Final Cut Pro is exclusive to Apple's macOS and cannot be installed on any Windows or ChromeOS device. If you have arrived here hoping to run Final Cut Pro on a 2-in-1 laptop from outside the Apple ecosystem, the short answer is that it simply is not possible. What you can do is choose a powerful Windows convertible or touchscreen laptop and use a professional-grade alternative such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Vegas Pro, all of which offer comparable timelines, colour grading tools, and export options. This guide is aimed at creative professionals, content creators, and students who want a versatile 2-in-1 or touchscreen Windows laptop capable of handling demanding video editing workloads in 2025. Since last year, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus machines have matured considerably for everyday editing tasks, and Intel Core Ultra 7 options now offer improved integrated GPU performance, making fanless or thin-and-light designs more viable than ever for mid-level post-production work.
Quick Verdict
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360, the only true 360-degree convertible in this selection, pairing a stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Intel Core Ultra 7 performance and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, making it the strongest all-round pick for video editors who want a genuine 2-in-1 experience.
Best Value: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14-inch (Core i5-12450H), which delivers a capable Intel processor, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD at a price point that leaves budget for external storage and peripherals.
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is the standout pick for anyone who wants the closest Windows equivalent to a premium creative workstation in a convertible form factor. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, this machine sits at the top of the integrated-graphics performance ladder for thin-and-light 2-in-1 designs, with Intel Arc Graphics handling colour-accurate rendering tasks that would have required a discrete GPU in previous generations. The 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel runs at 2880x1800 and covers a wide colour gamut, which matters enormously when you are grading footage or checking skin tones in a timeline. For video editors, colour accuracy is not a luxury, it is a workflow requirement, and this display delivers it without the need for an external monitor in most scenarios.
The 360-degree hinge means you can fold the screen flat for stylus annotation, use it in tent mode for client review sessions, or prop it in tablet mode for rough cuts on the go. Samsung includes an S Pen, which is genuinely useful for frame-by-frame scrubbing and annotation in apps like Adobe Premiere Pro. With 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD, the system handles 1080p and 4K proxy workflows without complaint, though editors working with large RAW files will want to attach external storage via one of the two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Those Thunderbolt 4 connections are arguably the most important feature for a professional editor: they support 40 Gbps transfer speeds, external GPU enclosures, and daisy-chained 4K monitors, giving the machine significant upgrade headroom.
The HDMI output, USB-A port, and microSD slot round out a genuinely practical port selection that avoids the dongle dependency common on ultra-thin designs. Battery life is competitive for a 16-inch machine, and the slim chassis means it travels well. Windows 11 runs smoothly on the Core Ultra 7 platform, and the machine is compatible with DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Vegas Pro, and Kdenlive without driver complications. At its price point, the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 represents a serious investment, but for a professional who needs a single device that functions as both a portable editing suite and a presentation tool, the value proposition is strong.
Verdict: The best all-round Windows 2-in-1 for video editing in this selection, combining a colour-accurate AMOLED display, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and genuine convertible versatility.
Pros
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with wide colour gamut, ideal for colour grading
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports support external GPUs, fast SSDs, and 4K monitors
- True 360-degree hinge with included S Pen for annotation and scrubbing
Cons
- 512 GB internal storage fills quickly with 4K footage, requiring external drives
- Premium price places it out of reach for budget-conscious creators
The ASUS Vivobook S 14 S3407QA is built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor, which represents a significant architectural shift compared to traditional x86 Intel and AMD designs. The Snapdragon X Plus uses ARM-based cores and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), giving it strong efficiency credentials and making it part of Microsoft's Copilot+ PC programme. For video editors, the practical implication is excellent battery life during lighter tasks such as reviewing rushes, organising bins, and exporting to proxy formats, while the 2560x1600 IPS panel at 14 inches provides a sharp, detailed canvas for timeline work.
The 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD is a meaningful advantage over many competitors at this price, providing ample room for a working project alongside a library of exported files without immediately reaching for external storage. The 16 GB of RAM is adequate for 1080p and light 4K editing, though heavy multicam or RAW workflows may push the system to its limits. The port selection is well considered: two USB 4 Type-C ports (which support DisplayPort and fast charging), two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, and an HDMI 2.1 output mean you can connect an external monitor, a hard drive, and a USB hub simultaneously without adapters.
There is an important caveat for video editors considering this machine: Snapdragon X Plus uses ARM architecture, and while Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve both have ARM-native builds for Windows, some third-party plugins and codecs may not yet be fully optimised. H.264, H.265, and ProRes playback are generally smooth, but editors who rely on specific hardware-accelerated effects or legacy plugins should verify compatibility before committing. The 2.8K IPS display is bright and sharp, though it does not match the colour volume of the Samsung's AMOLED panel. For creators who prioritise storage capacity, port versatility, and battery endurance over raw GPU grunt, the Vivobook S 14 is a compelling mid-range option.
Verdict: A strong mid-range editing laptop with a generous 1 TB SSD, sharp 2.8K display, and excellent port selection, though ARM compatibility requires checking for specialist plugins.
Pros
- 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD provides generous on-device project storage
- HDMI 2.1 and dual USB 4 ports cover most professional connectivity needs
- 2560x1600 IPS panel delivers sharp detail for timeline and colour work
Cons
- ARM architecture may cause compatibility issues with legacy video plugins
- Integrated Adreno GPU limits performance on GPU-accelerated effects in DaVinci Resolve
The Lenovo LOQ is the only machine in this selection with a dedicated discrete GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 with 6 GB of VRAM, which makes it the strongest performer for GPU-accelerated video editing tasks. DaVinci Resolve in particular is heavily optimised for NVIDIA CUDA acceleration, meaning colour grading, noise reduction, and effects rendering are significantly faster on the LOQ than on any integrated-graphics machine in this group. For editors who regularly apply Resolve's Noise Reduction, Magic Mask, or Speed Warp retiming tools, the RTX 3050 provides a tangible workflow advantage that translates to real time savings across a working day.
The Intel Core i5-12450HX is an HX-series processor, a step above the standard H-series in terms of sustained multi-threaded performance, and combined with 24 GB of RAM and a 1 TB NVMe SSD, the LOQ is well equipped for demanding 4K editing workflows. The 15.6-inch IPS panel at 1920x1080 is not the most colour-accurate screen in the group, but the larger canvas is appreciated when working with complex timelines and multiple panels open simultaneously. The port selection includes USB-C, two USB-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet, and a 3.5mm jack, with the wired Ethernet port being a practical addition for editors who transfer large files over a local network.
The LOQ is a gaming laptop by design, and it shows in the chassis dimensions and weight. It is not a 2-in-1 convertible, and the gaming aesthetic may not suit all professional environments. However, for editors who prioritise raw performance over portability and form factor, the combination of a dedicated GPU, HX-series processor, and 24 GB RAM makes it the most capable editing machine in this selection for GPU-heavy workflows. The RTX 3050 also supports NVENC hardware encoding, which dramatically accelerates export times when rendering to H.264 or H.265 in Premiere Pro and Resolve.
Verdict: The best performer for GPU-accelerated editing tasks, with NVIDIA RTX 3050 CUDA support delivering real workflow advantages in DaVinci Resolve, at the cost of portability and convertible flexibility.
Pros
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 enables CUDA-accelerated colour grading and NVENC hardware encoding
- 24 GB RAM and 1 TB NVMe SSD handle demanding 4K multicam projects
- Wired Ethernet port simplifies large file transfers over local networks
Cons
- Gaming chassis design and weight reduce portability compared to thin-and-light alternatives
- Not a convertible 2-in-1, so tablet and tent modes are unavailable
Buying Guide
Why Final Cut Pro Does Not Run on Windows
Final Cut Pro is developed by Apple and is sold exclusively through the Mac App Store. It requires macOS and Apple Silicon or Intel Mac hardware. There is no Windows version, no Android version, and no way to install it on a PC laptop regardless of how powerful the hardware is. If you specifically need Final Cut Pro, you need an Apple MacBook or Mac desktop. If you are open to alternatives, the good news is that DaVinci Resolve (free and Studio editions), Adobe Premiere Pro, and Vegas Pro are all professional-grade applications available on Windows that cover the same core functionality.
Processor: H-Series Versus U-Series
For video editing, processor choice matters more than almost any other specification. H-series and HX-series Intel processors (such as the i5-12450H and i5-12450HX) are designed for sustained performance under load, with higher thermal envelopes that allow them to maintain boost clock speeds during long exports. U-series and efficiency processors (such as the i5-1334U) are optimised for battery life and thin chassis, and while they handle 1080p editing comfortably, they throttle more quickly under sustained 4K workloads. Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chips offer a different trade-off: excellent efficiency and battery life with ARM-native application support, but potential compatibility issues with legacy plugins.
RAM: How Much Do You Actually Need
16 GB is the practical minimum for 4K editing with proxy workflows in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro. 24 GB provides comfortable headroom for multicam sequences, multiple open applications, and larger cache sizes. 8 GB is adequate only for 1080p editing with careful project management. If you regularly work with RAW footage from cinema cameras or handle complex multicam projects, 24 GB or more is worth prioritising.
Storage: Speed and Capacity
Video files are large. A single hour of 4K H.264 footage at 100 Mbps occupies approximately 45 GB. PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs offer read speeds above 5,000 MB/s, which is fast enough to handle multiple streams of 4K footage without buffering. PCIe Gen3 SSDs are still adequate for most workflows. eMMC storage, found in budget Chromebooks, is too slow for professional video editing. Aim for at least 512 GB of internal SSD storage, and budget for an external drive if you work with large libraries.
Display Quality for Colour Work
IPS panels offer wide viewing angles and reasonable colour accuracy, making them a solid baseline for editing work. AMOLED panels, such as the one on the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360, offer higher contrast ratios and wider colour gamuts, which is an advantage for colour grading. Higher resolution displays (2K and above) provide more screen real estate for complex timelines and allow you to see fine detail in footage. If colour accuracy is critical to your work, consider calibrating your display or using a hardware colorimeter.
Connectivity: Thunderbolt and USB 4
Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 ports support 40 Gbps data transfer, external GPU enclosures, and daisy-chained monitors, all of which are valuable for a video editing workstation. If your chosen laptop has Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4 ports, you have significant upgrade headroom. Standard USB-C ports (USB 3.2) are adequate for external hard drives but do not support external GPU enclosures. An SD card reader is a practical convenience for camera imports, and an HDMI output allows direct connection to external monitors without adapters.
For video editors seeking the best Windows 2-in-1 laptop experience as a Final Cut Pro alternative platform, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is the clear overall winner. Its Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers the colour accuracy that grading work demands, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H provides strong integrated performance, and the two Thunderbolt 4 ports give it genuine professional upgrade headroom. The true 360-degree hinge and S Pen make it the only machine in this selection that genuinely earns the 2-in-1 label. For editors on a tighter budget who still need capable performance, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14-inch (Core i5-12450H) offers the best price-to-performance ratio, with an H-series processor, 16 GB RAM, and a useful SD card reader. Editors who prioritise GPU-accelerated workflows in DaVinci Resolve should look seriously at the Lenovo LOQ, which is the only machine here with a dedicated NVIDIA GPU and CUDA support.
