Best Budget-Friendly Laptops for Music Production
Music production can often be an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. There is a wide variety of budget laptops available on the market today that are perfect for music production.
From big-name brands like Apple and Dell to lesser-known brands like ASUS and Acer, there are plenty of options for those looking to make incredible music without breaking the bank.
Successful musicians assess several critical laptop features for creative music production. This blog will discuss key laptop features necessary for successful music production and review the best models while keeping your budget in mind.
Key Laptop Features for Creative Music Production
As a music producer, you need the right equipment to capture your creative vision. Having the right laptop is essential for music production. It can make all the difference in how quickly and easily you can produce high-quality audio tracks.
CPU Processor Speed
The processor speed determines how quickly your computer can process audio data and run software programs. You want your laptop to have a hearty processor with sufficient power and speed to effectively run DAW (digital audio workstations).
A lower-level processor may restrict the number of virtual instruments running simultaneously or dictate the export speed of your tracks.
Pro Tip: We recommend a processor size of at least 4 cores. A music producer has many programs open simultaneously, such as a digital audio workstation (DAW), a media player, and email. A 4-core processor can handle these programs more efficiently than a dual-core or single-core processor. This will allow the producer to work more quickly and create better-sounding music.
Storage Capacity
The storage capacity of your laptop is also essential when it comes to producing music. You will want to ensure that you have enough space to store all of your projects and samples without running out of space or having to delete old files to constantly free up disk space.
An SSD drive is recommended over traditional HDD drives because they
- Offer faster access times.
- Improve overall performance when loading samples and plug-ins into memory during playback or mixing sessions.
Pro Tip: If budget allows, opt for a 512GB SSD drive or larger, so you have plenty of room for future projects and backups of existing projects.
RAM
Your RAM capacity dictates the laptop’s short-term memory. Sufficient memory allows you to run multiple plug-ins and handle large audio tracks or files without impacting the speed.
Pro Tip: 8GB of RAM should be more than enough for most producers. However, if you plan on using large sample libraries or complex plug-ins, 16GB of RAM may be beneficial.
Additional Elements
Depending on your goals, consider other laptop features such as battery life, the number of ports available, and the long-term life of the system in general before your purchase.
Choosing the Best Laptop for Music Production
We chose these laptop models as the best for music production by assessing industry reviews, utilizing professional experiences from direct music creation producers, and reviewing the manufacturers’ overall performance notes.
Regarding budget-friendly laptops, there are many options available at different price points. Please review the following sections for our top picks based on your budget.
Best Laptops for Music Production: Under $1,000
If you’re looking for something with plenty of power and won’t break the bank, consider one of these three options:
Acer Aspire 5
This laptop features a Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core processor (upgradable), 8 GB RAM (upgradable), 256 GB SSD storage space, and weighs only 3.97 pounds! It also has a 15.6” full HD screen with IPS technology for vivid visuals when composing music or editing audio files. Plus, it’s priced at just under $600!
Lenovo Ideapad 330
This laptop features an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor (upgradable), 8GB RAM (upgradable), 1 TB HDD storage space, and weighs 4 lbs! It also has a 15.6” full HD screen with IPS technology allowing you to see all your projects in great detail while working on them. Plus, it’s priced at just under $700!
Dell Inspiron 15 5000
This laptop features an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor (upgradable), 8GB RAM (upgradable), 1TB HDD storage space, and weighs 4 lbs! It also has a 15” HD LED display providing great visuals when composing music or editing audio files. Plus, it’s priced at just under $700!
Acer Aspire 5 vs. Lenovo Ideapad 330 vs. Dell Inspiron 15 5000
Acer Aspire 5 | Lenovo Ideapad 330 | Dell Inspiron 15 5000 | |
CPU Processor: | Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core | Intel Core i5-8250U | 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor |
RAM: | 8-20GB | 4-8GB | 4-8GB |
Storage: | 256 GB SSD | 1TB HDD | 1TB HDD |
Battery Life: | 12 hours | 5-6 hours | 3.5 hours |
Display Size: | 15.6” | 15.6” | 15” |
Charging, Ports, & Expansion: |
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Operating System: | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home |
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Price (Brand New): | $369.99-$599.99 | $699.00 | $699.00 |
Best Laptops for Music Production: Under $3,000
If you are looking to splurge just a little on your passion, consider these three options:
Apple MacBook Pro
The Apple MacBook Pro 16″ is an excellent choice if you need maximum power and performance in a lightweight package. It features a stunning 16-inch Retina display, 8TB SSD storage, and 64GB RAM.
With its powerful Intel Core i9 processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5500 M graphics card, this laptop packs a punch for music production tasks like mixing audio tracks or manipulating sound samples. Plus, with its long battery life, you can stay productive even on the go!
Apple MacBook Air M2
If portability is more important than raw power, then the Apple MacBook Air M2 13.6″ might be just what you need. This ultra-thin laptop weighs just 2 lbs., making it perfect for taking from place to place without weighing down your bag.
It also features an impressive 13-inch Retina display, 2TB SSD storage, and up to 32GB RAM. You can get your work done quickly and efficiently no matter where you are working from. Plus, with support for multiple external displays via Thunderbolt 3 ports, this laptop offers plenty of flexibility when setting up your workspace.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Finally, if you want something that combines portability with power, then the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ might be exactly what you’re looking for. This tablet/laptop hybrid features an incredibly vibrant 12-inch touchscreen display.
It runs on Intel Quad-Core i5 processors to handle all your music production needs while still being light enough to carry around easily (it weighs only 1 lb.). Plus, with its fast charging capabilities and long battery life (up to 15 hours), this laptop will keep you productive even on the go!
Apple MacBook Pro | Apple MacBook Air M2 | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | |
CPU Processor: | 10-core with 8 performance and 2 efficiency cores | 8-core with 4 performance cores & 4 efficiency cores | Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 Processor |
RAM: | 16-64GB | 8-32GB | 8-16GB |
Storage: | Minimum 512GB | Minimum 512GB | Minimum 128GB |
Battery Life: | 14-21 hours | 15-18 hours | 15 hours battery |
Display Size: | 16” | 13.6” | 12.3” |
Charging, Ports, & Expansion: |
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Operating System: | macOS | macOS | Windows 10 Home |
Price: | $2499 | $1499 | point at $799 |
Conclusion
All six laptops offer great specs and features that make them suitable for music production tasks. However, depending on your specific needs, one may be better suited than another – choose wisely!
Ultimately, choosing the best laptop for music production depends on personal preference. Regardless of which laptop you choose, all three are excellent choices for music production!
Whether you choose an Apple OS or Windows OS product, you can see that most laptops have similar features and benefits.
Evaluate the critical factors of CPU, RAM and storage minimums first to get a base price. Then, look at the additional features you want to improve your success as a music producer.
Pro Tip: If you are balling on a budget for your next laptop upgrade, you should consider:
- Selling your old laptop and other electronics to a reliable buyback company to get some extra cash toward a new laptop.
- Purchasing a renewed or refurbished model
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM do you need for music production?
The bare minimum recommended for music production is 8GB. This is enough for a small number of audio tracks with multiple effects added to the track. The best laptops for music production can have RAM speeds up to 32GB. The price of the computer goes up as you choose more RAM.
What computer do most music producers use?
If you are accustomed to the Apple OS, the Apple MacBook Pro will put you at the same level as professional music producers. The lower cost of the Apple MacBook Air makes it a good choice for budget-conscious musicians with all the basics of the higher-end MacBook Pro. If you are comfortable with the Windows OS, consider the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.
How much SSD do I need for music production?
There are two types of drives on the market that can meet storage needs. The traditional HDD (Hard Drive Disk) is a slower and cheaper storage route. However, today music professionals are likely to purchase a laptop with a Solid State Drive(SSD). This drive type can store data on a new technology process that finds data instantly on accessible memory chips.
Is a laptop enough for music production?
In today’s mobile world, a laptop is the most affordable and standard tool for musicians wanting to produce music with the flexibility to do it on the go or in the comfort of their home or studio. You will likely find the laptop cost will be higher than the traditional desktop. However, the life span on a laptop may be less. Overall a laptop makes an excellent partner for music production.
What do I need to start producing music?
Start with the best laptop you can find, offering the most current software available to get started. Choosing the correct base elements for your laptop will ensure you have all the tools that successful music producers rely on daily. Processor speed, RAM, and storage are the 3 main components to compare when purchasing your laptop for music production.
Which Windows 10 version is best for music production?
Windows 10 is an excellent choice for music production, especially the Pro edition. Its features make it ideal for music creation, including a fast and powerful audio engine, multitouch support, and comprehensive MIDI functionality. Plus, the Windows 10 Creators Update includes even more features for music production, including expanded support for VST plug-ins and better latency tracking.
Can you produce music on a cheap laptop?
Yes, you can produce music on a cheap laptop. However, the quality of the music will likely be lower than if you were to use a more expensive setup. A number of software programs are available for free or at a low cost that can be used to create music. If you are looking for high-quality sounding tracks, then it is likely that you will need to invest in some better hardware and software.
What are some of the most important features to look for in a laptop for music production?
Here are some key features to look for when choosing a laptop for music production:
- CPU: The processor is the most crucial component in a laptop for music production. It determines how many tracks you can open simultaneously, how quickly you can work with effects, and how well your software will run. You’ll want a CPU with at least 4 cores for music production.
- Graphics card: A sound graphics card will help your laptop handle large sessions easily. Look for one with at least 2GB of dedicated video memory.
Is 8GB RAM enough for FL Studio?
8GB of RAM should be plenty for FL Studio, provided you’re not running many other programs simultaneously. If you often run out of memory, consider upgrading to 16GB or more. That should give you plenty of headroom to work with.
What kind of laptop do I need for music production?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best laptop for music production depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, you’ll want a laptop with a good processor and plenty of RAM, as both are important for multitasking and running audio production software. You’ll also want a laptop with a fast hard drive, as loading large files and samples can be time-consuming. And finally, you’ll want to choose a laptop with an adequate screen size; larger screens are better for viewing multiple tracks simultaneously.
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