In this article, we’ll highlight our picks for the best desktop computers for video editing on the market today, then go over the main points a potential buyer will want to consider in choosing a new editing system.
The Editors’ Choice award recognizes exceptional video production equipment, software and services. These products must help videographers be more effective storytellers while being affordable, easy to use and dependable. The products must also deliver a superior user experience.
Best performance workstation
Dell Precision 5860 Tower Workstation
If performance is what you’re after, the Dell Precision 5860 Tower Workstation is built for heavy post work. The configuration we like starts with an Intel Xeon W3-2435 processor, 32 GB of fast DDR5 ECC memory and a 256 GB NVMe SSD, so the system feels quick when you’re scrubbing timelines, stacking effects and bouncing between apps. It ships with Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, which is designed for long, demanding sessions.
The Precision 5860 comes with an Nvidia RTX A400 GPU that supports GPU-accelerated editing and 3D work, and the chassis gives you room to grow. You can move up to more powerful RTX cards, add multiple SSDs and hard drives, and scale memory well past the base spec. If you want a tower you can build a serious, studio-grade edit bay around, the Precision 5860 is a strong pick.
Best budget workstation
Dell Tower Plus Desktop
If you want a desktop that can cut pro video without killing your budget, the Dell Tower Plus Desktop (EBT2250) is an easy pick. In its under-$1,000 configuration, you get an Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor with 20 cores, 16 GB of DDR5 memory and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. That combo gives you smooth playback on most timelines, fast project loads and plenty of room for cache and current work.
This model also includes an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, so you get GPU-accelerated effects, faster exports and support for modern codecs and plug-ins. The case has space for more RAM, extra SSDs or hard drives and higher-end GPUs down the road, plus you get creator-friendly touches like an SD card reader, front USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 for dual 4K displays. If you want a budget-friendly tower you can grow with as your video work scales up, the Dell Tower Plus Desktop is a good choice.
Best all-in-one
Lenovo Yoga AIO 32i (32″ Intel) All In One
Lenovo’s Yoga AIO 32i (32″ Intel) gives you a big, sharp canvas and enough power to cut 4K video in one clean package. Its 31.5-inch 4K UHD IPS display hits up to 495 nits, supports HDR600 and covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space, so you can judge focus, color and contrast with confidence while you edit. The slim, borderless design and tilting stand keep your desk looking tidy.
Inside, an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16 GB of fast LPDDR5X memory and a 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD keep timelines responsive and projects loading quickly. You can configure it with Intel Arc graphics or an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, which taps GPU acceleration for effects, exports and even some 3D work.
You also get Wi-Fi 7, a 5 MP IR camera with AI framing, Harman Kardon speakers with Dolby Atmos and plenty of modern ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1. If you want an all-in-one that doubles as a color-accurate 4K reference screen and a capable edit station, the Yoga AIO 32i is a strong fit.
Best Mac desktop
Apple Mac Studio with M3 Ultra
If you’re a dedicated Mac user, the Apple Mac Studio with M3 Ultra is the best desktop you can buy right now. Its M3 Ultra chip pairs a 28-core CPU with a 60-core GPU and 96 GB of unified memory, backed by a 1 TB SSD. That muscle lets you play 24 streams of 8K ProRes video, drive up to eight 6K displays and cruise through H.264, HEVC and ProRes exports. You also get two Thunderbolt 5 ports up front, four more on the back, HDMI 2.1, 10 Gb Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E for pro-level I/O.
So, if you’re a Mac user and want the best overall Mac experience you can get your hands on, consider the Apple Mac Studio with M3 Ultra.
Best all-in-one Mac
iMac with Apple M4
Apple’s all-in-one 24-inch iMac with Apple M4 really does have it all. The base model packs an eight-core CPU, an eight-core GPU and a Neural Engine that’s more than three times faster than before. You start with 16 GB of unified memory, a 256 GB SSD and a bright 24-inch 4.5K Retina display that now offers a nano-texture glass option to cut glare.
For ports, you get two Thunderbolt / USB 4 connections on the entry model, while the step-up version bumps that to four Thunderbolt 4 ports. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 handle wireless duty, and a 12 MP Center Stage camera teams with a three-mic array and six-speaker sound system for clear calls and solid audio. When it comes down to it, Apple’s 24-inch iMac with M4 is a speedy, self-contained workstation ready for work or play right out of the box.
How to choose
There are a few core specs that you’ll need to consider regardless of form factor, including CPU, GPU, RAM and storage. For an in-depth look at these key components, read “How to Choose the Right Video Editing Workstation.”
The tower form factor
The foundation of your new workstation depends a lot on what form factor suits your particular needs. Does your workflow and space requirements demand an all-in-one solution, or can you make room for a full-size tower to maximize performance?
With a tower, you simply have more room to fit more parts which translates into more capabilities and better performance.
Aside from being able to choose a really cool looking case with RGB lighting and flashy components, towers can be the best route to go with when the absolute most power is needed. With a tower, you simply have more room to fit more parts which translates into more capabilities and better performance. Plus, you’ll have plenty of room in the case to fit large components such as an oversized CPU cooler — great for overclocking, which means even more power — and a big league graphics card, or maybe even two! You’ll also be able to fit more hard drives and solid state drives, providing a vast number of storage possibilities. Although professional tier components can be pricey, they are still more affordable than specialized components designed to fit in all-in-one workstations.
Advantages of an all-in-one system
However, choosing a tower does limit your mobility. Typically if you choose a tower, then it will likely remain stationary in your edit bay or home office. Towers can also take up a good amount of space. Having all those extra parts could lead to more problems, too. With additional hard drives, cables, and other components, there are more places for things to go wrong, which makes troubleshooting that much more difficult. While towers can be extremely powerful workstations, consider their lack of mobility, and the potential pros and cons before buying.
Whether you’re the kind of producer who is mobile or not, an all-in-one workstation may suit your needs. An all-in-one workstation is just what the name implies — it has everything you need in and of itself to work. All-in-one workstations can also help keep your workspace free of clutter. These compact workstations have been stepping their game up over the last few years, too. They’ve been getting more powerful graphics cards and processors to the point where they can take on the heavy lifting of post-production work.
Unlike with a tower chassis, these all-in-one workstations make it difficult, if not impossible to upgrade the components when the time comes. You’ll probably need to buy a whole new system instead of simply upgrading the graphics card, for instance. On the other hand, upgrading parts in a tower configuration is pretty easy, so you can keep your system at the top of its game for a longer period of time.
Which one is right for you?
Getting a workstation that’s configured to suit your workflow is key. Remember what specifications are important to your line of work, keep in mind the factors which make each component powerful and be realistic about how much power you’ll need. Getting a new workstation is a fun and exciting experience. Do your research, enjoy the process, and soon you’ll be editing on a new workstation.
Contributors to this article include Odin Lindblom, Devin Hujdic and the Videomaker Editorial staff.
