Apple's Photos for Mac is great, but it can be limiting. Looking for an alternative photo editor for the Mac? Here's our pick of the best free or low-cost photo editing software for macOS. Top 6 Best Free HDR Software. HDR freeware performs basic tasks in the form of combining images with different exposures into one, moreover, it can also perform tone mapping, image alignment, ghost removal, and noise reduction, while the standard paid programs cease to amaze with something, offering the old, time-tested functionality. Apr 14, 2020 The best free photo-editing software for 2020 By Jon Martindale April 14, 2020 There’s no argument — Adobe Photoshop remains the best photo-editing application on the planet. Best Photo Editing Software Download (2020) Below is the list of free photo editing software to download for your PC. These are perfectly good Photoshop alternatives available for editing images that are free to use. These software can do the same tasks done by Photoshop and sometimes more. So let’s proceed and know about top free photo.
If you can’t choose which Apple’s model is the best Mac for video editing, read more about these top 6 laptops that will run Premiere Pro and Final Cut without lags.
What Is the Best Mac for Video Editing?
Defining the best computer for video editing and multimedia from the Apple line is not easy. Numerous variants need to be analyzed, each of them can have different hardware pieces, additionally, several received updates this year.
Regardless of your position and degree of financial freedom, I’ve gathered top 6 Macs that are good for basic and experienced video post production.
Best Macs for Video Editing In 2020
Look through these laptops and choose the one for your budget and video editing.
1. Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K Display
Powerful 6-core i5 processor
Clear 5K retina display
Corporate ultra-thin design
2 Thunderbolt 3 high-speed ports
Keyboard and mouse included
Haven’t been found
Apple regularly updates its older versions, so the new iMac for video editing is nearly flawless, even comes close to what the Pro can do. The clear screen with awesome color rendition and high contrast ratio is worth a lot.
It almost fully reproduces the DCI-P3 color space used in the movies. The built-in Retina Display works at 60 MHz.
Being 1K bigger in size, it is an ideal 4K video editing computer, allowing you to change frames in full definition without hiding the controls. Its heart is the cutting-edge six-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost capability above 4GHz that can process nearly everything at high speed.
Dedicated AMD Radeon Pro graphics processor with 4-8 GB of video memory will handle any rendering software easy. Other cool features are the 8GB of RAM and a large 1TB SSD Fusion drive. Memory can be extended too.
Considering Apple's brand industrial design, updated fillings, price-quality relationship, I can recommend this device as the best iMac for video editing.
Read more about the best monitor for video editing.
2. Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch
Retina display of increased sharpness
New processor
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
Long battery life
Non-4K screen
SSD could be larger
No standard ports
In case your job requires combining portability with the capability to handle complex video processing, Apple MacBook Pro i9 is your choice. The 15-inch versions are advisable for their discrete video cards: video editing in 4K or photo editing in RAW is ensured by the AMD Radeon Pro powerful graphics processor.
It alternates with the integrated Intel UHD graphics processor when performance can be reduced. Video editing on MacBook flaws smoothly on the high definition Retina screen that is very sharp with incredible colors. Additional monitor can be joined easily, too.
It includes a branded track and touchpad to flip through the software timeline. You will also like optimized stereo speakers. It combines 16GB of RAM with a 512GB SSD drive.
The installed battery can run for about 10 hours, offering superior performance by laptop standards. The sturdy case protects the 9th generation 8-core Intel processor from overheating and throttling.
The 15-inch version would be the best MacBook Pro for video editing for those who need to balance portability with decent image and power.
Check out the best computers for video editing.
3. Apple iMac Pro
5K resolution display
Powerful discrete video card
Ability to expand hardware
Double cooled case with 4 UCB-C ports
Branded keyboard and mouse included
High cost
SSD volume could be larger
It’s not surprising that the brand’s leader in my lit too due to its quick processing and low delay. With iMac Pro video editing is possible in 8K format, sound effects can be adjusted smoothly at the fastest speed.
The 27-inch screen is large and crisp with a 5120x2880 definition and renders colors naturally thanks to the Retina panel. The standard version includes 8 Intel Xeon W cores, the maximum is 18, with the possibility of overclocking.
You can install recent Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB or 64 with 16GB of memory. Either one performs great with software capable of GPU acceleration.
The 32GB of RAM and a voluminous 1TB solid state drive make professional video editing flawless. Numerous ports are very convenient, including Thunderbolt 3, plus Apple Magic keyboard and mouse.
Read more about how much RAM do you need for video editing.
4. Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch
Retina screen with True Tone feature
Ability to connect a separate eGPU
Ultra-compact design with 4 USB-C ports
Super-fast SSD
Could have more memory
The screen isn`t 4K
Integrated video card
When Intel engineered their 8th generation of processor, users got a new MacBook Pro 13 inch. This model has an outstanding True Tone Retina screen, famous for clear and natural picture, powerful speakers, and four fast Thunderbolt 3 inputs.
The Core i5 with 2.4 GHz base frequency is enhanced by 8GB of RAM. This should answer “Is the 13 inch MacBook Pro good for video editing” question, though 4K processing may be troublesome.
Despite the integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655, the device can flawlessly run any modern video editing software. The CNC-Machined cover has a super-fast 512GB solid-state drive.
If work is mostly done not at home, you will benefit from Macbook Pro video editing with this mobile and portable but powerful machine that has 10-hour battery duration and a weight of 1.35 kg.
Check out what is the best Apple laptop.
5. Apple Mac Pro
Ability to connect up to 6 monitors simultaneously
You can expand hardware components
Connecting up to 36 peripheral units
Silent cooling system
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Monitor required
Old CPU and GPU technologies
No FireWire Connections
Apple Workstation is a professional video editing computer designed for specialists, who consider the highest power combined with flexibility very important. It is suitable for applications that use the biggest amount of processing cores and rendering like video editors, image editing softwares, 3D programs, etc.
Despite the updates being discontinued, it remains the best desktop computer for video editing with tremendous computational capability and speed. It has two AMD FirePro graphics processors.
You can install up to 64GB of RAM memory, up to 1TB of flash memory, update the graphics or up-level the processor (even to a 12-core one). This would let you effortlessly run a whole software set while simultaneously encoding a 4K video.
Doing professional work and being in need of extreme multiprocessing capabilities, undoubtedly purchase this best Mac for video editing considering its decreasing cost.
Read more about the best video editing softwares.
6. Apple MacBook Air
Retina screen
Processor Turbo-overclocking up to 3.6 GHz
Slim body and lightweight design
Excellent battery life
Built-in graphics processor
RAM could be bigger
Since Apple has updated the frame and internal components, added the desirable features, using MacBook Air for video editing has become quite realistic for simple video color grading operations.
The laptop is quite light (1.35 kg) with a familiar keyboard. The miniature body fits a 13.3-inch Retina screen. At 2560x1600 definition, it shows a sharp image with realistic colors.
The 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor can be overclocked to double its speed. The video editing won’t be flawless. Still, it handles simple editing and normal administrative work great.
The integrated Intel UHD 617 video card, 8GB of RAM, together with 128 or 256GB SSD ensure that. It has 2 USB-C ports plus an SD card slot, so transferring photos is convenient.
This laptop for video editing is under $1000 and has the benefit of working for up to 14 hours on a battery charge. For people with limited budget who search for a portable and inexpensive version of the MacBook, this is the best choice.
Top 6 Best Macs for Video Editing
Image
Name
Features
OUR CHOICE
Clear 5K display
6-core i5 processor
Ultrathin design
Check Price →
Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch
Increased sharpness
Double overclocking processor
Check Price →
PROFESSIONAL
5K display
Discrete video card
Check Price →
Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch
Retina Screen
Connect a separate eGPU
Check Price →
Can have up to 6 monitors
Can connect up to 36 peripherals
Check Price →
Apple MacBook Air
CHEAPEST
Retina display
Processor turbo-overclocking
Thin body
Check Price →
How to Choose Mac for Video Editing?
Video editing is a serious task for any OS. Certainly, this brand’s computers can do this job, but the difference is substantial between some vlog clips and a real movie.
Not working in the 4K format, you can afford to go around with a small laptop. For a specialist, the full-size desktop will forever remain superior in power.
CPU
For any video editing software, the processor plays the main role. My advice is to not go below the quad-core Intel Core i5 processor.
If you’re ready to invest, get a 6-8 core processor, because the expense greatly enhances performance. Being very limited in budget, you can still get a dual-core but performing complex jobs will be problematic.
Display
Those working with footage consider accurate color rendition of the highest importance and Apple Retina displays gained the best reputation in this. iMac and MacBook Pro have it and it’s a huge boost.
Such a display is known for crisp definition, natural colors, and wide viewing cones. Such features help to display the footage accurately and clearly, with no distortions, which ensures higher-quality video editing.
GPU
The second most influential component is the video card. The software is mostly capable of rendering through a graphics processor.
AMD hardware has gained popularity, so a middle- or higher-class Mac means a discrete GPU. Certain Pro models even have the AMD Fire Pro dual feature that concentrates on providing superior performance or combining integrated and discrete processors to optimize it.
RAM Capacity
The video editing process largely depends on the amount of RAM in your computer. The most time-consuming process is the export of the finished video.
For comfortable video editing on a Mac, you need at least 8GB of RAM (16GB is required for 4K editing, 3D work, and 360 ° video editing).
SSD Capacity
The speed and capacity of the internal drive will provide instant access to the material. Get at least a standard SSD drive. Better yet, the branded hybrid SSD. Its speed is several times higher than usual, both during recording and reading.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
Photos comes with every Mac and provides powerful, easy-to-use editing tools along with photo organization and sharing features. Use Photos to perfect your images, and don't be afraid to explore all of the tools — if you don't like a change you made, you can go back to the original photo any time.
Before you begin
Update the software on your Mac to make sure that you're using the latest version of macOS.
To ensure that all of your photos are available for editing, turn on iCloud Photos on your Mac and your other devices.
iCloud Photos keeps your photos organized and up to date everywhere that you use it. So any edits that you make on your Mac appear on your other devices too.
Get started
To open a photo in Edit view, double-click a photo in your library, then click Edit in the toolbar. You can also select a photo and pressCommand-Return to open a photo in Edit view. Click a tab in the middle of the toolbar to select from the three groups of editing tools: Adjust, Filters, and Crop.
The toolbar also has buttons for editing with extensions and quickly rotating or enhancing your photo.
While you edit, you can use the slider on the toolbar's left side to zoom in on your photo for greater detail. When you finish making your adjustments, click Done.
Adjust
Use the powerful tools in Adjust to fine-tune your photo's light, color, sharpness, and more. Use sliders or the Auto button to easily adjust your photo — or dive deeper with detailed controls.
Click the triangle next to each Adjust tool's name to show its controls. Some tools allow even more detailed adjustments; click the triangle next to Options to see everything the tool offers.
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You can toggle individual adjustments on and off by clicking the blue circle that appears next to each tool when it's expanded or when hover your pointer over it.
Image Editing Software Free Mac
If you want to apply the adjustments you make from one photo to another, just copy and paste them. Open the photo that has the adjustments that you want, click Edit, and choose Image > Copy Adjustments. Then open the photo you want to apply the edits to, click Edit, and choose Image > Paste Adjustments.
Filters
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The nine filters in Photos emulate three classic photography styles — vivid, dramatic, and black and white — and are optimized to enhance your image while keeping skin tones natural.
Choose Vivid, Vivid Warm, or Vivid Cool to enhance the vibrancy of your images; Dramatic, Dramatic Warm, or Dramatic Cool to add contrast; or Mono, Silvertone, or Noir for a classic black and white.
Crop
Straighten your photo, improve its composition, or get rid of parts that you don't want.
Drag the selection rectangle by its edges or corners. When you let go of the selection rectangle, your cropped photo appears. Use the numbered dial to the right of your photo to straighten it. As you move the dial, a grid appears on your photo to help you with alignment.
Aspect Choose from a range of ratios — like square or 5:7 — or leave it as freeform.
Flip Horizontally flip your photo, or option-click to flip it vertically.
Photos can also automatically straighten and crop your photo — just click the Auto button. Or click Reset to undo all cropping and rotation and restore your photo to its original dimensions.
Edit with third-party apps
You can edit images from your Photos library with third-party apps, such as Photoshop and Pixelmator, right from the Photos app. Select an image, then choose Image > Edit With and choose the editing app that you’d like to use.
When you’re finished editing in the app, save your work or use the Command-S keyboard shortcut. Any edits you make are saved in Photos as a non-destructive change, so you can always revert your image to its original state.
More editing tools
Extensions Third-party extensions expand your editing options in Photos. You can apply edits from multiple extensions to one photo, or use any combination of extensions plus the editing tools built into Photos. Learn more about editing with third-party extensions.
You can also use the Markup tool in the Extensions menu to add drawings, shapes, and text to your photos.
Rotate Turn your photo 90 degrees counterclockwise. If you want to rotate the other direction, hold down the Option key.
Enhance Improve your photo with just one click. Automatically adjust your photo's color, light, and contrast.