Selecting the best laptop for music production demands may be a real hassle. Going back a long time, music has been written and produced in particular music production studios that were outfitted with the most recent hardware that the tech could offer to capture and produce music with the best quality. But with the continuous advancements in computing technologies, anybody can produce music and execute all types of editing jobs and records on a laptop. The one thing that a music producer must consider nowadays is that laptop to purchase, and specifications to search for, based on their funding.
Hoping to answer this question and also to think of a precise collection of best laptops that you could consider for the music production associated jobs. We’ve compiled this list of best laptops for music production. This listing is based on laptops we’ve tested ourselves and from data gathered through real customer testimonials from throughout the world wide web. While keeping in mind to incorporate the very best and latest specifications, best testimonials, the best bang for your dollar, and also to stay useful for the following 3 — 4 decades.
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If You Purchase a MacBook or Windows Laptop for Music Production?
Nicely, which laptop to purchase for music production will largely depend upon the DAW applications you use and obviously the amount you’re prepared to spend on a brand new laptop.
If you’re able to shed a couple of thousand dollars in your new laptop then the top of the line MacBook Pro 16 is your best selection for music production right today as it delivers an extremely steady performance, and it’s also rather easy to go with, which is quite important whether you are into DJing.
But if you are on a budget, then Windows laptops are also a superb selection for producing music. In reality, for the purchase price of an entry-level MacBook Pro, you can purchase a fairly beefy species Windows laptop that may run the most demanding DAW and dating programs easily.
But, refinement and robustness of Windows are not as excellent as MacOS. MacOS is optimized to work and synchronize together with all the hardware on MacBooks, and that is the main reason why older MacBook Pros nevertheless excels in functionality than almost all of the newest Windows laptops. However, there are only a few excellent Windows laptops that give MacBook Pro a fantastic run for your money (you will locate them in the listing of the favorite laptops for music production under ).
Other than that, the DAW applications you use is likewise a vital consideration to consider before you opt for the operating system of your laptop. Be certain that you look at the DAW applications that you would like to use for creating music that affirms the operating system that you select for your laptop. This may appear to be quite a silly point to make, however, there are few novices and novices who wind up purchasing a Windows laptop believing they are going to have the ability to use Logic Pro X onto it. The Logic Pro X can be obtained for macOS just so that you’ll need to buy the MacBook to utilize it.
Thus, research properly concerning the DAW applications and other tools that you wish to use before picking on the operating system of your laptop for music production.
Therefore, these are a few of the significant items to treat while determining whether you should purchase a MacBook or Windows laptop for your music production function. If you’re new to someone of these operating systems, then I would suggest that you consult some posts related to those operating systems, or you may take a look at the videos on YouTube to find the better thought of it.
Top 12 Best Laptop For Music Production
#1, Apple MacBook Pro
- Ninth-generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- AMD Radeon Pro 5300M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
There’re a 13″ along with a 16″ version of the MacBook Pro laptop.
If you are working on a plane a great deal the 13-inch alternative is ideal, but that is not most folks. I’d recommend getting the newest 16″ MacBook Pro with Touchbar.
With up to 64GB of RAM, a 2.6GHz 6-core Intel i7 processor (9th Gen) plus a 512GB (or even 1TB using 8-core i9) solid-state hard disk you will be set for ages. This is the best MacBook Pro for music production. I’d stick with the 512GB SSD and enlarge with an outside SSD after as needed if you don’t know you will want the additional space. Additionally, it will come with a Radeon Pro 5300M using 4GB video RAM.
It includes 4 USB-C vents so you’ll have to acquire a dock. USB Type-C is not the same interface from conventional USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interfaces.
Stay away from routine Macbooks (the non-invasive “Pro” versions ). They essentially use a comparable processor to a telephone, meaning they are developed for battery lifetime over rate.
#2, Acer Aspire E 15
- 15.6 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED backlit IPS Display; AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U (2.60 GHz, up to 3.50 GHz with Turbo Boost, 4 MB Cache, 2 Cores ), 3-cell lithium-ion, up to 6 hours battery life mixed-use
- RAM is upgraded to 8GB DDR4 memory for multitasking Adequate high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once
- Hard Drive is upgraded to 128GB SSD PLUS 1TB HDD provides massive storage space for huge files, so that you can store important digital data and work your way through it with ease. Enhance the overall performance of the laptop for business, student, daily usage
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port, 2 USB 2.0 Ports & 1 HDMI Port with HDCP support,802.11ac Wi-Fi; Backlit Keyboard; Up to 7.5 Hours Battery Life,Windows 10 in S mode. Maximum Power Supply Wattage 65 W + Laser USB External Cable
In case you’re trying to find the inexpensive laptop for recording/editing music or podcast, the Acer Aspire E 15 is your very cost-efficient alternative in the present sector. The E15 is providing the Intel Core i3-8130U processor (3.4GHz dual-core), 6GB memory and 1TB HDD capacity; you could conduct virtually all programs that I’ve mentioned for this class. It’s also accessible with the i5, and i7 processor up to 16GB memory along with 256GB SSD, the i5 version might be an ideal pick for functionality and cost.
All versions are providing the 15.6 complete HD IPS panel that is great, can provide adequate high-quality pictures and brightness. Besides, the battery backup is very attractive too; it may go up to 10+ hours using internet browsing, which can be excellent for this cost.
The most important problem with this laptop is fat. It may be not great for you; should you consistently work on the street. But while considering the purchase price and features, this thick construction is evident, do not be greedy!
But it may be a fantastic laptop for your home studio without creating a major hole in your pocket. For your connectivity needs, this system has plenty of I/O interfaces, together with the most recent USB Type-C and headset jack, you are getting HDMI, VGA, USB 3.0, and 3.1 interfaces.
The USB Type-C provides the fastest data transfer rate. There’s a surprising characteristic about this laptop, using the USB 3.0 interface you’ll be able to control your devices even if this laptop is powered off.
#3, Lenovo ThinkBook 14s
Whenever it’s more famous for being a company computer, Lenovo’s ThinkBook collection is well known for being a strong yet portable choice.
The ThinkBook is popularly famous for its long-lasting battery life and endurance.
The laptop is water-resistant and is protected from spills, extreme temperatures, and vibrations.
If you frequently end up working in a pounding, spill-prone night club this may be a fantastic alternative for you.
We recommend selecting a model with a bigger display, at least 8GB of RAM, and an i5 or greater processor.
#4, Eluktronics P650RP6 Premium
We all know you have not heard of it earlier. However, if you’d rather score an ultra-performance music recording and production laptop than simply flag around a mainstream tag, this comes.
For less than you would need to cough up to get a MacBook Pro, you receive this Produced in America monster instills a horde of multitasking snacks together with up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM. By Sonar into Ableton into Studio
One and all of the way down to Stage Tools and Audacity, this item will benefit via your heavy-handed, resource-hogging, pro-DAW programs with shocking ease and stream.
That is good. There are four versions to pick from but every hosts a 6th Gen Intel Quad-core i7 CPU. Costs change with RAM and Storage updates. The bottom entrant gives you 256 GB SSD storage and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM for about $1,100–a fantastic bargain when compared with the harsher price label on the MacBook Pro.
The flagship model beefs up storage (and RAM up to 64 GB) into a main 512 GB SSD along with an extra 1TB HDD storage.
Together with that RAM and processing power, in addition, it swanks a truckload of connectivity choices if you’re planning to plug a few MIDI controllers, in addition to both video and audio outputs. It beats another laptop here–comprises 2 USB 3.1 Type C, three USB 3.0, 1 HDMI (with HDCP), and 2 miniature Display interfaces.
Thus, although it’s a 15.6-inch (Full-HD) portable monster, it might easily and optimally act as a workstation replacement, daily. It may seem like overkill for a music recording pc, also.
#5, Dell XPS 15 9560
- 16GB DDR4 512GB PCIe SSD
- Equipped With The Latest and Powerful Enough 9th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors, Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750H, (2.6 GHz base frequency, up to 4.5 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 12 MB cache, 12 Treads)
- 15.6 inch 4K UHD OLED (3840 x 2160) InfinityEdge Anti-Reflective Display, Dedicated 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics
- 1x Thunderbolt 3.0; 2x USB 3.0; 1x HDMI Out 2.0; 1x Headset Jack; 1x Media Card Reader
- Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-bit), Integrated HD Webcam, Backlit Keyboard, Bluetooth 5.0, Stereo Speakers With Waves MaxxAudio Pro, Fingerprint Reader, 6-Cell 97WHr Batter,
The Dell XPS 15 is powered by the quad-core, 7th creation Intel Core i7 using a cache of 6 MB, and clocks at a rate of 2.8 GHz. It could go up to some maximum turbo rate of 3.8 GHz utilizing the Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. The RAM is 32 GB and the memory speed is 2400 MHz with 1 TB of PCIe SSD. This is along with the committed NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4 GB card. The laptop is encouraged by the Windows 10 Home, 64-bit OS.
It is accompanied by an ultra-HD 4K screen of 15.6 inches with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, offering the Infinity Edge touchscreen display. The measurements are 21 x 12 x 2 inches and the weight is 6 lbs. In terms of connectivity, there are just two USB 3.0 interfaces; with just one USB C/Thunderbolt 3 plus one HDMI interface; a single SD card slot; together with a single mix jack to the mic and headset.
#6, Lenovo ThinkPad X280
Lenovo’s ThinkPad laptops have a reputation for functionality, and also the X280 is not any different. It does not possess the greatest screen or crispiest resolution but it provides about what matters most: functionality.
Constructed with an Intel Core i7 processor, this laptop features 16GB of memory. That’s the system demand for Pro Tools 12, which will be undoubtedly the very resource-demanding DAW. To put it differently, the X280 will operate any music-making applications with no glitch.
Its 512GB of storage provides the X280 an advantage over most other versions in this particular review. Remember that raw music files occupy a great deal of room, so the storage you receive from a laptop the greater.
#7, Alienware 17
Here we have yet another computer that’s specially created for gaming’, but gaming PCs are only really strong laptops, which is basically what you want with music production program. The Alienware 17 is beastly and is a Windows-running 17-inch laptop that may be among the best music recording laptops because of the high-performance RAM and a large hard disk. The 17-inch screen-size also provides you an advantage whenever you’ll be navigating through the music production program.
Together with the Alienware, you will also have 16GB of DDR4 that is a very speedy kind of RAM, together with a terabyte of hard disk space. Even the RAM performance will be significant if you are running something such as Pro Tools or Ableton, as these programs require many tools and won’t be entertaining if you run them on a smartphone as we’d previously clarified. Like we discussed previously, a gaming laptop will satisfy the requirements of music production, and also Alienware 17 is a fast-performing laptop that could be a really good pick for composers and musicians alike.
#8, ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW
ASUS is a well-known business and whenever you’re looking in their laptop you merely need to have high anticipation. Obviously, this specific model exceeds those high expectations.
ZenBook Pro is probably the greatest solution for all those who are searching for an outstanding and extremely mobile laptop for music production in addition to DJing.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro comes with a rather wonderful 4K screen and the CPU is a quad-core i7 6700HQ. If it comes to RAM, you’ve got 16 GB of RAM at your disposal. This laptop also features an SSD and each one of these elements make it a perfect device for music production.
The laptop has a strong GTX 960M picture card which can run a number of the most recent popular video games in 60FPS+, which makes it well suited for gaming too.
ASUS laptops have been known for their build quality and reliability, and this version is no exception. It appears very similar to Apple’s MacBook Pro and it’s a comparable functionality for only a fraction of the cost, and it is a large plus.
The similarities between those two aren’t coincidental and we believe the ZenBook Pro is among the best choices for people who desire a MackBook Pro equally style and functionality to get a little more affordable value stage.
As you know, among the most essential factors you will need to take into consideration when buying a music production laptop is that it does not freeze or crash as you work. Well, together with the ZenBook’s CPU power and RAM, you’ve got more than sufficient for almost any production job.
So as to produce this machine crash, then you would have to load 40+ impacts and VSTS into a single project. That is an absurd quantity of VSTS and impacts and nobody does this.
In regards to design, it is possible to say the ASUS attempted to replicate a MacBook layout, and they triumphed. But they also replicated a constructed quality that is really unbelievable.
ZenBook is 3 times cheaper than the MacBook, which makes it a perfect alternative if you would like a MacBook that is powered by Windows.
In regards to the screen, 4k at the price range seems a bit too good to be true, right? Well, it’s… this screen does not show true 4k. It really uses anaG/BW Pentile matrix, which means that half of those pixels aren’t there.
But it renders 3840×2160 and you can completely fit all your applications on your display. Additionally, the colors look very great for movies and gaming.
One thing that you can not see that often in this cost class is the SSD. As a result of this good State Drive, the ZenBook provides an extremely smooth experience if you are producing or simply casually surfing the net.
Overall, it is a fantastic laptop and it is ideal if you’d like a strong machine that has Apple’s iconic design for a far lower cost.
#9, MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 6
This could actually be the best Windows laptop for music production since it’s highly portable and lightweight.
Therefore, you’ll have it from the side if inspiration strikes, if you are on a plane or walking through the park.
Surface Pro 6 is among the most inspirational 2-in-1 laptops in the marketplace due to its stunning design and striking accessories. Additionally, it is quick (8th Generation Intel Core processor), dependable, also features a 12.3″ PixelSense screen that offers clear pictures, sharp images, and vibrant colors.
As it may be utilized as a tablet computer, laptop, or studio tablet computer, it is wonderful to have it around no matter where you are. But in the event that you genuinely need to unleash its own power, you might need to buy the accessories too.
Total, the battery must hold for approximately 13.5 hours of movie playback (significantly less with harder tasks) and you also get to enjoy a working system you understand (Windows 10 Home variant ).
#10, Dell XPS13 XPS13-9343
This one boasts an Infinity Screen of 13.3-inch with complete HD support, backlit WLED Display at highest 1920 x 1080 resolution via its Intel HD Graphics 5500. Driving this system is a 5th Generation Broadwell Intel Core i5-5200U clocked at 2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology around 2.70 GHz. It includes 4GB Dual Channel DDR3L-RS operating at 1600Mhz. Storage space might not be leading with 128GB inside with SSD technology, it’s equipped to operate gently. Other noteworthy features are backlit Computer Keyboard, two USB 3.0 interfaces, Waves MaxxAudio, Touchpad Pointing Device with Multi-touch Control, and Bluetooth 4.0. To top everything, its own battery can function up to 15 hrs. beBeforeeeding a recharge. Windows 8.1, 64-bit, comes preinstalled with that.
#11, MSI GV62 8RD-276
Whenever it comes to performance and power, MSI is a monster. MSI GV62 8RD-276 is a funding entry-level laptop using a fantastic performance. It’s power, a nice layout, and all of the features you want. It may fill your gambling plus music production requirements, together with the most recent strong specs and more rapid speakers. The MSI GV62 8RD-276 comes with a decorative framework using a keyboard. If you’re low on budget and need something to fulfill your music production requirements, this is something that you become.
MSI GV62 8RD-276 includes the most recent internals. It houses a strong 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 processor with all the hottest NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050TI 4G GDDR5 GPU which has sufficient power to meet your music production requirements. Additionally, it sports a huge 16GB RAM using a quick 128GB NVMe SSD and ITB HDD because of its secondary driveway. MSI GV62 8RD-276 includes a 15.6″ Complete HD display that is sharp and bright. In general, this may be known as the best cheap laptop for music production featuring all the specifications that are powerful.
MSI GV62 8RD-276 includes a fantastic cooling system. The cooling system includes two fans, two exhausts, 6 aluminum heat pipes which keep the warmth in check. Ports in which MSI sports are enough and healthy for your requirements. Along with the common interfaces, it also sports USA USBype-C and HDMI. The battery lifetime of MSI GV62 8RD-276 is not as striking as additional laptops. It is around two to three hours on a greater brightness. In general, it’s a great laptop to satisfy your wants.
#12, Acer Chromebook Spin
If you are searching to find the best budget option for your music jobs, you’ll need to sacrifice a couple of things, but you will continue to have the ability to discover a good laptop for creating music under $300, exactly enjoy the Acer Spin.
Acer Spin may not be the most perfect laptop, but it still gets the speedy responsiveness because of the most recent generation of Intel processing.
For the price, you won’t have the ability to acquire the i5 or even i7 processor, but Intel Celeron N3350 will do a good job. It is a dual-core processor that’s among the famed Turbo Boost features that permit the users to raise the processor up to 2.48GHz.
Fortunately, for the cost, you will not need to forfeit the budget. Nevertheless, you’ll need to manage just 32GB of a solid-state driveway and might need to bring another SSD (solid-state drive) or HDD (hard disk ) after some time. Acer Spin includes fundamental 4GB of RAM, but it is upgradeable to 6GB that’s pretty helpful.
The display is a fundamental HD LED-backlit 15.6″ screen which still provides a fairly decent resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
Its entire body is light and thin, which can be quite wonderful to see combined with lots of access ports.
The best way to decide on a laptop for music production?
When searching for a laptop for music production, there are many things you should take into consideration:
Operating system: Would you need a Mac? A Windows computer? Or do you need something with another operating system, such as Ubuntu, for instance? This comes down to personal taste but in addition, it has to do with all the DAW you will use. Some DAWs only utilize Mac, some just use Windows.
Your DAW: What is your DAW of choice? Is it compatible with Mac or Windows or both? Is it difficult to browse through on a screen? Does this need a computer with a great deal of memory or CPU when using plugins?
Your plugins: You might already have experience working with different sound plugins in your DAW. Chances are you already have a package of plugins in your mind that you want to use. Consider them. Are they graphics-heavy?
Do they need a great deal of computer power?
The way you combine: Are you the sort of person who likes to utilize just a couple plugins, or can you produce collars that are elaborate? Can you typically make tunes that have many soundtracks only a couple?
Preparedness for prospective projects: Who would you expect working with? Will they need or require many plugins? Will they probably have a good deal of soundtracks?
Studio dimensions: Just how large is the studio? Are you currently a bedroom producer, or do you get a professional-grade studio to operate in?
Portability: Can you anticipate shooting your computer with you to work on projects at other studios or even as you are on the move, or can it remain in 1 place?
As soon as you’ve considered those variables, now you can make a determination based on which your answers are to the questions over. You will need to focus on the following:
CPU.
RAM.
Storage pushes.
Pictures cards.
CPU
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the principal element of a computer that processes directions. It consists of many circuits along with a processor that performs calculations to perform every activity you do on your PC. CPU impacts the rate of your pc and just how much work it could take on.
RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. As its name implies, RAM is a form of computer memory that may be accessed randomly. RAM chips only recall information if a computer is powered on, therefore it is used for storing data that a pc is functioning on just in the very short term.
Storage compels
There are two forms of storage drives: hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). Both are for long-termite storage.
A hard disk drive is a storage drive that has rotation, moving parts and uses this to get into the info. You will find drives with different rotation rates. Based on the rate, it will be quite quickly, or it might be slow. Hard drives slow down as you place an increasing number of documents on them.
A strong state drive is a storage drive that has no moving parts, exactly like a thumb drive. This means it is extremely fast and effective at finding and saving documents. Solid-state drives do not slow down such as hard drives do.
FAQs
A graphics card arranges graphic information for your personal computer screen. All computers have something known as integrated graphics, which utilizes the CPU to output images to your display but slows your computer down a lot, and typically integrated images do not have sufficient capability to do far more than loading pictures while surfing the net. A graphics card may do more, such as loading games and videos.
As soon as you’ve replied to the foundation questions and determined what technical specifications will be best for whatever you are doing with the laptop, go out and do some window shopping or searching on Amazon or other sites to obtain some choices which you believe would be a fantastic fit.
I also propose seeing reviews on YouTube as well as requesting different producers exactly what laptops they use or enjoy. I invite you to take a look at our forthcoming guide about the best way best to pick a personal computer for music production too.
Is Mac better compared to Windows or vice versa?
That is much more of a personal taste thing. Some individuals like Apple computers improved and many others like Windows. Both Mac and Windows laptops have their own specifications, which usually means that some Windows versions are going to have better specifications than a few Mac versions and vice versa. Windows laptops for music production are equally as great as Mac laptops so long as you do your own research about the technical specifications.
Are gaming laptops a feasible choice for music production?
Absolutely. If anything, gaming laptops are more than capable of conducting DAWsplugins and saving project files.
Conclusion
There are lots of fantastic options for music production laptops. I’d suggest obtaining the best computer you can on the finances, however, try to keep away out of”cheap” choices. You are only going to encounter constraints and issues which take the fun from your hobby or profession!