Last update on 2024-04-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
If you need a Chromebook for school or your job, but you also want to edit videos on the side for your YouTube channel, Instagram page, and so on, you’re at the right place. Although Chromebooks aren’t designed for heavy tasks like video editing, some can handle it!
Read on to find out about the tools available on Chromebooks for video editing, and figure out which Chromebook suits you best.
Are Chromebooks Good for Video Editing?
Chromebooks are powered by the ChromeOS operating system, which runs most applications on the web and saves everything on the cloud. So, most Chromebooks don’t have powerful resources and components to operate heavy tasks like video editing through applications like Adobe Premier. However, you can perform some light video editing with your Chromebook.
Your first option is to use web-based video editors like WeVideo or Flixier. They’ll provide simple video editing tools and save your projects to the cloud.
Secondly, you can use browser extensions like Adobe Spark, which will offer very basic tools for tweaking your videos.
Lastly, downloading and using Android video editing apps from Google Play Store like PowerDirector, KineMaster, and so on might be your best bet. These apps are the closest tools you can find to professional video editing apps. Some of them can even edit at 4K, given that your Chromebook can handle it.
If you want video editing to be one of the main tasks your Chromebook performs, you need to get one with specs as close to PCs and Macs as possible.
Chromebooks are also good for Excel.
What Kind of Computer Do You Need for Video Editing?
The requirements depend on the type of work you’re doing. For example, do you want to edit simple home videos, YouTube videos, or Movies?
- OS: First, decide which video editing software you want to work with, and choose the operating system accordingly. For instance, Final Cut Pro only runs on Mac. Check the app’s requirements for the computer components to help you better decide on the following specs.
- Video Resolution: If you want to edit at 720p or 1080p, you won’t need industry-leading components. For editing long videos at 4K, you’ll need the best CPU, RAM, Storage, and so on.
- CPU: Since video editing is a CPU-intensive task, the lowest you can go is the 8th gen Intel i5. i7 is an ideal choice.
- Storage: The size of your hard drive shouldn’t go under 256GB, and it should also have a high speed. Therefore, an SSD is preferred.
- RAM: 8GB is the minimum memory space for the speed you need for video editing. 16GB or more will perform better at high resolutions.
- GPU: The more powerful the graphics card, the faster your editing goes at higher resolutions. Check the software you’ll work with to find out the recommended GPU.
- Display: If you want to do precise editing with lots of details, a bigger screen will make your job easier.
To learn more about photo editing, read Lightroom for Chromebook.
Best Chromebook for Video Editing
Google Pixelbook Go
Last update on 2024-04-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Google Pixelbook Go is one of the most feature-rich Chromebooks out there. It can run Android apps, including the video editors, and if you download those with 4K editing support, Google Pixelbook Go has the horsepower to use them.
It’s a super-thin and lightweight Chromebook with a minimal design. It has Google Assistant built-in, and it also works with a high-quality stylus that you should buy separately.
For the CPU, you can choose between the 8th generation Intel Core i3, i5, or i7. The options for the RAM are 8GB and 16GB, and for the storage, you can choose between 64GB, 128GB, and 256Gb.
The combination of an i7 CPU and 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage is best for high-resolution video editing.
The touchscreen display is 13.3 inches with a crisp image quality of up to 4K. Also, the Chromebook features a webcam that can capture you at 1080p resolution. Dual stereo speakers are integrated for excellent sound quality. The fast-charging battery can last for up to 12 hours.
Pros
- Thin and lightweight.
- Supports Android apps.
- Built-in Google Assistant.
- Up to 8th gen i7 processor.
- Up to 16GB RAM.
- Up to 256GB Storage.
- Touchscreen display with 4K resolution support.
- High-quality webcam.
- Dual stereo speakers.
- Long-lasting battery.
Cons
- More expensive than most other Chromebooks.
- Doesn’t come with the stylus.
Also check Razer Laptops For Video Editing.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Chromebook
Last update on 2024-04-06 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is minimal, compact, and sturdy. Plus, it has powerful components that can get you through intense video editing sessions.
This lightweight Chromebook supports Google Assistant and Google Play Store, so you can download Android video editing apps.
It has a 360-degree rotatable hinge that lets you get the best out of every situation. Plus, the Samsung Chromebook comes with a built-in stylus that fits right into the laptop’s body.
This Chromebook offers a 13.3-inch touchscreen 4K AMOLED display with 100% Adobe color accuracy making your videos as precise as possible.
The high-quality display results in a short battery life that lasts for 6 hours at the highest brightness level and 8 hours if you turn it down to 60%.
It’s armed with a 10th generation Intel Core i5 CPU, Intel UHD graphics card, 8GB super-fast RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
Samsung Chromebook is also good for reading.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight.
- Supports Android apps.
- Built-in Google Assistant.
- 10th gen i5 CPU.
- 8GB RAM.
- 256GB SSD storage.
- Touchscreen display with 4K resolution support.
- 100% Adobe color accuracy.
- Stylus included.
Cons
- Relatively short battery life.
- Expensive.
Best Alternative to Chromebook for Video Editing
Since we’re talking about affordable Chromebooks without additional bells and whistles, we’ve picked out a laptop that’s closest in features.
Of course, there are more powerful laptops for video editing, for instance, Alienware laptops. However, they wouldn’t be considered as an alternative to Chromebooks.
ASUS VivoBook F512
Last update on 2024-04-05 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Asus VivoBook F512 is a light and thin laptop running Windows Home edition, meaning you have the option to search for video editing apps among many available ones.
The 15.6-inch display has FHD quality with a four-sided wider NanoEdge bezel screen and a wide viewing angle.
In addition, this laptop supports Windows Hello and has a fingerprint sensor for safely unlocking the system.
The AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 (your choice) processor makes multimedia editing run smoothly, and the dual storage containing 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD cut down the loading time and boosts the response time.
All in all, this laptop is capable of light video editing at decent resolutions.
Pros
- Thin, lightweight, and sturdy.
- Windows Home OS.
- Large display with FHD quality.
- Four-sided wider NanoEdge bezel screen.
- Fingerprint sensor.
- AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 CPU.
- Dual storage.
- Large speakers.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Short Battery life.
Additional reading: Are Chromebooks good for Content Creators?
Can You Get iMovie on a Chromebook?
iMovie is a rich video editing free software, packed with many useful tools and an excellent user interface. However, since it’s an Apple product, it only runs on Macs, and you can’t have it on your Chromebook, even if it can handle the app’s load.
What Is the Best Video Editing Software for Chromebook Free?
If you want to work online, WeVideo is the most outstanding web-based video editing software available in the Chrome Web Store. It’s easy to use, with many tools and features.
The downside of the free version is the huge watermark it puts on your videos, and it doesn’t let you save your work in high resolutions. To get access to professional settings, you’ll have to upgrade to the Premium version.
If you want to install a video editing app on your Chromebook, PowerDirector is the best available on Google Play Store.
It’s the most feature-rich app you can find with an excellent interface. The app is free, but you may want to pay for unlocking some additional features.
Check out this website for more suggestions on available video editing software for Chromebooks.
Final Thoughts and Best Pick
For a Chromebook, the Google Pixel Go will serve you well for video editing at high quality. It’s almost like you’re running Chrome OS on a laptop, capable of handling the load. Of course, you can’t edit documentaries and long movies, but you can make high-quality videos for YouTube.
If you want to edit photos on a Chromebook with Adobe After Effects or run Fusion 360 on one, read on.
