Filmmaking is a highly intensive and complex process. As a film student, you will focus on aspects like video editing, color grading, compositing, 3D rendering, audio editing, etc.
One of the main devices you need is a reliable laptop that can handle professional software like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere.
A film student needs a laptop that can perform light tasks coupled with heavy ones. The most crucial aspect before adding a laptop to the cart is to determine your filming needs. This guide will help you to figure out the best laptop model that suits your needs.
This guide lists the best laptop for film students and a few factors you should consider before buying a student laptop.
Contents
FAQs
Are Laptops for Filmmaking Freely Available?
In most situations, you can buy a journalism laptop on Amazon, and delivery is done in a few days. If your favorite model isn’t available, you can leave a request to inform you once the laptop is back on the shelf.
Can High-quality Gaming Laptops Be Used for Filmmaking?
If the gaming laptop comes with features and specifications that suit a filmmaking laptop, it is a perfect fit. The features and specifications are more crucial than the physical labeling. It’s true that most specs of a gaming laptop match those of filmmaking.
How important is Laptop Portability for a Film Student?
A film student has to travel around the world to learn more about filmmaking. Therefore, a lightweight device is a must-have. However, the laptop should have a perfect balance between battery backup and weight without compromising performance.
Does a High-priced Laptop Come with a Longer Warranty?
Not really. Most laptops have a 1-year warranty. However, if you need an extended warranty, you may have to pay a little more. The extended warranty usually covers an additional one year.
Minimum and Recommended System Requirements
| Minimum System Requirements | Recommended System Requirements | |
| Display | 1920×1080 15.6” HD | 1920×1080 15.6” FHD |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Graphics | 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX250 | RTX Series GPU/4GB NVIDIA GTX |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i7 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD or more |
| Battery | Up to 4 hours | At least 8 hours |
Laptops for Film Students Buying Guide
When buying a filming student laptop, you have to consider some specifications to ensure that your purchase is worth every penny. For the best laptop for film students, here is a breakdown of what you need to be keen on.
Processor
Laptop processors have become more powerful compared to desktops in video editing. However, most budget laptops come with entry-level processors that might not be sufficient for video editing or compositing. If you don’t want a slow processor, go for an 8th gen Intel i5 or AMD equivalent. For high-quality video or 4K, go for at least an i7 processor. For extra power, buy a laptop with an “H” processor, which contains 6 cores and 12 threads and runs at a high voltage.
RAM
RAM is the second most crucial spec of a laptop for film students. A 32 GB RAM is an ideal memory for a 4K video editor or 3D modeler running large files repeatedly. However, most editing software performs well with 8GB of RAM. Similar to the processor, a large RAM means an outstanding filming experience.
Dedicated Graphics Card
A laptop with a good graphics card features an extra memory and processor that improves your computer’s overall video and image processing. For this reason, you should look for a dedicated graphics card when looking for the best laptop for film students. This applies to any creative task that needs footage and image manipulation.
If you’re looking for a laptop to help you edit 4K videos or do some 3D rendering, then a dedicated graphics card is a must-have.
Storage
There are two crucial things that stand out when it comes to storage: storage capacity and transfer rate. A laptop with an SSD is a good choice. While an SSD is a bit more pricey than GB, it comes with high speeds that help you load large video files and open programs quickly. Additionally, an SSD helps your system to boot faster than any traditional hard drive. If you’re not operating on a budget, a PCle-based SSD will offer you exceptional performance.
Display
This is a crucial feature to consider when buying a film student laptop since this is where your work is displayed. For film students, a laptop with a 15″ display is a good one. Additionally, you should opt for a laptop with a Full HD screen resolution with superior color quality.
Portability
Although having a portable and powerful machine can be convenient when choosing the best laptop for film students, rarely do these two features go together. You either land a heavy but powerful machine or a lightweight design that compromises performance. However, for filmmakers and tech enthusiasts, most filming jobs are done in fixed positions. Therefore, larger displays with excellent features will offer the best experience.
Battery Life
The best laptop for filmmaking should last for a couple of hours with a single charge. Although most of the work is done in a fixed position, as a film student, you need a laptop with good battery life when on the move.
Best Laptops for Film Students Reviews
New Apple MacBook Pro
If you’re a film student and are looking for the best laptop for filming with excellent processing performance, this is a good bet. The New Apple MacBook Pro has a 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processor that handles all demanding tasks with ease. This Apple laptop comes with an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU that helps you work with several 3D modeling, rendering, and color grading tools thus helping you attain your desired experience.
The New Apple MacBook Pro has 16GB of RAM that offers seamless multitasking. It also boasts a spectacular display with 3072×1920 pixels and 500-nits brightness levels. Besides the thin bezels and integrated Touch ID, it also has a Touch Bar that enhances device functionality and ease of use.
Features
- 16-inch Retina display
- 16 GB RAM
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 6-speaker sound system
- 802.11AC Wi-Fi
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Pros
- Outstanding viewing experience
- Able to edit large files and smooth multitasking
- Fast rendering and seamless playback
- Superfast processors
- Massive storage
- Wide color gamut
- Efficient for multitasking
- Upgradeable memory
Cons
- Pricey
- A bit heavy
- The laptop gets hot after using it for sometime
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop takes filming to a whole new level. This super-cool machine will catch your eyes with its mobile and sleek design. It comes with a 15.6” Full HD IPS display that helps you keep track of all your filming tasks. It’s also run by the 9th Generation Intel Core Processor which is devastatingly powerful.
With this laptop, you have full control of all commands since it comes with a dedicated Nitrosense key, arrow, and WASD keys for easy location. Additionally, this laptop is exciting to use in poorly-lit environments with the red backlit keyboard.
Features
- 8GB RAM
- GeForce GTX 1650
- 15.6” FHD display
- Backlit keyboard
- 256 PCle SSD
Pros
- High-performance graphics
- Powerful processor
- The tactile feel of keys
- Slim size and portable
Cons
- Average quality control
- Loud fans
- Poor audio quality
Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop
If you’re not operating on a budget, the Razer Blade 15 is a good machine to work with. Not only does it look good, it also performs well. This 15.6” FHD laptop comes with 100% RGB and has proven to be a powerhouse in filming.
The Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop has a 1920×1080 resolution with 144Hz response time that offers a premium experience in filming. In addition to a powerful processor, it comes with 512GB SSD storage and 16GB RAM.
Features
- 15.6” FHD display
- 1080p
- 144Hz response time
- Thunderbolt 3
- 16GB RAM
- CNC aluminum body
Pros
- Immersive Chroma RGB lighting
- Ultimate performance on-the-go
- Durable body
- Incredible filming performance
- High-FPS gaming display
Cons
- Average battery life
- Low-quality speakers
Dell XPS 15 laptop 15.6″, 4K UHD InfinityEdge Touch
The Dell XPS laptop boasts an exceptional performance with the H-series i7 processor and a turbo boost speed of 4.5 GHz. It has 16GB of RAM that helps you handle several workflows and applications with ease. This 15.6″ laptop comes with 3840×2160 pixels with an overall 500-bit brightness level. What’s more, it has a backlit keyboard, powerful speakers, and a smooth touchpad.
Features
- 4K UHD InfinityEdge Touch
- 1TB SSD storage
- 16GB RAM
- 3840×2160 resolution
- 1TB PCle SSD
Pros
- Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
- Wide-viewing angles
- Fast speed in video editing
- Best-in-class technology
Cons
- Windows 10 Home is not activated initially
Omen by HP 2019 17-Inch Gaming Laptop
Are you looking for a perfect laptop for your filming? Look no further! The Omen by HP 2019 17-Inch Gaming Laptop is the best device you can get out there. It comes with 16GB of RAM that helps you to run all filming software with ease. It also has powerful NVIDIA GeForce graphics and a narrow bezel display that offers an edge-to-edge immersion.
Features
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16GB RAM
- 17-inch monitor
- 256GD SSD
Pros
- Cutting-edge graphics
- Upgradable memory
- Built-in webcam
- Full HD IPS display
Cons
- RGB is not bright enough
- Loud fans
- The machine runs hot
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best laptops for film students, the above-reviewed machines are a good starting point for your research.
All our reviewed laptops are loaded with high-performance features.
Grab one for an out-of-the-world filming experience!