Mac is an entirely different ball game when it comes to video editing.
When using a MacBook for video editing, you are in for the treat regarding storage and processing speed. Along with some close to reality graphics and rendering speed.
Apple’s Mac is known for its continuous innovation and advancement. These machines are sophisticated and well-designed to cater to video editing creativity and match the speed.
The company is known for its customer feedback and bringing innovation in design. There are some prominent devices by Mac that have no match in video editing and graphics.
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How is Mac Better Than Other Operating Systems?
THERE ARE NO POSSIBLE CRASHES with OSX and UNIX-based operating systems, unlike other operating systems. These operating systems are favorite for video editors for their adaptability to various software.
Various video editing software is not compatible with every operating system. However, some video editing software features, Final Cut Pro X, make video editing seamless and faster, which aren’t possible in competitor operating systems.
Recently, Mac laptops are bringing in the best features to facilitate editing, grading, and rendering the videos at great speed. Hence it is becoming the best video editing choice for tools and devices.
We have listed some of the best Mac for video editing. Read on to know what works best for you.
What are the Best Mac Video Editing Software?
There are many video editing software that can be accessed from Apple Store. But nothing beats the features of Adobe Premiere Pro CC. It is by far the most sophisticated video editing software and can be used across various operating systems.
The only problem is the expenses incurred as you may have to pay to continue using it. And the payments are recurring.
For some features and extensive libraries, the fee may become a burden. Hence, most video editors resort to a lesser yet cheap version, Adobe Premium Elements.
Adobe Premium Elements 2021 is accessible on both Windows and Apple OS. Therefore, it is an ideal pick for intermediate or beginners.
Though, most you can do is some basic editing, organizing, creating, adding motion to static images, colorizing photos, along with some other features.
It has a one-time payment and an economical version of Adobe Premiere Pro.
Apple Final Cut Pro has some features that are well-suited for professionals. For example, it features decent video editing, organizing media, and third-party extensions that can be added to improve the workflow.
It has a dynamic and user-friendly interface and is easy for individuals who prefer to self-learn.
iMovie is a free-to-use application downloaded from Mac Apple Store. It includes chroma-keying and classic themes, all in an easy-to-use interface. In addition, it has a mobile version that can be used on iPad and iPhones.
Most hobbyists and professionals praise the features of Blender. From Apple Store, you can download the open-source 3D creation suite for free.
Besides video editing, various tools like modeling, animation, game creation, motion tracking, simulation, compositing, and rendering are included.
It is best for beginners; however, professionals keep coming back to Blender for 3D creations.
Our Top Picks of Macs for Video Editing in 2022
Here are our top picks of the best Macs for video editing for beginners and experts.
12-inch Apple MacBook in Dual-Core Intel Core M3 with 8GB RAM
When you look at the product features, one thing that strikes you as a video editor is the size of RAM.
With 8GB memory, this is the best mac for video editing. The 12-inch iMac facilitates all operations without any disruptions and slowing down. One can work on various things simultaneously without worrying that the processor may choke.
Next is the weight of the machine. It hardly weighs two pounds, easy to take on the go, which is the primary requirement of the creators.
It is thin and lightweight but works like a beast. Unfortunately, the 3.6GHz turbo boost processor with Intel Core M3 processor has no sound. That’s true; this 7th generation Apple MacBook is silent as the grave with fanless architecture.
The processor works on only 5 watts; hence it is a device that doesn’t only boost but does the work.
However, 256 GB gets crowded for creators and video editors since they keep a library of their works on the laptop. But the excellent features and speed make one think to invest in an external hard disk drive and sort this petty problem.
A retina display gives a larger aperture per pixel; hence the display is grand and clear. Another added benefit for designers and creators
Pros
- Intel HD graphics
- Butterfly mechanism keyboard
- USB C ports
- 802.11AC Wi-Fi
- 10 hours of battery life
Cons
- No warranty for display repairs
- 256 GB is less storage space for creators
1 Terabyte, Apple MacBook Pro Intel Core i9 in 16-inch and 16GB RAM
The 16-inch retina display of the MacBook Pro is what every professional desires. It is a perfect fit for pros who have loads of work, several media files to keep and run heavy software to make a professional video.
With an 8-core processor, and 8 Terabyte SSD (Solid State Drive), the creative process doesn’t stop for anything. Also, the AMD Radeon Pro gives the best results in rendering and playback.
Uniquely, this device comes with thermal architecture that has 28% increased airflow and 35% heat sink. Hence the device doesn’t heat up on account of processes and usage.
The magic keyboard adds more to the ease and usability. A special shortcut of the Esc key helps switch between modes and views. Moreover, the Touch ID gives quick authentication for starting the machine.
Last but the best feature for any creator is the SSD storage space that can be extended up to 8TB. You can travel with your whole studio in the MacBook pro.
Are you meeting a fussy client? No worries, you have the whole library to showcase if anything goes sideways.
Pros
- Intel Core i9
- Trackpad best-suited for pros
- Intel UHD graphics 630
- Six speakers with dual-force canceling woofers
- 11 hours of battery life
- Studio quality 3-mic Array
Con
- The front camera isn’t decent
21.5-inch Apple iMac with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD
The new Apple iMac is something that comes close to perfection. It has one of the most excellent screens and contrast.
Apple iMac has DCI-P3 and a built-in retina display. It works at 60MHz hence quality and speed go hand in hand.
A six-core Intel Core i5 processor has a turbo boost for video editing software. As a result, it may be bigger but best suited for 4K video editing.
When changing frames, there is no need to hide controls. Mac has emphasized the AMD Radeon Pro processor for graphics in its recent machines. Hence it makes rendering and processing beautiful yet perfect.
It has one terabyte SSD fusion drive and 8GB of RAM. Since it is meant for pros, the memory can be extended.
Pros
- 5k retina display
- Two thunderbolt ports
- 3 USB type C ports
- Mouse and keyboard included
- Six-Core, core i5 processor
- 1920 x1080 resolution
- Intel Iris Plus
- Graphics 640
Con
- Slightly expensive
Apple’s Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip
It is one of Apple’s smartest creations. For the price, a Mac mini with M1 Chip is an excellent tool for your video editing needs. Uniquely, the M1 chip is known as a giant leap in technology for CPU and GPU.
With an 8-core processor, you are in for three times faster CPU speed and six times speedier GPU speed. In addition, it is compatible with wi-fi 6 for maximum results.
It is a basic model and facilitates 265GB along with 8GB RAM. Unfortunately, the Mac mini doesn’t have a display like Mac Pro. However, it can work on two monitors simultaneously, with 4k and 6k.
It has various options for connectivity such as two Thunderbolt USB 4 ports, USB 3.1 port, Thunderbolt 2, DVI, HDMI, two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Gigabit Ethernet port.
Pros
- 256GB SSD
- M1 Chip
- 8GB memory
- One thunderbolt and HDMI port
- Two USB ports
Con
- It doesn’t include a keyboard and mouse
27-inch Apple iMac Pro, Tenth Generation Core i5
The Apple iMac Pro in 27-inch retina display is the best option for mediocre to the expert video editor. It has a dedicated GPU, 5k display, and incredible speed.
In a 10th generation, 6-core i5 processor with Radeon Pro vega 56 and 4GB video memory. It also comes with 32GB RAM and Intel Xeon W 3.2 GHz 8-core processor.
Consequently, one terabyte SSD facilitates video processing and rendering. In addition, the storage can further be extended if needs arise. The iMac Pro also had four 3.0 Thunderbolt ports and 10GB Ethernet ports.
Pros
- 32GB RAM
- macOS High Sierra
- AMD Radeon Graphic Processor
- HBM2 memory
Con
- Not suitable for expert users
Buyer’s Guide for Best Mac for Video Editing
Storage
Storage will always be a problem a few years down the road, no matter how much storage capacity the Mac has.
But, for beginners who aim to take their work a few strides ahead, a few terabytes wouldn’t hurt.
Initially, 256GB works but keep an open mind about extending the storage. Look for options to extend the SSD. It costs a lot in some models; Apple makes it relatively difficult to expand the storage capacity.
Ideally, 2TB or 8TB is an ace up your sleeve for videographers and editors who require various software. And you can also have all your work in one place with media libraries that never end.
Ports
Ports always come in handy, you may think ports may be of no use to you, but they always add value when you need a backup plan.
Also, when working in HD quality videos, having an HDMI port when editing proves to be helpful.
There are various ways and uses for each kind of port. For example, suppose you have DSLR or other advanced technology camera Thunderbolt 3 USB Type B or C. Moreover, Thunderbolt makes it very easy to transfer data.
You may also need to transfer data to various USB and hard drives. And for those, sometimes you may require USB 2.0 or USB 3.0.
Processor
Since video editing requires a lot of work, including storage and running several processes together, Core i7 or Core i9 are the best choices.
As a rule of thumb, the more serious your video editing gets, the more Cores you will need.
Also, the hyper-threading core is the absolute work of genius. These treat all cores as their virtual cores. Xeon processor in Mac Pro also has hyper-threading.
A cache is a crucial aspect to look at as well. In a routine, 42MB cache is better than 16MB cache.
If the processors with the same GHz have different caches, the one with more caches will work better. But remember not to go for anything below the quad-core, Intel core i5 processor.
GPU
Usually, nobody would emphasize the GPU, but a good Graphics Processing Unit for video editors is necessary.
It usually entails the pixels and how the display looks—for rendering, modeling, 3D images, and such, having a better graphic card help solve many woes.
An excellent graphic card also helps facilitate a faster rendering process, which video editors say they do most of the time.
RAM
For every video editor, rendering is a teeth-gritting process. It takes many hours, and that depends on the laptop’s memory. If you are a beginner, you will require something close to 8GB to 16GB of RAM.
However, when working with an 8K footage, 64GB RAM will make life easier.
Moreover, look for the options to increase RAM later and how much it can be extended. Unfortunately, Apple makes it difficult to open the RAM in many models of Mac.
You may feel you don’t require the 64GB amount of RAM. But as the work and expertise progress, so would the requirement for better RAM. So buy something that has or can be extended to 64GB RAM.
Display
For a video editor, having a high-resolution screen is essential. Therefore, they cannot compromise on this element. Big old iMac 27 inches was a perfect bet in the case, but 27 inches was tough to carry and kill the concept of portability.
Recently, the Retina display has sorted the issue for anyone who requires the perfect display. So if you can get a 5k retina display, it’s Christmas already.
Ideally, iMac Pro has the highest contrast with DCI-P3 color space. Therefore, it is ideal for movie projection; hence it’s safe to assume one can dazzle the client with color and contrast that adds value to the image/video.
Important to note the 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro come in 3072 x 1920 pixels or 2560 x 1600 pixels. But, both have a brightness of 500 nits and Wide P3 colors.
Also, look for True Tone Technology; it sets the brightness and colors according to the ambiance.
Trackpad and Keyboard
Usually, designers and editors prefer using a mouse for precision and control. But recently, Mac Pro and recent models have a trackpad so apt there is no need for an additional peripheral.
Everything is done through the cursor, and if the cursor isn’t accurate, the design creation will suffer.
But with the recent shift in the concentration of trackpad design, users don’t feel there is a need to buy a mouse.
The keyboard is also an essential element, and many keys are used for shortcuts and commands. In addition, an ergonomic keyboard can help sort a designer when they are doing the long tiring process of video editing.
Mac’s magic keyboard is perfection, according to most users. As a result, it is incorporated into various recent models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why does video editors choose Mac laptop for video editing?
A. Mac offers various video editing software that is not available in other operating systems.
Q. How to choose the right Mac laptop for video editing?
A. When choosing the best Mac for video editing, look for the following specifications. Recently, the M1 chip has become the talk of the town. Moreover, the 5k retina display also adds a lot to the editing process. For processors, do not select anything below core i5, but core i9 is a better choice.
Q. What is the write option when dealing with 4K and 8K Materials?
A. Mostly, when working on 4K, or 8K videos, you need nothing less than core i9.
Q. What is GPU, and why is it so important for video editing?
A. Graphics processing unit is an essential tool for video editing. It makes video editing software even more accessible, gives more precision, and saves a lot of processing power.
Q. How does Mac benefit from in video editing process?
A. It has the GPU for the video editing process. So have performance and quality for video rendering. Also, it is compatible with most used software like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and Blender. Last, it produces high-quality videos without any glitches.
Conclusion
All devices had something to offer for video editors. However, some devices mentioned above cater to creators whose levels vary from beginner to intermediate. While some are specifically for experts but they are pricey.
Keeping in mind, as your work progress, you will require a machine with a good processor, hefty RAM, and decent storage space.
However, having a sound graphic card and a more prominent display adds value to the work of a video editor.
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