Best Laptop for Music Production for Beginners? Find Out Here!

Looking for the best laptop for music production as a beginner can be overwhelming.

Whether you want to record, edit, or mix your own tracks, you need a laptop that can handle the demands of music software and hardware. 

We will review some of the best laptops for music production for beginners, based on their performance, display, storage, connectivity, portability, and battery life. We will also compare their pros and cons, and give you some tips on how to choose the best laptop for your needs and budget.

Discover the top laptops for music production for beginners, including the ASUS TUF A15, Acer Predator Helios 300, Dell XPS 15, and MacBook Air.

When it comes to running music production software efficiently, the minimum recommended RAM for a laptop is 8GB. However, it is recommended to aim for at least 16GB of RAM, especially if you plan to work with a lot of recorded tracks and/or virtual instruments, or apply multiple effects to your tracks.

No matter what your budget or needs, we have the perfect laptop for you. So what are you waiting for? Start creating music today!

Our recommended list of the Best Laptop for Music Production for Beginners

1. Overall Best: Apple 2023 MacBook Pro
2. Cheapest Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 6
3. Best Budget : Apple MacBook Pro 2019
4. Best Windows: Acer Predator Helios 300
5. Best Recommended : ASUS 2023 TUF A15 15.6″
6. Top Choice: Dell XPS 15 – 15 Inch

What are some key features to look for when choosing a laptop for music production as a beginner

When choosing a laptop for music production as a beginner, there are several key features to consider. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

Processor: Look for a laptop with a powerful processor such as an Intel Core i7 or i9. This will ensure that your music production software runs smoothly and efficiently.

RAM: The more RAM your laptop has, the better it will perform when running multiple applications simultaneously. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB or more is ideal.

Storage: Choose a laptop with a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster boot times and file access. Aim for at least 256GB of storage, but 512GB or more is recommended.

Display: A high-quality display is important for music production, as it allows you to see your work clearly. Look for a laptop with a high-resolution display and good color accuracy.

Compatibility: Make sure the laptop you choose is compatible with popular music production software such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, and Cubase.

Battery life: Look for a laptop with a long battery life, especially if you plan to use it on the go.

Portability: Consider the weight and size of the laptop, especially if you plan to travel with it.

Also See: Is MacBook Air Good for Music Production

1. Overall Best: Apple 2023 MacBook Pro

If you’re a beginner in music production and looking for a powerful laptop that can handle your needs, the Apple 2023 MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip is definitely worth considering. With its impressive specs, including a 12-core CPU, a 19-core GPU, a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 16GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage, this laptop can handle a wide range of music production software and tasks.

One of the standout features of the MacBook Pro is its powerful M2 Pro chip, which delivers fast and efficient performance for music production tasks. The laptop’s large 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers excellent color accuracy and a high resolution, making it perfect for editing and producing music videos.

Additionally, the MacBook Pro comes with 16GB unified memory, which ensures smooth and lag-free multitasking, even when running multiple music production software applications simultaneously. The laptop’s 1TB SSD storage provides ample space for storing large audio files and projects.

In terms of other activities, the MacBook Pro is also great for video editing, graphic design, and other creative tasks, thanks to its powerful specs and high-quality display.

Despite its high price and limited upgradability, the Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop with M2 Pro chip is a great option for beginners in music production looking for a high-performance and reliable laptop that can handle their audio production needs with ease. With powerful processing capabilities, ample storage, and a high-quality display, this laptop is an excellent choice for those serious about their music production journey.

Pros:

• Powerful M2 Pro chip
• Stunning 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Long battery life
• Excellent software support

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not as portable as some other laptops
• No dedicated graphics card

Also See: Best Motherboard for Music Production

2. Cheapest Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 6

The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is a great option for beginners who are looking for a cheap laptop for music production. It has a powerful Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, which will allow you to run music production software without any lag. The 128GB of storage is also enough space to store your music files and projects.

In addition to music production, the Surface Pro 6 can also be used for a variety of other activities, such as browsing the web, streaming movies, and playing games. It has a long-lasting battery that will keep you going for up to 13 hours on a single charge. The Surface Pro 6 is also very portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is capable of handling basic music production tasks such as recording, mixing, and editing. It can run popular music production software such as Traktor, Maschine, Protools, and Ableton. Additionally, it can handle real-time low latency audio and can be used to create short, basic music production files using apps like Garageband or Ableton Live. Finally, it can be used to host a DAW. However, its low-end Intel Platinum processor and limited RAM may limit its performance for more demanding music production tasks.

Pros:

• Powerful Intel Core i5 processor
• 8GB of RAM
• 128GB of storage
• Long-lasting battery
• Portable
• Touchscreen display
• Active Pen support

Cons:

• No optical drive
• No Ethernet port
• No SD card reader
• Expensive for a 2-in-1 laptop

3. Best Budget : Apple MacBook Pro 2019

The Apple MacBook Pro best budget laptop for music production thanks to its under $1000 price with 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 (16 inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB). This laptop offers a range of activities that can enhance your music production experience.

One of the notable advantages of this MacBook Pro model is its robust processing power, thanks to the Intel Core i7 processor. With a clock speed of 2.6GHz, it provides ample performance for music production tasks, including recording, editing, and mixing. This laptop can handle resource-intensive software and plugins, allowing you to experiment with various sounds and effects.

The MacBook Pro has a wide range of music production software programs available, including Logic Pro X, GarageBand, and Ableton Live. These programs allow you to create and edit music, add effects, and mix and master your track, facilitating a seamless workflow for music production beginners.

In terms of storage, the 512GB capacity strikes a balance between storage capacity and affordability, allowing you to store a substantial amount of music-related files without breaking the budget.

Moreover, the 16-inch Retina display on this MacBook Pro model offers a vibrant and detailed visual experience, enabling precise editing and visualization of your audio tracks. The laptop’s enhanced speakers provide decent sound quality, allowing you to preview and evaluate your music creations without the need for external speakers or headphones.

Overall, the Apple MacBook Pro with 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 (16 inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB) offers a powerful and feature-rich experience for beginners in music production. Its processing power, ample RAM, and storage capacity make it suitable for handling a range of music production activities, while its display and speakers enhance the overall creative process.

Pros:

• Powerful Intel Core i7 processor
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD Storage
• High-quality display

Cons:

• Expensive
• Limited ports
• Not upgradeable

4. Best Windows: Acer Predator Helios 300

If you’re a beginner in music production and searching for the best Windows laptop, the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop is worth considering. This laptop offers powerful specifications and convenient features that can support your music production journey without overwhelming complexity.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop comes equipped with an Intel i7 CPU and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. These specifications ensure smooth performance when running multiple music software and plugins simultaneously, preventing any frustrating lags or crashes.

Additionally, the laptop boasts a 256GB SSD, enabling fast booting and loading times while providing ample space to store your music projects and samples.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 also offers a stylish red backlit keyboard, enhancing both aesthetics and usability. This feature becomes particularly handy when working in low-light conditions, ensuring easy and accurate typing.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 is also a great video editing laptop. The powerful processor and plenty of RAM will let you edit your videos quickly and easily. The large storage drive will give you plenty of space to store your video files.

One standout feature of this laptop is the Turbo button, which enables you to overclock the graphics card for enhanced performance. Overclocking can provide additional power for demanding tasks or games.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop is an excellent choice for music production beginners who also have an interest in gaming and VR. Its powerful processor, ample RAM, and capable graphics card provide a solid foundation for music production tasks.

The stunning display and convenient backlit keyboard further enhance the overall experience.

Pros:

• Powerful processor
• Plenty of RAM
• Large storage drive
• 15.6-inch Full HD display
• VR Ready
• Red backlit keyboard
• Metal chassis

Cons:

• Can be noisy under heavy load
• Battery life is not great
• Expensive

5. Best Recommended : ASUS 2023 TUF A15 15.6″

As a music composer, finding the recommended laptop for music production can be a challenging task. However, the ASUS 2023 TUF A15 15.6″ Gaming Laptop is definitely worth considering. With its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, this laptop can handle even the most demanding music production software with ease.

In terms of compatibility, the laptop works seamlessly with various music production software, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, FL Studio, Cubase, Pro Tools, Reason 12, Presonus Studio One 5 Artist, Studio One, Reaper, and GarageBand. This broad compatibility ensures you can use your preferred software without any issues.

Firstly, with the ASUS TUF A15, you can expect fast and efficient performance when working on your music projects. The powerful AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor ensures smooth and lag-free multitasking, while the 16GB RAM provides ample memory to handle multiple music production applications simultaneously.

In addition, the laptop’s NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card delivers stunning visuals and performance, making it perfect for music production and other creative tasks. The laptop’s 144Hz FHD IPS-Type display provides excellent color accuracy and a high resolution, making it perfect for editing and producing music videos.

Furthermore, the ASUS TUF A15 also comes with a backlit keyboard, which is great for working in low-light settings. The laptop’s 1TB PCIe SSD provides ample storage for your music projects, while the included 32GB USB card offers additional storage and portability.

Pros:

• Powerful CPU
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
• 1TB PCIe SSD
• Backlit keyboard
• 144Hz FHD IPS-Type display

Cons:

• Relatively short battery life
• Size and weight may make it less portable

6. Top Choice: Dell XPS 15 – 15 Inch

As a music producer i am always asked, what laptop should i buy for music production, the Dell XPS 15 – 15 Inch FHD+ laptop offers a compelling choice for those looking for a laptop that is well-suited to handle music production, audio recording and editing.

You also want a laptop that is portable, durable, and has a good battery life. The Dell XPS 15 has a long-lasting battery life that can last up to 12 hours on a single charge. This is impressive for a laptop with such high-end specs and features. The laptop also comes with a 130W power adapter that can charge the battery quickly.

Furthermore, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 graphics card enhances the visual experience and allows for smooth rendering of audio visualizers or visual effects. The 15-inch FHD+ display provides vibrant and accurate colors, enabling precise editing and monitoring of audio tracks.

In addition to music production software, this laptop is also compatible with other software such as video editing software and gaming software.

The Dell XPS 15 has a variety of ports and connectivity options for your external devices and instruments. It has two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support power delivery, DisplayPort, and USB-C, one USB-A 3.1 port, one HDMI 2.0 port, one SD card reader, one headphone/microphone combo jack, and one wedge-shaped lock slot. It also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.

The Dell XPS 15 is one of the best laptops for music production, audio recording and editing in terms of performance, display, storage, connectivity, and battery life. It is a powerful and versatile laptop that can handle any music-related task with ease.

Pros:

• Powerful processor
• Fast SSD
• Long battery life
• Beautiful display

Cons:

• Expensive
• No touchscreen
• Loud fans

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to finding the best laptop for music production for beginners, several factors come into play. It’s essential to consider the specific needs and requirements of aspiring music producers, while also keeping in mind budget constraints.

For beginners in music production, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are popular choices due to their reliability, performance, and compatibility with music production software. The MacBook Air offers a good balance of portability and power, making it suitable for on-the-go music production, while the MacBook Pro provides higher processing power and RAM capacity for more demanding projects.

On the Windows side, the Acer Predator Helios 300 and ASUS TUF A15 offer powerful processors, ample RAM, and dedicated graphics cards, catering to the needs of both music production and gaming enthusiasts. These laptops deliver excellent performance and multitasking capabilities, ensuring smooth operations for beginners in music production.

In terms of specific considerations, processor speed, RAM capacity, storage capacity, and compatibility with music production software and plugins play vital roles. It’s important to select a laptop that can handle the tasks and software you plan to use while also providing sufficient storage for your projects and sample libraries.

Additionally, factors like display quality, keyboard comfort, and battery life are worth considering to ensure a comfortable and efficient music production experience.

While affordability is often a concern for beginners, it’s important to find a balance between budget and performance. Investing in a laptop with adequate specifications can greatly enhance productivity and allow beginners to explore their creativity without being hindered by hardware limitations.

Ultimately, the best laptop for music production for beginners depends on individual preferences, needs, and budget. It’s recommended to thoroughly research and compare different models, considering the specific requirements of music production, to make an informed decision.