As a video editor, finding the best laptop for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 is crucial to ensure seamless editing and optimal performance. Having spent countless hours reviewing an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs, and analyzing both professional and user-generated reviews, I've identified the top laptops suitable for video editing enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 demands specific hardware requirements to run smoothly, and not all laptops can handle the workload. You'll need a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU to handle the software's real-time rendering and playback capabilities. Additionally, a high-quality display is essential for accurate color grading, and a generous storage capacity is necessary for managing large video files.
My experience with Adobe Premiere Pro has taught me the value of investing in a laptop tailored to video editing needs. In this guide, we'll focus on finding the best laptop for Premiere Pro 2021 that meets the unique requirements of video editors, ensuring a smooth editing experience without breaking the bank. Whether you're a freelancer working on client projects, an aspiring filmmaker, or a content creator producing engaging videos for social media platforms, this guide will help you find the perfect laptop for your video editing endeavors.
Deciding on a processor
In order to have a smooth editing experience, a processor needs to be powerful enough to play back your footage without it being choppy. As a result, the CPU is an essential component of a laptop for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021.
Requirements
You may have noticed that there are a few different types of processors out there: Intel Core and AMD Ryzen. What's the difference? AMD processors tend to offer more cores for lower prices, but they can't compete with Intel in single-core performance. So if you need as much power as possible for rendering and encoding, go with Intel Core. If you're trying to find the best bang for your buck, Ryzen 3 3250U might be the way to go.
Recommendations
What kind of CPU should you buy? If you're not sure, I recommend going with an i3-10110U since it offers plenty of power for most video editing tasks and is fairly cheap as well. On the other hand, if you're looking for the best performance without caring about price – i5-1135G7 is the way to go.
The right graphics card
GPU for simple cuts/transitions
If you're not working with many complex graphics and you're patient enough to wait for a longer rendering time – you can do without a dedicated GPU. Simple cuts/transitions don’t need a dedicated GPU.
If you want speed up rendering – you'll need to get a dedicated GPU. However, even then, I wouldn't recommend spending over $4000 on a laptop – unless you're an avid gamer who wants to game on the side. You'll need at least RTX 1660 Ti.
Integrated vs. Dedicated Graphics Cards
If you're looking for something cheap and easy – get an integrated chip (preferably Intel Iris Xe Graphics). They are cheap and will be enough for basic rendering tasks in Adobe Premiere Pro. If you want to get the most out of your computer – get a professional graphics card like RTX 3060 (over $1000).
- integrated graphics chips are fine for editing videos in Adobe Premiere Pro
- dedicated GPUs are needed for green screens and complex effects in Adobe Premiere Pro
- if you want to work with transitions, filters, or other complex effects – get a dedicated GPU
What's the best memory for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021?
Minimum (8 GB)
8 GB used to be the standard for RAM capacity for the longest time. In 2021, 16 GB is becoming the new de facto choice for budget laptops, starting at around $650. If you can't go above that, 8 GB is still alright. In fact, it might be a wise choice if you're prioritizing the CPU, which is much more critical for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021.
Recommended (16 GB)
If you aren't limited by a very tight budget – you'll most likely end up with a 16 GB laptop. It just seems to do the job for most laptops under $2k. That's the sweet spot for work, gaming, and everything in-between. These days a fast SSD can soften the impact of running out of RAM. That might be one of the reasons why I've noticed a slowdown in the continuous climb of RAM capacities in laptops. Especially if you're buying a bulkier laptop that can be easily upgraded, there's no need to sweat about getting 16 GB.
Best (32 GB)
If you're only running Adobe Premiere Pro 2021, 32 GB is only necessary if you typically use lots of sample-based instruments (each running Multi-GB orchestral libraries & ROMpler style plugins, for example). But I doubt any of us are running Adobe "naked". I'd guess you'll have a browser running in the background and then a couple more applications on the side. In that case, 16 GB, while perfectly capable, is not optimal for the best laptop for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021. That's why I recommend 32 GB for anyone going over $2000, where 32 GB laptops are ubiquitous. On top of that, 32 GB is a sure-fire way to future-proof your laptop.
Deciding on a storage
Different types of SSDs
In this article, I've been exclusively focusing on laptops with NVMe SSDs. The reason for that is that they're the best performing type of storage device. To be more specific, they're made to push as much data as possible as quickly as possible. In general, there are two types of SSDs: SATA and NVMe. And while they both have their merits, NVM-e is a much better option for Premiere Pro 2021.
Getting the right size
If you're a typical Premiere Pro user, I'd recommend a 1 TB drive – especially if you plan on downloading/importing a lot of footage to edit with it. You can go up to 2 TB, but that would be overkill for most people. With an extra USB 3.0 port, you can always use a portable hard drive to store your files on the go – if you're editing from home and need space or if you want to edit from a remote location and don't want to use up all your laptop's internal storage space.
One downside is that the larger drives take longer to read and write data because they need more power and additional circuitry to make it happen – but considering how many professionals work with raw footage, this is usually not an issue.
Upgrading
I won't say upgrading storage devices on laptops is as easy as swapping out your RAM or adding an M.2 NVMe SSD – but it's close enough! Most laptops come with room for one M2 card or one hard drive slot. If that's not enough – find another laptop with more space! That said, we've listed out some solid suggestions in our list of best laptops for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021:
- SSDs are faster than HDDs, but there are two types of SSDs: SATA and NVMe
- NVM-e is the fastest type of SSD for laptops
- If you're editing raw footage, you'll need at least 1 TB of storage space. You can get more, but it's not necessary. And if you're editing from home – just get an external hard drive. It's not expensive. It's just easier.
Display that will work optimally with Adobe Premiere Pro 2021
Displays can be very arduous to compare – there're too many variables. To help you out, I'm going to list the essential specifications, and you'll need to pick out what's indispensable and what's not. Then, I'll also provide some sensible recommendations for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021.
Panel and image quality
Panel type is a key to many display qualities. Here are three types of panels you need to know:
- TN – the most basic display panel. Very common in entry-to-mid-range laptops. If properly calibrated, then it's not that bad for non-color-sensitive work.
- IPS/PLS – better in nearly every aspect, nonetheless quite costly, especially professional-grade IPS. Common in mid-range and premium laptops.
- OLED – latest, greatest, and the priciest panel technology. Exceptional color accuracy, often paired with HDR. Sometimes found in top-of-the-line models. Meanwhile, image quality consists of brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. These three observable characteristics can vary a lot from model to model. Panel type can be a decent proxy to gauge these metrics roughly. But it's always best to judge them in person or by reviews.
Laptop display recommendations for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021
For an affordable laptop for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 – look for a Full HD display with a TN panel. For a mid-range laptop – FHD IPS panel would be perfect. For a high end laptop – look for a OLED panel.
- you should look at display resolution, panel type, image quality, and features when shopping for a laptop display for video editing
- if you're on a budget, look for Full HD displays with TN panels
- if you're in the mid range, look for FHD IPS panels
- if you're looking for the best laptop display – look for OLED panels
Demystifying Premiere Pro Laptop Choices
Q: Which laptop is best for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021?
When it comes to choosing the best laptop for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021, it depends on your specific needs and budget. However, we can recommend a few laptops that offer excellent performance for video editing. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i are both great options with powerful processors and ample storage. If budget is not a concern, the MSI Summit E13 is a top-of-the-line choice. Additionally, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro and HP Omen 17 are worth considering for their performance capabilities.
What are the recommended laptop specs for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021?
To ensure a smooth editing experience with Adobe Premiere Pro 2021, we recommend the following laptop specs:
- Display: For optimal color accuracy and viewing angles, go for a laptop with at least a Full HD (FHD) IPS display with high contrast.
- Graphics: A dedicated graphics card is essential for video editing. The GTX 1660 Ti, Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs, or RTX 3060 are all good options depending on your budget and performance needs.
- Processor: Look for a laptop with at least a Ryzen 3 3250U, i3-10110U, or i5-1135G7 processor to handle the demanding tasks of Adobe Premiere Pro 2021.
- Memory: Aim for a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, but if your budget allows, 16 GB or even 32 GB will provide better multitasking capabilities.
- Storage: While a 1 TB HDD may be the minimum requirement, we recommend opting for a laptop with at least a 512 GB SSD, or even a 1 TB SSD, for faster read and write speeds.
Can I use Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop?
Yes, Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 can be used on a laptop. In fact, laptops have become increasingly powerful, allowing for professional-grade video editing on the go. However, it's important to choose a laptop with the necessary specs to handle the software efficiently.
How much RAM do I need for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop?
The amount of RAM you need for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop depends on the complexity of your projects and the number of concurrent applications you plan to use. While the minimum requirement is 8 GB, we recommend having at least 16 GB of RAM for smooth performance. If you frequently work on large projects or use resource-intensive effects, consider upgrading to 32 GB for optimal performance.
What graphics card is recommended for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop?
For Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop, we recommend a dedicated graphics card for the best performance. The GTX 1660 Ti, Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs, or RTX 3060 are all solid choices depending on your budget and requirements. A dedicated graphics card helps accelerate rendering and provides better playback performance, especially when working with high-resolution footage or applying complex effects.
What is the minimum processor requirement for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop?
The minimum processor requirement for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop is a Ryzen 3 3250U, i3-10110U, or i5-1135G7. However, if you want a smoother editing experience and faster rendering times, we recommend opting for a more powerful processor, such as an i7 or i9.
Which laptops have good performance with Adobe Premiere Pro 2021?
Several laptops offer excellent performance with Adobe Premiere Pro 2021. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i, MSI Summit E13, Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, and HP Omen 17 are all known for their strong performance capabilities. These laptops are equipped with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and ample memory and storage capacities to handle the demands of video editing effectively.
Is a dedicated GPU necessary for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop?
While Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 can technically run on a laptop without a dedicated GPU, a dedicated graphics card significantly improves performance. A dedicated GPU helps accelerate rendering times, improves playback performance, and provides better overall editing experience. If you're serious about video editing, we highly recommend choosing a laptop with a dedicated GPU, such as the GTX 1660 Ti, Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs, or RTX 3060.
What storage capacity is recommended for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop?
For Adobe Premiere Pro 2021 on a laptop, we recommend a minimum of 512 GB SSD for faster read and write speeds. This allows for
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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}
Laptop | Price (approx) |
5 Best Laptops for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021
1.ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71: Powerful and Lightweight, But with Some Minor Flaws- Sleek, lightweight frame
- Powerful overall and gaming performance
- Excellent battery life
- Very comfortable keyboard
- Weak speakers
- Display could be brighter
- No headphone jack
Summary
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 offers great power and longevity with Intel's new 11th Gen chips. It has a sleek and lightweight frame, excellent battery life, and a very comfortable keyboard. However, it does have some drawbacks such as weak speakers, a display that could be brighter, and the lack of a headphone jack.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Swift 3 SF314-59-75QC
- Compact, ultra-lightweight, and ergonomic design
- Sturdy build quality
- High thermals under heavy load
- Poor audio quality
2.Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i: A stylish and portable laptop with impressive GPU performance, but hindered by a shallow keyboard and clickpad.- Relatively bright touchscreen
- Attractive chassis design
- Lightweight and portable
- Strong GPU performance
- Turbo Boost sustainability could be better
- No integrated SD reader, USB-A, or HDMI
- Shallow and weak key feedback
- Slippery and awkward clickpad
Summary
Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 9i is a visually appealing and lightweight laptop with a strong GPU and respectable battery life. However, its shallow keyboard and clickpad, along with the lack of certain ports and difficult serviceability, detract from its overall appeal.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus
- Delivers smooth gameplay at 1080p.
- Fast SSD.
- No variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
- Slow response time on the display.
3.Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16: A powerful gaming laptop with a sleek design and impressive performance.- Stylish, sleek form factor
- Gorgeous display
- Strong performance
- Quiet fans
- Webcam quality is poor
- No biometric features
- SSD is slightly slower than competition
Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16 is a stylish and powerful gaming laptop that offers a great display, strong performance, and plenty of connectivity options. However, the webcam quality is lacking, there are no biometric features, and the SSD is slightly slower compared to its competitors.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Omen 17
- Exceptional processor (i9-12900HX)
- Superb graphics card (RTX 3080 Ti)
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar delivers powerful performance and impressive display, but suffers from heat and noise issues.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent display quality with wide color gamut coverage and Dolby Vision support
- Powerful performance with Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
- SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is a high-performance laptop that offers a sturdy construction, fast Wi-Fi, and excellent display quality. It excels in gaming performance with its powerful Core i9-12900H processor and RTX 3070 Ti graphics. However, it falls short in terms of limited display angle, lack of biometric login, SSD throttling, and high heat and noise emissions under load.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
5.Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8: A mid-priced powerhouse for Adobe Premiere Pro.- Strong overall performance
- Big, bright, and fast display
- Per-key RGB lighting
- Some flex to keyboard deck
- Poor battery life
Summary
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 is equipped with a powerful 13th-gen Core i9 CPU and RTX 4090 graphics, making it a great choice for running Adobe Premiere Pro. Its strong overall performance, big and bright display, and per-key RGB lighting are definite pros. However, it does have some flex to the keyboard deck and poor battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Omen 17
- QHD display with 165 Hz refresh rate
- Advanced Optimus technology
- Slightly below-average performance for an RTX 4080
- High noise level
Table of the Best Laptops for Adobe Premiere Pro 2021
Laptop | Price (approx) |
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71 | $730 |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i | $960 |
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16 | $1,300 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,050 |
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 | $3,800 |