Which laptop is best for music-making?
The luxury of a laptop allows you to compose, mix, and record anywhere. Laptops, for people who like making music, are like portable studios.
If you’re new to buying laptops, you might find it challenging when looking for a laptop to make music. This is because the market is filled with so many options, making it a daunting task to find one that suits your workflow.
In this article, we’ve reviewed and handpicked the best machines for producing and mixing tracks. So here are the best laptops for making music on the market right now.
Complete List: Top 10 best laptops for making music
Looking for a capable best laptops for music? We’ve rounded up the finest ultrabooks and notebooks for music-making from Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and more
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| Image | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 TopTop | New Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 2.6GHz Intel Core i7) - Space Gray | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB) | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) - Space Gray (Latest Model) | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop, 15.6” FHD, Intel i5-1035G1 CPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit KB, Fingerprint, Windows 10, Slate Gray, F512JA-AS54 | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Razer Blade Stealth 13.3" QHD+ Touchscreen Ultrabook Laptop - 8th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-8550U - 16GB RAM - 256GB SSD - Windows 10 - CNC Aluminum - Black | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Dell XPS 13 9380, 13.3" 4K UHD (3840X2160) Multi-Touch IPS Display, Intel Core i7-8565U, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, Fingerprint Reader, Silver (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Asus ROG Strix Scar Edition GL703GE Gaming Laptop, 17.3” 120Hz Full HD 3ms, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H Processor, GTX 1050 Ti 4GB, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD, Windows 10 Home, GL703GE-AS74 | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light 13.5" 2256 x 1504 IPS Display, 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4, 8GB LPDDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Fingerprint Reader, Back-lit Keyboard, SF313-52-52VA | Buy on Amazon |
 TopTop | Samsung Notebook 9 Pro NP940X5N-X01US 15" FHD 2-in-1 Touch Screen Laptop, 8th Gen Intel Quad-Core i7-8550U Up To 4GHz, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10, Built-in S Pen, Titan Silver | Buy on Amazon |
 | Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-54-760S Gaming Laptop | Intel i7-11800H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD 144Hz 3ms IPS Display | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD | Killer WiFi 6 | RGB Keyboard | Buy on Amazon |
1.Apple MacBook Pro
When it comes to audio production, Apple laptops are among the best. While the MacBook Pro has been a standard in producing music, it still is one of the best laptops for making music.
The MacBook Pro features a powerful Intel processor with up to 9 cores. It also uses a solid slate drive to ensure you navigate through files very fast.
It boasts 64 GB of memory (depending on the model) making DAWs (digital audio workstations) processing seem like a light task. Plus, it can have a storage capacity of up to 8TB (again depending on the model).
NO 1
Apple MacBook Pro
Specifications:
- Relatively lightweight, sleek design.
- Widescreen display.
- digital audio workstation
Pros
- Relatively lightweight, sleek design.
- Widescreen display.
- digital audio workstation
- Quick and easy to upgrade the RAM and hard drive.
- Relatively inexpensive.
Cons
- Heavier than the replaced PowerBook G4 12″ models and some competitive Windows notebooks.
- The glossy display casts a glare in direct lighting.
- Processor cannot be upgraded.
- No support of MacOS 9/Classic applications.
- Integrated graphics “borrow” system RAM and are substantially slower than dedicated graphics.
- No internal modem.
2.Microsoft Surface Pro 6
This lightweight and highly portable machine is one of the best Windows laptops for music production. You also can use it as a studio tablet or tablet which means you can move around with it.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 dual screen laptop has a fast 8th Generation Intel Core processor. It’s equipped with a 12.3 inches PixelSense display to guarantee sharp images and vivid colors. Better yet, its battery can hold up to about 13.5 hours of video playback (for less demanding tasks) so you can produce music for longer.
NO 2
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Specifications:
- Premium feel.
- Sleek all-black color option.
- Brilliant display.
- Well-implemented kickstand.
Pros
- Speedy new 8th Generation Intel processor.
- Good battery life.
- Premium feel.
- Sleek all-black color option.
- Brilliant display.
- Well-implemented kickstand.
Cons
- Minimal changes from the previous model.
- As ever, the keyboards are sold separately.
- Not ideal for in-lap use.
- Somewhat restrictive configuration combinations.
- Limited ports.
3.MacBook Air
MacBook Air is one of Apple’s lightest and thinnest MacBooks. It features a user-friendly keyboard, decent storage, and powerful internal components.
The MacBook Air (2020) has new 10th gen processors, and an Intel Core i7 CPU, depending on the version. It measures 13.3 inches and has 8GB to 16 GB RAM and 256GB to 2TB PCIe-based SSD. And since it’s an affordable option, it’s a great choice for DJs and musicians who are just starting.
NO 3
Pros
- Long Battery Life
- Thin and Light
- Retina Display
- Internal Storage
- Useful Apps
Cons
- High Price
- Outdated CPU
- No Touch Screen
- No USB Type-C
- Limited Hardware Upgrade
4.ASUS VivoBook
At 3.7 lbs in weight and only 0.8 inches thick, this notebook is slim and lightweight enough for traveling—it’s a powerful laptop designed with portability in mind.
It has several connectivity options coupled with USB Type-C and HDMI. That means you can connect accessories seamlessly and extend screen size with an external display.
The ASUS VivoBook-capable music production laptop is a reliable and affordable option for editing audio. You throw at it any DAW program and it will (most likely) be able to handle it. This compact notebook also features 8GB DDR4 memory, an 8th Gen Core i5 processor, and 1TB with 128SSD.
You can buy the 15.6-inch version if you need a wider monitor display. Plus, it includes a decent battery that can run up to 8 hours after charging.
NO 4
Pros
- Affordable
- Full keyboard layout
- Extremely light
- Ample port selection
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Dull display
5. Razer Blade Stealth 13.3
The Razer Stealth is a slim and powerful laptop for music production. This budget-friendly machine features 16GB RAM, and a 500GB SSD and clocks up to 3.5GHz on its Intel i7 processors.
This laptop works with Windows 10 which is reputable for editing with software like Photoshop and Lightroom. Further, it comes with Dolby Digital speakers for better sound quality.
Its capacitive touchscreen is multi-touch and allows gestures, making it an ideal option for DJing and making music. The best part is that it’s equipped with a USB-C port, an HDMI port, and USB 3.0 ports. This ensures you can easily connect music-production accessories and gears to your laptop.
NO 5
Razer Blade Stealth 13.3
Specifications:
- Premium, compact design
- Good battery life
- Improved keyboard layout
- Support for Wi-Fi 6, Windows Hello
Pros
- Premium, compact design
- Gaming chops, and 120Hz display are unique in their screen size
- Good battery life
- Improved keyboard layout
- USB Type-A and -C ports (two of each)
- Support for Wi-Fi 6, Windows Hello
Cons
- Performance won’t match larger gaming laptops
- No dedicated video-out ports
6.Dell XPS Thin and Light
This model from Dell is one of the best laptops for making music for a few reasons. The admirably fast Dell XPS has 7th gen Intel quad-core processor. At 15.6 inches, this laptop is on the slightly bigger side and has a Thunderbolt multi-use port and USB 3.0 slots.
The Dell XPS has music production specifications CPU 16 GB RAM and a terabyte of SSD storage. Generally speaking, it’s a versatile choice that can deal with even the most demanding DAW workloads.
NO 6
Dell XPS Thin and Light
Specifications:
- As always for XPS, this machine provides an overall great experience
- The touchpad is so big
Pros
- As always for XPS, this machine provides an overall great experience
- The touchpad is so big
Cons
- Webcam is still 720p
- Prices are going up
7.Asus Rog Strix Scar III
The Asus Rog Strix Scar III is a powerful laptop so it is a great choice for studio contenders. With a base 16 GB RAM and an Intel i7 processor, this laptop can handle any production task you throw at it.
This 15.6-inch full HD display machine also features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB graphics and 1TB SSD storage. It’s a solid choice for serious producers.
NO 7
Asus Rog Strix Scar III
Specifications:
- Awesome audio output.
- A unique Keystone hardware key may appeal to some.
Pros
- Keyboard and side RGB lighting looks cool.
- Awesome audio output.
- Unique Keystone hardware key may appeal to some.
Cons
- GeForce RTX 2060 graphics and 240Hz display are a questionable pairing.
- Primarily plastic enclosure not as rigid as metal chassis.
- Screen doesn’t support Nvidia G-Sync.
- Fans get loud while gaming
8.Acer Swift 3
The Swift 3 windows laptop from Acer is a mid-range laptop with just enough features to make it an excellent option for the typical consumer. This kind of laptop could be ideal for a student or someone who travels frequently but yet needs good performance. You can get larger, more powerful laptops or smaller, less powerful computers. The Swift 3 is, in our opinion, somewhere in the middle.
This is another affordable option for those who want to produce music on a budget. Acer Swift 3 has 8 GB RAM, and 512 GB of SSD storage, and runs on an AMD Ryzen octa-core processor.
Its 14-inch full display gets dark and bright enough to allow you to work in different lighting conditions. The best part of this machine is its battery which can operate up to 11 hours on a single charge.
NO 8
Acer Swift 3
Specifications:
- Ultra-lightweight
- The 3:2 display is very useful
- Backlit keyboard
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- 3:2 display is very useful
- Backlit keyboard
Cons
- No SD card reader
- RAM not upgradeable
- Display with low PWM frequency
- Aspect ratio scaling on some apps
- Intel “Ice Lake” CPUs outpaced by Ryzen 4000
- Glossy display despite no touch
9. Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
The Notebook 9 Pro is a thin laptop with more curvature. It features the latest Kaby Lake processors and lots of other decent specs for its price.
The 15-inch model has 16 GB RAM while the 13-inch model comes with 8GB. The 15-inch model’s AMD Radeon 450 ensures better graphics than Intel HD Graphics in the 13-inch model. Thankfully, both versions come with an S-Pen that you can use to add shade to what you’re working on.
NO 9
Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
Specifications:
- Premium design
- Decent performance
- Solid battery life
Pros
- Premium design
- Decent performance
- Solid battery life
- Competitively priced
- quiet performance
Cons
- The display could be brighter
- Meh speakers
- Shallow keyboard
- Frustrating function row layout
- Inconsistent fingerprint scanner
10. Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-54-760S Gaming Laptop
The greatest audio production laptop is the Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-54-760S, which is well-known for its performance. It includes an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU and an 11th-generation Core i7 processor. The full HD display on the 15.6-inch screen is crisp and clear.
First of all, the laptop’s strong construction is comforting. When we don’t have to take care of a laptop, we are relieved (we still take good care of it). Additionally, it is portable and only weighs five pounds. We wish it had a more contemporary appearance because Asus doesn’t appear to have updated the design in a while.
Second, since we aren’t used to typing quickly and rely more on the mouse, the keyboards worked better for us. But before we do, let’s talk about the processor. This gaming laptop is at its peak due to its 8 cores and 16 threads. Naturally, it worked just as well—if not better—with our audio production tools as it would with an HD game.
NO 1
Acer Predator Helios 300
Specifications:
- Excellent performance
- Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- Easy to upgrade
- Good build quality
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Powerful 11th Gen processor
- Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- Easy to upgrade
- Good build quality
Cons
- No biometric sensor
- Average battery performance
Overview Of The Top Laptop For Music Production
The majority of contemporary music producers use digital tools, which are an essential component of music production.
The use of digital equipment like computers has greatly simplified and reduced the cost of music creation. The 10 best laptops for making music reviews
Additionally, anyone with the desire to create music can start whenever they want.
To develop, arrange, track, and edit each record into great music that listeners will like listening to, a music producer needs a powerful laptop.
It can be challenging to choose the finest laptop for your music production needs given the wide range of laptops on the market.
Before choosing the laptop you want, there are a few more things to think about.
So, in the part that follows, we go into great detail on the important things to think about when purchasing a laptop for making music.
The Most Important Features In A Laptop For Music Production
When you do decide to purchase the finest laptop for music production, it is crucial to get one that is compatible with the leading digital audio workstations (DAWs).
To be clear, DAWs are programs or equipment used to create, edit, and record music.
Let’s examine the key characteristics of the ideal laptop for music production.
Processor(CPU)
The component of a computer that controls and performs crucial tasks is the processor, commonly referred to as the central processing unit.
Additionally, it assigns jobs to other parts, assuring their effective operation.
The number of cores a CPU has should ultimately determine how fast it is.
The most important requirement for music producers is speed.
Simply put, a fast CPU can effortlessly run many apps and create real-time effects.
All things considered, we advise using a quad-core CPU with a high turbo clock speed as the very minimum for creating music.
A better CPU would be one with six or eight cores.
Storage and RAM
Another important factor in determining how quickly the laptop can multitask is random access memory (RAM).
It collaborates closely with the processor, which explains this.
This is how it functions.
This data is momentarily stored in the RAM when the processor core receives and processes an instruction from a single computing task.
Furthermore, this data is stored in the RAM for quick access while working on other tasks.
In other words, the RAM allows for flawless multitasking.
Therefore, if you want to multitask with ease, you must choose a laptop with a large 8 GB of RAM.
However, when the machine is still in use, the RAM only retains data temporarily.
When it is shut down or restarted, the data disappears and is no longer available.
Speaking of retaining data, unlike RAM, a laptop’s hard disc (storage) maintains data and files until you decide to delete them.
Therefore, having enough room for your music production software and output is crucial.
Start with an SSD that has at least 256 GB of storage, or even better, get one with 512 GB or more.
Weight, Ports, And Battery
You should think about the weight of the laptop, whether it is a transportable laptop or not if you are most likely to travel.
For ease of use on a bus, automobile, airline, or train, a portable laptop shouldn’t weigh more than 3 pounds.
Think about the laptop’s battery life when weighing it.
This is to prevent you from being cut off in the middle of a project in an area without power.
A laptop used for making music should have a minimum battery life of 6 hours after a single full charge.
Lastly, look into the operating system and port options. When working from your home studio, you will require an additional monitor or dual setup as a record producer rather than just your laptop’s display to multitask more effectively.
As a result, for extended connectivity, you’ll need ports like VGA, DVI, HDMI, Thunderbolt 3 or 4, and USB-C.
The operating system is ultimately the most crucial factor to take into account when buying a laptop.
Verify if it is compatible with the music creation software program.
The Windows 10 operating system is pre-installed on the majority of modern laptops.
It is simple to use and works with most programs.
Now that you are aware of these suggestions, let’s look at the list of the finest laptops for producing music.
Display Size
Although a compact laptop for music production offers excellent portability, scrolling and navigating the several user interfaces on a screen this size is time-consuming.
The larger display size, if you feel comfortable holding a larger device, can greatly increase productivity and provide a better overall picture of the job.
The laptop you purchase should also include a unique input that enables you to connect a second, larger monitor.
CPU
The CPU performance is the first factor to consider for an audio production laptop. Luckily, we have a range of CPUs to choose from. Do you want to go for Intel, AMD, or Apple? Intel has been a global favorite for years, though AMD and Apple are not lagging in popularity.
You need a faster processor that can run large music production applications without getting stuck or freezing at a crucial moment. For example, AMD’s Ryzen processors are a favorite among gamers.
You can either go for R5 or higher from AMD or stick to Intel’s latest processors. If Apple is your choice, the M1 chip naturally tops the list, though not all software apps are yet compatible with it.
USB Ports
USB ports are important for a laptop, and a USB-C port goes perfectly with SSD storage. However, you can easily add a few more ports by attaching a four-in-one USB port dongle to the laptop.
Battery Life
One factor people tend to forget is the battery life. If you work on the go, you need a battery life to last through the day without being charged. A musician would not want the laptop battery to die when fine-tuning the tracks for an event.
Conclusion
It’s not simple to pick the best laptop for music production. You can choose a laptop, nevertheless, based on your unique needs.
The Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Chip, on the other hand, is the best option for you if you need a laptop with the highest standards for performance, speed, and power. Therefore, it’s advisable to select a laptop based on your specific needs.
There are many great options for music production laptops but the best laptops for making music must check certain boxes. This means that not all-powerful machines are ideal for music production.
Hopefully, by utilizing the information in this article, you can find the best laptop for your music production and home studio. If you’re looking for more in-depth laptop reviews, check out this section of our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much RAM is typically needed for a music production project?
Unexpectedly, a laptop with 8GB of RAM is more than capable of handling a simple music production task. However, if your project requires a lot of components, a laptop with 16GB of RAM will work best for you.
2. General things to think about while purchasing a laptop?
The most fundamental criteria that everyone should take into account when purchasing a laptop are the processor, overall battery life, total RAM, connectivity, and storage.
3. Which type of storage suits audio production the best?
Look into laptops with SSD storage for audio applications as they are speedier and more dependable. HDD storage is also helpful, but because it has moving parts, the process as a whole may be slowed down. To get the best of both worlds, you can alternatively select a laptop with a modest SSD and a huge HDD.
