Video editing is a good profession, so many people learn to master this craft, but it demands some accessories to get started. The most important among these tools is the laptop on which performs video editing, but the problem is most professional video editing laptops are not affordable. If you are there to know what is the best laptop for video editing under 500, then proceed reading.
A few years before, it was not possible to find video editing laptops under $500 that fulfill the needs of a newbie video editing professional. Again we are saying that the cheap laptops for video editing are for those who are learning video editing or just getting started. After prolonged research, we found that some laptops under 500 dollars have everything a beginner video editor needs.
Significantly, these laptops may slow down in case you run multiple programs in time, but if you are to buy the computer just for the sake of video editing work, then they are good to go. If you want decent battery life, processing power, portability, and durability, then the below-given list is worth exploring.
Our Top Picks
If your are in hurry, here are our Top Picks
- RAM&Storage: 8 GB DDR4 & 128 GB SSD
- Processor:AMD Athlon Silver 3050U(Beat i5-7200U)
- GPU:AMD Radeon
- Battery Timing:10 Hours
- Display:14-inch
- Weight:3.24 pounds
- RAM&Storage: 4 GB DDR4 & 128 GB NVMe SSD
- Processor:AMD Ryzen 3 3350U
- GPU:AMD Ryzen Vega 6
- Battery Timing:10 Hours
- Display:15.6-inch
- Weight:3.96 pounds
Top 5 Best Laptops For Video Editing Under 500-2021
1. HP 14 inch HD Laptop–Best Laptop For Video Editing Under 500
Processor & GPU:
HP 14-inch HP laptop is the best laptop for video editing under $500 as it comes with an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U CPU which is more powerful than Intel-powered Core i7 7th gen CPU. And it also accomplishes AMD Radeon graphic processor, which has a maximum core speed of 1000 MHz, making it a prime choice for content creators.
Ports:
For connectivity and sharing, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C port, 2x USB Type-A port, HDMI port, and built-in Bluetooth. You can utilize the USB ports for wired data transmission, recharging, and connectivity of computer peripherals. Aside from that, you can also transfer data wirelessly as it has built-in Bluetooth.
Display:
Impressively, the 14-inch display of this best budget laptop for video editing has 1366 by 768 pixels screen resolution making it perfect for editing videos as well video streaming. Also, this edge-to-edge display is anti-reflective, meaning you can accurately view it under sunlight.
Battery, RAM and Storage:
On top of that, it features a 3-cell 45W battery which can power this video editing laptop under 500 for up to 10 hours on mixed-use. Moreover, for solid performance, it encompasses 8 GB DDR44 memory which lets you do video editing without any latency, along with a compact 128 GB SSD storage device in it.
- Affordable price
- Elegant design
- Decent battery life
- 802.11ac wireless technology
- With purpose-built webcam
- Without optical drive
Final Thought:
HP 14-inch HD is an ideal choice for students and business professionals due to its minimal weight and solid hardware specs. Apart from that, it has just 128 GB SSD storage which will not let you store tons of data.
2. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop–Good Laptop For Video Editing Under 500
RAM & Storage:
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is a multi-purpose laptop with 8 GB onboard memory, which lets you do multiple heavy tasks in time without making it slow. Meanwhile, the 128 GB storage device integrated into it is an SSD lighter, faster, and durable than HDD.
Display:
Specifically, it has a 15.6-inch LED display with an ultimate screen resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. So, you can use it for multimedia preview. Other than that, a 1.8 GHZ dual-core processor chipped in the motherboard processes data efficiently for reliable performance.
Webcam:
For video calls and conferring, this best laptop for video editing under 500 has an HD webcam and AI noise-cancellation microphone. Plus, 2x 1.5 W stereo speakers are added to this best editing laptop. Therefore, it enables users to listen to music and phone calls without any disruption.
Wireless Technology & Battery Timing:
Furthermore, this Wi-Fi-enabled laptop has 802.11ac wireless technology, which is 3x faster than its predecessor. It means you will enjoy wireless internet three times faster than the laptops with previous generation Wi-Fi technology. Chiefly, the li-ion battery loaded in this device gives 11-hour standby.
- Excellent battery life
- Prominent display size
- Perfect for multitasking
- Decent CPU
- With HDMI port
- Rugged design
- It is a bit heavy
Our Verdict:
Are you looking for a large display laptop for video editing? If yes, then, in my opinion, it is a prime choice for you because of its 15.6-inch HD display. In addition, you can also connect a monitor with it as an HDMI port is included in it.
3. Acer Aspire 5 A515-46-R14K–Budget Laptop For Video Editing Under 500
GPU:
Acer Aspire 5 is a stylish yet feature-rich laptop that is perfect for heavy graphics work like video editing, HD streaming, and high-end gaming. With AMD Ryzen Vega 6 GPU, this laptop can be a blessing for video editors because it has a core speed of 1500 MHz which will deliver smooth performance without latency.
Finger Print Reader and Wi-Fi Technology:
Hassle-free security is the sunny side of this best value laptop for video editing because you feel secure as you can log in to this device with a fingerprint reader. You will also get the fastest internet speed, both wired and wireless. The reason is it possesses an RJ-45 Ethernet port and has Wi-Fi 6 technology.
Ports:
Apart from that, it has four USB ports, including one USB 3.2 Type-C port, which can be used for fast charging and transferring data at a lightning-fast rate of 10 Gbps. Do you know it also has an HDMI port? You can connect a dedicated monitor with it and do multiple tasks by operating an extra screen.
Display:
With Amazon Alexa, you can control this cheap video editing laptop using your voice which would be very handy for you. Also, the 15.6-inch display with 1920 by 1080 pixels resolutions provides maximum resolution. The display has an 82.58 percent screen-to-body ratio along with narrow bezels making it aesthetically pleasing.
- Powerful graphics card
- Control through Amazon Alexa
- WiFi 6 technology
- Lots of USB ports
- Ultimate screen resolution
- No integrated memory card reader
- Just 4GB RAM
Our Verdict:
Aspire 5 is a mid-range laptop with 802.11ax wireless technology, which lets you use wireless data at a 3x faster rate. On top of that, it has an edge-to-edge display with an elevated screen-to-body ratio that assists you in editing video.
4. ASUS Chromebook Flip C434–Best Video Editing Laptop Under 500
Display:
ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is a flagship laptop with all the desired features in an innovative and portable look. Specifically, this best laptop for video editing under 500 has a 14-inch perfect display size with 1920 by 1080 pixel resolution so that it will provide ultimate visuals during video editing.
You can also rotate this 14-inch display at 360-degree. Therefore, you can put this laptop for video editing under 500 in your lap and enjoy your favorite shows. In addition, the display is a touch screen; that’s why the user can operate it without using a keyboard and mouse pad, which can be very convenient.
Operating System:
The default operating system of this cheapest laptop for video editing is Chrome OS which consumes less system storage, thus leaving behind a lot for you. Besides that, it has 3 USB ports and onboard Bluetooth so you can transfer data both wired and wireless.
RAM & Storage
For super-fast and snappy performance, an intel-based Core m3-8100Y CPU is loaded in it. Do you know it has 3.4 GHz of absolute frequency? So if you open dozens of tabs and perform multiple tasks in time, this power is enough. Especially, 4GB RAM and 64 GB SSD storage loaded in this laptop are sufficient for your video editing needs as a newbie.
- Lightweight
- Full metal body
- HD screen resolution
- Stylish design
- 4-way NanoEdge display
- Limited system storage
Our Verdict:
If you want a compact laptop to edit videos, we can say that this best laptop for video editing under 500 is suitable for you as it weighs 2.9 pounds. As a result, you can carry it for the whole day while traveling cannot be a tiresome experience.
5. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5–Good Cheap Laptop for Video Editing Under 500 For Beginners
Pleasant Design:
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is another Chromebook in this list with aesthetically pleasing design and top-notch features.
Processor:
Moreover, Intel Core i3 11th generation processor is loaded in this low budget laptop for video editing, which is powerful enough to handle multiple tasks like low-end gaming, video editing, and HD video streaming.
Display and Operating System:
Like other Chromebooks in the market, it also has Chrome OS, which is lighter and more secure than Windows OS. The edge-to-edge 13-inch display of this best laptop for video editing under 500 makes it possible to put it in a 12-inch laptop bag. Also, this display has 1920 by 1080 pixels screen resolution.
Ports:
802.11ax wireless technology is featured in this best budget video editing laptop which is 300 percent more efficient than 802.11ac wireless technology. It has 2 USB Type-C ports and 1 USB Type-A port, which you can utilize to connect peripherals like mouse, keyboard, printer, etc., and transfer data.
Touch Screen:
Interestingly, this 2 in 1 laptop combines a touchscreen and a keyboard, so you can detach the keyboard to make it used as a tablet. Furthermore, you can bend it at a 360-degree angle thanks to its durable and flexible hinges. In this way, you can adjust the screen according to your preferences.
- Touchscreen display
- Eye-appealing design
- Perfect size
- Powerful processor
- Long-lasting battery
- With DVD drive
- No HDMI port is available
Our Verdict:
In my opinion, this is one of the best laptops for video editing under 500 due to the presence of Intel Core i3 11th generation processor and Intel UHD Graphics 620. Additionally, its user-facing stereo speakers drag you in while multimedia previews.
6. Dell Inspiron 15-Best Value Laptop For Video Editing Under 500
RAM, Storage & Processor:
Dell Inspiron 15 is one of the best budget laptops for video editing as it offers 8 GB DDR4 memory for multitasking 128 GB efficient SSD storage at a reasonable price. In addition, it possesses a robust Intel Pentium Silver N5030 CPU which enables this laptop to function well under challenging scenarios.
Easy Control & Durability:
In spite of that, it has a big mousepad which is slightly on the left side, which makes the control super easy. The keyboard of this budget video editing laptop is LED-backlit so typing accurately at dusk is not an uphill task now. Additionally, the metallic body increases its durability as it is made up of high-grade aluminum.
Webcam & Ports:
You can enjoy noise-free and clear video calls and conferencing because a 720p webcam is offered in this cheap editing laptop. Similarly, it has 2 USB 3.2 Type-a, 1 USB 2.0, and onboard Bluetooth makes it a versatile laptop in terms of connectivity.
Display & Backup:
Not only is the display prominent, but also high-definition and anti-glare means you can easily view the content on it under sunlight. Also, the 3-cell & 45 watts li-ion battery packed in this one of the good cheap laptops for video editing can power up this device for up to 10 hours which is remarkable.
- Touchscreen display
- Eye-appealing design
- Perfect size
- Powerful processor
- Long-lasting battery
- With DVD drive
- No HDMI port is available
Our Verdict:
Are you hunting for a top-notch laptop to edit videos smoothly? If so, then do not forget it, as it has solid hardware specs. Moreover, it has a 15.6-inch display with narrow borders, and as a result, it emerges as a delightful laptop.
7. Dell Latitude E5470-Cheapest Laptop For Video Editing Under 500
RAM & Storage:
Dell Latitude e5470 is for those who want to store a lot of data, including files, videos, images, audio, and many more for offline use. Onboard, 8 GB DDR4 RAM lets you utilize this cheap laptop for video editing to perform multiple tasks simultaneously without experiencing latency.
Processor & GPU:
It should be noted that Intel Core i5 6th gen CPU is loaded in this best cheap laptop for video editing with a base frequency of 2.4 GHz. But also, an Intel UHD Graphics 520 graphics coprocessor with a core speed of around 300 to 1000 MHz is sufficient for your video editing endeavors but not for high-level graphics work.
Ports:
Most importantly, it has 3 USB ports that help you connect computer peripherals, recharge, and transfer data. However, you can also transfer data wirelessly as it has built-in Bluetooth. In this way, it becomes a versatile laptop in terms of connectivity. Similarly, these best video editing laptops under 500 have both VGA and HDMI ports so that you can connect two monitors to them.
Display:
Notably, the 14.6-inch compact size display has 1366 by 768 pixels screen resolution; you can enjoy multimedia in high-definition. The appealing thing about the display is its anti-glare nature which lets you maintain sight over it under sunlight.
- Bright and accurate display
- Immersive audio
- Responsive and deep keyboard
- Reliable performance
- Ample storage
- Lacks USB Type-C port
- Integrated GPU is not up to the mark
Our Verdict:
To sum it up, we can say that Dell Latitude e5470 is an incredible business laptop with a classy and durable design, sturdy keyboard, and great display. Again if you want pretty good battery timing, then it will disappoint you.
How to Choose The Best Laptop For Video Editing Under $500:
Picking up the best laptop for video editing under 500 is not an easy task if you are buying it for the first time. The following features must be taken into account if you want stable performance while editing videos.
RAM:
RAM refers to the system’s internal memory, which works to save recently accessed data for further use swiftly. If your system memory is better, then your laptop will not slow down when accomplishing heavy tasks. For video editing work, you will need at least 4 GB DDR4 memory, but if your laptop has more memory than that, then it will let you perform multiple tasks without slowing down.
Processor:
The processor of any digital device works like the human brain. Now you better understand how crucial it plays a role in the system’s performance. When looking at the CPU of your laptop for video editing, check how many cores it has. The more cores it has, the more complex tasks it will execute.
GPU:
GPU means the graphical processing unit. It is a form of the electronic chip which works to alter RAM to speed up the formation of images in a buffer frame. Remarkably, the GPU improves the performance in those tasks where the loading of images and videos involves games, video streaming, and video editing. It should be noted that your laptop for video editing must have 1000 MHz of core speed.
Connectivity ports:
Connectivity ports are of various types like USB, HDMI, VGA, and so on. Some of the laptops in the list lack HDMI and VGA ports, so you will not connect a dedicated monitor to them. Moreover, it is better to have a laptop with more USB ports. This way, you can add multiple computer peripherals, and these ports can also be utilized to transfer data.
Battery:
While checking out the battery of the best budget laptop for video editing, keep an eye on its form factor. The most popular form factors are li-ion and li-po because they last longer and are efficient than the rest. Additionally, the minimum battery timing for video editing can be 6 to 7 hours on average use.
Weight:
The laptop you buy must be compact and lightweight, which will make it easy to carry wherever you head off. Those people who frequently travel must avoid bulky laptops because it will create trouble when taking them. We suggest that your laptop’s weight should be under 3 pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What to look for in a laptop for video editing Under $500?
The following things must be on a laptop for video editing for beginners:
- Minimum of 4 GB RAM but 8 GB is recommended. But For advanced level you should have 16GB or 32 GB RAM. Unluckily in under $500 laptops, RAM greater than 8GB is not available.
- GPU with at least 1000 MHz core speed more than that will be a plus point
- Processor with above 2 GHz frequency and four cores
- As storage capacity has nothing to do with video editing, 64 GB storage capacity can be sufficient
- Decent battery life of 6 to 7 hours on mixed-use
What is a good cheap laptop for video editing?
All these affordable laptops for video editing given above are fine for editing video. But my favorite among all is Acre Aspire 5. The reason is its stylish and durable metal body, lightness, robust processor, excellent battery life, and compact size HD display
Is SSD good for video editing?
Undoubtedly, the SSD storage is not only good but ideal for editing videos. It is so because it will improve performance in a number of ways because it is lighter, faster, and reliable than HDD. The SSD utilizes non-volatile storage media on SSFM. Therefore, its file opening speed is 30 percent better than HDD. In case under $500 laptops, you have to manage HDD as well as external drive to save your videos.
How much ram do I need for video editing at beginner stage?
For video editing, you need a minimum of 4 GB DDR4 memory if you are only buying a laptop for video editing solely. In case you want to perform tasks other than video editing as well, like gaming, HD video streaming, and so on, you should not buy a laptop with less than 8 GB DDR4 memory. For 4k or 8K videos editing tasks you must have minimum 16GB RAM.
Final Words:
Not too long ago, it was not unthinkable that complex tasks like video editing could be done on a laptop. But now it is not a reality but also a laptop under 500 can be utilized for this purpose. Despite this, it is also a fact that all laptops under 500 dollars are made to be used for video editing. So, you can save your time to search and access the market by picking up the best video editing laptop under 500 from the list.
But for Pro level of video editing such as 4k or 8K videos then I will not suggest you to pick up any of these above mentioned laptops.
Another suggestion for beginners is that right know save your pocket by purchasing a low budget laptop, when you become high level of expert in this profession then decide to take good budget video editing laptop.