memory supported this performance by ensuring seamless multitasking. Having multiple tabs open in Chrome while simultaneously running Adobe After Effects didn't slow this machine down, which, for me, was a real advantage in managing my workflow.

Sizable Storage for Your Editing Needs

In terms of storage, the Acer Aspire 5 boasts a 512GB NVMe SSD which provides ample room for your video editing projects. For me, this meant less time juggling files and more time focusing on my editing tasks. The fast data transfer rates of the SSD also enhanced the overall editing experience by ensuring swift access to my files and projects.

Impressive 17-Inch Display

For video editing, having a large and vibrant display is crucial, and the Acer Aspire 5 does not disappoint. The 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display offers ample screen estate to work on. This was particularly beneficial during color grading sessions where every detail matters. I found that the display provided true-to-life colors and crisp detail, which is essential for accurate video editing.

Pros & Cons of Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087

Pros:

  • Robust Performance: The Intel Core i5 processor, coupled with 8GB DDR4 memory, handled my complex After Effects projects with ease. No longer did I have to worry about performance lags during peak editing sessions.
  • Ample Storage: With a 512GB NVMe SSD, I had plenty of space to store my raw footage, edited videos, and everything in between. This saved me from constantly moving files to an external drive.
  • Large Display: The 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display was a real asset when it came to color grading and fine-tuning my videos. The larger screen estate allowed me to spot minute details that might have been missed on a smaller screen.

Cons:

  • Weight: The Acer Aspire 5 is not the lightest laptop around. At around 6 pounds, I found it a bit cumbersome to lug around when I had on-location edits or meetings. A lighter model like the best MacBook for video editing might be easier to carry.
  • Battery Life: For a video editor who is often on the go, the battery life could be a bit of a letdown. I found myself needing to plug in after about 5-6 hours of intensive editing work.

Drawbacks of Acer Aspire 5 for Video Editing

While the Acer Aspire 5 proves to be a competent video editing laptop under $800, it does have its drawbacks. One of the main challenges I faced with this machine was its relatively short battery life. For video editing, this means you'll likely need to stay close to a power source during long editing sessions. This might not be a dealbreaker if you mostly work from a desk, but for those who value mobility, it's something to consider.

Another potential downside is the laptop's weight. As I've mentioned earlier, this machine is a bit on the heavier side. I remember one instance when I had to edit a short film on location, and lugging around the 6-pound laptop proved to be a bit of a chore. Compared to lighter options available in the market, the Acer Aspire 5 might not be the best pick if portability is high on your priority list.

The third area where I felt Acer could improve is the quality of the built-in speakers. When I was editing a music video, I found that the audio output from the laptop speakers lacked depth and richness. Of course, most professional video editors would use headphones or external speakers for a more accurate audio representation, but it's something worth mentioning.

A Real-World Experience with Acer Aspire 5

My experience editing a mini documentary for a local non-profit on the Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087 was an enlightening one. This project required editing a significant amount of 4K footage, including color grading and adding special effects. The laptop's Core i5 processor and 8GB of memory proved to be more than capable of handling these tasks. I found myself breezing through the editing process, thanks to the machine's competent performance and large, vibrant display.

Color grading on the 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display was a treat. The display provided accurate colors and details, allowing me to fine-tune the footage exactly how I envisioned. Having such a large display also meant I could easily manage my timeline and keep my project organized, which is crucial when dealing with a large amount of footage.

Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087 has been a reliable partner for my video editing tasks. It may have a few shortcomings, but the overall performance, ample storage, and impressive display make it a great choice for video editors working within a budget.

Acer Nitro 5 - Just A Little Over Budget As The Price Fluctuates

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Having spent plenty of time with the Acer Nitro 5, I can attest that its Intel Core i5-10300H processor is truly the star of the show. When I dove into extensive After Effects work, layering footage and effects, this machine kept up without breaking a sweat. This performance, backed by the 8GB DDR4 RAM, made multitasking a breeze. Running After Effects in tandem with Chrome didn't cause any notable slowdown, which, for me, was a significant advantage for my editing workflow.

Nitro's Fast and Furious Storage

Storage-wise, the Nitro 5 comes with a 256GB NVMe SSD, ensuring you have plenty of room for your editing files and faster file access. I found this particularly beneficial when working with larger video files, as the SSD allowed for rapid transfers and reduced waiting times.

Vivid Visuals on a 15.6-inch Display

The Nitro 5’s 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display brought my video edits to life. I found the screen to be bright, with accurate color reproduction, crucial for my color grading work. The display's size also ensured a comfortable workspace for managing timelines and previewing edits.

Acer Nitro 5: The Upsides and Downsides for Video Editing

Pros:

  • High Performance: The Nitro 5's robust Intel i5-10300H processor and 8GB of RAM made sure my After Effects projects ran smoothly. No stuttering or long load times even during peak usage hours.
  • Fast Storage: The 256GB NVMe SSD meant I had plenty of storage for my projects and could access my files quickly. This saved me time and streamlined my workflow.
  • Impressive Display: The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display was great for color grading and other detail-oriented tasks. The colors were accurate, and the size was sufficient for a comfortable editing experience.

Cons:

  • Heavier Weight: The Nitro 5, at around 5 pounds, is not the most lightweight option. I found it a bit cumbersome when I had to take it on location for shoots and edits.
  • Shorter Battery Life: The battery life was one area where the Nitro 5 fell short. During intensive editing sessions, I noticed that the battery drained faster than I would have liked.

Potential Drawbacks for Video Editors

While the Nitro 5 serves as a capable video editing machine, there are a couple of things that potential buyers should be aware of. The laptop's battery life could prove to be a hindrance for those who like to work on the go. I noticed that during heavy editing sessions, the battery depleted rather quickly, requiring me to stay tethered to a power source.

Another potential downside is the weight of the Nitro 5. I remember having to take it on location for a shoot, and carrying around the 5-pound laptop was less than ideal. If portability is a top concern, you might want to consider other options, perhaps the best laptop for video editing under $700, which might be more suitable.

Lastly, I found the laptop to run a bit hot during intense editing sessions. While this did not affect the performance during my usage, it is something to keep an eye on.

Asus ZenBook UX330UA - Good For Photoshop As Well

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A Processor that Keeps Up with the Pace

As a video editor and artist, my tools need to keep pace with my creativity. The Asus ZenBook UX330UA, with its Intel Core i5-7200U processor, delivered just that. Paired with 8GB of DDR3 RAM, I found it handled my Adobe After Effects projects admirably, allowing me to maintain a smooth workflow without interruptions.

A Display to Admire

The ZenBook UX330UA comes with a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display. I found this screen was especially good for detail-oriented work in Photoshop. With a good balance of color accuracy and clarity, this laptop served me well when I was tweaking images or adjusting colors for the videos.

ZenBook UX330UA: Pros and Cons from an Editor's Perspective

Pros:

  • Solid Performance: The i5-7200U processor and 8GB of RAM meant my After Effects and Photoshop projects ran without hiccups. I was able to multitask and switch between applications with ease.
  • Impressive Display: The 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display rendered my photos and videos crisply, which greatly enhanced my editing process.
  • Lightweight and Portable: The ZenBook UX330UA was a breeze to carry around. Weighing only 2.65 lbs, it was perfect for editing on the go or in different shooting locations.
  • Price: When on sale, this laptop can be purchased for as low as $700

Cons:

  • Limited Storage: The ZenBook comes with a 256GB SSD. While the speed of the SSD was advantageous, I found myself needing external storage solutions for my larger video projects.
  • Lack of a Dedicated Graphics Card: The ZenBook relies on integrated graphics, which was somewhat limiting during heavy graphic tasks.

Potential Drawbacks for Video Editors

The ZenBook UX330UA serves its purpose well as a capable editing laptop, but there are a couple of caveats. The laptop comes with integrated Intel HD Graphics 620, which, while sufficient for general usage and basic editing tasks, showed its limitations during my more graphics-intensive After Effects projects.

Another issue I ran into was the limited onboard storage. While the speed of the 256GB SSD was impressive, I found the capacity quickly filling up with my larger video files, leading me to rely on external storage solutions.

My Experience with the Asus ZenBook UX330UA

When I was working on a series of digital art projects for a local gallery using Photoshop, the ZenBook UX330UA was my constant companion. The detail-oriented work required accurate color representation and precise adjustments, and this laptop delivered.

From color grading in Photoshop to adding final touches in After Effects, my experience with the ZenBook UX330UA was overall positive. Despite the limitations in graphics performance and storage, it proved to be a reliable tool for my work.

I would recommend the ZenBook UX330UA to any creative professionals who need a portable and reasonably priced editing laptop. However, if you're looking for more power and storage, you might want to check out the best laptop for video editing under $1000.


HP ENVY x360 - The One I Use Most With Premiere Pro

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An AMD Advantage: Ryzen 5 4500U Processor

The AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor of the HP ENVY x360 has been a game-changer in my video editing experience. With 6 cores and 6 threads, it delivers great performance for my editing projects in Premiere Pro. Paired with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the ENVY x360 has proven to be a powerhouse, allowing me to layer footage, apply effects, and preview edits without any noticeable lag. If you do experience lag with higher resolution footage, you can get a better version of this laptop which may cost up to or beyond $1000.

ENVY x360’s Full HD Touch Display: A Touch of Precision

The ENVY x360 comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touch display. Not only does the touch functionality add a layer of interactivity, but the color accuracy and sharpness of the display have been a boon for my video editing and color grading tasks.

HP ENVY x360: The Good, The Bad, and The Editing

Pros:

  • Impressive Performance: The Ryzen 5 4500U processor and 8GB RAM have made my Premiere Pro experience seamless. The speed and responsiveness of the system significantly enhanced my workflow.
  • Touch Display: The Full HD touch display gave me a new way to interact with my projects. It was particularly handy when making precise selections in my footage.
  • Flexible Design: The 2-in-1 design provided versatility for different working environments. This flexibility came in handy during on-site shoots.

Cons:

  • Battery Life: While the ENVY x360 has good battery life in general usage, I noticed it depletes quickly during intense editing sessions in Premiere Pro.
  • Graphics Performance: The integrated AMD Radeon Graphics were satisfactory for general editing tasks, but struggled a bit with more graphically intense effects.

Be Aware, Video Editors: Potential Drawbacks

The ENVY x360 makes a commendable effort as a competent editing machine, but it's not without its challenges. Its battery life during intense editing sessions was one area I found lacking. It was less of an issue when I was working near a power outlet, but proved to be inconvenient during on-the-go editing.

Additionally, while the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics provided decent performance, it had a few struggles with more demanding graphic tasks in Premiere Pro.

My Hands-on Time with the HP ENVY x360

During a recent project, I was tasked with creating a series of promotional videos for a local event, and the HP ENVY x360 was my primary tool. The touchscreen was incredibly useful when I was making intricate selections and adjustments in Premiere Pro.

The 2-in-1 design was also a bonus, allowing me to switch between laptop and tablet modes based on my needs. However, during extended editing sessions, I found myself wishing for a longer battery life.

If you're looking for a versatile editing laptop with a touch of convenience, the ENVY x360 is a solid choice. For those in need of more powerful graphics performance, you might want to consider the best laptop for video editing under $1000.

How We Test Our Laptops

As a part of the dedicated team at FreeVisuals.net, I personally conducted a meticulous testing procedure to evaluate the video editing capabilities of each laptop featured on our site. My aim was to ensure that only the most capable contenders made it onto our esteemed lineup, providing our readers with reliable insights and recommendations for their video editing needs.

To accurately assess the laptops' performance, I employed video editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro, which is widely regarded as one of the industry's leading software. I meticulously tested each laptop's ability to handle various editing tasks, such as importing and organizing large video files, applying effects and transitions, and rendering the final output.

During the testing process, I paid close attention to the laptops' responsiveness and efficiency when working with high-resolution footage, multiple layers, and complex visual effects. I evaluated how smoothly they handled real-time previews, timeline scrubbing, and rendering times, all of which are critical factors for seamless video editing experiences.

Furthermore, I examined the laptops' compatibility with popular video formats and codecs, ensuring that they could handle a wide range of file types without any significant performance issues. This included testing their ability to handle demanding formats like 4K and RAW footage, as well as their performance when working with different compression settings.

Additionally, I assessed the laptops' storage capabilities and workflow optimization. This involved examining their ability to handle large video projects without compromising on speed and performance. I also evaluated their connectivity options, such as the presence of high-speed USB ports, Thunderbolt ports, and SD card readers, which greatly enhance the convenience and efficiency of video editing workflows.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Needs

Now that we've explored the top contenders for video editing laptops, it's time to find the one that best aligns with your unique requirements and aspirations. With a diverse range of options available, each with its own strengths and characteristics, selecting the optimal choice comes down to understanding your personal situation and intentions.

Consider the tasks you'll be undertaking. Are you primarily focused on video editing, or do you also delve into graphic-intensive work? If you're diving deep into editing, laptops like the Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087 and the Acer Nitro 5, with their powerful processors and dedicated graphics, provide the performance boost needed for smooth editing experiences.

If color accuracy and visual precision are paramount, the Asus ZenBook UX330UA with its impressive display and attention to detail might be your ideal companion. Its precise color reproduction and sharpness allow for meticulous editing in both photo and video projects.

For those seeking versatility and a touch of interactivity, the HP ENVY x360, with its 2-in-1 design and touch display, adds a layer of flexibility to your creative endeavors. Whether you're editing on-site or exploring innovative ways to interact with your projects, the ENVY x360 offers a unique and adaptable experience.

Leveraging Expertise and Discovering New Possibilities

As a video editor and artist, I've had the privilege of working with each of these laptops, uncovering their strengths and observing their limitations firsthand. Through meticulous testing and hands-on experience, I've witnessed the Acer Aspire 5 A517-53-5087's prowess in handling complex editing tasks, the Acer Nitro 5's prowess in graphic-intensive projects, the Asus ZenBook UX330UA's color accuracy, and the HP ENVY x360's versatility.

What you may not know is that some of these laptops, like the Acer Aspire 5 and Acer Nitro 5, offer more than just video editing capabilities. Their robust configurations also make them suitable for gaming, providing an opportunity to explore the realms of immersive gameplay and digital storytelling.

Making the Informed Decision

To make the best choice, consider your budget, prioritize your needs, and determine the key features that align with your creative vision. Whether it's the power-packed performance of the Acer Nitro 5, the precision of the Asus ZenBook UX330UA, or the adaptability of the HP ENVY x360, each laptop has its unique selling points that cater to different creative workflows.

As you embark on your journey to find the perfect video editing companion, remember to keep an eye out for ongoing sales and discounts that could make your desired laptop even more accessible. Take advantage of the vast resources available online, such as reviews, forums, and expert recommendations, to gather additional insights and make an informed decision.