Which MacBook Pro Should I Buy for Video Editing?

If you’re a video editor, you know the importance of having a reliable and powerful machine to handle your editing tasks. While there are many different laptops on the market, MacBook Pro is a popular choice for many professionals. However, with so many options available, it can be tough to know which MacBook Pro is best suited for your video editing needs.

MacBook Pro 13-inch vs 16-inch

The first decision you need to make when selecting a MacBook Pro for video editing is whether you want to go with the 13-inch or 16-inch model. The main difference between these two models is their screen size. The 16-inch model has a larger and higher-resolution display that provides more screen real estate while editing videos.

In terms of performance, the 16-inch model also offers better graphics and processing power than the 13-inch model. This means that it will be able to handle more intensive tasks like rendering and exporting videos faster than its smaller counterpart.

Factors to Consider

When selecting a MacBook Pro for video editing, there are several factors to consider:

1. Processor

The processor is one of the most important components of any computer. For video editing purposes, you need a processor that can handle heavy workloads without slowing down. Both the 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros come with Intel Core i5 or i7 processors as standard options.

However, if you’re looking for even more power, you can upgrade to an i9 processor in the 16-inch model. The i9 processor has eight cores instead of six found in the i7 processor and offers even faster performance.

2. Graphics Card

Video editing requires a powerful graphics card to handle all of those high-resolution videos and special effects smoothly. The MacBook Pro comes with either integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics or dedicated AMD Radeon Pro graphics.

If you’re a professional video editor, it’s recommended that you opt for the dedicated graphics card found in the 16-inch model. The Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M offers up to 8GB of GDDR6 memory and provides faster rendering times for those complex video projects.

3. RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is another crucial component to consider when selecting a MacBook Pro for video editing. The more RAM your machine has, the better it can handle multiple applications and tasks simultaneously.

Both the 13-inch and 16-inch models come with 8GB of RAM as standard, but you can upgrade to 16GB or even 32GB of RAM depending on your needs. For professional video editing tasks, we recommend opting for at least 16GB of RAM.

4. Storage

When it comes to video editing, storage is essential. Video files are large and can take up a lot of space on your computer’s hard drive. Both the MacBook Pro models offer SSD storage options that range from 256GB to 8TB.

If you’re working on multiple video projects at once or have a large library of footage, it’s recommended that you opt for at least 1TB of storage space.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the MacBook Pro 13-inch and 16-inch models are suitable for video editing tasks. However, if you’re a professional video editor who works on complex projects regularly, the larger screen size and more powerful components found in the MacBook Pro 16-inch model make it a better choice.

Ultimately, when selecting a MacBook Pro for video editing purposes, it’s essential to consider factors such as processor speed, graphics card capabilities, RAM capacity, and storage space. With these factors in mind plus your budget considerations, you’ll be able to select the best MacBook Pro that meets your video editing needs.