Introduction: Choose the Right Computer for Video Editing
The render bar hit 4% after twenty minutes. I made coffee, came back, and it was at 6%.
That was the moment I realized my computer wasn’t the problem — my ignorance about RAM was.
Every filmmaker has stared at a spinning beach ball mid-edit and quietly calculated whether a new machine was in the budget. I’ve watched more editors overspend on a graphics card and underspend on RAM than I can count. It’s the single most common, most avoidable mistake in this whole buying process.
Here’s what I’ve learned from cutting everything from 48-hour festival winners to Netflix-set workdays: modern video editing is a resource-hungry beast. Your computer needs to decode compressed footage, apply real-time effects, manage gigabytes of RAM, and render preview frames — all while you’re trying to make creative decisions. The machine that handles email and spreadsheets won’t survive a 4K timeline.
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The best computer for video editing in 2026 has at least an 8-core CPU, 32GB of RAM, a dedicated GPU with 8GB+ VRAM, and a fast NVMe SSD for active projects. RAM and storage bottlenecks — not raw processor speed — cause most editing slowdowns, so prioritize those over chasing the flashiest graphics card.
The Best Video Editing Computers at a Glance
| Pick | Best For | CPU | RAM | GPU | Price | Upgrade? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Mac Studio (M4 Max) | Pro editors who want reliability | M4 Max 14-core | 36GB | 32-core GPU | $2,499 | No |
| Dell Pro Precision 7 T1 | Windows pro workflows | Up to Core Ultra 9 | Up to 64GB | Up to RTX 5080 | ~$1,070 | Yes |
| Custom Build (Ryzen 9 + RTX 5070 Ti) | Best value/performance | Ryzen 9 9950X | 32GB | RTX 5070 Ti | ~$2,200 | Yes |
| Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro) | Budget 4K editing | M4 Pro 12-core | 24GB | 16-core GPU | $1,399 | No |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14" (M4 Pro) | Mobile editing on location | M4 Pro 12-core | 24GB | 18-core GPU | ~$2,000 | No |
| ASUS ProArt P16 (RTX Spark) | AI-enhanced portable workflows | RTX Spark 20-core | Up to 128GB | Blackwell RTX | TBD | No |
Why Your Computer Keeps Choking on Video Editing
Let’s be honest: most “good” computers from your local electronics store weren’t built for this. They were built for browsing, spreadsheets, and maybe some light photo editing. Video editing is a different sport entirely.
The root cause of editing problems comes down to four critical bottlenecks. Most people focus on the wrong ones.
The Four Real Bottlenecks (Not the Ones Marketing Talks About)
Processing Power (CPU)
Your processor coordinates everything. When you’re editing, it’s decoding compressed footage, applying effects, managing your software, and preparing frames for display. If your processor doesn’t have enough cores or enough speed, everything backs up.
I learned this on a documentary project using a dual-core processor for 4K interviews. The computer took 30 seconds just to apply a simple transition. Once I upgraded to an 8-core processor, the same task happened instantly.
For 2026, Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265K (20 cores, ~$290) and AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X (16 cores, ~$500) are solid starting points for serious editing work.
RAM: The Workspace That Runs Out
RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. When you’re editing, your system loads video files, effect previews, undo history, and program data into RAM. Run out of space, and your computer starts using your hard drive as backup memory — which is dramatically slower.
Adobe recommends 32GB or more for 4K editing in Premiere Pro. After Effects wants at least 16GB, but 32GB+ is recommended for 4K work. DaVinci Resolve needs 16GB minimum but realistically runs better with 32GB.
I currently run 64GB on my main editing workstation, and it’s transformed my workflow. I can keep Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, and a browser open simultaneously without slowdowns.
Graphics Card (GPU): When It Matters and When It Doesn’t
Modern editing software leans heavily on GPU acceleration. Color grading? GPU. Real-time effects? GPU. Video encoding? Increasingly GPU.
But here’s the catch: you don’t need a flagship GPU to edit smoothly. The biggest mistake I see is buying a $1,500 graphics card while running 16GB of RAM. That’s backwards.
For 2026, NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 (~$550 street price) or RTX 5070 Ti (~$750) handle 4K editing well. The RTX 5080 is a powerhouse, but it’s selling closer to $1,360 — well above its $999 MSRP thanks to AI-driven demand. If you’re working in DaVinci Resolve and using Neural Engine features like Magic Mask, you’ll want at least 12GB of VRAM for 4K, or 16–24GB for 8K.
Who should NOT buy a high-end GPU: Anyone editing 1080p or basic 4K without heavy effects. Put that money into RAM and storage instead.
Storage: The Foundation Nobody Thinks About
You can have the fastest processor and graphics card in the world. If your video files are on a slow hard drive, your timeline will stutter.
Traditional hard drives (spinning disks) can’t feed data fast enough for smooth 4K playback, especially with multiple video layers. NVMe SSDs are exponentially faster and have become essential.
The Bandwidth Problem Nobody Mentions (I/O, Thunderbolt, Capture Cards)
Here’s the nuance most guides miss: a maxed-out CPU and GPU still choke if your external drive or capture card can’t keep up. Thunderbolt and USB bandwidth are real bottlenecks for external SSD-based editing.
If you’re working with RED or ARRI footage, your I/O pipeline matters as much as your processor. A 10 Gigabit Ethernet connection is recommended for 4K shared network workflows.
The Common Beginner Mistake: Buying a computer with a flashy graphics card and skimping on RAM. Most editing slowdowns come from running out of memory while multitasking across editing, effects, and color software — not from an underpowered GPU. I’ve watched this happen more times than I can count.
What Actually Matters in a Video Editing Computer
CPU: How Many Cores Do You Really Need?
| Resolution | Minimum CPU | Recommended CPU |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 (6-8 cores) | Intel Core i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 |
| 4K | Intel Core i7/i9 / AMD Ryzen 7/9 (8-12 cores) | Intel Core Ultra 7/9 or AMD Ryzen 9 |
| 6K/8K | Intel Core Ultra 9 / AMD Ryzen 9 | AMD Threadripper or Intel Xeon workstation |
RAM: The Bottleneck Nobody Budgets For
| Resolution | Minimum | Sweet Spot | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 16GB | 16-32GB | 32GB |
| 4K | 16GB | 32GB | 64GB |
| 6K/8K | 32GB | 64GB | 128GB+ |
GPU: When It Matters (and When It Doesn't)
| Tier | Model | VRAM | Best For | Street Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | RTX 4060 or 5070 | 8-12GB | 1080p/light 4K | ~$550 |
| Mid-Range | RTX 5070 Ti / RX 9070 XT | 12-16GB | 4K with effects | ~$750 |
| Professional | RTX 5080 / RTX 5090 | 16-32GB | 8K, heavy VFX | ~$1,360+ |
The 3-Drive Storage Setup That Actually Works
Here’s the setup I use and recommend to every editor I work with. It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it eliminates the single biggest bottleneck most editors don’t even know they have.
System Drive (1TB NVMe SSD): Your operating system and editing software only. Nothing else. When your OS drive gets cluttered with cache files, temp renders, and project autosaves, it slows down everything.
Project Drive (2TB NVMe SSD): Active footage, project files, cache directories, and preview renders. This separation means your system drive stays clean and fast. Point Premiere’s Media Cache and Resolve’s Cache Clips folders here.
Archive Drive (8TB+ HDD): Completed projects, raw backups, and files you don’t touch daily. Never edit directly from this drive — use it for storage and retrieval only.
Why this matters: Cache and preview files are the silent killers of editing performance. When they live on your system drive, that drive is constantly reading and writing while your OS tries to run. Splitting them onto a dedicated project drive removes that traffic jam. I learned this the hard way, editing a documentary off a single drive and watching my system choke on its own cache. Now, I set up every system this way — it costs less than $300 total and delivers performance gains that rival a processor upgrade.
Mac vs. Windows for Video Editing: The Honest Answer
Both platforms edit video brilliantly in 2026. Here’s the real breakdown:
Go Mac if:
You’re using Final Cut Pro (Mac-only)
You want a streamlined, less maintenance-intensive experience
You value ecosystem integration (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)
You have the budget for premium pricing
You’re working with ProRes footage (Apple silicon has dedicated media engines for ProRes encode/decode)
Go Windows if:
You want maximum performance per dollar
You need upgradeability and customization
You’re comfortable with occasional troubleshooting
You’re using Windows-only software (or NVIDIA-specific CUDA acceleration)
The Mac Studio with M4 Max starts at $2,499 (36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — a price increase from earlier in 2026. For comparison, a maxed-out Mac Studio with M4 Max, 128GB RAM, and 1TB SSD runs about $4,052. Windows workstations like the Dell Pro Precision 7 series offer comparable performance with upgrade paths, starting around $2,600.
The Budget Reality: Rent before you buy if you’re unsure. A $2,000 mistake is more expensive than a $200 rental. And if you’re just starting out, your phone or a used M1 MacBook Air with proxy workflows will get you further than a maxed-out Mac Studio you can’t afford.
How to Choose Your Editing Computer: A 4-Step Framework
- CPU at 100%: Processor is the bottleneck
- RAM usage high with disk swapping: Add more RAM
- Disk queue backed up: Upgrade your storage
- GPU not breaking a sweat: You overspent on graphics
This 60-second diagnostic will save you from misallocating your budget.
- Resolution: 1080p YouTube content or 4K cinema footage?
- Complexity: Basic cuts and transitions, or heavy color grading and effects?
- Software: Are you using AI-heavy features in DaVinci Resolve (Magic Mask, depth maps)? Those require significant GPU power.
- Volume: Editing occasionally or daily?
| Budget Tier | Price Range | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $800-1,200 | 16GB RAM, mid-range CPU, entry-level GPU | 1080p editing, light 4K |
| Sweet Spot | $1,500-2,500 | 32GB RAM, Core Ultra 7/Ryzen 7-9, RTX 5070 | 4K editing with effects |
| Professional | $2,500-4,000 | 64GB RAM, high-end CPU, RTX 5080 | 4K/6K with heavy VFX |
| High-End | $4,000+ | 128GB+ RAM, workstation CPU, dual GPUs | 8K, VFX, AI workloads |
Software-Specific Hardware Priorities
| Software | CPU | RAM | GPU | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere Pro | Heavy | Heavy | Medium | High |
| DaVinci Resolve | Medium | Heavy | Very Heavy | High |
| After Effects | Medium | Very Heavy | Medium | High |
| Final Cut Pro | Medium | High | Medium | High |
- If you're primarily in Resolve, prioritize GPU above all else.
- If you're an After Effects editor, RAM is your first and most important upgrade.
- Premiere sits in the middle — CPU matters, RAM matters, GPU acceleration helps, but storage speed is the hidden killer.
How to Edit 4K on a $800 Machine (Proxy Workflow)
Here’s the secret the gear companies don’t want you to know: you don’t need a $4,000 machine to edit 4K. You need a proxy workflow.
A proxy is a lower-resolution copy of your footage that’s easier for your computer to handle. You edit with the proxies, then swap back to the original files for the final export. It’s how feature films are edited — and it works on modest hardware.
Here’s how to set it up in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro:
Create proxies — In Premiere Pro, select your footage, right-click, choose “Create Proxies,” and select “ProRes Low Resolution” or “H.264 Low Resolution.”
Edit with proxies — Your timeline will use the low-res files for playback while keeping your cuts and effects intact.
Switch back for export — Premiere automatically uses the full-resolution files when you export.
The result? Smooth 4K editing on a machine that would otherwise choke on a single clip. I’ve cut entire short films on a used M1 MacBook Air this way. For a deeper dive on editing on the road with proxy workflows, check out our travel filmmaking guide.
2026’s Best Video Editing Computers: Tested Picks
Best Overall Desktop: Apple Mac Studio (M4 Max)
The Apple Mac Studio with M4 Max chip pairs a 14-16 core CPU with a 32-40 core GPU and starts at 36GB unified memory, backed by a 1TB SSD.
Test notes: I tested this with multiple 4K ProRes streams, heavy color grading, and complex motion graphics — it didn’t break a sweat. The M4 Max’s integrated architecture means the CPU, GPU, and RAM work together seamlessly. Export times for a 10-minute 4K H.264 timeline averaged 4:12.
Best for: Professional editors working with high-resolution footage who want a reliable, maintenance-free system.
Price: Starting around $2,499 (36GB RAM, 1TB SSD). The M4 Max 128GB configuration runs about $4,052.
Honest drawback: No upgrade path after purchase — max out specs when buying. Also, the M4 chip is now mid-cycle, with M5 expected in late 2026.
Who should NOT buy this: Anyone on a tight budget, anyone who needs upgradeable components, or anyone who could work just as effectively with a cheaper M4 Pro Mac mini.
Budget alternative: Apple Mac mini with M4 Pro (starts at $1,399) handles 6K and 8K timelines surprisingly well thanks to its media engines. Note that Apple has dropped the 64GB RAM option on the mini mid-cycle due to chip shortages, so it tops out at 48GB.
Best Windows Desktop: Dell Pro Precision 7 T1
The Dell Pro Precision 7 T1 is a workstation-class desktop designed for demanding professional workflows, with a broad range of Intel and AMD processors and professional NVIDIA graphics options. The older Precision 3660 model is now rebranded under the Pro Precision lineup.
Test notes: The Pro Precision 7 T1 handled 4K timelines with multicam and heavy effects without stutter. ISV certification means you won’t run into driver conflicts mid-project.
Best for: Windows users who need a professional workstation without building from scratch, especially those needing ISV certification for Adobe, Autodesk, or other professional software.
Price: Starting around $1,070 for entry configurations.
Honest drawback: Entry configurations may still come with 16GB RAM, which undercuts the 32GB recommendation elsewhere in this guide — upgrade RAM at purchase.
Who should NOT buy this: Anyone who can build their own PC for less. The upgrade path is excellent (RAM, storage, GPU can all be expanded), but you pay for the certification and support.
Budget alternative: Build your own PC with a Ryzen 9 9950X and RTX 5070 Ti for roughly $2,000-2,500. See the custom build below for a full parts list.
Best Value Custom Build: Ryzen 9 9950X + RTX 5070 Ti
If you’re comfortable building your own PC, this is the best performance-per-dollar configuration in 2026.
Specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (16 cores, 32 threads) — ~$500
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti (12GB VRAM) — ~$750
RAM: 64GB DDR5-6000 — ~$200
Storage: 1TB + 2TB NVMe SSDs — ~$250 total
Motherboard: B650 or X670 — ~$200
Power supply: 850W — ~$150
Build your own parts list on PCPartPicker using these specs — search each component to find current prices and availability
Total: ~$2,200
Test notes: This system cut through 6K Blackmagic RAW like butter. Export times on a 10-minute project averaged 3:58, faster than the Mac Studio M4 Max in some tests.
Best for: Editors who want max performance per dollar and don’t mind occasional troubleshooting.
Honest drawback: You’re your own tech support. Driver issues and BIOS updates are your problem.
Who should NOT buy this: Anyone who doesn’t enjoy building PCs, anyone who needs same-day support, or anyone who bills by the hour and can’t afford downtime.
Budget alternative: MSI Aegis ZS gaming PC (~$1,200-1,500) — a prebuilt that handles 4K editing well.
Best Budget Desktop: Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro)
The Mac mini M4 Pro is Apple’s stealth weapon. It’s half the price of the Mac Studio and handles 4K editing surprisingly well.
Test notes: I tested the M4 Pro with 24GB RAM on a 4K timeline with multiple layers. Playback was smooth for most tasks, though heavy effects slowed it down. For the price, it’s exceptional.
Best for: Beginners, YouTubers, and anyone wanting a simple, space-saving setup.
Price: Starts at $1,399 (24GB RAM, 1TB SSD).
Honest drawback: RAM is not upgradeable — max it out when you buy. Top RAM configuration is now limited to 48GB due to chip shortages. No internal expansion.
Who should NOT buy this: Anyone working with 8K or heavy effects regularly. Step up to the Mac Studio.
Budget alternative: Used M1 Mac mini (starting ~$400-500) for basic 1080p editing.
Best Mobile Editor: Apple MacBook Pro 14″ (M4 Pro)
I’ve edited entire short films on location with this laptop. The battery life is genuinely impressive — I’ve gotten through full-day editing sessions without plugging in.
Test notes: Performance is desktop-class in a portable form factor. Export times were comparable to the Mac Studio for 4K ProRes projects.
Best for: Filmmakers who need to edit on location, travel frequently, or want one machine for everything.
Price: Starting around $2,000.
Honest drawback: Expensive, but you’re paying for the portability and build quality. RAM and storage are not upgradeable after purchase.
Who should NOT buy this: Anyone who doesn’t need portability or anyone on a strict budget.
Budget alternative: Apple MacBook Air M4 (starting around $1,099) for light editing; it will thermal-throttle on longer projects but handles basic 1080p editing fine.
Coming Later in 2026: ASUS ProArt P16 with NVIDIA RTX Spark
We’re tracking this closely. Early specs look promising for AI-enhanced workflows, but we’re waiting for retail units to test before recommending it.
Expected specs:
NVIDIA RTX Spark superchip (20-core Grace CPU, Blackwell RTX GPU, up to 1 petaflop AI performance)
Up to 128GB unified memory
4K Lumina Pro OLED display with 100% DCI-P3, Delta E < 1, 1,600 nits HDR peak brightness
Who should watch this: Editors working with AI-heavy workflows (Magic Mask, depth maps, AI upscaling) who need portability. If you’re shopping later in 2026 or into 2027, this will likely be worth a look. For now, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro remains the safer bet for mobile editing.
Essential Accessories to Complete Your Setup
Monitor Calibration Tools: X-Rite i1Display Pro ($269) or Datacolor SpyderX Pro($179). I was skeptical until I actually calibrated my monitor — the difference in color accuracy is night and day.
Quality Monitor Speakers: You can’t mix audio properly on laptop speakers. Mackie CR Series or PreSonus Eris monitors start around $100-150/pair.
External Storage: Samsung T7 or T9 portable SSDs (1-2TB) for active projects; Western Digital or Seagate external HDDs (4-8TB) for archival. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: 3 copies, 2 types of media, 1 offsite.
Ergonomic Essentials: A quality chair, adjustable monitor arm, and standing desk converter will save your back during marathon editing sessions.
Why Your Monitor Matters More Than Your GPU
Here’s a truth most guides won’t tell you: an uncalibrated monitor ruins edits faster than an underpowered GPU.
If your monitor’s color is off, your grade will look wrong on every other screen. Skin tones shift, contrast disappears, and your carefully crafted look falls apart. A $1,500 GPU won’t fix a $200 monitor with terrible color accuracy.
What to look for in a video editing monitor:
Color space coverage: At least 100% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3
Factory calibration: Delta E < 2 (preferably < 1)
Resolution: 1440p minimum for 4K editing; 4K preferred for pixel-level grading
Connections: DisplayPort or Thunderbolt for Mac; HDMI 2.0 or higher for Windows
BenQ PD2725U (27-inch 4K, 95% P3, factory calibrated) is the sweet spot at around $600. Apple Pro Display XDR is the gold standard at $4,999 — but you don’t need it unless you’re color grading features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit 4K video on a laptop?
Yes. The Apple MacBook Pro with M4 Pro/Max handles 4K editing smoothly. The key is enough RAM (minimum 16GB, preferably 32GB) and a dedicated GPU. Modern laptops are surprisingly capable — I’ve edited entire projects on location.
How much RAM do I really need for video editing in 2026?
16GB minimum, 32GB sweet spot for 4K, 64GB or more for 8K or heavy After Effects work. The “sweet spot” has moved up from previous years — 32GB is now the practical baseline for serious 4K work.
Do I need a Mac for professional video editing?
No. Both platforms handle 4K editing well in 2026. Final Cut Pro requires Mac; every other major NLE (Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Avid) runs on both. The decision comes down to ecosystem and budget, not editing capability.
What's the minimum GPU for video editing in 2026?
A dedicated GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM is the minimum. For smooth 4K editing, aim for 8GB+ VRAM. If you’re using DaVinci Resolve’s AI features (Magic Mask, depth maps, etc.), 12GB is recommended.
Should I build a custom PC or buy prebuilt?
If you want maximum performance per dollar and enjoy tinkering, build your own. If you want reliability, support, and ISV certification, buy prebuilt from Dell Pro Precision or Apple. Both approaches are valid — it depends on your tolerance for troubleshooting.
Do I need a 4K monitor to edit 4K video?
No. You need a color-accurate monitor, not necessarily 4K resolution. A 1440p monitor with good color accuracy (Delta E < 2) is perfectly fine for 4K editing. The 4K monitor helps you see full-resolution playback, but it’s not a requirement.
What's the best video editing computer under $1,000?
The Apple Mac mini M4 base model ($599) can handle 4K editing via proxy workflows — but it only has 16GB RAM. Upgrade to 24GB ($799) if you can, or plan to edit exclusively with proxies. For Windows, an AMD Ryzen 7 system with integrated graphics and 16GB RAM will work with proxies, but you’ll feel the limits.
What's the best video editing computer under $2,000?
The Apple Mac mini M4 Pro ($1,399) or a custom build with Ryzen 7 9700X and RTX 5070 (~$1,800). Both handle 4K editing smoothly without proxies for most projects.
How We Evaluate Video Editing Computers
We test video editing computers using a consistent methodology to ensure fair comparisons:
Software: Adobe Premiere Pro 2026, DaVinci Resolve 19.1, After Effects 2026
Test footage: 4K ProRes 422, 4K H.264 (100 Mbps), 6K Blackmagic RAW
Playback test: Timeline with 3 layers of 4K ProRes plus basic color grading and transitions. “Smooth” means 24fps playback with no dropped frames.
Export test: A 10-minute timeline with color grading, transitions, and basic text overlays exported to H.264 at 50 Mbps.
Stress test: Continuous playback and grading for 2 hours to observe thermal throttling and fan noise.
We don’t run synthetic benchmarks — they don’t reflect real-world editing conditions. Our results are based on actual production workflows, not number-crunching.
Key Takeaways
RAM and storage cause more editing slowdowns than processor speed — prioritize these components first.
The RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT are the sweet spot for 4K editing in 2026, not the flagship cards.
A 3-drive setup (system, project, archive) keeps your editing smooth and your data safe. See the full breakdown above.
If you can’t afford the latest hardware, proxy workflows are your friend — you can edit 4K on a modest machine by working with lower-resolution proxies. Check our travel filmmaking guide for a deeper dive.
Mac vs. Windows comes down to software choice and budget, not performance. Final Cut Pro means Mac; everything else works on both.
A calibrated monitor is more important than a faster GPU — your grade is only as good as your display.
Conclusion: Making Your Decision
The best computer for video editing is the one that disappears into the background and lets you focus on telling stories. That means matching your specs to your actual workflow, not chasing benchmark numbers. Start with 32GB of RAM, an 8-core+ processor, a dedicated GPU with 8GB+ VRAM, and fast NVMe storage. Those four things will serve you well for years.
Here’s the production reality check most guides won’t give you: I’ve been editing video professionally for over a decade, and the truth is that while having powerful hardware matters, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The most important element is learning your software inside and out and developing efficient workflows.
A skilled editor on modest hardware will outperform a beginner on a $5,000 workstation every time. The best editor I know still cuts on a 2019 Intel MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM, because they know proxy workflows and keyboard shortcuts better than anyone I’ve met. For more gear advice, check out our full gear guide hub covering cameras, audio, and accessories.
If you’re just starting out: Buy a used M1 MacBook Air or a mid-range Windows laptop with 16GB RAM. Use proxy workflows. Learn to edit efficiently before you spend money you don’t have. If you’ve already made the mistake of overspending on a GPU while under-speccing your RAM: Sell the GPU, buy more RAM, and focus on storage speed. Your timeline will thank you.
That said, having the right tools makes the creative process genuinely enjoyable. When your computer keeps up with your ideas instead of holding them back, editing transforms from a technical chore into creative work.
Computer Recap: The Full Lineup
RAM: 36GB
GPU: 32-core
RAM: Up to 64GB
GPU: Up to RTX 5080
RAM: 32GB
GPU: RTX 5070 Ti
RAM: 24GB
GPU: 16-core
RAM: 24GB
GPU: 18-core
RAM: Up to 128GB
GPU: Blackwell RTX
- Mac mini (M4 Pro) — Best budget 4K editing machine
- Custom Build (Ryzen 9 + RTX 5070 Ti) — Best performance for the price, fully upgradeable
- Mac Studio (M4 Max) — The gold standard for reliability
- Dell Precision & ASUS ProArt — Great Windows options for specific workflows
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About the Author
Trent Peek is a filmmaker, writer, and producer based in Victoria, BC, and the founder of PeekAtThis.com. His production credits include set decoration on Netflix’s Maid, and writing/directing Going Home (2024 Soho International Film Festival) and Noelle’s Package (48-hour festival winner, shot on smartphone). He’s also a former President of Cinevic, Victoria’s Society of Independent Filmmakers, and works as a doorman at a four-star hotel — a job that’s taught him as much about reading people under pressure as any film set has.
When he’s not writing articles, testing gear, or working on film projects, Trent enjoys traveling, reading, exploring new technology, and developing future film ideas — many of which may never leave the notebook stage.
P.S. Writing in the third person still feels weird.
Trent recently appeared on the Pushin Podcast — listen to the full episode — where he discussed independent filmmaking, directing actors, production challenges, and lessons learned from working in film.