It is not easy choosing the best laptops for GoPro video editing when there are a slew of laptops out there. To make your life a lot easier, we’ve rounded up only the best performing laptops that provide great bang for your buck.
From HP to Apple, we look at the best laptops for GoPro video editing and what is tucked inside each laptop.
Best Laptops GoPro Video Editing at a Glance
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | HP Omen 17 (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | HP Spectre x360 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Lenovo Legion Y740 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Dell XPS 15 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Microsoft Surface Book 2 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Acer Predator Helios 300 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Apple MacBook Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
System Requirements for GoPro Video Editing Software
Here are the system requirements for getting the most out of GoPro.
Windows
RAM: 4 GB
GPU: Graphics card that supports OpenGL 3.2 or later
(Recommended for 4K editing and playback: Intel HD Graphics 5000 or better (or similar class graphics card)
Recommended Video RAM: 512 MB RAM or greater for video playback under 4K, 1GB RAM or greater for 4K playback
Processor: Intel Core i3 (Recommended: Intel Quad Core i7 or better)
Hard Drive: 7200 RPM internal drive (If external, use USB 3.0 or eSATA)
OS: Windows 10
Screen Resolution: 1280 x 800 (Recommended: 1920 x 1080)
Mac
RAM: 4 GB
GPU: Any graphics card shipped with Intel Dual Core Macs or better
(Recommended for 4K editing and playback: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better
Recommended Video RAM: 512 MB RAM or greater for video playback under 4K, 1GB RAM or greater for 4K playback)
Processor: Intel Core i5 (Recommended: Intel Quad Core i7 or better)
Hard Drive: 5400 RPM internal drive (Recommended: 7200 RPM drive or SSD;
If external, use Thunderbolt, Firewire or USB 3.0)
OS: Mac OS 10.10.X or later
Screen Resolution: 1280 x 768
1. HP Omen 17 (Editors’ Choice)
The HP Omen 17 is the best laptop for GoPro video editing and our Editors’ Choice.
It pairs an Intel Core i7-9750H processor with 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, and 16GB of RAM. As for graphics, it is equipped with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 GPU.
The laptop can take on any graphic-related task thrown at it without breaking a sweat. It isn’t just designed for gamers only, but also for those whose day-to-day tasks entail working with graphics-intensive and CPU-demanding software.
The Omen 17 is 7.1 pounds and has a 15.9 x 11.2 x 0.8-inch footprint.
You won’t have issues linking other accessories to the 2019 HP Omen 17 as this powerful laptop has a commendable number of ports: The right side features one RJ45 Ethernet port, HDMI, a Mini DisplayPort, one Thunderbolt 3 port, two USB 3.0 port, and one headphone and mic jacks.
The left side sports another USB 3.0 port, and an SD card slot.
If weight is your main concern, you should probably lean toward the ASUS ROG Zephyrus GA502 (4.63 pounds, 2.1kg), or the Acer Predator Triton 500 (4.41 pounds, 2kg).
If you are a multi-media pro or video editor, the HP Omen 17 is worth considering. It remains our Editors’ Choice and the best laptop for GoPro video editing.
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PROS
- Outstanding performance
- Pricing is reasonable
- Good keyboard
- Colourful display
CONS
- Average battery performance
HP Omen 17 Key Specifications
Display: 17.3-inch, 1920×1080 Pixels
CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Size: 15.9 x 11.2 x 0.8 inches (403.86 x 284.48 x 20.32 mm)
Weight: 7.1 pounds (3.21 kg)
OS: Windows 10 Home
Battery: 95.8 Wh
2. HP Spectre x360 (13-inch, 2019)
The 2019 Spectre x360 sports an aluminium chassis. One of its most recognizable design features is its curved edges.
It is a top-notch 2-in-1 with cutting-edge battery life, extra new security features, and brilliant design. It is arguably one of the best laptops for video editing.
The laptop is 2.9 pounds and has a 12.2 x 8.6 x 0.57- inch footprint.
Every port you could reasonably expect is on this powerful laptop including USB-A and USB-C ports.
Like the Lenovo Yoga C930, the HP Spectre x360 is shipped with a stylus for writing and drawing.
Poseidon Blue and Ash Silver are colour choices available in either 13-inch or 15-inch model.
HP advertises 22.5 hours of battery life. In real-life use, the battery does not live up to what is advertised. That said, you only get roughly 13 hours per charge.
With its good internals, the HP Spectre x360 is still one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
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PROS
- Good performance
- Smart, stylish design
- Very long battery life
CONS
- Mediocre touchpad
- Display could be better
- Large top and bottom bezels
- Pricey
HP Spectre x360 (13-inch, 2019) Key Specifications
Display: 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 touch display
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U
GPU: 128MB Intel UHD 620
RAM: 8GB, 16GB
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Size: 12.2 x 8.6 x 0.57 inches (309.9 x 218.4 x 14.5 mm)
Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.32 kg)
OS: Windows 10 Home
Battery: 61Wh
3. Lenovo Legion Y740
Aside from the HP Omen 17 and the HP Spectre x360, the Lenovo Legion Y740 is one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
The Legion Y740 comes with Intel’s Core i7-8750H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphhics,16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB SSD storage. This puts it almost in the same league as other high-end gaming laptops.
Again, these components make it one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing, and for crushing most triple-A games with all of the graphics settings turned to the max.
Port selection (USB-C and USB Type-A, particularly) isn’t diverse: the Legion Y740 comes with one Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, and one USB Type-A 3.1 Gen 2 port. Additionally, you’d find an HDMI 2.0 port, a audio jack, Ethernet, a Mini DisplayPort 1.4, and a Kensington lock slot.
If you fancy more USB-C and USB Type-A ports on your laptop, then look in the direction of the Alienware Area 51m which has three USB 3.1 Type-A ports and one Thunderbolt 3 port; the ASUS ROG Zephyrus GA502 which holds three USB-A ports and one USB-C port; and the Acer Predator Triton 500 (three USB 3.1 ports, one Thunderbolt 3 port).
In other aspects, the Lenovo Yoga Y740’ s 15.6-inch FHD screen has an excellent 144Hz refresh rate. This is no news as the likes of Razer Blade 15, MSI GS75 Stealth, and Acer Predator Helios 300 have the same high 144Hz refresh rate. Remember, a high refresh rate facilitates a very smooth flow of your screen content than what most mid-range laptops parade.
The icing on the cake is the G-Sync support which some new gaming laptops on the market lack. The G-Sync feature reduces input lag and stuttering.
For multi-media pros who dig good sound, the Legion Y740’s audio is excellent. You can tweak sounds with its in-built Dolby Atmos app.
Overall, the Lenovo Legion Y740 has all the whistles and bells of an outstanding laptop for video editing. It remains one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
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PROS
- Excellent refresh rate
- Good graphics
- Powerful processor
- Has G-Syn feature
CONS
- Average battery life
- Outward design could be better
Lenovo Legion Y740 Key Specifications
Display: 15.6-inch G-Sync FHD 144 Hz, 1920 x 1080 Pixels
CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
RAM: 16GB – 32GB
Storage: 256GB SSD – 256GB SSD+1TB HDD
Size: 16.2 x 12 x 0.91 inches (411.5 x 304.8 x 23.1 mm)
Weight: 6.4 pounds (2.90 kg)
Battery: 76Wh
4. Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 sports a similar design as the XPS 13, however, it is larger.
It ships with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max-Q graphics. CPU variants include: an Intel Core i5, i7, and i9.
With the Core i7 and Core i9 variants, you can do your GoPro video editing programs without problems.
One of the main appeals of the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 is the sensor hub which enhances the performance of the machine by boosting frequencies. The sensor hub also assists in checking the cooling system.
The XPS 15 weighs in at 4.3 pounds making it lighter than the Acer Predator Helios 300 (5.07 pounds), Alienware Area 51m (8.54 pounds), and Lenovo Legion Y740 (6.4 pounds).
For cooling, the XPS 15 has a vent situated at the back for taking out heat generated by the laptop during use. The hinges allow you flip it 360 degrees into tablet or tent mode like the HP Spectre x360, Asus Chromebook Flip C434 and Lenovo Yoga C930.
Despite its size, you get an assortment of ports: two Thunderbolt 3 and two USB-C 3.1 ports. These ports support charging. Furthermore, there is a microSD card reader and headphone jack.
If you prefer gaming laptops with at least one USB-A port, well you won’t find it on the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1. If you’re so particular about USB-A ports, then you may have to consider settling for the ASUS ROG Zephyrus GA502 which has three USB Type-A ports.
As far as battery performance goes, you get approximately 5 hours of use, although the manufacturer claims the XPS 15 can last more than 10 hours.
If you are a multimedia pro, the Dell XPS 15 is worth considering – it is still one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
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PROS
- Portable
- Fast processors
- Thin design
- Affordable
CONS
- No USB-A port
Dell XPS 15 Key Specifications
Display: 15.6-inch 4K Ultra HD, 3840 x 2160 pixels
CPU: Intel Core i5-i9
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max-Q
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Size: 14.06 x 9.27 x 0.45 inches (357 x 235 x 11 mm)
Weight: 4.3 pounds (1.97kg)
Battery: 97Wh
5. Microsoft Surface Book 2
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is made of aluminium chassis, looks great and comes with a wealth of handy features. The laptop is detachable and comes with a Surface Pen. It is thin and light.
Armed with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 stands toe-to-toe with the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
Of course, it ships with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor. With this, your render and export times will improve noticeably. In addition, the Core i7 will make running special effects plugins effortless.
The Surface Book 2 has a good selection of ports for connecting to external displays using the DisplayPort standard, lightning-fast external drives, and pretty much any USB peripheral.
The ports on the 2-in-1 are: two USB 3.1 ports, one USB 3.1 Type-C port, two Surface Connect ports, an SD card reader, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
If you are a media pro and a heavy gamer as well, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 will serve you well. Microsoft was smart to put the Xbox Wireless radio which makes connecting Xbox One controllers seamless.
With regard to weight, the Surface Book lightweight at 4.2 pounds.
As for battery life, you’ll get around seven hours out of the laptop from a single charge, if not more.
Unfortunately, the Surface Book 2’s speakers remain its Achilles’ heel. The speakers are a bit of a letdown. The Surface Book 2’s speakers do not pump amazing sound as the 2018 MacBook Air, the Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (2018), and the Razer Blade Stealth (2019).
If the speakers do not give you pause, then go for the Surface Book 2 because it is one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
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PROS
- Very powerful specs
- Superb battery life
- Good cooling feature
- Quite lightweight
CONS
- Pricey
- Speakers aren’t the best
Microsoft Surface Book 2 Key Specifications
Display: 15-inch, 3240 x 2160 pixels
CPU: 1.9GHz Intel Core i7-8650U
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
RAM: 16GB LPDDR3
Storage: 1TB PCIe 3.0 SSD
Size: 13.5 x 9.87 x 0.568-0.90 (343 x 251 x 15-23 mm)
Weight: 4.2 pounds (1.9kg)
OS: Windows 10 Pro
6. Acer Predator Helios 300
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has all the features of a good laptop for video editing.
It pairs an Intel Core i7-9750H processor with 256GB SSD storage and 16GB of RAM. We’re impressed with Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU tucked inside the Acer Predator Helios 300 — this is surprising given the price of the laptop.
There are configurations with GeForce RTX 2060 graphics and 512GB SSD. You’ll also find models with GEForce RTX 2070 paired with 32GB of storage.
The display boasts thin side bezels which are thinner than what some gaming laptops in the price range parade. The top and bottom bezels are not thin, sadly.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 ships with Acer’s PredatorSense software suite which allows you to monitor and tweak temperature, fan, and other gaming features.
Every port you could reasonably expect is on the Helios 300. The right edge holds a USB 3.0 port, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, HDMI, and a mini DisplayPort connection. The left side features two USB 3.0 ports, a headset jack, and an Ethernet jack.
Is the laptop a treasure trove of world firsts? No. That said, its internals are solid enough to tackle all video editing tasks thanks to the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU. It is indeed one of best laptops for GoPro video editing.
Limited storage options aside, our only qualm with the Helios 300 is its battery life. This is expected. Even so, you should get no less than three full hours of life from it between charges – potentially even more if you don’t use it heavily.
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PROS
- Good refresh rate
- Solid performance
- Good battery life
- Excellent 144Hz display
CONS
- Limited storage options
- Battery life could be better
Acer Predator Helios 300 Key Specifications
Display: 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080 Pixels
CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Size: 14.23 x 10.01 x 0.90 inches (361.4 x 254.3 x 22.9 mm)
Weight: 5.07 pounds (2.3kg)
Battery: 3720 mAh
7. Apple MacBook Pro
The 2018 MacBook Pro meets the needs of creatives and anyone who needs a high-end, ultra-powerful laptop that ticks all the boxes, especially when it comes to video editing.
The core i5 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with features 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If that isn’t good enough for you, you can pick up the 16GB RAM and 512 GB storage model. That said, we recommend the core i7 variant for GoPro video editing.
The core i9-based 15-inch model is faster and more expensive than the core i7. For the 15-inch model, you get 32GB of RAM and an amazingly fast 2TB of storage. If you can shell out a few more dollars, you get an extra 2TB of storage.
Even when running processor-intensive tasks like editing a 4K video, the 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar does an excellent job without any noticeable CPU throttling.
As for battery performance, you could get a little above 10 hours out of the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar without having to visit a wall plug.
We recommend the Apple MacBook Pro as one of the best laptops for GoPro video editing.
PROS
- Very good performance
- Superfast
- Excellent battery life
- Crisp, clear display
- Top-notch speakers
CONS
- Bezels are still thick
Apple MacBook Pro Key Specifications
Display: 13-inch, 2560 x 1600 pixels
CPU: Intel Core i7-8559U
GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
RAM: 8GB upgradable to 16GB
Storage: 2TB SSD
Size: 11.97 x 8.36.9 x 0.59 inches (304.0 x 212.3 x 15.00 mm)
Weight: 3.02 pounds (1.37kg)
OS: macOS Mojave
Battery: 58 Wh
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | HP Omen 17 (2019) (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | HP Spectre x360 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Lenovo Legion Y740 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Dell XPS 15 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Microsoft Surface Book 2 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Acer Predator Helios 300 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Apple MacBook Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
Bottom Line
The laptops on our list have the best specs suitable for getting the most out of GoPro video editing software. These laptops have been carefully selected based their powerful specs and their ability to blaze through many taxing video editing software.
They are highly recommended and are worth considering.
