Video Editing on the Apple M1 MacBook Air - Is this a Pro Laptop? (2021)

The M1 MacBook Air might be one of the best portable computers Apple has ever made, but can it handle professional video editing? In this video, I cover some of the practicality of using a smaller laptop and whether software like DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro and Final Cut can handle the task.
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Time Stamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Practicality
04:26 - Software
07:50 - Final Thoughts + Recommendations

[@Gearsandco]

If you do the thermal mod by putting a thermal pad that bridges the gap between the heatsink and the backplate it will never thermal throttle and keep its temperature lower.

[@icyearth]

Exactly the video that I was looking for. Thank you for answering all my questions I had regarding this. I didn't expect you to only have the 8GB version and still have such amazing performance. I was sure 16GB is a must. I might have to consider getting the 8GB version after all and simply upgrade the laptop altogether when the costs aren't an issue.

[@MattQuattro]

Hey, glad the video helped. I would say if you're using the computer for video editing, go for the 16gb model if you can. I got the 8gb model because I didn't plan to use it for video editing originally. But the way these new Apple Silicon chips work, 16gb will give you much more longevity out of it!

[@icyearth]

@@MattQuattro Awesome thank you for the reply. Would you say 256GB of storage is enough? Or would it interfer in any way when video editing?Given I will use a portable SSD with it? Just saw a good offer for one with 16GB Ram

[@MattQuattro]

I would always say go more than less but if all your footage is on SSD’s, that should be fine. Just be careful of cache files eating all your space.

[@MarekKubi]

Just upgraded my 2014 air with m1 air and gave my wife old air. She is happy because she had Lenovo :D I am targeting m2x pro for an upgrade, so then I can switch old air with current :D

[@MattQuattro]

Sounds like a good plan to me!

[@CrystalGodmode]

Hey Matt, I watched your video and it was awesome. The video is a little old. Do you think I can go with a MacBook Air M1 with 8GB of RAM for 1080p video editing with lots of transitions and effects? And if I can, can I use it smoothly for at least a year of editing? I'm eagerly awaiting your answer.

[@MattQuattro]

Thank you! I would say 16gb minimum if you're planning on adding more effects and pushing the system. It will save your hard drives long term as well!

[@idrojas]

Just the video I needed before making my final choice, thank you 🙏🏻

[@lewisaa05]

Love it. Prepping me for my first laptop in over a decade. 🤟🏽

[@kenlai7309]

I’ve been waiting for this video for a while!

[@anupammahato1]

how much performance bump from 2018 to m1, as of 2024

[@themilesinkorea]

Very nice work, Matt! I like your pleasant style, and your analysis is also great. I am still thinking about the Mini, partly with the very hot summers in South Korea but it’s nice to have the portability of the Air, perhaps if I do video editing while traveling. (But will I ever really bring it??)

[@abrarafzalkhan3768]

I want the 16gb Ram but i don't know which one to get! Will the MacBook Air M1 16gb work in the long run given there are no fans??

[@YumaTV2019]

I'll buy it to cut 4k videos, about 30 seconds each, 1 timeline, a little bit of color grade, send them to stock photos. Should I choose the 8g or the 16g?

[@MattQuattro]

I would say the more memory the better when it comes to editing. 8GB is alright for a bit of light video editing but if you're multi-tasking, the memory may fill up and switch to using your SSD's to help out. In the long term, this may shorten their lifespan.

[@YumaTV2019]

@@MattQuattro Thank you so much bro, This great benefit comment for me. I will try by 16g.

[@AwkwardIntelligence]

Great delivery and a very clear impression communicated. Thanks!

[@egorpanfilov]

Really good summary, thanks for the video!

[@GSNOW]

Hey! Fellow Davinci user here. I'm currently considering upgrading to the M1 mac and your videos really help a lot. How smooth are playbacks in fusion? like when creating custom macros and other animations, 3D planner tracker etc...?

[@RazdansHolidays]

I have the exact same question!

[@MattQuattro]

That’s a really good question. I mainly use After Effects, not Fusion but let me see if I can run some basic tests for you and report back soon!

[@RazdansHolidays]

@@MattQuattro That would be awesome Matt! Thanks a lot!

[@MattQuattro]

So in terms of playback speed I created a new Fusion Comp, added the Drone overlay template and played it back. Around 3fps playback speed which was actually similar to my Mac Pro (around 4-5fps). The biggest difference is the Mac Pro was able to write it into RAM so I could play it back smoothly, the MacBook Air had a much smaller buffer and constantly played back at that 3fps speed. In terms of 3D tracking, in the colour page it’s basically real-time for applying masks etc. Hopefully that helps give you some idea of what to expect. For bigger comps, I’d say you’d be pushing it.

[@RazdansHolidays]

@@MattQuattro thank you so much for sharing this. Really helps. I mean if it can even be compared to Mac Pro, that's incredible. The RAM usability, may be a 16GB instead of a 8 GB helps. Thanks for the response again.

[@Terribleguitarist89]

I'm running a PC using the integrated graphics (Ryzen 4500U), which handle audio production fine, but mannnn it does not like Davinci Resolve. Either the Air or Pro would blow away my current setup haha

[@NowyKurs]

I'm using M1 Mac mini base model with 8 RAM and works perfectly for my needs. Obviously if you drop noise reduction on 4 K H.265 codec it renders slow with few frames per second, but considering the fact that precious Mac Pro with 64 RAM had issues to even paly H.255 it's not a big deal. You usually apply noise reduction at the ending for final project anyway. My question would be if MacBook Air with 8 RAM can provide similar quality like MacMini with M1 or there are some differences in performance? Much appreciated.

[@MattQuattro]

Hi Nowy, the difference between those M1 Mac mini's and MacBook Pro's is they have a fan which helps with sustained performance. Especially when rendering back your footage, the MBA will most likely throttle more than those computers to prevent the computer from overheating.

[@hmr313_]

hello! can I ask you a question?

[@MillaExplores]

Great video! I would love to get the new 2021 macbook pro but it's quite expensive so I'm considering other alternatives if I'd buy a computer... I'm currently editing videos on my ipad pro 2020 with lumafusion and it works, but I would like to upgrade to davinci resolve which isn't available for the ipad.

[@Ronzhighlife]

What app do you use I like your videos!

[@MillaExplores]

@@Ronzhighlife Thanks! :) I have used Lumafusion until January this year. Now I'm using Davinci Resolve!

[@Theramanoffical]

Great thanks! for such useful information. I want a machine for my KZbin vlogging and travel videos. Is 8 GB base model Macbook Air is enough for me?

[@roguewavecreative]

yes

[@GudieveNing]

Brilliant, thanks!

[@rosarioigf]

very clear! Thanks!

[@AndyDay]

Super useful. Thanks!

[@StefanUrkel]

Good review. No hyperbole.

[@modestyblaise4167]

Wow, unsurprisingly the Premiere Pro Apple Silicone update is lousy, especially what you see coming from Resolve. Fortunately, I smelt the coffee ages ago and managed to get out of the bloated and unoptimised Adobe suite which has transformed my workflow considerably. It’s amazing what you do on the little MBA with all things considered.

[@venturaine]

was this using with 8gb ram and 7 core ?

[@fizmohammed787]

I want this for 4k recording and editing videos is this be good

[@MattQuattro]

I would say for light editing with less intensive codecs, it's a great option. If you're editing every day for professional paid work, I think a MacBook Pro would be much better!

[@KrutarthBhatt1]

Wish it had 144 hz,it already has terrific battery

[@Andytizer]

I've now switched over to M1 Max chip, can't imagine editing back on a M1 Air anymore!

[@khanstudioz9543]

I am using an air and so surprised with how it handles all my 4k footage, it lags a bit when I really load it up on Premier pro but it is bloody for just an Air. I wanted to ask how much better you think the Max chip is? Will help me out thanks!

[@StefanUrkel]

@Khan Studio'z do you have base MBA or 16gb?

[@khanstudioz9543]

@@StefanUrkel yes 16gb, but everything else is base

[@2392youngmoney]

@@khanstudioz9543 do you use transitions in your videos? How does it work when editing, as in does it lag or is it smooth. I’ve seen lots of videos that show editing 4k and it’s fine but wanted to know how the performance was when you start adding different transitions. I’m thinking of getting MBA 16gb 512. Realistically it’s just going to be travel vids and personal vids stuff I’m making on it. I’m going to use resolve but just wanted to know your experience

[@khanstudioz9543]

@@2392youngmoney Every wedding trailer and concert on my channel is all made on my 16gb RAM m1 macbook pro, it eats it up all 4k footage. While editing it is only sometimes I get some lag only if I h have 100gb of 4k footage loaded it but it never causes me any major issues, obviously if you want to professionally edit I would get the new 14 inch, but I started editing and already had this and am so surprised. About transitions, this is never a problem.. if you use intense ones maybe but this always correct when you render and some transitions need rendering. Transitions are sometimes not smooth if you export in lower format, I had this issue when exporting lower resolutions for client usb and sometimes transitions are not smooth but this is because you are exporting in the best quality

[@rambo72843]

Great

[@dhanushkadharmasena3309]

is davinci resolve free version can run on macbook air M1 8gb RAM

[@MattQuattro]

Absolutely, I've been using it on it for a while. However, it definitely has limitations - adding any noise reduction usually slows down the playback!

[@dhanushkadharmasena3309]

@@MattQuattro thank you very much your reply.im not a heavy user.i just need add some music to my video footage.these thing can i do without lagging

[@GetWisdomTV]

Why are you wasting half of video time on comparing with other apple product when this is about MBA?

[@robhashemi3559]

M1 is a disaster since so many programs don’t work. It also shuts down often when it’s overloaded. Happens more often than I’d like, making me think there’s an issue.

[@jjchockey]

I guess it all depends on your use case. It has every app I use currently so it’s a non issue. I have no problem having 10-15 tabs open while running Lightroom and photoshop in the background to edit thousands of large RAW files. Never even scene the beach ball.

[@roguewavecreative]

hhmm.. Have not had this issue at all and I am the tab master. Using Adobe cc and fcpro and using m1 mba 8/7 with 16gb ram and its been really good.

[@2392youngmoney]

@@roguewavecreative do you use effects? I’m only just getting started editing, literally. I was looking at the exact config you’ve got but wasn’t sure if I’d get lagging and stuff when I eventually learn and start using 4k clips with effects, fusion and stuff.

[@roguewavecreative]

@@2392youngmoney do you mean After Effects? That one I do not use much but will start using it soon. I think its in the process of being m1 compatible. So to honestly answer your question I am not sure. The main apps I use in cc is AI, PS, ID and FCP for video.

[@2392youngmoney]

@@roguewavecreative thanks for the reply. I’m actually planning to use Resolve. I was reading that the Air might struggle with fusion effects. After effects is the equivalent I believe. I think realistically it’s more than enough machine for me, I just want to be sure lol. And want it to be future proof so it can grow with me as I learn more