As a dedicated video editor, I understand that finding the best laptop for DaVinci Resolve 17 is crucial for your workflow. DaVinci Resolve, a powerful video editing and color grading software, demands a laptop with high-end specs and the ability to handle complex tasks. With so many laptops on the market, it can be a challenge to find the perfect one for your needs. In this guide, I'll help you navigate the choices and determine the best laptop to support your passion for video editing.
Having reviewed an extensive spreadsheet of recent releases, I've compared specs and gathered both professional and user-generated reviews to narrow down the top laptops for DaVinci Resolve 17 users. When considering a laptop for this software, there are a few key factors to keep in mind: the GPU, CPU, RAM, and storage. DaVinci Resolve relies heavily on GPU performance, so a dedicated graphics card is essential. Additionally, a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and fast storage options will ensure smooth and efficient editing.
As an active member of the DaVinci Resolve community, I'm aware of the challenges that editors face when working with 4K footage, complex visual effects, and color grading. With these specific requirements in mind, I've focused on finding laptops that not only meet the minimum requirements for DaVinci Resolve 17 but also provide a smooth and enjoyable editing experience. Stay tuned for my top picks for the best laptop for DaVinci Resolve 17, ensuring you have the performance and reliability needed to bring your creative projects to life.
The right processor
While DaVinci Resolve can utilize your CPU to some extent, it relies more on the performance of your GPU. And, when it comes to the best laptop processors for DaVinci Resolve 17, you want to find one with a fast GPU.
Requirements
It's hard to choose the best processor for DaVinci Resolve 17 since they're all in different categories. If you're just using DaVinci Resolve for editing footage, then you don't need a top-of-the-line CPU. But if you plan on editing in real time, you'll need a CPU that is designed for it. So in short – know what you want from your laptop and get the appropriate one.
Recommendations
If you are editing footage, I recommend at least an Intel Core i5-1135G7 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800H. If you are planning on editing in real time, I recommend at least an Intel Core i9-11900H or AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS.
- for editing footage, use at least an Intel Core i5-1135G7 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- for real time editing, use at least an Intel Core i9-11900H or AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
Deciding on a graphics card
Entry-level graphics
Entry-level graphics are the cheapest option. However, they are not ideal for DaVinci Resolve due to their lower performance.
An RTX 3050 card will be the most cost-effective choice, but if you can afford it, I recommend an RTX 3070 or higher. You might notice the occasional lag in processing, but that should be fine for smaller projects.
Recommended graphics ($1000 – $2000)
If you're working on smaller projects or want to work on multiple videos at once – you can get away with a midrange graphics card. These cards are more expensive than entry-level cards, but cheaper than high-end cards. These are perfect for DaVinci Resolve 17 due to their slightly better performance. For this price range, I recommend an RTX 3060 or RTX 2070.
The best options are RTX 3070 and RTX 3080. I would recommend them over other cards if you have a budget of ~$2,000+. You'll have no issues with DaVinci Resolve 17 at this level and won't need to worry about lags or crashes that come with low-performance GPUs (though keep in mind that GPU isn't the only factor in rendering).
Choosing a memory
Minimum (8 GB)
8 GB is the minimum RAM capacity for DaVinci Resolve 17. That means that it will work on an 8 GB laptop, but you're compromising on performance. I've never run it on 8 GB, so I don't know how it performs with such a low amount of memory.
But, unless you're a hobbyist, 8 GB is not enough for most professionals.
Recommended (16 GB)
I recommend 16 GB as the standard for most laptops that cost under $2k and are aimed at professionals. Though, if you're looking to invest in a brand new computer – it's probably worth investing in 32 GB instead of 16 GB, even if you can't afford it now.
Best (32 GB)
I recommend 32 GB as the best option for most professionals and people who plan to keep their laptop for the long haul.
If you're looking to invest in a brand new computer – it's probably worth investing in 32 GB instead of 16GB, even if you can't afford it now.
Though, as we've seen from my own experience with memory-hungry applications like SolidWorks 2021 and DaVinci Resolve 17 – more than 32GB doesn't necessarily mean more performance and future-proofing your laptop isn't necessary by any standard; we need to focus on other components like CPU or SSD.
- 8GB is not enough, get 16GB if you're a professional, but 32GB if you're going to be using your laptop for the long haul
- 32GB is enough for most professionals, but if you're looking to invest in a brand new computer – it's probably worth investing in 32 GB instead of 16 GB, even if you can't afford it now.
Picking a good storage
Finding the right size
Your storage requirements are fairly low. The recommended free space for DaVinci Resolve 17 is 30 GB. If you have that, then a laptop with 128 GB SSD should suffice. If not, then I recommend 256 GB SSDs. That's enough to install and run the software, plus install any additional applications you need, plus leave some overhead for downloads and personal files. You can get a 256 GB SSD for anywhere between $500 to $1,870. A laptop with 256 GB SSD would cost between $850 and $2,340 on average.
A 512 GB SSD is recommended for most people – it's enough to work with DaVinci Resolve 17 in peace while leaving room for other programs or samples. You can find laptops with 512 GB SSDs in the $650 – $2,340 range with a median price of $1,400.
For professionals that know they'll need more space – I recommend going up to 1 TB (or more). On the other hand, if you're working with multiple CAD and 3D modeling applications, then shelling out ~$2,200 for a brand new laptop with a 1 TB SSD shouldn't shock you.
Upgrading
Laptops come pre-installed with an M.2 SATA drive or NVMe slot depending on what the OEM deems best for the device. If you're looking at budget laptops – there's no telling what kind of drive will be inside it (and don't expect an NVMe slot). On the other hand, if you're considering higher-end laptops then chances are that they come pre-installed with an NVMe drive slot (or one can be easily added by installing an M.2 SATA drive).
- get at least 30 GB of free space if you want to install DaVinci Resolve 17 on your laptop
- 128 GB SSD is recommended for most people, unless you know you'll need more space for other programs or samples
- 256 GB SSD is enough for working with Resolve 17 in peace while leaving room for other programs or samples
- 512 GB is recommended for most people, unless you know you'll need more space for other programs or samples
- 1 TB (or more) SSD is recommended for professionals that know they'll need more space, or if you're working with multiple CAD and 3D modeling applications
Deciding on a display
When it comes to choosing the best laptop display for DaVinci Resolve 17, you have a wide range of options. In fact, when I started researching this topic, I found that LCD monitors are a much more popular choice for video editing workstations than even pro-grade color-calibrated monitors.
Display basics
- resolution – no matter what resolution you're looking for, it's going to be a good match for DaVinci Resolve 17. Though, I'd still recommend that you go with a 4K or UHD display. This way, you'll get enough screen real estate for high-quality video editing and your graphics card will have enough headroom to do all the heavy lifting without becoming too power hungry.
- panel type – there are two main types of panels: TN and IPS/PLS. TN is the cheapest and most common panel type found in entry-level laptops. IPS/PLS is more expensive and more common in mid-range and premium laptops. It's not critical to choose an IPS panel – but it's certainly something worth considering if you're also editing videos on your laptop (or if you want better viewing angles). And if you're not planning on editing videos on your laptop – then just get a TN panel since it's cheaper and faster than an IPS panel.
- brightness – brightness is hard to measure objectively and should be ignored in most cases when shopping for displays. But if we're talking about video editing – then we need a display that can keep up with what DaVinci Resolve 17 demands: at least 250 cd/sq. m brightness (you can find laptops with 300 cd/sq. m brightness). This is not something we should consider when looking at entry-level laptops (since TN panels don't come with such high brightness levels).
- contrast ratio – not really something we care about in this case (since DaVinci Resolve 17 doesn't demand such high contrast ratios).
- get a laptop with a 4K/UHD display if you're also editing videos on your laptop (or if you want better viewing angles)
- get a TN panel if you're not planning on editing videos on your laptop (since it's cheaper and faster than an IPS panel)
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FAQ
What laptop is best for DaVinci Resolve?
It depends on your budget and what you want to achieve. For entry-level editing, a laptop with a Ryzen 5 3500U, GTX 1650, 8 GB RAM, FHD TN display, and a 256 GB SSD would suffice. For more intensive projects, something with a i5-10300H, RTX 3060, 16 GB RAM, FHD IPS display and 512 GB SSD should do the job. For the best performance possible, look into getting a laptop with a Ryzen 7 4800H, RTX 3070, 32 GB RAM, FHD IPS high refresh rate display and a 1 TB SSD.
What specs do I need to run DaVinci Resolve 17?
At the very least, you will need a laptop with a Ryzen 5 3500U processor, GTX 1650 graphics card, 8 GB of RAM, an FHD TN display and a 256 GB SSD. If you want to edit 4K video on it, you should get something with a i5-10300H processor, RTX 3060 graphics card, 16 GB of RAM, an FHD IPS display and a 512 GB SSD or higher. For the best performance possible, you will need a laptop with a Ryzen 7 4800H processor, RTX 3070 graphics card, 32 GB of RAM, an FHD IPS high refresh rate display and a 1 TB SSD or higher.
How to choose a laptop for DaVinci Resolve 17?
To choose the right laptop for DaVinci Resolve 17, consider your budget and what you want to achieve. Check out the recommendations table above for laptops that will perform optimally with DaVinci Resolve 17. Additionally, keep in mind that for 4K video editing you will need at least a i5-10300H processor, RTX 3060 graphics card, 16 GB of RAM, an FHD IPS display and a 512 GB SSD or higher.
Is RTX 3060 suitable for DaVinci Resolve 17?
Absolutely! The RTX 3060 can handle up to 4K video editing in DaVinci Resolve 17 and is suitable for most mid-level editing tasks. However, if you are looking for the best performance possible, you should look into getting a laptop with a RTX 3070 graphics card.
Can you edit 4K video on a laptop?
Yes! To edit 4K video on a laptop you will need at least a i5-10300H processor, RTX 3060 graphics card, 16 GB of RAM, an FHD IPS display and a 512 GB SSD or higher.
What laptops can run DaVinci Resolve 17?
Any laptop that meets the requirements listed in the table can run DaVinci Resolve 17. Additionally, check out the recommendations table above for laptops that will perform optimally with DaVinci Resolve 17.
Is AMD Ryzen 7 good for DaVinci Resolve 17?
Absolutely! Ryzen 7 processors are powerful enough to handle most mid-level editing tasks in DaVinci Resolve 17. However, if you are looking for the best performance possible, you should look into getting a laptop with a Ryzen 7 4800H processor.
How much RAM does DaVinci Resolve 17 require?
At the very least, you will need 8GB of RAM to run DaVinci Resolve 17. However, if you are looking to edit 4K video on it, you should get something with 16GB of RAM or higher.
Does DaVinci Resolve 17 run well on a laptop?
Yes! Any laptop that meets the requirements listed in the table can run DaVinci Resolve 17 smoothly. Additionally, check out the recommendations table above for laptops that will perform optimally with DaVinci Resolve 17.
Is 500GB SSD enough for DaVinci Resolve 17?
Yes, 500GB SSD should be enough for most mid-level editing tasks in DaVinci Resolve 17. However, if you are looking to edit 4K video on it, you should get something with at least 512GB SSD or higher.
5 Best Laptops for DaVinci Resolve 17
1.ASUS Zenbook
ASUS ZenBook delivers powerful performance in a sleek, portable design, with some minor drawbacks.- Excellent battery life
- Fast processor
- Sleek design
- Bright display
- Soldered RAM that cant be expanded
- Fan behavior can be annoying at times
- High emissions under load
- Weak Wi-Fi
Summary
The ASUS ZenBook 14 is a compact, lightweight laptop that boasts excellent battery life and a fast processor. While it may get hot and have a weak Wi-Fi connection, the sleek design and bright display make it a good choice for those on the go.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus
- Strong entry-level gaming performance
- Sophisticated design
- Display could be brighter
- Three-year-old GPU
2.HP Victus 15
HP Victus 15: An Affordable Laptop with Decent Gaming Performance.- Excellent price
- Good gaming performance
- Can double as a work laptop
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
Summary
HP Victus 15 is a budget gaming laptop that balances most tasks well, including high-end titles. Its excellent price tag makes it worth considering, especially if you need a laptop that can double as a work machine. However, it has bad battery life and a rather plain design.
Alternatives
MSI Summit E13
- Large battery with respectable runtimes
- Great CPU and GPU performance
- Slow display response times with noticeable ghosting
- Servicing requires breaking a factory seal sticker
3.Dell G15
Dell G15 is a great budget gaming laptop with decent battery life and CPU performance.- Excellent battery life
- High CPU performance
- Space for two NVMe SSDs
- Runs quietly
- Dark display with poor contrast
- Low color space coverage
- PWM flickering
- No Thunderbolt
Summary
Dell G15 is an entry-level gaming laptop that offers an excellent battery life, high CPU performance, and space for two NVMe SSDs. While the display might not win any prizes, the laptop runs smoothly and quietly, making it a good budget option for gamers.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
- Fast performance with high TGP target
- 300 Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage
- Chassis exhibits some flexing
- No per-key RGB lighting
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar offers impressive gaming performance, but is held back by poor thermal management and battery life.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 with the latest upgrades is a solid gaming laptop, boasting excellent Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti performance, fast Wi-Fi 6E, and a wide color gamut with Dolby Vision support. However, it suffers from limited display angle, poor thermal management resulting in high heat and noise emissions, heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads, and a short battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High-performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
5.HP Omen 17
HP Omen 17 is a powerful QHD gaming laptop with advanced Optimus.- QHD display with 165Hz
- Advanced Optimus
- Expandable working memory
- High noise level
- Clattery case
- Meager battery life
Summary
The HP Omen 17 is a high-end QHD gaming laptop that features a 165Hz display and advanced Optimus. It also has expandable working memory.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressive design with a refined dual-screen layout
- Blistering gaming performance with a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 CPU
- Expensive price tag
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for DaVinci Resolve 17
Laptop | Price (approx) |
ASUS Zenbook | $640 |
HP Victus 15 | $880 |
Dell G15 | $1,230 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
HP Omen 17 | $3,470 |