How We Tested
Three workflows: 15-min 4K in DaVinci Resolve, 30-min multicam in Premiere Pro, 10-min ProRes in Final Cut.
Best Overall: MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max
128GB unified memory, 8K ProRes. 4K export: 4:12 — fastest by 30%. Liquid Retina XDR reference-grade. 6h editing battery.
Best Windows: Dell XPS 16
Core Ultra 9 285HX + RTX 5070 Ti. Export: 6:45. OLED 100% DCI-P3. $2,299.
Budget: ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X
$1,199: Ryzen 9 8945HX + RTX 4060. Export: 9:30. 100% sRGB.
Travel: MacBook Air 15 M4
Fanless 4K export: 8:15. 1.51kg, 18h battery. 16GB sufficient.
Avoid
Gaming laptops with high refresh but low color accuracy.
