Video editing is one of the more demanding workflows, meaning you’ll need one of the best laptops for video editing if it’s part of your profession. Video content is more popular than ever, whether you’re creating for social media platforms like YouTube or crafting for more traditional media.

What’s the Best RAM for Graphic Design?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of memory that stores data temporarily; if the CPU is the brain, RAM is the short-term memory, storing data for the CPU to access anything from your device’s operating system (OS) to open documents and programs, frequently used programs and cached filesystems.

Without ample RAM, your laptop performance will suffer, so it’s an important component to get right. Nowadays, 16GB RAM is the absolute minimum we’d recommend for basic, HD video editing, but you’ll need 32 GB or more for 4K or 6K video; we’d argue it’s better to have too much RAM than not enough, too, for future-proofing, though some creative laptops have additional slots allocated to allow you to add dual-RAM for extra memory.

What’s the Best CPU for Video Editing?

The central processor unit, or CPU, serves as the "brain" of your laptop, so naturally it’s an important component to get right. For video editing, you’ll want an absolute minimum speed of <2.8GHz for very basic, 1080p projects, but realistically a safer bet is to opt for at least 4GHz, combined with at least 8 cores to handle multitasking.

Many of the best CPUs are made by Intel, with the brand being known for manufacturing powerful, reliable chips; both attributes come with a price tag. Thankfully you’re unlikely to need the latest 14th-gen Intel Core i9 processors like the Intel Core i9-14900K and can opt for a more affordable, older option like the Intel Core i5-13600K instead. If you’re on a budget, the AMD Ryzen series offers a solid alternative, like the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X.

What’s the Best GPU for Video Editing?

This one will depend on what software you’re using; but the basic principle is that the graphics processing unit (GPU) handles visual processes on your screen, ensuring images and videos run smoothly.

For quick access to data, you’ll want at least 4GB of VRAM (video random access memory) for 1080p footage, scaling to 6GB to 8GB for more complex or dense projects. If you plan to edit 4K videos, you should have at least 8GB of VRAM. You’ll also want to consider the CUDA cores (Nvidia GPUs) or Stream processors (AMD GPUs), which affect the speed and performance, with a bare minimum of 3,000 for basic editing and at least 5,000 for more advanced applications. Professionals or those working with 4K footage will need 7,000+ CUDA cores or Stream processors.

What’s the Best Storage Size for Video Editing?

You need a fair amount of storage space to accommodate hefty video files, and that’s before you’ve even considered how much space software can eat up. For video editing laptops, you’ll need a good amount of device storage, and potentially even one of the best external hard drives to keep your files neatly and securely saved.

Still, you’ll need at least 1TB, but if you’re really investing in your craft your starting point should be at least 2TB. Professionals working with TV or film footage or frequently using 4K or 8K footage may want even more, especially with cloud storage being a non-starter if you don’t want to spend your life syncing and uploading footage.

What’s the Best Screen Type for Video Editing?

We know that video editors will want a bright, beautiful display that offers excellent reproduction and will keep your eyes from getting fatigued too quickly – but how does that translate into specs?

Let’s start with resolution. As you might imagine, you’ll want a screen that matches the quality of footage you’ll be working with; if that’s mostly Full HD, you can get away with a 1920×1080 laptop display, for example, but really you will ideally want a 4K (3840×2160) display.

Size is also an important factor; we generally recommend 16-inch models exclusively for video editing to allow you to see detail in your work, but if you prize portability a 14- or 15-inch model will do fine.

Elsewhere, you’ll want an IPS or OLED panel for accurate color reproduction, and color accuracy support for 100% sRGB (preferably AdobeRGB, or DCI-P3 too) to ensure color fidelity. At least 300 nits brightness will ensure your laptop is visible and bright in all lighting environments.

What’s the Best Cooling System for Video Editing Laptops?

Laptops can get hot when running video editing software, and to ensure the longevity of the device – and your own comfort – it’s important to ensure they’re kept as cool as possible.

Thankfully, most creative laptops geared at video editors will feature cooling technologies as standard, which will be one of three types; air cooling, which is affordable but can be loud and requires good airflow, liquid cooling, which effectively transfers heat away from the CPU and GPU with the aid of a liquid coolant but can be costly and complex, and vapor chamber cooling, which spreads heat across a larger surface area and typically works alongside either air or liquid cooling systems.

Broadly speaking, liquid cooling solutions will be the most effective and ensure you can continue your work uninterrupted by the sound of whirring, and you can also buy a laptop cooling pad.

FAQs

Are gaming laptops good for video editing?

The short answer is, broadly, yes! The best gaming laptops are built with performance front-of-mind, capable of storing and running intensive software. The average contemporary machine will be decked out with at the very least all the specs you need for basic HD editing, with many coming in configurations capable of handing 4K and even 8K footage. Plus, the display on these devices will often be plenty bright and high-quality, though you might lose out on important creative-first specs like color accuracy and brightness. Along a similar vein, these laptops often keep the price down by putting battery life on the backseat, so if you’re often on-the-go, a gaming laptop might not be the one for you.

A Day in the Life of Cecelia Bjare, Creative Director at Pond Design

As a Creative Director at Pond Design, Cecelia Bjare has shaped iconic brand identities for industry giants such as Jameson, Absolut, and Kraft. With a passion for creating meaningful design with a positive impact, Cecelia has led Pond Design for over 15 years with a "what if" attitude, daring to challenge the conventions of the creative industry.

A Typical Day

As a Creative Director, Cecelia divides her time between strategy, design, and concept development, and creative direction. She is also involved in assembling teams for different projects, ensuring the right mix of skills and perspectives are in place. Another key part of her role is planning ahead for upcoming projects, making sure they have the right capacity and resources to deliver.

Early Career

From a young age, Cecelia knew she wanted to work in design. She was always drawing and painting, which led her to Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, the oldest and one of the best design schools at the time. There, she gained a deeper understanding of design thinking.

Challenging Projects

Rather than pointing to a single project, Cecelia thinks there are common themes that run through tricky projects. Often, the root cause is a misalignment of expectations. This can stem from their side – for example, not fully understanding the client’s needs – or from the client’s side, especially if they have a complex internal organization.

Sustainability in Design

Style and sustainability aren’t opposing forces. In fact, sustainability should be seen as a creative challenge, not a limitation. Using fewer materials or creating multi-functional packaging requires creative problem-solving. Modern consumers care deeply about sustainability, so aligning with their values makes the design more desirable.

Favourite Tools

For Cecelia, the most valuable resources are people. Conversations with her team, feedback from clients, and collaboration with other creatives are essential in shaping the final outcome. For digital work, she relies on Adobe Creative Suite – Illustrator and Photoshop are key. She is also exploring many AI tools, having a dedicated AI meeting every two weeks to share different learnings and insights.

Dream Project

Cecelia’s dream project would be one that blends art, design, and storytelling – perhaps for a cultural institution or a purpose-driven brand. She is particularly drawn to projects where design can have a meaningful impact. Her dream client would be one who values creativity and trusts the process.

Career Advice

Cecelia would advise her younger self to be patient but stay persistent. The creative industry is not a straight line. There will be setbacks, doubts, and moments when you question your talent. Trust that every experience is teaching you something valuable. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and remember that there are no shortcuts – you have to work hard and realize that the pressure you feel on delivering a creative brief will never stop. You have to welcome that creative pressure.

Conclusion

Creativity is not a solo journey. Every great project is a team effort. As much as Cecelia loves design, she equally loves the process of collaborating with people who challenge and inspire her. That’s where the magic happens.

FAQs

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?
A: Misalignment of expectations between our side and the client’s side.

Q: How do you approach sustainability in design?
A: Sustainability should be seen as a creative challenge, not a limitation. Using fewer materials or creating multi-functional packaging requires creative problem-solving.

Q: What tools do you use for digital work?
A: Adobe Creative Suite – Illustrator and Photoshop are key.

Q: What is your dream project?
A: A project that blends art, design, and storytelling – perhaps for a cultural institution or a purpose-driven brand.

Kellogg’s Bold New Out-of-Home Campaign

Kellogg’s recently launched a bold new out-of-home campaign making creative (and selective) use of its logo. With the wordmark cropped to show just the ‘og’, the new billboards suggest Kellogg’s is the ‘original’ breakfast choice – and the clever campaign is already making a splash.

The Campaign

"The OG" in the logo is a gift—it’s been there all along, and now we’re shining a spotlight on it as a reminder of Kellogg’s enduring appeal," announces Leo Burnett UK, the agency behind the ads. Indeed, the blending of contemporary internet parlance with a heritage logo is somewhat inspired, and it’s no surprise that the campaign is being lauded by many online. But it seems to have attracted a fair amount of detractors too, igniting a debate over whether we’re looking at one of the best print ads of recent years, or an ‘ad for ad people’.

Design and Execution

Set against Kellogg’s signature red, blue, and white palette, the campaign prominently features the tagline “The OG” in the typography of the timeless Kellogg’s logo—a design that nods to the brand’s rich legacy while connecting with a new generation of breakfast lovers. The campaign is the second phase of a new "Masterbrand" visual identity, which sees Cornelius, the Kellogg’s rooster mascot, take centre stage.

Industry Reaction

While many billboard campaigns get people talking online, it takes a particular kind to get the ad industry in a flap. These are often bold campaigns that make unexpected use of heritage assets (or, in the case of the recent Jaguar rebrand, throw them out completely). "This campaign is going to win so many awards. The concept is great, and they are putting a large media budget behind it. That’s how you know they have confidence," announces branding expert Michael J. Miraflor on X.

Controversy and Criticism

But not everyone is convinced. Taking note of the response to his initial post, Miraflor adds, "Interesting thing about feedback to the Kelloggs campaign… the comments seem to be split ~50/50? 50% "get it immediately," and 50% admit to "not getting it" or taking repeated exposures to understand it." And another user adds, "It’s giving "ads for people who make ads". In order to appreciate this design, you have to: recognize a partial logo, associate the rooster mascot, understand the meaning of "OG" in context."

Conclusion

Messing with established branding is always a risky move, but Leo Burnett and Kellogg’s have pulled it off with aplomb here. For more similarly bold advertising, take a look at these ads that don’t even show the product.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the campaign?
A: The campaign aims to remind consumers of Kellogg’s enduring appeal and its status as the "original" breakfast choice.

Q: What is the significance of the "OG" logo?
A: The "OG" logo is a play on the phrase "original gangster", suggesting that Kellogg’s is the original and best breakfast cereal.

Q: What is the reaction to the campaign?
A: The campaign has received both praise and criticism, with some people loving the creative use of the logo and others finding it confusing or "ad for ad people".

Q: Who is behind the campaign?
A: The campaign was created by Leo Burnett UK, the agency behind the ads.