Video editing is a demanding field nowadays but to make it done right, you need the highest-end configuration. For professional video editing, you not only need your command on video editing software (just like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X) but you also require a top-of-the-class laptop.
For video editing, laptops with the latest GPU, CPU paired with 1 TB of the solid-state drive are essential, without owning a leading laptop with high-end hardware configuration, you cannot utilize your skills appropriately.
Thus, we have brought the best laptop for video editing under 500 – yes, we want to deliver you the best on a limited budget. You can pick the one from our list because we want you to get your demanding tasks and edits done without any significant struggle.
So, are you ready to review our list? Wait, don’t forget to check out our top-pick, ASUS VivoBook 15 – a modern design laptop, which is accurate for a skilled Vlogger, editors, and YouTubers, as it can be easily used for complicated video editing activities. It is a laptop that has nice specs for editing photos and watching Netflix; in short, it is tremendous under 500 budget.
Let’s get ready to review five awesome affordable laptops.
Is i5 Enough for Video Editing?
If you are a new video editor and want something cheap, you can go with i5 but i7 is far better than i5 as it supports more software. Well, you can edit your videos through i5 but it doesn’t support the latest or heavy software; moreover, it works at a slower speed. So, it is better to go with something more than i5.
Best Laptop for Video Editing Under 500 for 2021
Getting a decent laptop for video editing is the dream of every video editor but in this big market, choosing a laptop with decent battery life, a dual-channel module setup, and an HD LED-backlit touchscreen is hard enough.
Yet we have explored every brand and figured out Dell and HP are the stand-outs, since we have compiled the laptop list that contains high components.
Here we have the comparison table for you, get into it and compare the features of our selected laptops.
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Let’s review the laptops that are popular for video editing!
1.) ASUS VivoBook 15 – Suitable Display and Perfect Memory
A standard 1920 x 1080 Full HD display has a four-sided NanoEdge display, 88% screen-to-body ratio which gives it a pretty slick look and makes it ideal for people who like thinner laptops.
Key Features:
The ASUS VivoBook carries an almost bezel-less screen that is pretty color-accurate just to make it good for demanding tasks and edits. As you know video editing is demanding which requires enough RAM.
The minimum requirement for video editing is 8GB, which is why this laptop is our top pick, it also has 8 GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD space. With this much RAM, and SSD feel-free to do intensive video editing processes and also use it to do everyday computing activities.
Processing power is crucial to use any laptop for occasional cough and struggle. Buddies your dream come true, this device is a capable Intel i3 10th gen processor having 4M Cache, and speed for up to 3.4 GHz.
The ASUS VivoBook has pretty much standard ports including Type-C, Type-A USB 3.2, and HDMI for connectivity. So transferring files, and important data is no more difficult task to do. You can also enjoy Gigabit Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connection.
This excellent laptop runs a pre-installed Windows 10 so start your video editing task when this laptop comes out of the box.
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[su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#0c9e21″][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#21b40b”]
- Full-sized backlit keyboard
- Improved hand placement
- Cheapest video editing laptop
- Ergolift featuring a tilt of 3 degrees
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[su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#bf000a”][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#bf000a”]
- Graphics are not great
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Our Verdict:
[su_note note_color=”#2b7797cc” text_color=”#ffffff”]So folks you frequently work outside of the home and need a compact portable device then the ASUS VivoBook is ready to be your partner. Want to know how? Due to its Appealing design and solid craftsmanship, much better acoustics. This is a viable option for an under $500 laptop which gives you a decent video editing experience like no one else does.[/su_note]
2.) Lenovo Ideapad 3 – Worthier and Easy to Use
When you compare price to performance ratio you will come across the best laptops for video editing under 500 dollars present in the market with the name of Lenovo Ideapad 3. A beast of a machine that is ready to process video quickly, make a basic presentation, and also used for doing creative work.
Key Features:
Easily use the Lenovo Ideapad for color-grading your videos as it has a big display screen of 15.6-inches having 1366 x 768 resolution that provides better visuals, and makes it ideal for rendering and editing videos. A Full HD screen, and resolution also help you in the color correction of your videos.
This is the most favorite laptop for video editing because of its AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor with Radeon Vega 3 graphics. The integrated AMD graphics which is Radeon Vega 3 allows you to use it for processing longer high-res videos. If you want to prefer mobility and flexibility, Lenovo Ideapad 3 is a compact and elegant choice.
One of the specs for a decent video editing laptop is how much it can keep you safe, and secure. This laptop allows you to keep your privacy intact via the physical shutter of the webcam. So, use this Best Laptop For Video Editing Under 500 for filmmaking or vlogging video, the choice is yours.
The laptops under $500 come with 4GBs of RAM mostly so you can use them for rendering the videos rapidly. Hurrah! This laptop also has 128 GB SSD M.2 NVMe storage and 4 GB DDR4 memory.
If you want to enjoy an ultra-fast system, Lenovo Ideapad 3 is an excellent choice.
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[su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#0c9e21″][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#21b40b”]
- A bright and vivid HD display
- Performs consistently well
- Provides enough processing power
- Has ample storage for installing the setup
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[su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#bf000a”][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#bf000a”]
- A small number of ports
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Our Verdict:
[su_note note_color=”#2b7797cc” text_color=”#ffffff”]Get an immersive experience of video editing by grabbing this elite-class laptop for video editing for under 500 dollars only having the latest CPU and GPU, enough battery power for the job, and equipped with the right amount of RAM. So no more wait, this laptop is waiting for you friends![/su_note]
3.) Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2021) – Best Display and Well-Featured
Let’s welcome you to the budget-friendly entry point in the field of video editing with our Dell Inspiron 15 3000. Our top-selling laptop for video editing in 2021is used to do light tasks like web research, writing an email, working on a word document, and also best for doing complicated video editing activities.
Key Features:
This is a compact premium laptop that weighs only 3.92lbs so get ready for editing videos while traveling as the less weight makes it ideal for carrying it with you wherever you are going.
This laptop has all the advanced connectivity ports which are necessary to transfer data or connect your laptop with another device. These ports include 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x HDMI 1.4b, and 1 x Headphone / Mic Combo Jack.
This Best Laptop For Video Editing Under 500 provides enough processing power as it is powered with Intel Celeron N4020 1.1GHz Dual-Core Processor with 4MB Cache and Up to 2.8GHz speed. Now light-duty video editing projects, downloading typical video editing software
The Intel UHD Graphics 600 with Shared Video Memory gives great image quality and makes it one solid video editing laptop Which is also used for casual gaming. This laptop will handle software fluently used for video editing via its fantastic storage space of 256GB SSD, and 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM. These versatile features make it fall on the list of the 6 best laptops for video editing.
This is comfortable for long-term use due to its sturdily built quality, and a Full HD 15.6 screen having 1366 x 768 resolution and is equipped with Anti-glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Narrow Borders. So easily use it for long hours as it cares for your eyes.
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[su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#0c9e21″][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#21b40b”]
- Hardware is pretty generous
- Have decent and capable graphics
- Pre-installed Windows 10 S Mode
- Can process high-resolution videos
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[su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#bf000a”][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#bf000a”]
- No con
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Our Verdict:
[su_note note_color=”#2b7797cc” text_color=”#ffffff”]The Dell Inspiron 15 is the best balance between power and price, as it is not only designed for video editing but also to be mobile and video edited in a coffee shop. So, why pour in thousands of dollars when you have Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2021).[/su_note]
4.) Acer Aspire 5 (2020) – Updated Features and Smart Look
When you encounter $500 video editing laptops, you will definitely love to experience our next laptop. Yes, we are here this time with the Acer Aspire 5(2020) model. Previously, getting a decent laptop for video editing at the price point of 500$ was difficult, but now getting the best for your limited budget is quite easy because Acer always cares for you.
Key Features:
This $500 video editing laptop is built with all standard and newest connection ports, for example, two USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI port, and one USB 3.0 port. Dell Inspiron also supports standard network technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Vega 8 Graphics helps in processing videos, but Vega 6 is also enough. So, to make small video editing tasks a piece of cake, Acer built this laptop with Vega 6 graphics. Along with this, this beautiful product is powered with AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Quad-Core Mobile Processor having a speed of 3.5GHz.
You can enjoy extra visibility even in darker rooms, which seems mesmerizing. It is all possible because of its full-size backlit keyboard. The laptop is a steal via its 4GB DDR4 memory for multitasking. A decent $500 laptop commonly has this much RAM which is required for solid performance.
This high-end laptop is available in the $500 price range and comes with a full HD 15.6-inch screen with narrow bezels, having an 82.58% screen-to-body ratio, and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution adds beauty and makes it the best laptop for particular tasks and more above video editing.
Fortunately, it is a low-priced laptop that meets the performance standards of professional editors. Fortunately, this laptop is an exclusive choice as far as price and performance category is concerned.
Acer Aspire 5 is literally good for those struggling with a budget, so shed the hurdle of bucks and grab this well-featured video editing laptop. It’s an elegant laptop, its design is inspired by Apple’s Mac.
If you prefer ease of use, you shouldn’t pick anything other than any laptop. After reading these features, you can say that $500 is very justifiable; isn’t it?
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[su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#0c9e21″][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#21b40b”]
- Have Acer blue-shield technology
- Enough hard disk drive
- Ample processor power and storage space
- Available at a pretty reasonable price
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[su_column size=”1/2″]
[su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#bf000a”][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#bf000a”]
- Heat up quickly
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Our Verdict:
[su_note note_color=”#2b7797cc” text_color=”#ffffff”]If you are on a tight budget then give a try to Acer Aspire 5 because it is a bang-for-the-buck deal that is available at just 359$. A budget-friendly backup option comes with built-in Alexa, windows 10 s mode, blue-shield technology, and other Acer advanced technologies. A $520 price tag attached to this laptop is not a big deal![/su_note]
5.) HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop – Super-Stylish and Efficient
When it comes to video editing laptops, we cannot skip HP; yes, HP is a brand that makes the most inspiring video editing laptops. HP 15.6 inches HD laptop is one of the most prominent examples of professional editing laptops. If you require a Multi-Core CPU, HP 15.6 inches HD laptop is the best fit.
HP 15.6 inches HD laptop owns hundreds of features and the most incredible ones are stated below.
Key Features:
HD HD laptop is best for video editing because it can support every kind of editing software; you can edit any of your heavier files by installing and using video editing software.
Software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Vegas Pro, Filmmora (typical video processing software) can be easily run on this laptop. The new and capable processor of this laptop can make editing fun.
Fortunately, this versatile laptop, due to its great features, falls on the list of the 5 best laptops for video editing under $500.
What is this laptop that overshoots that 500 dollars a bit? Its splendid features also beat many other video editors.
If you buy HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop, your budget of $500 is not less. Whether you are a vlogger or video editor, this laptop is excellent for you. Its ability to render the videos rapidly has made it the best fit for YouTube, filmmaking, or vlogging videos
From 15.6-inch diagonal HD display to 8 GB memory and from 1366 x 768 resolution to 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, this laptop contains everything marvelous.
So, if you are having the technical skills, these laptops are demanding on the hardware, so if you want the cheapest laptop for video editing, you can go with HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop.
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[su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#0c9e21″][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#21b40b”]
- The chassis feels sturdy
- Fast boot-up
- Long-lasting battery life
- Micro-edge bezel design
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[su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#bf000a”][su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#bf000a”]
- Gets hot quickly
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Our Verdict:
[su_note note_color=”#2b7797cc” text_color=”#ffffff”]Video editing requires more processing power and HP 15.6 is a laptop that has outstanding processing power. So, don’t hesitate to invest in HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop as it is the most reasonable and worthy buy. All in all, it is an adequate piece of equipment because you can get a full working setup might cost around $600.[/su_note]
Buying Guide for the Best Laptop for Video Editing Under 500:
If you want the best video editing laptop, size, resolution, CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, battery Life, and Operating System counts a lot, so don’t skip these features. Don’t forget that powerful hard can run heavy tasks successfully. Poor graphics are a great nuisance for video editors; hence, you need to consider the following features in your laptop.
A confusing laptop configuration can lead you in the wrong direction; therefore, don’t skip the following factors as these are extremely precious.
1.) Big Size, Great Fun:
The laptop size and its screen size is one essential feature to consider; for video editing, tiny screens aren’t reliable, a laptop of 14 and 15.6 inches screens are great for video editing but if you want to get attached a gaming station along with your laptop, you can buy a 13 or 14 inches screen. If an editor buys a screen display of less than 14, keep in mind, it’s an uninspiring display.
2.) Resolution Adds Comfort:
Display alone is not enough for video editing, you also need to consider screen resolution; if the display is good, you will be able to see perfect colors and see the character on the screen more rapidly and vividly.
For video editing, you can’t ignore resolution; at least a Full HD is required for a decent screen experience, but on a keen budget, it is a bit tricky. Yet, you need to prefer either HD (1366 x 768) or Full HD (1920 x 1080); we tried to compile the laptops with these resolutions.
3.) Pick the Suitable Processor:
Here comes the processor, buying a laptop with an exceptional processor should be your topmost preferred because it is a processor that will support your video editing software.
If your laptop’s processor is capable of supporting software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro, you can invest in it. You don’t need to spend a heavy amount on such laptops because in $500 you can get a processor that has the capacity for carrying out tasks like exporting, color correction, and much more.
4.) Graphics Works Wonder:
Along with the processor, the GPU or the graphics card is also crucial; however, on a budget of $500, you can get a great graphics card, even integrated graphics. Integrated graphic cards are great enough to make your editing uninterrupted, unfreezing, and glitch-free.
5.) Keep RAM at The Priority:
Many editors think 4 GB is great for video editing but you need to go a few steps ahead if you are running RAM-hungry programs. If you think laptops under $500 come with 4GBs of RAM, it is not true because you can even get even above.
Well, if you are a multitasker, you can go with laptops that have at least 8 GB RAM; this RAM will make your software run smoothly and if you are a professional editor, you can go with 16 GB (huge for editing videos), too. All in all, if you want top-level editing, the RAM version must be DDR4. For editing QHD, 4k, and 8k videos, you need more memory and more storage.
6.) Storage Counts A Lot:
Having good storage is as necessary as massive file sizes from HD or QHD videos; though good storage under $500 is a very rare thing, yet you can go through our above list as we have tried to crack the laptops that have the best storage.
Small internal storage space will not let you download the editing software, so buy the one with more storage. 512GB SSD is exceptional storage for video editing laptops but 512GB SSD is rare in the budget; still, we have tried to compile the laptops with outstanding storage.
7.) Don’t Skip Operating System:
If you go deep in the reality, you will find that most of the laptops have three common operating systems – Microsoft Windows, Google Chrome, or macOS. So, you should pick one that you find most comfortable.
When you are going to buy a laptop for video editing, mind that, an essential aspect is GPU or the Graphics chip. Despite that, we have mentioned many other features that you need to keep in your mind for getting a top-notch laptop. Along with these features, a decent battery backup is also crucial.
Key Take:
[su_note note_color=”#e2f0fc”]Video editing can be quite taxing on a laptop as it demands high-performance components. So, in this article, we have covered the laptops that are particularly designed for the video processing departments, since they can run video editing software.
You can buy any of the laptops from our list and make your editing super-easy, professional, and competitive. These laptops support every high-grade software so you can use any of the tools you want.
So, if you are a student, words in the office, or teacher, or professional, our laptops are the best fit for you.[/su_note]