Best laptops for CyberLink PowerDirector 19 in 2023

As someone who has spent countless hours using CyberLink PowerDirector 19 to edit and produce high-quality videos, I understand the importance of having the best laptop for video editing that can keep up with the demands of this powerful application. With so many laptops on the market, it can be challenging to find the one that meets the unique requirements of PowerDirector users. That's why I've taken the time to review an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs and reviews, to help you find the best laptop for PowerDirector 19.

When looking for the best laptop for PowerDirector 19, there are a few key factors to consider. First and foremost, you need a laptop with a powerful processor and dedicated graphics card to handle the rendering and real-time playback demands of this application. Additionally, having ample RAM and fast storage is crucial for efficient video editing, as it allows you to work with large files and multiple layers without any hiccups. Finally, a color-accurate display is essential for ensuring that your final product looks its best on various screens and devices.

To help you find the perfect laptop for your PowerDirector 19 projects, I've narrowed down the top options based on these topic-specific requirements and various price ranges. Whether you're a professional video editor working on 4K content or a hobbyist looking to create stunning montages, this guide will provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision and choose the best laptop for your needs. So, let's dive in and find the ideal machine to elevate your PowerDirector 19 experience to the next level.

Processor that will work optimally with CyberLink PowerDirector 19

For the purpose of video editing and rendering, processor is the most important spec. It dictates how fast your laptop can handle CPU intensive tasks, which are heavily utilized during video editing and rendering.

Requirements

CPU for video editing is not like CPU for browsing the web. A fast multi-core CPU is what you need for successful video editing and rendering. For example, if you're planning to edit a movie with some effects, then that movie will be split across multiple frames (i.e., picture or scene). So each frame has to be processed separately by the CPU. But if your CPU only has one core – it can't do anything else at the same time, so it will slow down after some time.

Recommendations

If you're looking for a laptop for CyberLink PowerDirector 19, here are my recommendations:

Ryzen 5 4600H – medium range laptop with good single-core performance and 6 cores total; perfect for simple projects
Ryzen 7 5800U – recommended for experienced professionals who need a lot of power without going too high-end; 8 cores total with a pretty decent single-core performance
Ryzen 9 5900HS – for top-of-the-line performance; 8 cores total with the highest single-core performance

TL;DR

video editing requires fast multi-core CPU, not fast single-core CPU
8 cores total with high single-core performance is best for video editing

The best graphics card for CyberLink PowerDirector 19 in 2021

Workstation vs. consumer graphics

You can find certified professional cards in the Quadro and FirePro lines, which offer the best performance for this application.

The three main differences are:

stability – the most stable chips are reserved for Quadro/FirePro lines
custom drivers for CyberLink PowerDirector that are specifically tweaked and tested to work with all the features CyberLink PowerDirector can offer
price – professional cards are more expensive, especially high-end cards.

Minimum graphics (under $1000)

As a minimum, you'll need a GTX 1650 Ti card to get by. It will give you a reliable framerate in lower resolutions and can handle up to 4K with some sacrifices in visual quality. I would recommend getting a better CPU, larger SSD, more VSTs, or sample packs if you're on a tight budget and don't work with video/3D and don't play new-ish 3D games.

Recommended consumer graphics ($1000 – $2000)

For $1000 – $2000, just go for a consumer-grade card such as RTX 2070. This will give you an excellent balance between stability and price. I'd also recommend these cards: RTX 2060 ($1700), RTX 2080 ($2600). If you're looking to spend less than $2000, I recommend these cards: RTX 3060 ($1600), RTX 3070 (~$2000).

TL;DR

professional cards are more expensive, especially high-end cards
consumer graphics are the best value for the money for video editing (especially RTX 2070)
go for a consumer graphics card (GTX 1650 Ti or better) if you're on a tight budget

Deciding on a memory

Minimum (8 GB)

It's been 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 CyberLink PowerDirector 19.

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 CyberLink PowerDirector 19, 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 CyberLink PowerDirector 19 "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 CyberLink PowerDirector 19. 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.

More than 32 GB?

Is there a benefit going beyond 32 GB? Sure, the more, the merrier, but it's not necessary by any standard, and I'd instead invest in other components such as CPU or SSD.

TL;DR

the more RAM, the better for running complex projects with lots of instruments and effects
16 GB is a good choice for budget laptops, starting at around $650
32 GB is a sure-fire way to future-proof your laptop
going beyond 32 GB isn't necessary by any standard, and I'd instead invest in other components such as CPU or SSD.

Choosing a storage

The need for speed

Some video editing programs are better at handling higher bit rates, while others are better at handling large, slow-motion clips. CyberLink PowerDirector 19 is the latter.

Storage needs for PowerDirector 19

To edit videos with CyberLink PowerDirector 19, you'll need at least 7 GB of free space on your computer's hard drive. That's not much when compared to other professional applications like AutoCAD or Premiere Pro, but it can be an issue if you don't have enough storage space.

The right size of SSD

While CyberLink PowerDirector 19 can run on a 256 GB SSD (or less), I recommend opting for a 512 GB drive instead. Even if you don't edit video footage in 4K resolution, you might want to start with a 1 TB drive if you plan on adding additional features in the future.

The right display

Essential display specs for video editing

It's not too difficult to find a decent display for video editing. Though, it might be a little harder to find the perfect one. Here are the key features you should be looking for:

Panel type – TN is an entry-level panel. It has mediocre image quality and doesn't support color-sensitive work (like video editing). Avoid TN displays, but if you're on a tight budget – it'll do.
Panel quality – better quality panels will provide you with better color accuracy, contrast, and brightness. But we're also looking for those displays that don't suffer from what's called "IPS glow". This means there's too much backlight bleeding and hence, you can see your own reflection on the screen. The ideal panel should have excellent contrast and colors as well as good brightness without IPS glow.
Display size – this can be tricky as it often depends on what you're using your laptop for. A smaller screen is fine for document editing and browsing the web. However, a bigger screen will be needed if you plan to edit videos or play games on your laptop. For video editing in particular, I would recommend 15" or 17" displays with high resolution (4K) to make sure your clips fit properly within the timeline without resizing them later on.

Laptop display recommendations for video editing

Here are the laptop displays I would recommend for video editing:

A 4K, IPS panel with high contrast and brightness. This is my personal favorite.
A 4K, IPS panel with excellent contrast and color accuracy.
A 4K, TN panel with decent contrast and color accuracy.
A FHD, IPS panel with decent contrast and color accuracy.

TL;DR

TN is an entry-level panel, avoid it for video editing
4K displays are recommended for video editing in particular (15" or 17")
IPS panels are preferable over TN panels for video editing (no IPS glow)

PowerDirector FAQs

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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}

Laptop	Price (approx)

5 Best Laptops for CyberLink PowerDirector 19

$700

1.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16

CyberLink PowerDirector 19 laptop

Pros

Terrific processor (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
Splendid graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
Excellent memory amount (64GB)
Light-weight (5.48 lbs)

Cons

No IPS Panel (inferior color reproduction)

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Alternatives

$730

HP Victus 15t

Pros

Low price
Solid entry-level gaming and productivity performance

Cons

Weak GPU leads to poor frame rates
Short battery life

$850

2.HP Victus

HP Victus is a budget gaming laptop, but its price-performance ratio falls short.

Pros

Easy serviceability, 2x SODIMM, 1x M.2 PCIe4 2280 SSD
Attractive visual design for a budget model
Relatively cool surface temperatures
Smooth 144 Hz refresh rate

Cons

Buggy battery life and fan behavior
No Thunderbolt or USB-PD support
Subpar Turbo Boost sustainability

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Summary

Despite being a budget gaming laptop, HP Victus' GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU struggles to justify its price of $850. Its design is visually appealing, and its serviceability and smooth 144 Hz refresh rate are noteworthy features. However, buggy battery life and fan behavior, lack of Thunderbolt or USB-PD support, subpar Turbo Boost sustainability, and weak hinges are major downsides.

Reviews

Notebookcheck

HP Victus 15 laptop review: Expensive for a budget gamer