Apple Mac Studio
The Mac Studio is positioned as a top choice for high-efficiency video editing thanks to Apple silicon’s exceptional render performance and thermal design, delivering fast exports and smooth timelines with 32GB RAM and NVMe SSD configurations. It stands out for optimized macOS editing apps and power-per-watt advantages compared with the Intel-based towers on this list, though it does diverge from the stated "Intel processor" requirement and may encounter compatibility limitations with Intel-specific plugins. Financially it tends to sit at a premium versus Lenovo and HP towers, but can reduce overall system cost for users who would otherwise buy a separate pro display and peripherals.
Studio-grade speed
Silent powerhouse (shh)
Studio-grade speed
Silent powerhouse (shh)
Review Summary
"Users praise the Mac Studio for exceptional video-editing performance, efficient thermal behavior, and dramatically faster render/export times, calling it a workflow game-changer; criticisms focus on the high price and compatibility issues with some legacy Intel-only plugins."
Optimized for creatives
Apple M1/M2 Max/Ultra chips deliver exceptional multi-core CPU and GPU performance for heavy timelines.
Optimized for creatives
Apple M1/M2 Max/Ultra chips deliver exceptional multi-core CPU and GPU performance for heavy timelines.
Intellectual Stimulation & Creativity
Optimized Work Efficiency
The Mac Studio is positioned as a top choice for high-efficiency video editing thanks to Apple silicon’s exceptional render performance and thermal design, delivering fast exports and smooth timelines with 32GB RAM and NVMe SSD configurations. It stands out for optimized macOS editing apps and power-per-watt advantages compared with the Intel-based towers on this list, though it does diverge from the stated "Intel processor" requirement and may encounter compatibility limitations with Intel-specific plugins. Financially it tends to sit at a premium versus Lenovo and HP towers, but can reduce overall system cost for users who would otherwise buy a separate pro display and peripherals.
Studio-grade speed
Silent powerhouse (shh)
Optimized for creatives
Apple M1/M2 Max/Ultra chips deliver exceptional multi-core CPU and GPU performance for heavy timelines.
Can be configured with 32GB (M1/M2 Max) or higher unified memory and fast NVMe SSD storage.
Studio-grade speed
Silent powerhouse (shh)
Optimized for creatives
Apple M1/M2 Max/Ultra chips deliver exceptional multi-core CPU and GPU performance for heavy timelines.
Can be configured with 32GB (M1/M2 Max) or higher unified memory and fast NVMe SSD storage.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8
The Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 is the market-leading Intel-based desktop for video editing in this set, offering modern Intel CPUs, strong discrete GPU options, and roomy upgradeability to support 32GB RAM and multiple SSDs — giving the best price-to-performance for demanding timelines. Compared with the Apple systems and the Yoga AIO, it delivers superior desktop-class cooling and expansion for GPU-accelerated effects and long renders while typically costing less than high-end all-in-ones. Its technical advantages make it the practical choice for editors who need native Intel compatibility and the ability to incrementally upgrade storage and graphics.
High-clock performance (game-tested)
Advanced cooling
High-clock performance (game-tested)
Advanced cooling
Review Summary
"Reviewers find the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 delivers strong Intel CPU performance, good cooling headroom and easy upgradeability for heavy video editing, though some note fan noise under load and preinstalled bloatware."
Easy upgradability
Available with 12th/13th Gen Intel Core processors providing high single- and multi-threaded performance for editing and rendering.
Easy upgradability
Available with 12th/13th Gen Intel Core processors providing high single- and multi-threaded performance for editing and rendering.
Optimized Work Efficiency
Tech-Savvy Living
The Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 is the market-leading Intel-based desktop for video editing in this set, offering modern Intel CPUs, strong discrete GPU options, and roomy upgradeability to support 32GB RAM and multiple SSDs — giving the best price-to-performance for demanding timelines. Compared with the Apple systems and the Yoga AIO, it delivers superior desktop-class cooling and expansion for GPU-accelerated effects and long renders while typically costing less than high-end all-in-ones. Its technical advantages make it the practical choice for editors who need native Intel compatibility and the ability to incrementally upgrade storage and graphics.
High-clock performance (game-tested)
Advanced cooling
Easy upgradability
Available with 12th/13th Gen Intel Core processors providing high single- and multi-threaded performance for editing and rendering.
Supports 32GB+ RAM and NVMe SSDs with room for GPU and storage expansion.
High-clock performance (game-tested)
Advanced cooling
Easy upgradability
Available with 12th/13th Gen Intel Core processors providing high single- and multi-threaded performance for editing and rendering.
Supports 32GB+ RAM and NVMe SSDs with room for GPU and storage expansion.
$1,400-2,500 CAD
HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Tower
The EliteDesk 800 G2 Tower is a business-class Intel desktop that can be a strong budget route to 32GB RAM and an SSD for entry-to-mid-level video editing, often available refurbished or at a lower cost than new consumer towers. While it offers solid reliability and enterprise support, its older Intel generation and typically weaker GPU configurations mean it lags behind the Legion Tower and Apple machines in raw render speed and real-time playback on complex timelines. For financially conscious editors who need a dependable, upgradeable workstation without premium pricing, it represents a practical trade-off.
Business-grade reliability (sturdy)
Compact footprint
Business-grade reliability (sturdy)
Compact footprint
Review Summary
"Owners say the HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Tower is a reliable, compact business machine but generally underpowered and dated for modern high-resolution video editing, with limited expansion options; it's valued for stability and price but not recommended for pro editing workflows."
Cost-effective power
Older Intel-generation CPU but widely available refurbished at low cost for budget-conscious builds.
Cost-effective power
Older Intel-generation CPU but widely available refurbished at low cost for budget-conscious builds.
Optimized Work Efficiency
Time-Saving Convenience
The EliteDesk 800 G2 Tower is a business-class Intel desktop that can be a strong budget route to 32GB RAM and an SSD for entry-to-mid-level video editing, often available refurbished or at a lower cost than new consumer towers. While it offers solid reliability and enterprise support, its older Intel generation and typically weaker GPU configurations mean it lags behind the Legion Tower and Apple machines in raw render speed and real-time playback on complex timelines. For financially conscious editors who need a dependable, upgradeable workstation without premium pricing, it represents a practical trade-off.
Business-grade reliability (sturdy)
Compact footprint
Cost-effective power
Older Intel-generation CPU but widely available refurbished at low cost for budget-conscious builds.
Can be upgraded affordably with 32GB RAM and an SSD to handle light-to-moderate video editing or proxy workflows.
Business-grade reliability (sturdy)
Compact footprint
Cost-effective power
Older Intel-generation CPU but widely available refurbished at low cost for budget-conscious builds.
Can be upgraded affordably with 32GB RAM and an SSD to handle light-to-moderate video editing or proxy workflows.
Apple iMac 24-inch
The iMac 24-inch is a compact, color-accurate all-in-one with Apple silicon that delivers an excellent out-of-the-box editing experience—ideal for editors who prioritize a built-in 4.5K display and a tidy desktop setup with 32GB-capable configurations. It does not meet the Intel processor specification, relying instead on Apple Silicon, and is far less upgradeable than the Legion Tower or EliteDesk, which can limit long-term expandability. Although its raw desktop-class expandability is weaker, the integrated display and streamlined macOS workflow can lower total system cost for creatives who do not require Intel-specific software.
Vibrant 4.5K display (eye-candy)
All-in-one simplicity
Vibrant 4.5K display (eye-candy)
All-in-one simplicity
Review Summary
"Users love the iMac 24-inch for its brilliant display, color accuracy and sleek design, but many point out the limited RAM ceiling and few ports make it a poor choice for sustained professional video-editing workloads."
Energy-efficient operation
M1-powered 24-inch iMac delivers efficient performance and a bright Retina display useful for color work and previewing timelines.
Energy-efficient operation
M1-powered 24-inch iMac delivers efficient performance and a bright Retina display useful for color work and previewing timelines.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Intellectual Stimulation & Creativity
The iMac 24-inch is a compact, color-accurate all-in-one with Apple silicon that delivers an excellent out-of-the-box editing experience—ideal for editors who prioritize a built-in 4.5K display and a tidy desktop setup with 32GB-capable configurations. It does not meet the Intel processor specification, relying instead on Apple Silicon, and is far less upgradeable than the Legion Tower or EliteDesk, which can limit long-term expandability. Although its raw desktop-class expandability is weaker, the integrated display and streamlined macOS workflow can lower total system cost for creatives who do not require Intel-specific software.
Vibrant 4.5K display (eye-candy)
All-in-one simplicity
Energy-efficient operation
M1-powered 24-inch iMac delivers efficient performance and a bright Retina display useful for color work and previewing timelines.
Current 24-inch models are limited to 16GB unified memory, making them less ideal if a strict 32GB requirement is mandatory.
Vibrant 4.5K display (eye-candy)
All-in-one simplicity
Energy-efficient operation
M1-powered 24-inch iMac delivers efficient performance and a bright Retina display useful for color work and previewing timelines.
Current 24-inch models are limited to 16GB unified memory, making them less ideal if a strict 32GB requirement is mandatory.
$1,299-2,499 CAD
Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i
The Yoga AIO 9i is a premium Intel-based all-in-one that combines modern Intel CPUs, a high-fidelity rotating touchscreen, and a creator-focused feature set, making it attractive for editors wanting a single elegant system with 32GB RAM and SSD storage. It offers Intel compatibility for plugins and codecs that prefer x86 and includes a built-in, color-accurate display, but its internal GPU and upgradeability are more limited than the Legion Tower’s desktop-class components. Positioned financially between a tower and a premium all-in-one, it appeals to creators who value the convenience of an integrated workstation and display enough to justify the price premium over a modular desktop.
Convertible display (twistable)
Premium audio experience
Convertible display (twistable)
Premium audio experience
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i's premium display, strong audio and capable Intel performance for content creation, while noting its high price and limited internal upgradability compared with modular tower systems."
Elegant, space-saving design
Premium all-in-one with Intel Core processors and optional discrete graphics suitable for mainstream editing tasks.
Elegant, space-saving design
Premium all-in-one with Intel Core processors and optional discrete graphics suitable for mainstream editing tasks.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Intellectual Stimulation & Creativity
The Yoga AIO 9i is a premium Intel-based all-in-one that combines modern Intel CPUs, a high-fidelity rotating touchscreen, and a creator-focused feature set, making it attractive for editors wanting a single elegant system with 32GB RAM and SSD storage. It offers Intel compatibility for plugins and codecs that prefer x86 and includes a built-in, color-accurate display, but its internal GPU and upgradeability are more limited than the Legion Tower’s desktop-class components. Positioned financially between a tower and a premium all-in-one, it appeals to creators who value the convenience of an integrated workstation and display enough to justify the price premium over a modular desktop.
Convertible display (twistable)
Premium audio experience
Elegant, space-saving design
Premium all-in-one with Intel Core processors and optional discrete graphics suitable for mainstream editing tasks.
Large high-resolution display (rotating/tilting in some models) and pen input are helpful for color grading and precise adjustments.
Convertible display (twistable)
Premium audio experience
Elegant, space-saving design
Premium all-in-one with Intel Core processors and optional discrete graphics suitable for mainstream editing tasks.
Large high-resolution display (rotating/tilting in some models) and pen input are helpful for color grading and precise adjustments.
$1,800-3,000 CAD