In the current market, there is an abundance of laptops available from various brands. Nevertheless, choosing the optimal laptop for video editing under $500 can prove to be a daunting task. This can be particularly challenging when you are on a tight budget and require a device that meets all of your needs.
We understand the frustration that such circumstances can cause, which is why we conducted research. After dedicating several hours and conducting a comprehensive market survey, we have identified the best available options that meet your requirements.
Laptops that are specifically made for video editing are usually high end devices with powerful components such as processor, RAM and GPUs.
These components provide hardware acceleration, making rendering related tasks easier and more efficiently done.
We know you must be excited to see our list therefore, we won’t keep you any longer. With that said, let’s dive into our list of recommended options.
Top 6 Best Laptops for Video Editing under $500:
1. 2020 HP 14 inch HD Laptop:
Starting our list of the best video editing laptop under 500 with one of the most renowned laptop brands. The DELL H_002dx_BP is one of the finest machines that will amaze you from every angle.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the excellent features that the laptop possesses and see how it can be beneficial for your video editing applications
The H_002dx_BP features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor which is a good thing in this price range.
Speaking of the processor, it has a 1.1 GHz base clock frequency that can boost up to 2.8 GHz when needed. Besides that, it comes equipped with a 4 MB L2 cache memory and has 2 cores.
Now about the cores, honestly speaking we think it is the only drawback of this machine. However, compared to other features, we think it can be easily covered.
The next important thing to look for is the RAM of this device. DELL has done an excellent job by adding a 4 GB DDR4 RAM that features a 2400 Hz clock frequency.
While this might not be a tank for the pros but it still does the best job for beginners. In addition to this, it makes the device capable of transferring up to 2400 MT/s which is good.
Apart from that, there is a 4GB storage and 64 GB eMMC which we highly recommend upgrading whenever you can.
It is because you are going to need a lot of storage when you start playing with larger video clips.
Our Remarks: Although it is well understood that this device is not meant for professionals. However, if you are someone who is just stepping into video editing then it can be the right first option.
The main reason behind this is that the laptop comes under 500 and still provides the best of its performance regarding video editing.
- Pros:
- Large display
- Beautiful, lightweight, and stylish design
- Intel UHD Graphics 600
- Slim and smart structure
- Cons:
- Weak processor, not suitable for hardcore video editing tasks.
2. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop:
If you are a professional video editor and are looking for the best laptop for video editing under $500 then, we have something special for you.
The Acer Aspire 5 is something worth investing your hard-earned money on because of the following features:
The device houses a powerful AMD Ryzen series processor (Ryzen 3) which is one of the outstanding machines in this price range.
The processor is capable of reaching up to 3.5 GHz frequency which will solve all of your rendering and video editing-related tasks.
Moreover, the best thing about the Ryzen series is that they are excellent tools for editing-related tasks.
This is because of their threads and core technology. While the AMD bulldozer series wasn’t that great the Ryzen series have proved themselves.
Apart from a good processing unit, the laptop also comes equipped with a 4GB DDR4 memory stick.
The RAM features a 2400 Hz frequency which, if backed by another 4GB stick, can do wonders together.
However, if you are not in the mood to upgrade any soon then this device can still provide you with some excellent results.
Now talking about the storage, the Acer Aspire 5 possesses a 128 GB PCIe NVMe SSD. This is something worth having best video editing laptop under 500.
While the storage is not sufficient for video editing tasks but the power of the SSD will balance this drawback with its excellent speed.
Your device will boot in seconds as soon as you press the power button. Moreover, you will experience a boost in the reading and writing speed on your computer.
Our Remarks: With the help of its powerful processor and built-in AMD Radeon Vega 3 mobile GPU this device is truly the best option for editing videos under $500.
Moreover, it is also having an HD display which adds to its features and can last up to 7 hours on a single charge which is extraordinary for such a device.
- Pros:
- Powerful processor
- Features a GPU for extra performance boost
- Excellent quality display
- Backlit keyboard
- Cons:
- The RAM and storage needs could be a bit better
3.BMAX X15 Laptop:
You might be well versed with the term BMX bikes but have you ever heard about the BMAX? If not then you are missing a lot of amazing things about this laptop which comes under $500 and serves as the best video editing laptop.
The BMAX X15 is one of the top-notch devices for those who are looking for the best laptop for video editing-related tasks.
The device comes with a bunch of cool features that make it the best choice in this price range. Let’s peek into some of the cool features that the laptop possesses.
First and foremost, the device features an Intel Celeron 4120 processor whose frequency ranges up to 2.6 GHz.
This is best for video editing-related tasks and will provide you with better results without any issue whatsoever under $500.
Apart from that, the processor has 4 cores which are further divided into 4 threads. Cores and threads technology is something that needs to be praised because it divides all the workload, increasing the overall efficiency and performance.
Speaking of the performance, the device also features a 4M cache which adds to the functionality.
The BMAX X15 comes with a whopping 8 gigs of RAM that makes it stand out from the crowd. Especially at this price range, the company is offering 8 gigabytes which are quite surprising.
It will let you finish your video editing-related tasks on time and make sure to match your deadlines without any worries at all. In addition to this, the device also features a 256 GB solid-state drive.
This does not only reduce the overall boot time but also makes the device more efficient in reading and writing. Thus you will never have issues whenever you are copying files and saving data on your computer.
Our Remarks: Although it has no dedicated GPU it would be great otherwise if it had one. However, it is still one of the most efficient and reliable devices that you can get especially at this price range.
The laptop comes with different COM ports and a slim structure that looks sleek and stylish. We highly recommend this to beginner and intermediate video editors.
- Pros:
- Upgradable to Windows 11
- Sleek and stylish design
- Efficient processing performance
- Highly Affordable option
- Suitable for preliminary and intermediate video editing
- Cons:
- Not the best choice for multi-tasking
4. Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 – Best laptop for under $500:
If you are looking for something small and quick that can easily cover you while you are on the move then we have something special for you.
The Samsung Chromebook is worth investing in if you are looking for a device just for video editing while you are outside of your home office.
There are so many features that make it one of the best choices for video editing under 500. Take a quick look to see if this particular device can fulfill your needs or not.
The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 comes with a 1.5 GHz Intel Celeron processor. This processor is just right for a secondary device that you would want to carry while you are on the move.
It will accompany you during travel and will allow you to perform a little bit of video editing tasks. Even though it can perform regular video editing but we wouldn’t recommend it for professional use (to be honest).
The device features 4GB RAM which makes it blazing fast. Moreover, the RAM has a 2400 MHz clock frequency which allows it to perform different tasks efficiently without lagging or something.
If you are not doing multi-tasking then this RAM can pretty much handle everything.
Having that said, if you are not easy with the 4 gigs of RAM then you can easily upgrade it to 8 GB or more.
This will help your device perform at a much faster rate and will surely skyrocket the overall performance.
Apart from that, to save your videos and important files on the computer, the device features a 64GB eMMC which provides sufficient storage for small clips.
The best thing about this laptop is that you can increase the storage up to 400 GB.
This will take the performance of your device to a whole new level and will let you add more data to it without any issue at all.
Our Remarks: Chromebooks are generally not the best choice for heavy tasks. However, it can still act as a good backup device especially when you are traveling or away from the office.
The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 is one of the most efficient devices currently on the market.
It is available under 500 and will serve you with the best of its performance when needed for video editing.
- Pros:
- Smart and reliable for travel
- Elegant design
- 2 in 1 device (touch and type)
- Comes with a touch pen which increases the overall productivity
- Affordable
- Cons:
- Not recommended for heavy tasking
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3:
Lenovo is also one of the most popular brands that are known for its amazing products in different parts of the world.
If you are looking for the best laptop for video editing under $500 then consider the IdeaPad 3. There are so many reasons to consider this device for video editing-related tasks.
We’ve mentioned them in detail to make you aware of all the features so that you can decide for yourself. The first thing that we would like to talk about is the processing unit of IdeaPad 3.
The laptop features a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 Processor which makes it more efficient and reliable. It provides best performance and that too under 500 for video editing.
Besides that, the processor’s multiple cores and threads divide the tasks, making it more efficient and time-saving. Ryzen 5 processors are capable of providing the best results without overclocking.
However, if you still want to push it beyond its limits then you can overclock it to squeeze out the extra performance.
The next thing that matters is the memory of the device. Now speaking of the memory, the device comes with an 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM which adds to its performance.
If you are going to do multitasking on your computer while working then this Ideapad is going to be your best choice.
However, the processor and RAM of this laptop are not the only things to be considered. The laptop also features a whopping 256 GB Solid-state drive that takes its performance to a whole new level.
Our Remarks: The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best budget laptops for video editing-related tasks.
It features a cool processor that takes its processing power to a whole new level and makes it more reliable.
Besides that, it also has 8GB RAM, and last but not least, we almost forgot to mention this laptop is also equipped with an 8GB AMD Radeon GPU which provides an extra acceleration during rendering.
With these features, we highly recommend this laptop to intermediate and even professional video editors.
- Pros:
- It features one of the best processors out there
- The device also features a dedicated graphics processing unit which adds to its capabilities
- Good battery life
- perfect HD display
- lightweight
- Cons:
- People are not happy with the plastic casing
6. HP Elitebook 840 G3:
Next and the last option on our list of the best laptop for video editing is the HP EliteBook 840 G3.
This is one of our personally recommended options under $500 that will make your life easier and more fun with its capabilities for editing videos.
Let’s see what this device is capable of and how it can be useful for your Video editing-related tasks.
The HP 840 G3 features the Intel 6th generation core i7 CPU which still performs much better even in 2022.
This Processor can provide up to 3.4 GHz of frequency which will make your computer blazing fast and will solve all the lagging-related problems.
Apart from that, this processor stays cool in all kinds of work conditions which is one of the best features.
However, one drawback of the intel processors is that they don’t provide overclocking features in all of their devices.
Besides that, there is nothing to complain about because their base frequency is usually enough to perform different tasks and even multitask sometimes.
Speaking of memory and storage, the laptop comes equipped with surprisingly high memory. Imagine what you can do with 16 GB of available RAM along with a powerful core i7 processor.
Apart from that, the device still has a slot which means you can add another 16GB memory stick in the dual channel to make it 32. This will skyrocket your laptop’s overall performance and will take it to a whole new level.
Moreover, the device also features a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD card that provides not only storage but a much-improved speed.
Thus you can easily store your videos, edit them the way you want and do whatever you can even think of.
Apart from all these features, the laptop is still in a budget falling under 500 which makes it one of the best available options for editing videos.
Our Remarks: The HP Elitebook 840 G3 is one of our favorite devices on this list that performs much better than the other devices of the same tier.
Although it may not have a dedicated GPU just like the Ideapad 3 it is still capable of doing so many great things with its intel HD graphics and powerful core i7 CPU.
- Pros:
- Excellent processor
- 16 GB RAM makes video editing much smoother on this device
- Efficient and reliable multitasking performance
- Long-lasting battery life
- Cons:
- It would be best if the device had a dedicated GPU
Also Read: Popular laptop buying guides
Things To Know Before Choosing Best Laptop for Video Editing under $500:
If you’re an editor, you are aware that there are various laptops available in the market to help you accomplish your editing work.
While some of these laptops are good for editing, others are designed specifically for video editing.
The main focus of this article is to highlight the features of a best laptop for video editing under 500 and how it compares with other laptops.
Here are some important things to know about choosing best video editing laptop under 500:
- Screen size and resolution:
When choosing a laptop for video editing, it is important to consider the size of the screen and the resolution.
Laptops with larger screens are better for video editing because they provide more space to work on the video.
If you are not concerned about the size of your laptop, choose one with a higher resolution so that you can make the most out of your video editing software.
- SSD VS hard drive:
An SSD or Solid-State Drive is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store data. A traditional hard drive stores data in magnetic fields, while an SSD uses flash memory chips that are less susceptible to shock than spinning disks.
The flash memory cells in an SSD are organized into blocks and pages. The block is the smallest unit of erasure for the flash cells. Pages are the smallest units of transfer between blocks.
If you have a laptop that’s been around the block a few times, you probably remember the “optical drive” on the side of your computer case.
The optical drive spins a tiny disc, which stores information in tiny pits that light up when a laser beam scans them.
These days, optical drives are almost entirely obsolete; most computers have integrated solid-state drives (SSDs), which store data on chips instead of a spinning disc.
But while SSDs are faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, they still have one big drawback: they’re much more expensive per gigabyte than hard drives.
If you can afford SSD then it is well and good and your computer will have much faster performance. Otherwise, you should stick to the old fashion HDD.
- Choosing the Right Processor for Video Editing:
The next most important thing to consider while selecting a laptop under 500 for video editing purposes is the right processor.
Speaking of the right processor, let us remind you that there is not a one fit for all option. You will need to pick the one according to your needs and requirements.
For video editing-related tasks since it requires hardware acceleration, we highly recommend getting something with at least 4 cores (keep in mind this is the least requirement).
- RAM:
The next important thing that you must focus on is the RAM of your laptop. The more RAM it has, the better it will perform. So, make sure to select a laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM. One more thing you must keep in mind is that the RAM should be DDR 4 (Double Data Rate) or above.
Also, if you can afford we highly recommend installing 2 DDR4 RAMs of 8 GB each. This way they will perform tasks in dual channels and will provide much better results by combining their frequencies.
- Battery Life:
Honestly speaking, if you are looking for a laptop under 500 for video editing and rendering purposes then you shouldn’t worry too much about battery life and stuff like that. Why? It is because the battery life of the device is directly linked to its features.
If a laptop has a powerful processor, RAM and GPU then it will consume a lot more battery. Under such conditions, no matter what you do, you will not be able to get a device that can last for 8 or more hours. Nowadays even small devices are not that able to work for straight 8 hours.
Thus the point is you should get something that gives you a decent backup time. You shouldn’t rely on the battery life of a device, especially when doing video editing.
4. Conclusion:
If you have made it this far then we hope you must have made your choice by now. However, if you are still struggling with making the right decision and are unable to decide then we can help you further.
After a lot of research and digging on the internet, looking for different laptops, we found the Lenovo IdeaPad as the best video editing laptop under 500.
It features a dedicated graphics card and a powerful Ryzen processor that makes it super fast and efficient.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and found it helpful. Please don’t forget to let us know your thoughts about our list and how we can improve it further to help our readers.
Thank you for reading!
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