Video editing is one of the most popular gigs in freelancing, with hundreds and thousands of projects posted by the buyers for inviting the sellers to bid on different freelancing sites. This skill makes the freelancers earning from $500 to $5000 monthly on average. All this way to success starts from buying a laptop, good for video editing. We have made a list of best video editing laptops under 500 dollars.
TOP 7 BEST LAPTOPS FOR VIDEO EDITING UNDER $500
This will help you to get the proper value for your money; it is not an easy job to find the best video editing laptop under 500 dollars anyway.
ASUS VivoBook 15
This laptop has such specifications can run photo and video editing software. It easily meets the system requirements of software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas, Pinnacle, Corel VideoStudio, and others. You can enjoy a smooth video editing experience and can handle as many projects as you want.
You may need to be a little conscious about not running two video editing software at the same time, this can only handle one at a time. Your expectations must be realistic for a laptop available under $500.
Its 8GB DDR4 RAM and 10th generation Intel Core i3 processor make ASUS VivoBook 15 a powerful machine. Its processing speed can boost up to 3.4 GHz for running heavy graphic software. It also offers an Intel UHD graphics card which provides support to the central processor for processing video editing-related heavy graphic data.
This laptop provides great value for money and enables freelancers to buy a laptop and start video editing. Its 15.6-inches screen gives a satisfactory viewing experience to video editors who need to look at the video from many angles, smaller screen leads to a frustrating experience.
Its Full HD display and 1080p resolution is another useful feature, enables the video editor to edit all videos at 1080 pixels because the majority of viewers watch video on this resolution settings. It gives him an idea about what video would look like at 1080p settings and accordingly perform the task.
Its 128GB SSD would be enough for saving all freelancing projects on the laptop. You can maintain the project record performed in past for clients. You can also save tens of movies and Netflix content on the laptop before it is full. Though, most people find it as less space for saving data.
ACER ASPIRE 5
ACER ASPIRE 5 gives premium looks and is a very attractive body. Its high-quality design makes it look like an expensive machine but it’s not. You can impress people in your surroundings while holding it. This is available on Amazon for $419.99 price only.
It comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM and AMD Ryzen 3 4300U processor which easily meets the minimum system requirements of video editing software. You can edit videos at 1920 x 1080 resolution size which in demand most. You cannot surely do multi-tasking while editing video; its specs are not powerful enough to handle two big software at the same time.
Acer Aspire 5 also has 15.6-inches screen and offers widescreen LED-backlit IPS display which improves video editing experience as display is crystal clear.
Its other strong side is long-lasting battery, it can last up to ten hours which keeps user relaxed from the worry of recharging again and again.
You have to manage within its 128GB SSD storage, but an extra slot is provided for SSD and can expand the memory if the user wants. Its other feature includes finger-print reader which enhances data security, backlit keyboard is also provided.
Acer Aspire 5 also has its drawbacks, the first drawback is its big bezels which lead to the distraction for the user from the screen. Secondly, it is bulky in size and not easy to carry. You may not feel comfortable while carrying it in a backpack during traveling.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3
This laptop provides a solution for freelancers who are actively engaged in video-editing projects. It comes with 8GB DDR4 RAM which meets the system requirements of popular video editing software like “Adobe Premiere Pro”.
Its AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor is also known for its powerful performance and can handle heavy graphic data processing used in video editing projects. This performance is quite impressive in its price range.
The laptop also got AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card which becomes great support for central processor in processing high quality video editing projects.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has 14-inches screen and 1920 x 1080 displays which dramatically boost the viewing experience for video editors. Its viewing angles are good and maintain your focus to be productive. 1080p resolution size offers flexibility in video editing job, below this size makes the job tougher.
You may not be able to use its full space provided which is 256GB SSD. They offered SSD technology instead of HDD which loads windows and installed programs faster than HDD. It is also more efficient which reduces the burden on processor and RAM.
Its battery is not impressive but the “battery saving mode” feature can help you in extending the time before battery dies.
As far as its weak areas are concerned, it does not offer USB-C port which transfers the data faster than other USB ports. Its second weakness is its moderate battery life which cannot cover full working day and user has to recharge it once during working hours.
HP 14-CF0014DX
HP launched a laptop available for under 500 dollars and also offers 8GB DDR4 RAM, this is why recommending as best video editing laptop under 500. This 8GB RAM features substantial high bandwidth which allows user advanced multi-tasking without lagging issues.
It offers 7th generation Intel Core i3-7100U processor which is powerful enough to allow the user working on video editing software. This processor features four-way processing performance for HD-quality computing which improves its efficiency also good for video editing purposes.
Its 14-inches bright display improves viewing experience while editing the videos for clients, user can notice and see all graphic details while editing.
It comes with 128GB Solid-State-Drive which means no plenty of storage option and the user has to utilize the space carefully and to avoid filling the space with unwanted data. You can upgrade to M.2 SSD and then can enjoy more space to store data.
According to the user reviews, its battery can last up to six hours which defines it as satisfactory performance.
This laptop also has its “Cons” which are also necessary to discuss. It does not come with a high build quality and its plastic looks cheaper. The second weak feature is its heating issues, when the user runs heavy software then most likely it starts catching over-heating issues. You can manage it by staying in a room with having low temperature.
Dell Latitude 14 7000
This is another best video editing laptop under 500 on the list. This UltraBook shows its powerful performance from 8GB DDR4 RAM, enough for advanced level multi-tasking. Its Intel Core i5-6300U processor guarantees running software like Adobe Premium PRO or other video editing software, without lagging.
When a laptop under 500 dollars can smoothly run software like Adobe Premium Pro, it definitely hits the home run and this laptop did that.
This laptop also got Intel HD Graphics 520 which offers promising performance for processing video editing-related data; this is going to add more value for a video editor.
Its 14-inches screen size and 1366×768 resolution would offer a normal viewing experience, not extra-ordinary neither poor.
It offers 256GB SSD storage which is more than competitor’s laptops in this price range. If storage capacity matters a lot for you, this laptop again adds more value for your money.
Its other features include backlit keyboard, webcam and USB Type-C slot.
Its users also have some complaints and dissatisfaction about this laptop. The first complaint is it does not offer slot for SD card for extending memory space. Secondly, people are showing serious concerns about battery replacement and revealing it is quite a difficult job when you have to replace it.
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 offers great specifications under $500 price which is rare. Users can edit videos on this laptop which comes with 4GB DDR4 onboard RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor. These two hardware can run the four to five years older version of Adobe Premium Pro, otherwise, these specs are enough for other video editing software like Sony Vegas, Lightworks or Blender.
It also comes with Intel Integrated Graphics which provides support to processor and RAM in the whole processing of the data cycle. You should not be expecting more in its price range. Lenovo offered these three powerful hardware by compromising on other features.
They only offer 64GB SSD storage and usually freelancer requires minimum 128GB space. It provides mini-SD card slot for inserting the card and extend the space. You can buy 128GB mini-SD card easily available from online websites.
You may not feel satisfied with its 13-inches screen size, though its thin bezels on the sides make the screen look like bigger than 14 inches. This laptop also has a 2-in-1 feature and can turn around at 360 degrees, convertible into tablet mode.
It’s another plus point is the availability of 2 USB Type-C ports which can transfer the data at a faster speed.
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 also have its drawbacks and shortages. First of all, its touchpad is very uncomfortable and feels rough. The second limitation is having only 64GB storage which cannot be justified.
In the present time, the software takes big space during installation and they also require other supporting software to install. Moreover, freelancers are dependent upon a number of tools and software, they would find 64GB not enough.
ASUS Chromebook Flip C434
This laptop not only offers great specifications under 500 dollars, also offers 2-in-1 feature which can be used as Tablet as well as laptop. You can conveniently convert it into Tablet mode for watching videos and Netflix. In Tablet mode, it is highly portable device to carry around.
It comes with 4GB RAM and Intel Core M3-8100Y processor, this machine can run light-weight video editing software and older versions of Adobe Premium Pro. Your expectation must not be higher in this price range and should not either expect high level video editing. This laptop is ideal for beginners in freelancing and video editing projects.
Its 14-inches touch-screen feature allows user using fingers or stylus for handling the tasks like opening or closing apps, selecting different options and using it as Tablet. Its body is all metal and looks premium which attracts the attention of people in surroundings. Its thinnest bezels on all four sides make screen looks larger and beautiful.
How to Choose The Best Video Editing Laptops Under 500 Dollars
Once you have been equipped with right information, you can also select the best video editing laptop available under your budget. Video editing requires minimum mid-range specs laptop and finding it under $500 budget is quite difficult job. You have to compromise on some features which have minimum involvement in video editing tasks.
We are going to discuss with you about what exact specifications you want most in a laptop for video editing, explained in the following.
A Powerful Processor
A powerful processor must be your top priority in video editing laptop. A weak processor would make your freelancing life hell and you may lose the clients. Video editing requires processing of heavy graphics data. If your processor is not powerful, your productivity will drop significantly by consuming much more time for little task.
Large RAM is not going to be effective if processor is not powerful. Processor is the most important component where you should invest most of your budget. It is recommended to you, find the laptop from the list having powerful processor and keep the rest specifications on the side.
RAM
Having enough RAM can enable you to perform video editing task at 1080p or even 4K resolution. You must buy a laptop having 8GB RAM minimum for performing video editing at 1080 pixels, else you do not meet minimum system requirements. Large RAMs are more relevant in video editing tasks than other types of tasks.
Storage ( SSDs vs HDDs )
User has to decide carefully in between SSD and HDD before buying a laptop. Both can work for video editing laptops, no doubt SSD provides more advantages.
When you are involved into complex video editing timelines which includes multiple frames and videos requires more efficient storage at the time of playback the media which is originally stored in drive. SSD can seek data faster than HDD and it would also be convenient for any video editor.
Graphics Card
You might find it hard to believe but graphic card is less critical and having insignificant role in video editing functions. According to some experts, It is not even required to have a graphic card for performing video editing job, but few latest editing software takes advantage of graphics card but still they do not play critical role.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
We are going to answer the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
– Can We Edit 4K Videos on a Laptop Available Under 500 Dollars ?
We cannot edit 4K quality videos on a laptop available under 500 dollars, because it requires very powerful processor which would not be fair to be expecting to have it on cheap laptops.
– Can We Expect Smooth Video-Editing Experience on Laptop Available Under 500 Dollars?
We have to make little compromises and can suffer from lagging once in a while during video editing on a laptop available under 500 dollars.
Verdict
According to the survey in 2019, the average money spent on laptops was $700 by Americans and they are willing to spend more for performing heavy-duty tasks. We must be having realistic expectations from 500 dollars laptop while considering video-editing is one of the heavy-duty tasks. We recommended you top best laptops which are capable of handling video editing tasks, but some performance issues will have to be faced.
