Finding the perfect laptop for music production can feel like a maze. With plenty of choices out there, one can feel so overwhelmed when narrowing down choices in the market. Thus, to make it simpler for you, we have rounded up the list of the best laptops for Music production. Our recommendations of the best encapsulate the household names along with the specifications, pros and cons. Let’s scroll through these recommendations to make an informed decision.
Also See: Best Laptops for FL Studio
Best Laptops for Music Production (2024 Updated)
Below are some of the best laptops that check all the hardware requirements for seamless music production.
1. Apple MacBook Pro
- Apple M3 Pro Chip, 12-Core CPU
- 18GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- Studio-Quality Three-Mic array, and a Six-Speaker Sound System
- MagSafe charging port, 3x Thunderbolt 4 Ports, SDXC Card Slot, HDMI, Headphone jack
The Apple MacBook Pro with its M3 Pro chip leaps ahead in the race, making it a top choice for creative professionals. Its 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU pack enough punch to handle complex music production tasks easily. The MacBook’s advanced Touch ID security features keep your projects safe, while the Backlit Magic Keyboard streamlines workflow access.
For those who live and breathe music, the MacBook Pro’s six-speaker sound system delivers crisp, studio-quality audio that makes every session an immersive experience. Coupled with up to 18 hours of battery life, creators can work through long music production sessions on the go without worrying about losing power at a critical moment. The ability to connect effortlessly with the iPhone and iPad opens new horizons for laying down tracks wherever inspiration strikes.
The 14.2 Liquid Retina display is such a pleasurable display to look at. Its 3024x1964p resolution display has the 254 Pixels Per Inch making it the crispiest and sharpest 14.2 display ever. Every detail and mini knobs, parameters of complex DAWs like Ableton LIVE, Logic Pro etc. interface are visible and easy to tune.
Also See: Best MIDI Controller for Ableton LIVE
By investing in this laptop, you can rest assured about its quality and durability for years to come. This Macbook Pro features an all-aluminum design and comes with free software updates which means its performance is always going to exceed your expectations. For music producers looking for unmatched speed, connectivity, and sound quality in their workflow, the Apple MacBook Pro stands out as our top pick.
If you are using Logic Pro, FL Studio, Ableton LIVE, or any other DAW for Music production, the Apple Macbook Pro will not disappoint you in any manner. For Logic Pro users, Apple Macbook is the only option and the Macbook Pro with M3 Pro Chip will change the way you produce music.
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2. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15
- 12th Generation Intel Core i7 14- Core Processor
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB SSD
- 16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
- 15-inch 4K OLED Touchscreen with an additional 14 inch Touchscreen
- Thunderbolt 3 Type-C Ports, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.1 Type-A, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 stands out as a powerhouse, perfect for those who dive deep into music production. With its dual-screen setup, including a 15.6-inch 4K OLED touchscreen and an additional 14-inch 4K touchscreen called ScreenPad Plus, this laptop pushes multitasking to new heights.
Imagine mixing tracks on one screen while your editing software runs effortlessly on another; the possibilities for creativity are endless. The smooth visuals and professional-grade colors make every detail pop, ensuring your work looks as good as it sounds.
Under the hood, the ZenBook Pro Duo 15 packs a punch with a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 14-core processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. This combo delivers lightning-fast performance that can handle multiple audio tracks and complex digital instruments without breaking a sweat. For producers who demand durability alongside performance, it meets military standards – making it tough enough to take on the go. Its ergonomic design features like the tilting ScreenPad Plus also mean you’re working in comfort longer.
It blends innovative design with robust performance perfectly suited to music production tasks but comes at a premium price point compared to our top pick. Yet, for professionals looking for cutting-edge technology to elevate their creative process, the investment in ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is well worth considering.
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3. MSI Creator M16
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7 10 Core Processor
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB SSD
- 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
- 16-inch QHD+ 16:10 Aspect Ratio Display
- USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 3.2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm High-Res Jack
The MSI Creator M16 shines when it comes to music production. With its powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i7 14-core processor and RTX 4060 GPU, this laptop can handle complex audio mixing software without a hiccup. Creators will find the 32GB DDR5 memory and 1TB NVMe SSD invaluable for storing large audio files and running multiple plugins, and effects simultaneously. Its 16-inch QHD+ display presents every detail in stunning clarity, essential for fine-tuning the visual aspects of your projects.
What sets the MSI Creator M16 apart is its superb design features like the 180-degree lay-flat hinge which encourages collaboration by making it easy to share work with others. The vibrant screen with ultra-thin bezels maximizes the workspace, allowing you to see more tracks and plugins on your digital audio workstation (DAW). Plus, the simplistic yet sleek design makes it an attractive workstation that fits any professional setting or home studio.
Creator M16 offers multiple connectivity ports for connecting gears, and instruments to the laptop like USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 LAN and a high-resolution 3.5mm combo jack that supports up to 24-Bit sampling.
While other laptops might edge out in specific areas like faster refresh rates or lighter designs, the Creator M16 stands out for its comprehensive approach to what music creators truly need: reliability in performance and ease of use during long sessions of creativity.
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4. Apple MacBook Air
- Apple M2 Chip, 8-Core Processor
- 16GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display
- MagSafe Charging Port, Thunderbolt Ports, Headphone Jack
The Apple MacBook Air with the M2 chip is a game-changer for anyone into music production. This laptop brings together power and portability like never before. With its 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, it handles demanding audio software with ease. Plus, up to 16GB of unified memory (RAM) means you can juggle multiple tracks and plugins without any kind of issues, lag, or whatsoever. The powerful hardware and universal out-of-the-box compatibility with popular DAWs make the MacBook the first preference for a lot of music producers around the globe.
The six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio transforms how your projects sound, providing an immersive experience that’s hard to beat. Along with that, the Macbook also offers 2x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, a MagSafe Charging port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Unfortunately, like any other Macbook, it also miss USB Type-A ports and you have to rely on Adapters in case you are looking to connect external gears to your music production arsenal.
Beyond just performance, this MacBook Air shines in design and functionality too. Its silent, fanless design means recording sessions stay quiet—no background hum to ruin your takes. And then there’s the 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display: vibrant colors and incredible detail make editing waveforms or tweaking synth parameters a visual joy. Not to mention, the 18-hour battery life keeps you going during those long creative bursts where plugging in isn’t an option.
Whether you’re mixing down your latest track or laying down new beats, this laptop doesn’t disappoint. It combines sleekness, stellar performance, and user-focused features making it ideal for anyone serious about music production on the go.
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5. Asus ROG Strix G16
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX 14-Core Processor
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 512GB SSD
- 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU
- 16 inch Full HD Dolby Vision Display
- USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4 DisplayPort, RJ-45, 3.5mm Combo Jack
Whether you’re mixing tracks or adding effects, this laptop keeps up without lagging. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a powerhouse for both gaming and music production that boasts an Intel Core i7-13650HX 14-Core processor and 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics. Its 16GB of DDR5 memory means you can run multiple programs and other complex parameters in DAWs without skipping a beat.
For producers, fast loading times are crucial and with 512GB PCIe SSD, your samples and projects load quickly, letting you focus on creativity rather than waiting. There is another variant of Strix G16 that offers 1TB SSD.
Beyond performance, the Strix G16 offers an exceptional audio-visual experience. The FHD 165Hz display brings out every detail in your videos and graphics while covering 100% of the sRGB color space for accurate colors. Music producers will appreciate this during video editing sessions or when designing cover art.
Plus, Dolby Vision enhances every image with vivid colors and contrasts, taking entertainment consumption to the next level. Sound matters too in music production—the high-quality cooling system keeps noise low so you can hear subtle differences in your mixes without interference.
Strix G16 also impresses with its wide array of connectivity ports. We have USB Type-C ports supporting DisplayPort and Power Delivery, USB Type-A ports, Thunderbolt 4 DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 LAN port and a 3.5mm Headphone jack.
For anyone serious about creating music, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 stands out as a solid choice. Its balance of speed, power, and quality features make it ideal for bringing artistic visions to life or diving into immersive game worlds—an excellent tool for creators who demand high performance from their gear.
If you are looking for a powerful Windows machine for music production, Asus ROG Strix G16 is an excellent choice to go with. It has powerful hardware, and a gorgeous design, making it the best laptop for music production.
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6. Acer Nitro 5
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12650H 10-Core Processor
- 16GB DDR5 RAM (Expandable upto 32GB)
- 1TB SSD (Expandable), Additional 2.5′ HDD Bay Available
- 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
- 15.6 inch Full HD 144hz IPS Display
- USB 3.2 Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Type-A, RJ-45, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
The Acer Nitro 5 is an affordable powerhouse, perfect for gamers and music producers alike. With its 12th Gen Intel i7-12650H 10 Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it delivers top-notch performance that can handle demanding music production software. Its dual-fan cooling system keeps things chill even during intense sessions, ensuring your creativity never gets interrupted by overheating.
The biggest advantage of this affordable yet powerful laptop is the flexibility to upgrade storage and RAM options. Out of the box, Acer Nitro 5 comes with 1TB SSD with an additional M.2 Slot for expanding the SSD. Along with SSD, there is one more slot to add a 2.5-inch Hard Drive. The same goes for RAM. Out of the box, it comes with 16GB DDR5 RAM with an additional slot to expand up to 32GB DDR5 RAM. That way, Nitro 5 is not only a powerful music production laptop but also future-proof.
For those into music creation, the Nitro 5 shines with its killer connectivity options including USB 3.2 Type-C Thunderbolt & Displayport, 4x USB 3.2 Type-A and 1x USB 3.2 Type-C port, HDMI 2.1, RJ-45, 3.5mm headphone jack and Killer Wi-Fi 6, making it easy to connect audio interfaces or MIDI controllers.
The crisp visuals on the 15.6 inch Full HD IPS display with a quick 144Hz refresh rate make editing tracks a pleasing experience. Plus, with its spacious keyboard and 4-zone RGB backlighting, working in dim environments is no longer an issue.
If you are looking for an affordable laptop for music production with the additional benefit of future-proofing by expanding storage and RAM, the Acer Nitro 5 is the brilliant laptop to go with.
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7. Apple MacBook Air M1
- Apple M1 Chip, 8-Core CPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 13.3 inch Retina Display
- Thunderbolt 4 Ports, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
If you only need a pocket-friendly, super affordable Apple Macbook for music production, especially if you are working on Logic Pro X or Garageband, this MacBook Air powered by Apple M1 Chip is just for you. Here is more about it.
With its powerful Apple M1 chip, this laptop handles software like Ableton and Logic Pro effortlessly, allowing creators to produce tracks without lag or crashes. Its fanless design keeps sessions quiet, a big plus when recording audio directly. The superfast 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage mean you can store many projects and still navigate them smoothly.
This SSD storage is good for beginners who are just starting to explore DAWs, sound, effects, and plugins but not for professionals. You have to connect an external SSD or get a different variant with more storage in the first place.
Musicians will appreciate the all-day battery life, offering up to 18 hours on a single charge — no need to worry about your laptop dying in the middle of inspiration. The stunning 13-inch Retina display makes editing waveforms and arranging tracks a visual pleasure, bringing clarity that enhances productivity. Plus, being environmentally friendly with a recycled aluminum enclosure feels good for the planet-conscious artist.
The large trackpad, backlit keyboard, and Touch ID are some of the additional things that make the Macbook stand out of the crowd. For connectivity, the Macbook Air only comes with 2x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Now that is a downside, especially for those who are looking to connect MIDI controllers and other gears to their laptop during the music production process. You have to rely on a USB Type-C Hub to access other ports like USB Type-A, HDMI, RJ-45, etc.
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In essence, the MacBook Air M1 is not just another laptop; it’s a reliable partner for music production that combines speed, efficiency, and sustainability in one sleek package but also comes with some downsides. For the price, this Macbook Air M1 is good to go.
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Windows or MacOS: Which Operating System is best for Music Production?
The decision to use Windows or MacOS in music production depends on your preference and requirements. Both operating systems have their strengths for music production. The Windows OS offers excellent flexibility with hardware upgrades and provides support for a number of DAWs that include popular digital audio workstations such as FL Studio and Ableton Live.
It’s compatible not only with various USB interfaces, but also with MIDI controllers, and other external devices.
MacOS is usually highly regarded for its stability and seamless operation, particularly with the software package for creative designers. Apple laptops such as MacBook Pro and Air are notably preferred by musicians for their sturdiness and dependability.
Macs are offered with the Logic Pro X DAW, which many pros love. The debate goes on, but you should make your choice in terms of the available software, hard drive compatibility, and your personal workflow.
If you only work on Logic Pro, Garageband, MacOS is the only option for you but if you are someone who is flexible in trying different DAWs like Ableton, FL Studio, etc. Both Windows and MacOS are good to go.
The willingness to spend is another big point that cannot be ignored. Macbooks are generally more expensive than Windows laptops. You can easily get a cheaper laptop with better specs and hardware in Windows but not in macOS. Most of the good Macbooks that actually make sense for producing music lie in the above $2000 category while a $1200-$1500 Windows laptop can offer you similar or better specs. At the end of the day, it all depends on the user and their expectation with the laptop.
How Much RAM is enough for Music Production?
A 16GB RAM is the ideal choice for the majority of music producers out there. It gives you a smooth experience at a good price that becomes more effective when you work with multiple tracks and samples. The 32GB of RAM caters to those who like getting into the depths of sampled libraries and using multiple virtual instruments. Extra breathing room allows for even the most complicated projects to run smoothly without any delay.
To produce music in 2024, you already need at least 8GB of RAM for basic tasks. On the flip side, advanced editors aiming for professional-quality work should go for laptops with 16GB or more. This way, to make sure that drum libraries, piano, and virtual instruments operate effortlessly, the attention will be shifted to creativity rather than technical barriers. RAM plays a crucial role in Music Production process and it should not be overlooked when buying a new laptop.
How much Storage is Enough for Music Production?
While having enough RAM is crucial, it is equally important to consider the storage space for music production as well. Having a spacious SSD can completely turn the tables around. It is recommended to have at least 1TB of available storage in order to keep your projects and samples organized. Over time, you have to connect external SSDs to load the old projects and replace them with the new ones but initially, 1TB SSD is what I recommend.
When it comes to music production, the size of these files can expand quickly considering that you are working with high-quality recordings and exported final audio file (usually in .wav format) also take a huge amount of storage. It will surprise you that even a complex tune can take up a huge space.
Moreover, what also matters is SSDs and hard drives. The former offers quicker access to your data, making it ideal to load samples fast. This can significantly increase your productivity, allowing you to give more time to your creativity rather than wait for the samples to load. So always choose SSD for fast reading speed and more storage options to keep the huge files.
Windows VSTs vs Apple Audio Unit, which is best?
The VST plugins of Windows are a good option due to their wide range of free plugins and instruments. The software package is at its best when it comes to a high level of usability and different tools for music production. Consumers have a wealth of options to choose from without having to break the bank, which is great for those on limited budgets or those starting out with their shopping.
On the other hand, Apple’s Audio Units (AU) are designed for maximum compatibility and stability with the Mac platform, which guarantees the best possible audio quality during music production. MacBooks come with incredible Logic Pro and GarageBand applications that are very user-friendly and compatible with Audio Units.
This leads to a seamless and integrated interface in which creativity and workflow efficiency are boosted while music production tasks are simplified.
Laptop for Music Production: Conclusion
So, this was all about the best laptop for music production. We hope that by now you would have gained insight into what you should be looking for while purchasing laptops for the same. Moreover, our top recommendations would have helped you in narrowing down your choices so you can make an informed decision.
