Something like a MacBook Pro may be a better choice in this instance. One thing to mention is that the M1 iMac lacks a discrete GPU, which means if you're working with effect-heavy video in the likes of DaVinci Resolve, you may experience some lag. Plumping for an Apple computer also mean you have access to Final Cut Pro, which is a user-friendly program for video editing, and one of our most highly recommended pieces of video editing software. The thin bezels make the screen extra easy to immerse yourself in. This means if you're going to be working with 8K footage, you're going to want to look elsewhere, but most people won't be, and the majority of users are going to appreciate the sleek redesign of this excellent computer. It's got a 24-inch display, which sports a 4.5K resolution. We tried running multiple streams of 4K video in editing software, and the computer's multi-core performance handled it adroitly. The iMac (24-inch, 2021) is an outstanding computer, receiving a glowing write-up from our reviewer. The latest generation of Apple iMac computers are the best option for video editing in terms of the balance they provide between power, performance and price.
Some have displays, while others will need you to attach one of the best monitors for video editing, and if you need some more tech pointers, scroll down to the bottom of this page to find a dedicated section on how to choose the best computer for video editing. We've chosen the computers in this guide based on our reviewers' experience with working on them and using them.
Generally though, a desktop computer is the best choice if you have the budget and space for it, as the design allows for fans that prevent the system from overheating during intensive tasks In this guide, we're looking at desktop computers – check out our guide to the best laptops for video editing if you'd like something more portable, or the best video editing apps for YouTube if you just want to do quick projects on your phone. We've picked out our favourite video editing computers for this guide, and made sure to provide options for a range of budgets. A high-end graphics card, a powerful processor, plenty of RAM and access to a high-fidelity monitor – a combination of all the above will do the job, and it doesn't have to cost the earth. Fortunately, whether your use macOS or Windows, there are plenty of computers up to the task – you just need to know what to look for.