The Best Notebooks for Photo and Video Editing
One of the most common usage scenarios for notebooks is the storing, viewing, sorting and editing of pictures as well as videos. A laptop for this purpose should have a very high-quality display to represent your collections as accurately as possible and obviously provide the necessary performance to ensure a productive workflow. For this reason, we only list those laptops with the highest score in our test criteria display and application performance (weighted score) here. You can also use the following top lists for further research:
The Best Laptops for Photo and Video Editing
Position | Weighted Rating | Total Rating | Date | Image | Model | Screen | Weight | Resolution | Surface | Contrast | DeltaE Color | AdobeRGB (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 95 % | 89.5 % | 08/2022 | ![]() | Asus ROG Flow X16 GV601RW-M5082W AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.10" | 2.1 kg | 2560x1600 | glossy | 4527:1 | 1.87 | |
2 | 94.9 % | 89.3 % | 11/2022 new! | ![]() | Lenovo Legion S7 16ARHA7 AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX AMD Radeon RX 6800S 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.00" | 2.2 kg | 2560x1600 | matte | 1231:1 | 1.9 | |
3 | 94.7 % | 87.6 % | 08/2022 new! | ![]() | Schenker XMG Neo 17 M22 AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 17.30" | 2.8 kg | 2560x1600 | matte | 965:1 | 1.44 | |
4 | 94.7 % | 88 % | 03/2022 new! | ![]() | Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 G7 i7 RTX 3070Ti Intel Core i7-12700H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.00" | 2.6 kg | 2560x1600 | matte | 1357:1 | 2.7 | |
5 | 94.4 % | 90.1 % | 11/2022 new! | ![]() | HP ZBook Studio 16 G9 62U04EA Intel Core i7-12800H NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.00" | 1.8 kg | 3840x2400 | matte | 1179:1 | 1 | |
6 | 94.4 % | 92.7 % | 11/2021 new! | ![]() | Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 M1 Pro Entry Apple M1 Pro 8-Core Apple M1 Pro 14-Core GPU 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | 14.20" | 1.6 kg | 3024x1964 | glossy | 48900:1 | 0.8 | |
7 | 94.4 % | 93.2 % | 11/2021 new! | ![]() | Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 M1 Pro Apple M1 Pro Apple M1 Pro 16-Core GPU 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.20" | 2.2 kg | 3456x2234 | glossy | 25700:1 | 1.4 | |
8 | 94.3 % | 89.8 % | 11/2021 | ![]() | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 G4-20Y4S0KS00 Intel Core i7-11850H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.00" | 2 kg | 3840x2400 | matte | 1537:1 | 2.2 | |
9 | 94.3 % | 88.6 % | 12/2021 | ![]() | MSI WE76 11UM-456 Intel Core i9-11980HK NVIDIA RTX A5000 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | 17.30" | 2.9 kg | 3840x2160 | matte | 1232:1 | 1.5 | |
10 | 94.2 % | 88.4 % | 07/2022 | ![]() | Schenker XMG Neo 15 (i7-12700H, RTX 3080 Ti) Intel Core i7-12700H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 15.60" | 2.3 kg | 2560x1440 | matte | 1141:1 | 1.38 |
The table above contains an overview over the best notebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Link: all devices in this class reviewed
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1st – Asus ROG Flow X16
With the Asus ROG Flow X16, we tested a special notebook that turns into a 16-inch tablet with a foldable display and can be operated with the pen. This can be very useful for picture and photo work.
Thanks to mini-LEDs, the display is one of the best we tested and also one of the brightest, with up to 1,100 nits at peak HDR content. Contrast is very high and colors accurate, except for blue, which remained quite off with a Delta E value of 6.5 after our calibration. However, the model we tested extensively was a pre-release version, so the launch model could improve quite a bit.
The AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces are covered 100% and thus enable professional image and video editing. There are no compromises in performance either, a fast AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX and an RTX 3070 Ti, with a high 125 W TGP, deliver plenty of power. The hardware is equally suitable for gaming and can be enjoyed with the 165 Hz fast panel including 2.5K resolution and HDR1000.
The Asus ROG Flow X16 not only offers a high-quality mini-LED display and high performance, but also remains pleasantly quiet, cool and does not forget the frequent typists, who will appreciate the keyboard with 1.7 mm travel.
The overall package is rounded out with very good speakers, adequate battery life, 100-W power delivery, upgradeable RAM, and SSD that works very fast, which becomes especially relevant for large rendering files. However, Thunderbolt and USB 4 are not available, even though Asus could still add them via a software update. There are no other real drawbacks, even though PWM with 7,400 MHz is used to dim the display. The card reader is unfortunately only microSD.
Currently, users can purchase the device through manufacturer's online store for $2,399.
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Top 10 Laptops
Multimedia, Budget Multimedia, Gaming, Budget Gaming, Lightweight Gaming, Business, Budget Office, Workstation, Subnotebooks, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks
under 300 USD/Euros, under 500 USD/Euros, 1,000 USD/Euros, for University Students, Best Displays
Top 10 Smartphones
Smartphones, Phablets, ≤6-inch, Camera Smartphones
2nd – Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16 impresses with its very bright 16-inch display, quite long battery runtimes and a Radeon RX-6800S GPU. Our test device is powered by an AMD Ryzen 9-6900HX processor, which is why the Thunderbolt port is missing, though. Lenovo's laptop is very well manufactured, and there are no quality flaws in the aluminum chassis.
The Legion Slim 7's display brightness of almost 500 nits and the 16-inch 2.5K matte panel's contrast ratio of 1,231:1 are striking, but it does not cover the AdobeRGB color space very well.
An FHD screen is also offered, but the brightness, contrast, and color space coverage are lower here. Unfortunately, there is no longer a 4K display that would reproduce the AdobeRGB color space at 99%. The mini-LED option has also not appeared so far.
On Lenovo's official online store, we have various configurations starting from $1,151.
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3rd – Schenker XMG Neo 17 M22
You should be careful with the latest Nvidia graphics cards: There are big performance differences due to different TGP settings, even though the models are labeled the same. You do not have to worry about this with the Schenker XMG Neo 17 M22. With 175 watts including Dynamic Boost, there is a decent amount of power and the RTX 3080 Ti can thus often take the lead.
Thus, you get a lot of power, but you also have to put up with a high noise development in 3D mode. There is also no Thunderbolt port, which limits the connectivity options. The 17-inch display in the 16:10 format, which is unusual for this size, is a feast for the eyes even for demanding creative workers and convinces with low response times, a 240 Hz refresh rate and a good color reproduction.
However, it does not offer full 4K resolution, only 1,440p, while the AdobeRGB color space is displayed at 70 percent. As part of the redesign of the stable Neo 17, Schenker relies on a mechanical keyboard from Cherry, which we liked very much.
A lot of graphics power, plus a great display. If you value that, you should take a look at Schenker's Gamer.
Schenker's devices are currently not yet available in North America.
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4th – Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 G7
Lenovo’s 16-inch Legion 5 Pro 16 G7 offers plenty of performance and an above average display, and it thus secured a high spot on this top list of best photo and video editing laptops.
This updated model features a brand-new Intel Alder Lake processor, a fast GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, and an additional Thunderbolt 4 port over its predecessor. The 16:10 display remained largely identical in terms of specifications: a resolution of 2560 x 1600, a display ratio of 16:10, a peak brightness of 400 nits (HDR), and a refresh rate of 165 Hz. It is, however, now made by BOE.
Subjective image quality is superb with popping colors, great contrast ratio, and no visible pixel grain despite a matte panel.
Colors are very accurate and within specs by default, and we found no visible color tints either. We were also able to improve upon this even further through calibration.
The Intel-based Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 is currently not available in North America.
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5th – HP ZBook Studio G9
A mobile workstation that also supports Nvidia's RTX graphics cards with ray tracing is the HP ZBook Studio G9. The case is very high-quality, and there is also an equivalent model without a Quadro graphics card, which then comes with consumer features. However, it mainly impresses with its very well calibrated 4K display with 120 Hz in 16 inches and 16:10, while the AdobeRGB is covered by 86 percent. Great input devices and four great speakers are further advantages of the lightweight workstation.
Overall, the picture is very positive, making the ZBook Studio G9 a very solid choice, especially when a lot of graphics power is needed.
The Vision 14 offers plenty of connectivity, with two USB-A and two USB-C ports on each side, TB4, HDMI, and a full-sized SD card reader slot. Is it the perfect Ultrabook? Unfortunately, no, due to its poor battery life of just 5-6 hours in our Wi-Fi test.
HP offers various configurations of the device on online store, starting from $2,499. Amazon US lists some ZBook Studio G9 variants as well.
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6th – Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 M1 Pro
Apple’s new entry-level Pro laptop is the MacBook Pro 14 2021 M1 Pro with Apple’s brand-new 14-core M1 Pro processor. The new case is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor’s, and as before both build quality and hinge setup are perfect.
The new Liquid Retina XDR display achieves OLED-levels of blackness resulting in a very high contrast ratio. A completely black image will remain completely black even at maximum brightness.
Downsides include slow response times as well as constant PWM flickering.
The device is available through Apple. Select SKUs can also be purchased through the usual retail channels, such as Amazon, with prices start at $1,999 at the time of writing.
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7th – Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 M1 Pro
Like the smaller MacBook Pro 14 2021 M1 Pro the MacBook Pro 16 2021 M1 Pro was completely redesigned. The newer and slightly larger and heavier unibody aluminum case features Apple’s brand-new 16-core M1 Pro SoC. Build quality is superb, and we found the surfaces to be immune to fingerprints and smudges.
Instead of an IPS panel Apple now uses Mini LED panels with extremely low levels of brightness and thus a very high contrast ratio, not unlike OLED panels. Simply put, subjective image quality is absolutely perfect.
One gripe would be the device’s constant PWM flickering at 15 kHz. If you are sensible to display flickering you might want to stay away from Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro series. We also suggest calibrating the display as the 16-inch model came with a color temperature shifted slightly towards the cooler end. This was not the case on the 14-inch model. However, Delta E deviations remain minimal overall, which means the panel is very well suited for professional photo and video editing nonetheless.
The device is available through Apple. Select SKUs can also be purchased through the usual retail channels, such as Amazon, with prices start at $2,249 at the time of writing.
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8th – Lenovo ThinkPad P1 G4
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 G4 was recently updated by Lenovo and received a GeForce RTX 3070 as well as a 4K UHD+ panel. The P1 is more portable than Lenovo’s traditional ThinkPad P52 workstation laptop.
With a brightness of 610 nits the display is brighter than most of its 15 and 16-inch competitors. It also features low Delta E color deviations of just 2.2 by default.
Downsides include the slightly elevated black level of 0.41 nits, although its contrast ratio remained decent at 1537:1. AdobeRGB color space coverage is at 98.9 %, which means that the P1 is very well suited for professional photo and video editing. A good score of 10,241 in the PCMark 10 Digital Content Creation further emphasizes its good system performance.
The ThinkPad P1 G4 is available through Lenovo’s own webstore with prices starting at $1,600.
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9th – MSI WE76
Another MSI laptop made this top list of best photo and video editing laptops. The MSI WE76 is built very well and offers both HDMI 2.1 as well as a Mini Display Port video output.
The matte 16:9 4K display is fed by a professional RTX A5000 GPU and offers full AdobeRGB coverage as well as a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Subjectively, images are very sharp with no signs of pixel grain. Its peak brightness of 400 nits is lightly below Lenovo’s Legion series and Apple’s MacBook Pro series that can also be found higher up on this very list. HDR is not supported.
The device is available on Amazon with prices starting at a very high $3,700 for the Core i9-powered RTX A5000 SKU.
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10th – Schenker XMG Neo 15 M22
Another gaming notebook you might think, but the 2.2 kg light Schenker XMG Neo 15 has some special features: Firstly, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti with 150-W TGP that can be water-cooled and a strong AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, but also a very good WQHD display that, however, relies on the 16:9 format.
It does not get as bright as the competition with 342 nits and the AdobeRGB color space is not covered very extensively with 70%. On the other hand, the response times of the 240 Hz display are fast.
A fairly plainly designed gaming notebook with a lot of power, great display, optomechanical keyboard and long runtimes.
You get a very long battery life of 11 hours and a good optomechanical full-size keyboard for this class. It might be a bit annoying that the notebook does not come with a Thunderbolt port, but at least it offers a card reader and RJ45.
Schenker devices are currently not yet available in North America.
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Best Notebooks for Digital Content Editing in Comparison
Test Results
Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR YD | Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 G7 i7 RTX 3070Ti | Lenovo Legion S7 15ACH6 82K80030GE | Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 M1 Pro Entry | Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 M1 Pro | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 G4-20Y4S0KS00 | MSI WE76 11UM-456 | Lenovo Legion 7 16ACHg6 | Schenker Vision 14 | MSI GT76 Titan DT 10SGS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | ||||||||||
Display P3 Coverage | 86.9 | 68.7 | 85.2 | 99.3 | 99.1 | 85.7 | 82.1 | 70.3 | 75.4 | 82.5 |
sRGB Coverage | 100 | 97.6 | 98.8 | 100 | 99.4 | 99.3 | 99.4 | 99 | 98 | |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 99.6 | 70.9 | 98.2 | 88 | 98.9 | 96 | 72.7 | 76.4 | 96.6 | |
Response Times | ||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 52 ? | 17.6 ? | 31.6 ? | 58.4 ? | 42.8 ? | 55.2 ? | 17.6 ? | 14 ? | 32.8 ? | 23.2 ? |
Response Time Black / White * | 26 ? | 7.6 ? | 16 ? | 40.4 ? | 91.6 ? | 31.2 ? | 10.8 ? | 6.4 ? | 20.4 ? | 11.6 ? |
PWM Frequency | 14880 | 14880 | ||||||||
Screen | ||||||||||
Brightness middle | 488 | 502 | 607 | 489 | 514 | 630 | 419 | 489 | 390 | 419.5 |
Brightness | 467 | 491 | 605 | 479 | 497 | 622 | 416 | 469 | 387 | 413 |
Brightness Distribution | 86 | 91 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 90 | 93 | 92 | 94 | 93 |
Black Level * | 0.33 | 0.37 | 0.41 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.41 | 0.34 | 0.38 | 0.29 | 0.4 |
Contrast | 1479 | 1357 | 1480 | 48900 | 25700 | 1537 | 1232 | 1287 | 1345 | 1049 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 1.23 | 2.7 | 0.84 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.45 | 2.8 | 3.4 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 2.94 | 4.5 | 3.02 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 5 | 4.7 | 2.16 | 4.4 | 7.4 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 0.77 | 1.4 | 0.69 | 1 | 0.9 | 1.16 | 1.8 | 3.28 | ||
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 1.5 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 2 |
Gamma | 2.169 101% | 2.44 90% | 2.131 103% | 2.24 98% | 2.27 97% | 2.26 97% | 2.17 101% | 2.197 100% | 2.24 98% | 2.14 103% |
CCT | 6614 98% | 6326 103% | 6648 98% | 6792 96% | 6886 94% | 6629 98% | 6377 102% | 6174 105% | 6858 95% | |
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 99 | 73 | 76.4 | 84.6 | ||||||
Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 99 | 94 | 99 | 97.9 | ||||||
Noise | ||||||||||
off / environment * | 25 | 24.6 | 25 | 24.8 | 24.7 | 23.8 | 24.7 | 26 | 25 | 26.4 |
Idle Minimum * | 30 | 28.4 | 25 | 24.8 | 24.7 | 23.8 | 24.7 | 26 | 25 | 27.5 |
Idle Average * | 32 | 28.4 | 30 | 24.8 | 24.7 | 23.8 | 24.7 | 30 | 25 | 27.5 |
Idle Maximum * | 41 | 28.4 | 36 | 24.8 | 24.7 | 28.3 | 27.5 | 35 | 26.9 | 29.8 |
Load Average * | 43 | 49.4 | 42 | 27.8 | 26.1 | 38.6 | 43.7 | 40 | 38.6 | 30.9 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 51 | 49.4 | 53 | 27.8 | 47.4 | 46.6 | 46 | 41.2 | 60.7 | |
Load Maximum * | 59 | 54.7 | 54 | 49.5 | 37.4 | 47.4 | 47.7 | 50 | 41.2 | 66.6 |
Heat | ||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * | 44 | 45.3 | 49 | 46.8 | 41 | 51 | 48.4 | 51 | 46.2 | 36.4 |
Maximum Bottom * | 56 | 61.2 | 50 | 40.9 | 39 | 53.5 | 56.2 | 52 | 52.2 | 43 |
Idle Upper Side * | 32 | 28.6 | 29 | 24.2 | 24 | 28.8 | 28.6 | 37 | 30.6 | 28 |
Idle Bottom * | 35 | 31.4 | 30 | 24.2 | 24 | 29.3 | 31.8 | 38 | 33.6 | 33.4 |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||
WiFi v1.3 | 334 | 326 | 421 | 816 | 1016 | 417 | 377 | 410 | 366 | 146 |
Load | 70 | 37 | 69 | 69 | 74 | 79 | 93 | |||
H.264 | 377 | 449 | 900 | 1048 | 429 | 413 | 406 | 401 | ||
Reader / Idle | 841 | 494 |
* ... smaller is better