Ranking: Best laptops for editing photos and videos

Compared to its predecessor (Late 2023) with the Apple M3 Max, the new MacBook Pro 16 (2024) remains visually unchanged but brings several technical upgrades. The mini LED display now reaches over 1,000 cd/m² SDR brightness and offers an optional nano-texture matte finish. Thunderbolt 5 and an improved 12MP camera are also included, though WiFi 7 is still absent.
The M4 Pro SoC, with 14 CPU and 20 GPU cores, surpasses the M3 Max, particularly in single-core performance. GPU performance has increased by 30 to 45%, depending on the workload.

The mini LED display features an extremely low black level, achieving OLED-like contrast. Subjective image quality is near perfect. However, PWM flickering at 15 kHz may be an issue for sensitive users. The panel covers nearly 100% of the DCI-P3 color space and offers high color accuracy, making it ideal for photo and video editing. A major downside is Apple's costly upgrade policy, with no user-accessible RAM or SSD upgrades.

A configuration with 14 CPU and 20 GPU cores, 24 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD costs around 2,700 euros. Upgrading to 2 TB storage adds 500 euros, while an M4 Max version with a 32-core GPU, 36 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD is priced at 3,665 euros.

The Intel Core i9-14900HX in the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 delivers unthrottled, high-end performance alongside a fully powered GeForce RTX 4090 with 16 GB VRAM. Its massive 18-inch QHD mini-LED panel provides ample workspace, boasting 934 cd/m² brightness, 90% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 coverage. Factory calibration is strong, with a DeltaE of 1.52, and Asus allows local dimming to be disabled for more accurate colors.

The Strix Scar 18 (2024) excels in multimedia performance, combining raw power with a high-end display. However, its gaming-focused design may not appeal to all content creators.

Storage performance is equally impressive, with an unthrottled PCIe 4.0 SSD reaching 7,100 MB/s, and an additional M.2 slot allows for expansion. The built-in speakers also deliver solid sound quality. Media Markt/Saturn lists the tested configuration at 4,499 euros

The 16-inch Legion Pro 7 earns a spot among the best laptops for photo and video editing due to its strong performance and high-quality display. Equipped with an Intel HX-series processor and a 175W GeForce RTX 4080, it delivers excellent computing power. Both USB-C ports support Power Delivery up to 140W, and the device offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including four USB-A, two USB-C (one with Thunderbolt 4), and three video outputs.
The 16:10 display remains largely unchanged, featuring a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, IPS technology, 240 Hz refresh rate, HDR 400, Dolby Vision, G-Sync, and Adaptive Sync. Color coverage includes 87% AdobeRGB and 99% DCI-P3, while contrast and color vibrancy are excellent. However, fan noise can be noticeable, even at idle.

Factory calibration is already solid, with minimal color deviation and no noticeable color cast, though further improvements are possible through manual calibration.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7 16 with an RTX 4080 is available only second hand.

The 20 mm thin HP Omen Transcend 16 features an Intel Core i9-14900HX, though it throttles after short bursts of high performance. The 392 cd/m² bright, reflective QHD OLED panel with 240 Hz, 97% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 ensures accurate colors, with factory Delta-E values under 2—ideal for professional video and photo editing.

A fast PCIe 4.0 SSD with no throttling and an RTX 4070 with 130W TGP and 8 GB VRAM complement the setup. While an RTX 4080 would be preferable for 8K video processing with its 12 GB VRAM, HP only offers the RTX 4070.

The HP Omen Transcend 16 is a solid choice for multimedia tasks, offering good speakers and an excellent OLED display, though performance is somewhat limited. The OLED-equipped model costs 2,499 euros, a significant premium over other RTX 4070 laptops.

Apple's MacBook Pro 14 (2024) with the M4 Pro chip (14 CPU cores, 20 GPU cores) looks identical to its predecessor but introduces key upgrades.

The mini LED display now reaches over 1,000 cd/m² in SDR mode (up from 600 cd/m²) and offers an optional matte finish with minimal quality loss, improving usability outdoors. However, slow response times, constant PWM flickering, and the lack of upgradeability persist as drawbacks. 

Single-core CPU and GPU performance see a 28% boost, while battery life remains over 15 hours. Thunderbolt 5 and a higher-resolution webcam are welcome additions, though WiFi 7 is still absent. The display remains a standout feature with high resolution, strong contrast, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and factory-calibrated color accuracy.
With an M4 Pro chip, 24 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD, the MacBook Pro 14 (2024) costs just under 2454 euros.

Lenovo's Legion 9i is the only laptop in the Legion series equipped with a mini LED display. As a result, the contrast value is very good, the brightness reaches almost 700 cd/m², and 97 percent of the Display P3 color space is covered. The Delta-E value for the colors is 2.56, but it could be slightly lower for professional use. Our calibration achieved no further improvement.
However, we miss a function for switching off multi-zone dimming, which would be necessary for color-accurate tasks. On the other hand, the Core i9-13980HX and RTX 4090 can develop their full potential.

On paper, Lenovo's Legion 9 offers everything important for a creator notebook: brute CPU and GPU performance, as well as an accurate and high-quality display. However, it lacks the option to deactivate the 1,536 dimming zones for true-color work.

The Lenovo Legion 9i 16 (2023) is now sold out. The direct successor (see 10th place) can be configured with an RTX 4090, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD from the manufacturer for 4,539 euros. It is slightly cheaper with an RTX 4080 and a second M.2 slot for an additional SSD.

With the stylish Blade 16 2024, Razer offers an exciting upgrade over what was the norm just a few months ago—a 240 Hz, factory-calibrated OLED display, while the mini-LED panel from last year remains available as an option.

The OLED panel is reflective, offers a QHD resolution, a measured 420 cd/m², and rapid pixel response times, which are more interesting for gaming. It also delivers a perfect black level. The panel with mini LEDs is significantly brighter at 730 cd/m² in SDR mode and 1,100 cd/m² in HDR mode and offers a higher 4K+ resolution at 120 Hz and 240 Hz in FHD+ mode.

Both panels cover over 90 percent of the AdobeRGB color space, while the OLED display offers several color profiles: DCI-P3, AdobeRGB, Rec. 709, and sRGB. There is also the option to adjust the color mode individually, and a native color mode is included. The mini LED panel in the 2023 model lacked the option to switch off the dimming zones for more accurate colors, but Razer has responded to the criticism and provided the function for the current model. Color samples are also included.

The Razer Blade 16 2024 has a stylish and compact unibody design and delivers top-tier performance and a super-fast OLED display despite its 22 mm thin case.

In terms of performance, despite the Intel Core i9-14900HX and GeForce RTX 4090 with 175-watt TGP, little has changed compared to the previous model. Maximum and unthrottled performance is still on offer, but SSD performance drops slightly over time, and only 15 percent of the graphics power remains in battery mode. A second M.2-2280 slot is available for an additional PCIe 4.0 SSD.

The keyboard still has a very short stroke with feedback that takes some getting used to, but the touchpad remains one of the best. There are plenty of ports, including three video outputs and a fast, full-size SD card reader. The quad speakers are very good, and WiFi 7 is included. A compact 330-watt power supply is provided, but the battery life remains average at 5.5 hours. However, if the mini LED display is sufficient, the 2023 model of the Razer Blade 16 is still a viable option.

The 2024 Blade 16 is currently available second-hand.

The Razer Blade 14 (2024) receives only a minor update, similar to the Blade 16. Apart from the new AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, there are hardly any changes to the overall system, while a GeForce RTX 4070 with a 140-watt TGP is still used. The matte 14-inch QHD display features a fast 240 Hz refresh rate and fully covers the DCI-P3 color space, while 85% of the AdobeRGB color space is displayed. We measured a solid 466 cd/m² in brightness. The grayscale and colors are pre-calibrated against the DCI-P3 color space, with Delta E 1.6 and Delta E 2.23. The pixel response times are also very fast, which is important for gaming.
The advantage of the Blade 14 is that, despite its compact dimensions and its 18 mm thin case—even though it is not exactly lightweight at 1.87 kg—it combines powerful hardware with excellent performance and also has two SO-DIMM slots. However, only one M.2-2280 slot is available.

With a stylish and compact unibody case, a fast and accurate QHD display, decent speakers, and strong performance, the Razer Blade 14 (2024) is a highly recommendable mobile workstation for creative professionals.

On average, the RTX 4070 in the new Blade is 10% faster, and there is now WiFi 7 and integrated Ryzen AI, although its functionality remains limited. OLED or Mini-LED are not available in the smaller Blade, nor are RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 options. Overall, CPU performance is only slightly better than that of its predecessor, meaning the 2023 model remains a good alternative if found at a lower price.
The Razer Blade 14 (2024) will cost you 2,999 euros in the mentioned configuration, including 32 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD, at Notebooksbilliger.

The Legion Pro 5 from Lenovo is more budget-friendly than the Legion Pro 7 from third place and also more affordable than most other laptops on our best list, yet it still secures tenth place. It is the only laptop on our list that "only" covers the sRGB color space, which is close to Rec. 709, one of the most important for video editing. For professional photo editing, investing in the better display option with 100 percent DCI-P3 and a 240 Hz refresh rate is recommended.
The 165 Hz QHD display we tested, on the other hand, only offers a brightness of 366 cd/m², which is too dim for outdoor use in direct sunlight. The Pro 5 houses a fast Intel Core i9-14900HX and a maximum of a GeForce RTX 4070 with a 140-watt TGP. Thanks to its strong performance, the Legion Pro 5 ranks ahead of the thinner Legion 7i.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 delivers excellent performance at a lower price, offers a display option suitable for creators, and maintains a relatively understated design for a gaming laptop.

The Pro 5 features plenty of ports, including four USB-A 3.2, two USB-C 3.2, and three video outputs. However, the HDMI 2.1 port only supports 4K at 60 Hz, and an SD card reader is missing. The weight of 2.46 kg and the bulky 300-watt power supply unit may also be drawbacks. The speakers lack bass, but the laptop does offer a keyboard with good feedback.
Lenovo currently charges at least 1,939 euros for the configuration we tested, which includes 32 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD. The brighter 240 Hz panel with 100 percent DCI-P3 costs just 60 euros extra.

The direct predecessor of the Legion 9 (2024) is already in sixth place in our top list. Both models share the 3.2K mini LED display with a brightness of around 660 cd/m² or 1,200 cd/m² in HDR mode.
The display is factory-calibrated against the P3 color space, but the color deviations are not optimal, with an average DeltaE value of 2.68 and individual deviations of up to 6.41. We also still miss a function to disable multi-zone dimming in HDR mode, which would be necessary for color-accurate tasks. Additionally, the new Legion 9 no longer includes various pre-calibrated color profiles.
Other existing drawbacks include hard-to-access RAM, a throttled SSD, brief drops in GPU performance, reduced single-core performance, and an undersized and suboptimal cooling system. However, the raw performance of the installed Core i9-14900HX and the GeForce RTX 4090 is difficult to surpass.

Lenovo's Legion 9 essentially offers top-tier performance and fairly accurate colors, but current software issues make it unrecommendable. We can only hope for future BIOS and firmware updates to address these concerns.

Equipped with an RTX 4090, 64 GB RAM, and a 2 TB SSD, you can currently configure the Lenovo Legion 9 for 4,639 euros directly from Lenovo.