Finding a capable video‑editing laptop under ₹1,00,000 requires balancing CPU cores, GPU acceleration, RAM, and storage. The guide compares five practical options that prioritize rendering speed, real‑time previews, and upgrade paths while noting key compromises on display accuracy and thermals. It outlines which models suit short turnaround projects, longer timelines, or mobile workflows — and what to check before committing.
HP Victus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Ryzen 9, RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 144Hz, Windows 11)
The HP Victus 15.6″ (fb3025AX) is best suited for video editors who need high single‑thread and multi‑thread performance plus dedicated GPU acceleration on a budget—its AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 deliver fast rendering, real‑time timeline playback, and hardware‑accelerated effects while 16 GB DDR5 and a 1 TB NVMe SSD keep projects responsive. The 144 Hz FHD IPS display offers smooth previewing and a micro‑edge, anti‑glare panel aids color work in varied lighting. Ryzen AI and NVIDIA performance drivers assist accelerated tasks. Windows 11, backlit keyboard, upgradeable RAM, and lightweight portability complete a practical creator package.
Best For: Video editors and creative users who need strong multi‑thread and GPU‑accelerated performance on a budget for fast rendering, real‑time timeline playback, and responsive project workflows.
Pros:
- Powerful CPU + GPU combo (AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS + NVIDIA RTX 4060) for fast rendering and hardware-accelerated effects.
- 16 GB DDR5 and 1 TB NVMe SSD provide responsive multitasking and ample project storage, with RAM upgradeability.
- 15.6″ FHD 144 Hz IPS anti‑glare display and lightweight design enable smooth previews and portable editing sessions.
Cons:
- 300 nits brightness and FHD panel may limit accurate color grading compared with higher‑brightness or wide‑gamut displays.
- 16 GB RAM may be limiting for very large projects or heavy multitasking until upgraded.
- Battery life under heavy editing or GPU workloads will be shorter due to high-performance components.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Laptop (Ryzen 7 7435HS, RTX 3050 4GB, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 15.6″ FHD 144Hz, Windows 11)
Ideal for budget-conscious creators who need solid real-time preview and rendering performance, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 pairs an 8-core Ryzen 7 7435HS with an RTX 3050 GPU and 16GB DDR5 to handle light-to-moderate video editing workflows. The 15.6″ FHD 144Hz panel aids smooth timeline scrubbing while a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD speeds media access. Expandable RAM (to 32GB) and dual-fan cooling add practicality, though thermals can run hot under load. Battery life is limited; users report short runtimes and occasional Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth or touchpad hiccups. Overall, it offers strong value with some trade-offs for mobile creators.
Best For: Budget-conscious gamers and entry-level creators who need strong CPU/GPU performance for real-time previews and moderate video editing on a portable 15.6″ 144Hz laptop.
Pros:
- Solid performance per dollar with Ryzen 7 7435HS + RTX 3050 and 16GB DDR5 for gaming and light-to-moderate content creation.
- Fast 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD and 144Hz FHD display improve media access and smooth timeline scrubbing.
- Expandable RAM (up to 32GB) and dual-fan cooling provide upgrade paths and better sustained performance.
Cons:
- Short battery life—typically only a few hours and much less under heavy load, so best used plugged in for long sessions.
- Reports of thermal heat under intense workloads and occasional connectivity issues (Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth) affecting reliability.
- Some users experience touchpad glitches and rare display anomalies (e.g., green dot on black backgrounds).
Dell G15 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5-13450HX, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6″ FHD, Windows 11)
Offering a powerful 13th‑Gen Intel i5 CPU paired with an RTX 3050 and 16GB of DDR5 RAM, the Dell G15 targets content creators who need real-time playback and faster render times without a six‑figure spend. The G15 SmartChoice (G15-5530) houses an i5-13450HX, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB NVMe SSD and a 15.6″ FHD 120Hz panel, balanced for editing and occasional gaming. It weighs about 2.6 kg, runs Windows 11 and includes Wi‑Fi 6, HDMI2.1, USB‑C DisplayPort and a 56Wh battery. Users praise performance and value; reports note thermal throttling, surface heat and mixed after‑sales experiences.
Best For: Content creators and budget gamers who need a capable 13th‑Gen Intel CPU, RTX 3050 GPU and 16GB DDR5 for fast realtime playback, editing and casual/competitive gaming without a premium price.
Pros:
- Strong value-performance: i5‑13450HX + RTX 3050 and 16GB DDR5 deliver good rendering and high frame rates for the price.
- Fast storage and display: 1TB NVMe SSD and a 15.6″ FHD 120Hz panel improve responsiveness and smoother workflows/gaming.
- Modern connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6, HDMI 2.1 and USB‑C with DisplayPort provide flexible external display and networking options.
Cons:
- Thermal behavior: prone to high surface temperatures and thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Battery life for gaming is short (~1.5 hours reported) and overall battery is modest (56Wh).
- Mixed after‑sales reports and occasional hardware issues (hinge defects, freezing) noted by users.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 16GB, 256GB) – Midnight
Who benefits most from this MacBook Air? Creators who prioritise portability, battery life and macOS optimisation. The 2025 13.6″ MacBook Air (M4, Midnight) pairs a 10‑core CPU and 8‑core GPU with 16GB unified memory and a 256GB SSD, suiting multitasking and light‑to‑medium video editing. The Liquid Retina display (2560×1664) and Spatial Audio aid content review; the 12MP Center Stage camera helps remote collaboration. Ports include two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe and a headphone jack; connectivity is Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Users report fast, quiet performance and strong battery life, though the Midnight finish shows fingerprints and storage may feel tight.
Best For: Creators and mobile professionals who prioritise portability, long battery life and macOS-optimised performance for multitasking and light-to-medium content creation.
Pros:
- Lightweight 13.6″ Liquid Retina display (2560×1664) with Spatial Audio and 12MP Center Stage for great on-the-go content review and remote collaboration.
- Apple M4 with 10‑core CPU, 8‑core GPU and 16GB unified memory delivers fast, quiet performance for multitasking and video/photo editing.
- Excellent battery life (up to 18 hours), Wi‑Fi 6E/Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and modern ports (two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jack).
Cons:
- 256GB SSD may be limiting for creators working with large video/assets without external storage.
- Midnight finish shows fingerprints easily, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain appearance.
- Some product listings contain errors (e.g., incorrect processor speed, ambiguous USB port counts), which can confuse buyers.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Laptop 14″ (14th Gen Intel Core i5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11, Backlit Keyboard)
For editors who need a balanced blend of CPU power and memory without exceeding ₹1,00,000, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 stands out with its 14th Gen Intel Core i5 (8-core, 12-thread) and 24 GB DDR5, which together handle timeline scrubbing and multitasking smoothly. The 15.3″ WUXGA IPS display (1920×1200, 300 nits) provides accurate colors and narrow bezels for a compact footprint. A 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD and Dolby-optimized stereo speakers aid workflow and review. Thin-and-light build, backlit keyboard, Wi‑Fi 6, and 10-hour battery add portability. Some users report connectivity and battery inconsistencies.
Best For: Editors and multitasking professionals who need strong CPU performance and ample DDR5 memory in a thin-and-light laptop under ₹1,00,000.
Pros:
- 14th Gen Intel Core i5 (8 cores, 12 threads) with 24 GB DDR5-4800 provides smooth multitasking and timeline scrubbing.
- 15.3″ WUXGA IPS (1920×1200, 300 nits) display with narrow bezels, plus a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for fast storage and responsive workflows.
- Thin-and-light build with backlit keyboard, Wi‑Fi 6, Dolby-optimized stereo speakers, and ~10-hour battery life for portability.
Cons:
- Integrated Intel graphics may limit heavy GPU-accelerated editing or modern gaming performance.
- Some user reports of Wi‑Fi instability, fast battery drain, and occasional cursor/playback issues.
- 8 GB is soldered (relying on 16 GB SO‑DIMM for expansion) which reduces flexibility for future memory upgrades.
Factors to Consider When Choosing 5 Laptops for Video Editing Under ₹1,00,000
When selecting five laptops for video editing under ₹1,00,000, the assessment centers on CPU performance and core count, given their impact on render and export times. GPU acceleration, adequate and fast RAM, and storage type plus expansion options determine playback smoothness and project scalability. Display colour accuracy and refresh rate complete the checklist by affecting timeline precision and visual grading.
CPU Performance & Cores
Why prioritize CPU cores and clocks for video editing? Video workflows benefit from a balance: higher core/thread counts (6–8 cores, 12–16 threads or more) accelerate encoding, transcoding, and multi‑track timelines through parallelism, while strong single‑core boost clocks (>3.5–4.0 GHz) preserve timeline responsiveness and effects preview. Generous L3 cache (≈12 MB+) reduces memory latency, improving scrubbing and complex effect processing. Verify support for hardware acceleration and instruction sets used by common encoders/decoders (AVX2/AVX‑512, VCN/Quick Sync equivalents) to shorten exports and smooth playback for specific codecs. Finally, assess power and thermal headroom: sustained multi‑core performance matters more than short turbo spikes, so prefer CPUs that maintain high clocks under prolonged export and render loads.
GPU Acceleration Needs
Although CPU cores handle many tasks, GPU acceleration often dictates real‑time playback and export speed, so buyers should prioritize discrete GPUs with 4–8 GB VRAM that support the NLE’s hardware codecs and APIs. A mid‑range GPU enables smoother 1080p–4K timelines, GPU‑accelerated filters, and encoding (NVENC for NVIDIA, VCE/VCN for AMD), reducing CPU load and export times. Confirm driver maturity and compatibility with the editor’s APIs—CUDA/OptiX for some Adobe effects, OpenCL for others—because plugins may depend on specific frameworks. Account for VRAM needs when working with multilayer 4K, high‑res textures, or GPU grading; insufficient VRAM forces spills to system RAM and causes slowdowns. Finally, weigh GPU performance against the laptop’s cooling and power limits to avoid throttling during sustained renders.
RAM Capacity & Speed
GPU performance is only part of the equation; system memory determines how much footage, layers, and effects can be held in fast access during playback and export. For 1080p editing and basic multitasking, at least 16 GB of RAM is advised, while 32 GB is preferable for 4K timelines, heavy effects, and smoother scrubbing. Prefer DDR5 or high-speed DDR4 where supported — DDR5-5200+ or DDR4-3200+ help reduce frame redraws and speed render and cache operations in many NLEs. Confirm whether memory runs in single- or dual-channel: two matched sticks provide higher bandwidth and better real-time playback. Ensure laptops offer upgradeable SO-DIMM slots and ideally two slots so capacity can be increased later. For intensive grading, multicam, or VFX, prioritize capacity over marginal speed gains.
Storage Type & Expansion
When selecting laptops for video editing under ₹1,00,000, storage choices directly affect responsiveness during editing and the ability to scale projects: NVMe PCIe SSDs (Gen3 or Gen4) should host the OS and active timelines for fast scrubbing and exports, while larger secondary drives—either 2.5″ HDDs for cost-effective archival or SATA/PCIe SSDs for quicker access—handle bulk media. Prioritize sustained NVMe sequential speeds (1,500–5,000+ MB/s) to cut export and cache times versus SATA or HDD. Confirm at least one spare M.2 slot or a 2.5″ bay and support for PCIe NVMe upgrades so scratch and archives can grow. Check for Thunderbolt 4/USB4 or USB 3.2 Gen2x2 for external NVMe enclosures (20–40 Gbps) and verify maximum supported SSD size and user-replaceability.
Display Accuracy & Refresh
How should a laptop’s screen be judged for video editing? Evaluate color gamut first: aim for at least 100% sRGB, with 95–100% DCI‑P3 or >99% sRGB preferred for faithful grading. Prioritize panels with Delta E ≤2 (closer to 1) to reduce visible color error between the edit and final export. Choose IPS or OLED over TN/VA for consistent color, contrast, and wide viewing angles. Ensure native resolution of 1920×1080 or higher; 1440p or 4K is better when the GPU and workflow permit, enabling finer timeline and image detail. Verify factory calibration or availability of calibration profiles, and consider 10‑bit color support or dithering for smoother gradients when working with log or RAW footage.
Thermal Management Design
After confirming a color-accurate, high-resolution panel, attention should turn to thermal management design, since sustained performance during long 4K encodes and exports depends on effective heat dissipation. Buyers should prioritise multi-heat-pipe layouts with at least two fans to separate CPU and GPU cooling, reducing sustained throttling. Evaluate chassis intake/exhaust placement and vent area; larger vents and rear exhausts sustain airflow under heavy encoding loads. Prefer metal or alloy lids and internal vapor chambers over thin plastic shells for better heat conduction and chassis stiffness. Look for laptops that maintain turbo clocks with minimal throttling—tests showing under 10% drop over 30+ minute workloads indicate adequate thermal headroom. Finally, consider cooling noise and fan-curve tunability to balance quiet editing and aggressive cooling during long renders.
Portability & Battery
For mobile video editors balancing fieldwork and post, portability and battery life are decisive: aim for laptops under roughly 1.8–2.0 kg that pair at least 50 Wh batteries (or advertised 8–10+ hours of light use) with fast‑charge or USB‑C/PD support so edits can continue between shoots; expect heavy encoding to cut runtime to 1–3 hours and prioritize designs that offer a thin‑and‑light chassis without sacrificing cooling, while choosing display size (13–16″) and hinge/layout considerations that minimize the need to carry extra monitors. Selection should favor machines that balance weight and thermal headroom, include USB‑C power delivery for portable chargers, and advertise fast‑charge rates (≈50% in ~30 minutes). Smaller screens reduce bulk but may necessitate an external display; evaluate hinge, keyboard layout and I/O to avoid carrying extra accessories.
Conclusion
Balancing performance, display quality, and upgradeability, these five laptops suit creators on a budget: HP Victus and ASUS TUF deliver strong multi‑core CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs for faster renders and real‑time previews; Dell G15 offers reliable Intel performance; MacBook Air M4 excels in battery life and macOS‑optimized workflows for lighter edits; Lenovo IdeaPad Slim provides abundant RAM and fast storage. Users should prioritize models with upgradeable RAM, NVMe expansion and Thunderbolt/USB‑C for external media and futureproofing.
