With so much choice out there, it can be hard to make the right buying decision. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the best laptops for film students 2021 you can find today.
Film students have to go through many difficult tasks at various times but with a decent laptop, it’s possible to breeze through most of the work. Along with many other fields, film making is another industry that requires extensive use of the latest technology. Most importantly for movie and video editing filmmakers have also gone advanced to make use of high-end laptops for their task to get completed. Thus for doing this versatile job film students should need a laptop that is lightweight and equipped with powerful configurations.
In this article, we have covered the top best laptops for film students where you can choose a proper laptop that meets your demand. But power and portability might involve a huge investment, so we did take care of choosing the best laptops that are budget-friendly with specifications no less than the overpriced ones.
Before buying you must enquire about the capability of the gadget you choose. As film students use Adobe Premiere for video editing in Windows and Final Cut Pro X in macOS, the laptop should have some minimum system requirements to run such software without any lags.
Things To Know Before Buying The Best Laptops For Film Students:
Below are some important points which you should consider before exploring the list of best laptops for film students 2021.
- Display Size: A laptop having a large screen size as much as 17 inches is recommended as it will let you use a wide area for editing and supreme viewing experience
- Processor: The best in the class processor is a prerequisite, the latest Gen Intel Core i7 chipset or more will do the job effectively.
- Graphics: A filmmaking laptop should focus on the best graphics as possible, so without any diffidence, NVIDIA RTX 2080 proves to be the unrivaled GPU in the market.
- Ram: A leading graphics and processor needs an equivalent leading Ram. A 16GB Ram is recommended, though you can prefer for 32GB based on the requirement.
- Audio Support: We can’t expect a filmmaking laptop without the best audio output support. Also, adjustments and mixing should be encouraged by a high-end laptop.
- Connectivity Options: Filmmaking requires the transfer of data to multiple devices or connect various external devices, for which the laptop should have more number of ports for seamless connectivity. Alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are common in such tasks.
- Sturdy Built: For extensive use and sometimes rough handling, your laptop should be robust built.
- Memory Storage: Sufficient storage of 1TB HDD is recommended in case you need to store large files. Also if paired with SSD you can easily run special software that consumes more space and needs faster booting.
Our Top Picks Best Laptops For Film Students:
We have enlisted the best laptops for film students for you that can give you the ultimate experience. Our team of experts has done extensive research and have come up with the list of these laptops with endless features.
1. Razer Blade 15 RTX – Best Laptop For Film And Media Students
The Razer Blade has the finest sleek body and ultimate performance capability to easily impress its users. This latest laptop has proved to be a powerhouse in many fields and even gaming. Durable aluminum body and innovative configurations have made this laptop ranked best laptop for film and media students.
It has an edge to edge 15.6 inches FHD display with 100% RGB. The resolution is 1920×1080 with a factory-calibrated matte screen providing a 144Hz response for a premium experience of creative tasks and intense gaming. The laptop has 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H 6 core processor, clocking at the speed of 4.1GHz with Turbo Boost. In combination with the processor, there is 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The SSD will help speed up application booting time significantly.
This compact yet powerful product is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce 2070 RTX Max-Q Graphics unit. With this device, you can perform all your video editing, rendering, and graphics designing tasks. The laptop provides a battery of 6 hours which can be the only weakness we find on it. Further, the vapor chamber cooling system keeps your laptop cool during heavy usage.
The gaming mode will boost up the power which is a backup feature that can be used for a professional scenario or while high-end gaming. The system runs on Windows 10 and weighs 4.63lbs, moderately lightweight to carry around. Additionally, it has Windows Hello support for facial recognition unlock along with integrated IR sensor, Sturdy keyboard with RGB per-key lighting, and Thunderbolt ports for connectivity.
- Zero-compromise powerhouse: Built for gaming and creative work in a 0.7 thin CNC aluminum unibody with high-performance, vapor chamber cooling
- Futureproof design: Thunderbolt 3 capable, compatible with Razer Core external GPU enclosures for additional power; supports dual-channel memory and SSD upgradability
- Perfect display for work or play: An edge-to-edge, 100% sRGB, factory-calibrated matte screen with a 240Hz refresh rate offers the best experience for intense gaming sessions or content creation
- Biometric security: Supports Windows Hello instant facial unlock with integrated webcam and IR sensor
- Customizable RGB individual key lighting: Includes 16.8 million colors available with multiple preset profiles
- Summary: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H 6 core processor w/ 4.1 GHz turbo, NVIDIA Geforce 2080 RTX Max-Q, 15.6 FHD 144 Hz display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
2. Huawei MateBook X Pro Signature Edition
The Huawei MateBook has to be the slimmest and powerful Ultrabook for professional filmmakers. It is also lightweight and extremely durable to carry around and work on the go. Though the laptop runs on Windows 10 but will provide you the experience of a MacBook.
The laptop has a 13.9-inch 3K touchscreen Full-view display with 4.4mm ultra-thin bezel. Though compact but has a massive resolution of 3000×2000 pixels. With 1500:1 contrast ratio, 60Hz refresh rate, and 260PPI you can enjoy vivid details while viewing HD or ultra HD content on this laptop. The viewing experience is further enhanced by the 2nd Gen Dolby Atmos immersive audio system with Quad speakers. Altogether you will have a portable theatre at your disposal to preview movies and other creations.
With equally sophisticated from inside the laptop is powered by 8th Gen 1.8GHz Intel Core i7 8550U processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics unit. A combination of both boosts the performance by 40% with no bloatware to slow down the system over time. The graphics are capable of handling rendering and any other proficient tasks. On the storage front, the laptop has 16GB ram and 512GB SSD storage to deal with any storage with fast boot. Being a tough competitor of Apple’s MacBook the laptop has superb full-day battery life. With 12 hours of video playback or 14 hours of office work, you will have a worry-free day. The large battery doesn’t compromise its weight. The laptop weighs only 2.93lbs.
Additionally, the laptop has a one-touch power button with an integrated fingerprint reader and Windows hello support along with an HD pop=up webcam. Including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the laptop has USB, HDMI, VGA, USB-C, and Mate Dock 2.0 connectivity ports. 1-year manufacturer warranty is provided with the laptop when you buy it.
However, there’s still no doubt that the Huawei Matebook X deserves its lofty spot on the best laptops for film students list
- Worlds First FullView Display: Immersive 13.9-inch 3K touchscreen with 91% screen-to-body ratio, only 0.57-inch thin and weighs only 2.93 lbs., perfect for at-home or on-the-go computing
- Powerful Inside: Windows 10 Home Signature Edition with no bloatware. 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8550U processor + NVIDIA GeForce MX150 - boosts performance up to 40% over its predecessor
- Home Theater: 3K touchscreen with 3, 000 x 2, 000 resolution, 1500:1 contrast ratio and 260 PPI allow you to see vivid details when viewing HD content. 2nd Gen Dolby ATMOS for immersive audio
- One Touch Power Button: Enabling users to power on the notebook, finish identity authentication through Windows Hello and access the desktop in less than 8 seconds. Bluetooth - Bluetooth 4.1
- Includes compact Mate Dock 2.0: USB-A port, USB-C port, HDMI port and VGA port. Includes 1 year Office 365 Personal and 1 year manufacturer warranty.60Hz refresh rate
3. ASUS VivoBook S 410 – Best Laptops For College Film Student
The ASUS Vivobook S, an impressive gadget designed for professional filmmakers. Design-wise it is stylish having aluminum exterior and boundless portability. A sophisticated machine weighing only about 3lbs is perfect for film students to travel and create films on the go.
The laptop has a 14 inches FHD Wide View display with a resolution of 1920×1080. The laptop provides a perfect workspace for editors or filmmakers with up to 178 degrees viewing angle and NanoEdge bezel for a 77% screen to body ratio alongside highest image quality excluding any pixelation issues or darkened effects. Rocking the 8th Gen 1.8GHzIntel Quad Core i7 8550U processor, with a base speed of up to 4GHz using Turbo Boost, the laptop displays immense power for any professional task. Moreover, it is equipped with 8GB DDR4 ram and 256GB SSD storage, though the SSD is fast but not sufficient you can always connect external storage.
The stunning visuals and editing capability are provided by a smart GPU, consisting of NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 graphics card with 2GB dedicated memory. The memory is likely lower to edit 4K footage at high fps back play. Further, the laptop has a battery life of around 7 hours with an effective cooling system.
The laptop doesn’t sacrifice the number of ports as premium laptops, it has USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0, HDMI, and headphone/mic combo. The ASUS Sonic Master brings you the best audio experience, fingerprint reader unlocks and backlit keyboard are its additional features. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home and has ASUS accidental damage warranty.
There’s no doubt that this workstation earned its spot in our best laptops for college film student list.
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7 8550U (Turbo up to 4.0GHz) Quad Core processor and dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics 2GB
- 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD
- 14 inches Full HD Wide view display with up to 178 degrees wide view and Asus NanoEdge bezel for a stunning 77% screen to body ratio
- Slim 12.8 inches Wide, 0.7 inches Thin and portable footprint with metal cover and backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor
- Comprehensive connections including USB 3.1 Type C (Gen1), USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, & headphone/mic combo port (*usb transfer speed may vary. Learn more at Asus website)
4. ASUS 2-in-1 Full Convertible – Best Laptop For Film School
A great piece of hardware designed by engineers at ASUS is the 2-in-1 Convertible ASUS Laptop. They achieved the feat of making a highly productive and portable laptop. The laptop has a 360-degree rotatable hinge and fully convertible to be conveniently used as a tablet as well.
Under the hood the laptop features a 15.6 inch full HD LED Backlit Touch screen display with a resolution of 1920×1080. Pairing with the screen is the full-size Chiclet keyboard with integrated number pad. The laptop is powered by 2.5GHz 7th Gen Intel Core i5 7200U Dual-Core processor, further upgradable to 3.1GHz with 3MB cache. Impressive results are obtained when the powerful processor is combined with smart graphics. Its GPU includes NVIDIA GeForce GTX 940MX Graphics card with 2GB memory.
The storage of this laptop is next in the spotlight. It features huge storage comprising 8GB DDR4 ram and 1TB HDD plus 128GB SSD hybrid hard drive. More storage allows you to store all your files and SSD helps in the fast booting of those. Though no optical drive is present the storage is further upgradable. An SD card reader is present to access files from a camera which is something every filmmaker needs. Further, the laptop has a decent 6 hours of battery life.
With lots of connectivity ports including Thunderbolt 3, the laptop has a front-facing VGA web camera for video meetings. It’s a great combination of affordability and power, and that’s exactly why it’s one of the best laptop for film school.
- 15.6 Full HD 1920 x 1080 LED Backlit Touch Screen; 360 Design, Front facing VGA web camera; Full Size Chicklet Keyboard, with integrated Numeric keypad
- 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U Dual-Core Processor 2.5 GHz (max boost speed up to 3.1GHz 3MB Cache) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 940MX graphics 2GB video graphics
- 8GB DDR4 RAM; 1 TB HDD + 128GB SSD Hybrid Hard Drive; 1xSD Card Reader; No Optical Drive
- 802.11ac Intel WIFI+ Bluetooth 4.0; 10/100/1000 Mbps; 1x USB3.1 Type C (Gen 1), 2x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI, 1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert, 1x Headphone out & Audio-in Combo Jack
- Windows 10 (64 Bit); 38WHrs, 2S1P, 2-cell Li-ion Polymer Battery Pack, Up to 6 hours; NO Optical Drive
5. ROG G703GX – Best Laptops For Film Students
The ROG is the latest edition of the series with more cores and power with a relatively higher price tag designed to achieve higher frame rates on 4K resolution. Built with the gamer in mind the laptop is an armored fighter from inside and outside.
It has a 17.3 inch full HD IPS-level anti-glare display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The overclocked performance is brought to you by the 8th Gen Intel Core i9-8950H processor with a base speed of 48GHz. The laptop also packs a full-powered NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1080 graphics card which provides an amazing experience. The RTX is the newest range of graphics cards that aims at providing the highest possible levels of graphics required for high- end games and also for filmmakers. For resolution, 1920×1080 RTX 2080 is overkill for rendering videos.
On the storage front, the laptop has 32 GB DDR4 ram and 512GB SSD storage. The SSD ensures fast operation without any sign of lags. Additional storage of 1TB SSHD is provided which is required to process large video and graphics files. The huge power brings a cut in the hours of battery life, it runs for about 4 hours on heavy usage and also quite heavy weighing 10.35lbs.
Additionally, it has anti-dust cooling fans and a HyperCool pro cooling system to keep the laptop cool during heavy-duty, built-in Xbox wireless controller module, N-key rollover with anti-ghosting technology and RGB per-key backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt 3 ports, display port, HDMI and runs on Windows 10 Pro.
These featues makes this capable machine and one of the best laptops for film students as well.
- Overclocked GPU and CPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X with 8th-Gen unlocked Intel Core i9-8950HK Processor (up to 4.8 GHz)
- 144Hz refresh rate 17.3” Full HD IPS Type AHVA gaming panel with NVIDIA G-SYNC and 3ms response time gaming laptop
- 2x 256GB PCIe SSDs in RAID0 for 512GB total storage capacity. 2TB SSHD storage drive. 32GB DDR4 2666MHz
- ASUS AURA SYNC RGB keyboard with individual per-key customization. 2.5mm key travel distance
- Copper tunnels independently cool the CPU and GPU. Dual 12V fans with Ant-Dust technology
- Gigabit WiFi, Thunderbolt 3, Mini DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0., Built-in Xbox Wireless Controller Module
6. Acer Predator Helios 300
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has an unconventional design for professional filmmakers. A superb graphics card, heat management, and powerful hardware specs are some features this laptop displays.
The laptop has a 15.6 inches full HD display with a resolution of 1920×1080. The Widescreen display with IPS technology and 144Hz refresh rate is ideal for watching video and editing. In terms of hardware, the laptop has sophisticated features to be a perfect option for gaming. It is powered by 2.2 GHz 8th Gen 6-core Intel Core i7-8750H processor, with the ability to clock at the max speed of 4.1GHz. The processor is combined with 16GB of DDR4 ram and 256GB SSD.
All the editing, recording, and filmmaking tasks are made possible by the overclockable NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card with 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM. With over 7 hours of battery life, the laptop has AeroBlade 3D fan cooling system which keeps the laptop cool during heavy-duty. The system runs on Windows 10 Home and has a total weight of 5.51lbs.
Additionally, the laptop has an immersive sound with Dolby Audio Premium sound enhancement and two built-in speakers, HD Webcam with SHDR, Acer true harmony plus technology, backlit keyboard, and lots of connectivity ports.
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4.1GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Overclockable Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 15.6 Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 300nit Brightness & 72% NTSC )
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz DRAM Memory & 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Extra empty accessible slot for 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD.Maximum Power Supply Wattage:180 W
- Gigabit Wi-Fi |Backlit Keyboard | USB 3.1 (Type C) | Dual All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan Cooling | Metal Chassis.Battery Capacity:3320 mAh
- Up to 7-hours of battery life
7. MSI GV62 Laptop – Best Laptops For Film Majors
MSI GV62 is a powerful machine that proves to be a perfect choice for arduous filmmakers to work on the go and that’s too within a limited budget. The laptop focusses on dedicated graphics and a fast processor for seamless work on the software like Avid for video or Cubase for audio alongside using music mixing and video rendering.
The laptop has a 15.6 inch full HD EDP IPS-level display with a resolution of 1920×1080. Gorgeously vivid colors with nitty-gritty details help you work in full sun glare and never let your eyes fatigued. Performance-wise, the laptop has 2.3GHz Intel Core i5- 8300H processor which can be clocked to 4.0GHz for max performance. Further, the processor is paired with 16GB DDR4 ram and Intel Optane memory consisting of 16GB of high-speed SSD and 1TB HDD.
Apart from this, an intelligent dedicated graphics consisting of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics card with 4GB VRAM makes the product top-notch for all editing tasks we discussed earlier. Having the capability of handling all filmmaking tasks the laptop has a battery life of around 4 hours and weighs approx. 4.8lbs as expected from a gaming laptop.
Furthermore, the laptop features an HD Webcam, Cooler Boost 4 with 6 heat pipes to keep CPU and GPU cool and boost performance, Nahimic 3 immersive sound, crimson red edge glow keys, multiple ports for connectivity on Windows 10 with a warranty of 1 year.
Better yet, it also gets our vote as among the best laptops for film majors, especially from a value perspective.
- Display: 15.6 inches Full HD eDP IPS Level 45 percent NTSC
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050TI 4G GDDR5
- Processor: Intel Core i5 8300H 2.3 4.0GHz
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz 2 Sockets; Max Memory 32GB
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
- Cooling: 2 fans, 2 exhausts, 6 copper heat pipes
- Special Features: Nahimic 3 Digital 7.1 Audio Enhancer, MSI App player, Dragon Center Management App
- Keyboard: Customizable Red Backlit Keyboard w/ glowing key edges, powered by Steel Series Engine 3
- LAN + WiFi: QCA8171 + Intel Wireless AC 9462 (1*1 a/c)
- Operating System: Win 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro
- OS : Win 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro
8. ASUS ZenBook Pro
The ASUS ZenBook Pro is considered one of the best laptop for film production due to its various characteristic features. Firstly its 4K high-resolution display and high-end graphics with an accelerated processor. Design-wise it has an aluminum chassis enhanced by the iconic spun-metal finish.
The laptop has a 13.3-inch touchscreen IPS display with a Quad HD+ resolution of 3200×1800. You can enjoy vivid, crisp graphics and a detailed 178-degree viewing angle with an anti-glare coated screen. The engineers at ASUS ensure pin-sharp details and 10 point touchscreen for smart gesture navigation while in operation. A filmmaker will like the 4k/UHD VisualMaster display.
The laptop has 6th Gen Intel Core i7-6700HQ Quad-Core processor. Coupling with the processor is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card with 4GB memory. On the storage front, the laptop has 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. The storage is enough for storing high-quality videos for other software. The laptop has a decent battery life of 7 hours and weighs approx. 3.2lbs.
Additionally, it has a 1.2MP HD Webcam, ASUS SonicMaster technology sound system, and lots of connectivity ports. The system runs on Windows 10 and has an accidental damage warranty for 1 year.
- Display: 15.6 IPS UHD (3840 x 2160) Touchscreen Glossy Display Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB GDDR5
- Processor: 6th Gen Intel Skylake Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core (2.6GHz-3.5GHz, 6MB Intel Smart Cache, 45W)
- GeForce GTX 960M with 4G GDDR5, 16 GB Memory 512 GB SSD
- 4K/UHD UHD Touchscreen, Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
9. Apple MacBook Pro – Best Apple Laptop For Film Students
Apple always finds its way to the top-rated laptop no matter what field of business it is. I highly recommend Apple MacBook Pro for filmmaking students. This latest version has every element for video and movie editing.
The sophisticated design comes along with a 15.4 inch full HD LED-Backlit retina display with a resolution of 2880×1800. The Widescreen display ensures less strain on eyes with vivid details. The laptop is powered by a 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core processor with 8MB shared L3 Cache. On the storage front, it has 16GB LPDDR3 SDRAM and 1TB flash SSD storage.
The trademark feature the laptop has is the dual graphics that constitute AMD Radeon Pro 455 with 2GB dedicated GDDR5 memory and an integrated Intel HD graphics 530 graphics processor sharing memory with the system. The laptop offers a battery life of 10 hours and weighs less than 4.0lbs.
The laptop also has 720P HD Webcam, Touch ID and Force Touch Bar, thin Backlit Butterfly mechanism keyboard, 4 thunderbolts 3 ports, and is available in 2 different color varieties.
- Ninth-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Amd Radeon Pro 5500M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- 802.11AC Wi-Fi
10. Acer Aspire R15 Convertible Laptop
If you’re a film student on the market then Acer Aspire R15 one of the best laptops for film students that will help you do all your research. The Acer Aspire R15 is a perfect movie editing laptop with powerful configurations that will add to your fashion statement and make your task easier on the go. It has 360 degrees rotatable hinge that maintains a slim and durable look while providing 4 modes of operation.
The laptop has a 15.6-inch Multi-touch Widescreen LED-backlit IPS display with a resolution of 1920×1080 providing crystal clarity. Also, it has 2.7GHZ Intel Core i7-7500U processor with turbo boost technology up to 3.5GHz and 4MB L3 cache. Pairing with the CPU is intelligent graphics comprising NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics card with 2GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM.
On the storage front, the laptop has 12GB DDR4 ram and 256GB SSD storage. Though no optical drive is present an SD card reader makes your task easier. The laptop has a battery life of 9 hours and weighs 4.74lbs in all.
Additionally, it has Acer true tone technology sound system with 2 built-in speakers, fingerprint reader, multiple connectivity ports, ultra-fast speed wireless, four modes – Notebook, Display, Tent, Tablet, and the system runs on Windows 10.
- 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U Processor (Up to 3.1GHz)
- 15.6 Full HD (1920 x 1080) Multi-touch widescreen LED-backlit IPS display
- 8GB DDR4 Memory, 1TB HDD
- Up to 8 Hours Battery Life. Battery:4-cell 3220 mAh Li-ion
- Windows 10 Home
Conclusion:
We have collected the list of best laptops for film students 2021 on the basis of extensive research. And we recommend you read user’s and expert’s reviews before jumping to a conclusion.
If filmmaking is your top priority then you must look for the features that serve your specific task. It must have high-performance graphics and processors with decent battery life and weight with proper storage space. Hope you have liked and chosen the best laptop within your budget and keep in mind to read user and expert reviews before buying a product.
Also Read: Best Laptops For Film Editing