How to Choose the Best Computer for Video Editing

Written by: Shane Burley • Edited by: Rhonda Callow
Updated Apr 13, 2011 • Related Guides: Imac | RAM

Powerful computers are required to successfully edit digital video. Choosing the best buy for your money is obviously important.

Picking the Best Computer

Digital video editing is an intensive process that requires a computer capable of handling this memory-busting workload. It has to be fast, with sufficient memory, with the latest graphics and audio cards to support the real-time media work you are about to do. There are specific elements that must be considered if you want an optimal home editing studio.

Laptop or Desktop

Though many people prefer laptops because they are portable and lightweight, they really are not optimal for this process. Video editing requires the largest and highest quality monitors that the consumer can afford, an option that is not offered by laptops.

Selecting a laptop that will be adequate enough to support editing software can be difficult and expensive. The same computer specs in a laptop that you would find in a desktop are always several hundred dollars more, and for the same price as a satisfactory laptop you could get a desktop that would scream. Since you are going to have to constantly plug and unplug peripherals like tape decks and portable hard drives into your computer, there really is no reason to get a laptop strictly for the purpose of video editing.

Software Specifications

click to enlarge

The second thing you need to think about is the actual specifications the software requires. This is going to be different depending on the program, and may be very significant in the cases of software like Avid Media Composer.

Final Cut Studio is one of the most popular video editing software suites, and it requires at least 2GB of RAM, a Mac computer with 1.25 GHZ or faster processor, and at least 55 GB of free space on the hard drive. Though these are the minimum requirements, in order for it to properly run this type of software at even a reasonable level, all of those specs should be doubled at the least.

My Recommendation

I think a Mac computer is the best choice because all of the most popular software available for the PC is also available for the Mac,

click to enlarge

but Final Cut Pro is only available on a Mac. Additionally, programs like Pro Tools add to your abilities for producing a quality product and Apple itself is dedicated to home video and audio production. Pro Tools often will require an entire system on its own to run properly, so this is up to how much you want to spend and whether or not you want multiple systems.

If you are dedicated to the PC then computers that are designed for digital modeling are the best choice. These would be computers that are used by architects or large-scale urban developers for 3D imaging. Computers also used for home gaming are great because it will guarantee that you have the newest graphics and audio cards. Alienware makes great PCs that are capable of handling the workload needed for video editing, especially their Area-51 ALX. The best way to get a PC that will handle editing well is to have it built to your specifications. An ASUS motherboard is a good choice, and nVidia Quatro or Geforce graphics cards are great because of their ability to support gaming. Make sure to have a large enough hard drive (over 160GB), with plenty of RAM (more than 4GB), and a quality sound card. I recommend you go with the Creative brand cards.

If you are going to use a Mac, the best choice is going to be an iMac or Mac Pro built with all the optimum specifications you are going to need. Make sure to get the latest version of the Mac OS X, which is also known as Leopard, and try to get a second monitor. This should not be too expensive and will make the editing process much easier. An iMac may be fine for a lot of editing, but a Mac Pro or Macbook Pro may be important for larger projects.

References

Source: author's own experience.

Photos: www.avid.com, www.apple.com.

Mike Mitchell Jan 4, 2012 1:22 AM

RE: How to Choose the Best Computer for Video Editing

I work on a Macbook and I am fluent on both Avid and Final cut, personally I prefer Final Cut. In actuality neither one is better, it's definitely more of a personal thing and anyone in the industry will tell you that. However Final Cut is more popular and it is most definitely not 'a kids program for low quality home-movies' as one suggested.<br><br><br>A lot of people saying you can get a windows PC much cheaper with the same specs as a Mac? - Not if you are a looking for a high-end industry standard computer for editing, the difference in price is very little. The good thing is Mac's OS is designed with hardware in mind, unlike Windows who don't manufacture hardware. Meaning it's more likely to operate stably and with less freezing or failure. If you are certain you can not work on a Mac then look towards HP computers especially.

A. Jun 13, 2011 3:10 PM

Video Editing Computer

Hello everybody, my name's Arthur, and I'm getting an Editing Computer. The software I use for my videos (I make youtube videos in HD (1280x720 @29.97 Frames per Second) is Sony Vegas Pro 9.0 and Adobe After Effects CS4. could anybody tell me some specs i'm going to need?

Ted Wallace Apr 6, 2011 5:07 PM

Old tired argument

Macs are a very good choice for editing no matter the software choice. I run 10 Avid Suites all running off of Macs. Never had to have one repaired; have fewer problems than when we ran off of PCs and now the cost is comparable when you factor in everything. Networking is a breeze as well with Macs. I'm as comfortable on a PC system and in the end PC or Mac does not make a difference in the edit...it's the editor that makes the difference. Whatever works for the individual simply works.

Gia Mar 5, 2011 3:52 PM

Mac is not the best choice!!

right, this is very wrong to say that Mac is the best for editing because:

1. FInal Cut pro is not the primary software in editing industry, it's just advertised at many universities or collages but is not used in real post production world. Avid is.I am not making this up, the envy post house guy told us this at uni.

2. You can get 4 times cheaper and same powerful windows pc, then y to waste money on mac?

3. Mac overheats very easily and to repair will cost a lot.

4. You can't upgrade mac and add stuff you need like additional firewire or usb ports. Change graphics card and etc.

Alex Flores Oct 28, 2010 11:22 PM

looking for a PC for vide editing

I've worked with Macintosh all my life, since the IIcx to my last mac I've ever owned a MacBook Pro 17" - I like the Macs, but I just bought a Sony NEX VG10 Handycam, the greatest HD video camera I've seen, and my MacBook Pro won't recognize the great Video quality, only the still images. I am not getting rid of my VG10, I am getting rid of my MacBook Pro, and want to buy a good and inexpensive ready to go PC laptop to do the video editing, any recommendations? I am selling/exchanging my Mac for a Notebook PC - thanks!

Adham Oct 14, 2010 4:51 AM

32bit & 64bit

Thanks to Velvet and all
Q: what is the different between 32bit and 64bit .
and 86x

Brian Heisser Aug 23, 2010 6:42 PM

Looking for a PC.

I'm look for a computer to edit my visor project in. We use Mac's at my school. But my funds are low. They use final cut, sound pro, avid, movie maker for burn DVD's. If anyone can help me. Or give a few ideas it would be helpful.

Wullie Aug 16, 2010 4:07 PM

Video Editing

Get yourself an i7 980x, HD5870, 12Gig 1600Mhz, 256 SSD [main] , 2x Velociraptors in Raid 0 and a 2TB for storage. This might be a little overkill bit sure is fonna get the job done quickly.

gbrecke Aug 8, 2010 3:27 PM

Do we start over when we get an HD camera?

Kenny Jun 22, 2010 2:00 PM

I think the specs you give are far too low.
First you need processing speed.
The best I can recommend at a great price is this Athlon.
I have been using it now for several months with 64bit windows 7 & 8 Gigs of ram & am in love.

AMD Athlon II X4 Processor 630 (2.8GHz, 2M, 4C)

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2836

http://wize.com/processors/p1565177-amd-athlon-ii-x4-630-quad-core

I edit & convert primarily to XVID & DIVX with 2-pass encodes in the 1500-2000kbps area.
Many times using script post through Avisynth
for anime..
This type of compression calls for power, & this setup has been great thus far for me.
This processor is standard now so a tower can be had in the $700-800 range.
I have a "21 BENQ monitor I bought a few years back for under $150.00 that has served me well for several years.

Nanko Wa Numbi Jun 15, 2010 2:44 AM

haLLo!

You are so brief..but a bit too general...more modifications are needed.

Nanko Wa Numbi Jun 15, 2010 2:42 AM

good explanation,but are too general...more modifications are needed..

Tofog Jun 13, 2010 9:17 PM

What I've used

I've used Avid Media Composer Adrenaline and Premiere Pro for years as a professional editor. Avid is very fast and reliable, but it's well known among Avid editors that it is very poor at doing motion graphics. In fact, every suite I've seen with Avid also has After Effects.

Premiere Pro will do fine motion graphics, but it seems to require more clicks and such to edit than the Avid. It also uses lots of resources, slowing down the computer. Premiere Pro is much more prone to software glitches and crashes. In spite of that, if you've got to include lots of motion graphics, it's still faster than doing every in After Effects, exporting, and importing to Avid.

I'm trying Final Cut Pro next on a friend's recommendation. He used it to edit an independent feature length movie, and likes it.

Mc Lovin May 29, 2010 1:39 PM

mac is too expensive compared to other computers when you compare what they can do in processing power and graphics. Besides final cut pro is a kids program for people who only want to make low quality home movies (that are just slightly better than movie maker). I need a powerful computer and a real program to get what I need done. Besides you can hack computers to run Mac OS if it's really that important to you.

Rapper Don May 10, 2010 2:26 AM

Mac doesn't have to be the only choice.

Premiere Pro CS5 outperforms Final Cut Pro... look it up on youtube.com and adobe.com

Velvet May 8, 2010 6:15 AM

Software and computer options

Sony Vegas Movie Studio and Pro are amazing products for software. I am in love with all of the Sony media products I have ever used! http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware
I use Sound Forge and Vegas and they are worth 3 times more than you pay for them! All their software is extremely user friendly and has a unique help feature.
As far as computers go, I have a Dell Studio XPS 9000. This is a high end system that you can customize, and it is totally upgradeable. I have 12 GB of tri channel ddr3 Ram (it is upgradeable to 24 GB!) a 2 TB HD (can upgrade to 4.5 TB) and the processor, video cards and everything else is up to you. The thing is, you can render 2 movies at the same time and have another program open (Photoshop perhaps) and check your e-mail all at the same time. It is a bit expensive but definitely worth the price as this is a custom ordered computer and not a cookie cutter, disposable in 2 years, computer. I will be able to use this baby for at least 6-7 years, as I can upgrade ANY of my hardware for bigger and better. The link is here http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/desktop-studio-xps-9000/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-studio-xps-9000&s=dhs&cs=19 These are just a few other options. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to invest in a computer and equipment and start with some OPen Source software that is very good as well. Open Source link is here http://sourceforge.net/search/?type_of_search=soft&words=video+editing
To find out more about Open Source, go here http://www.opensource.org/ Some other Open Source Video Editing software
http://tv.isg.si/site/?q=node/873
http://www.openmovieeditor.org/
http://www.junauza.com/2008/02/freeopen-source-video-editing-software.html
http://open-tube.com/10-awesome-free-and-open-source-video-editors
Well, I hope this is helpful. Have a great day!
Velvet

duke Apr 5, 2010 5:03 PM

Final Cut Pro Should Not Decide

There are a lot of great video editing programs for the PC, your limiting your self getting a mac only for Final Cut.

saif Apr 2, 2010 2:25 PM

In fact, I'm looking for your desktop for video editing and I would like to search for certain specifications to buy it please help me

James Mc Govern Feb 23, 2010 7:48 AM

Hi there
I;am A wedding videografer and want to change over to HD. I,am useing analoge & DVd at the moment My editing software is aDobe 5.6 & Pinical The computer is 5 years old & was built by DVC. Please could you give me price for a desktop that will do DVD & HD Editing Plus the Soft ware