The best laptops for music production are increasingly favored by both professional and amateur music producers. While PCs remain a popular choice, advancements in performance, speed, and storage are making laptops a strong contender for the top spot in music production. In a fast-paced world, having a reliable laptop that enables you to work on the go is crucial for the modern musician.
Choosing a laptop that balances portability, power, and battery life is essential, but how do you decide which one to pick?
Top pick
MacBook Pro
Editor’s choice
Zephyrus G14
Best value
LOQ 15i
We’ve curated a list of the top five music production laptops available on the market, based on hands-on reviews. Whether you have an unlimited budget or are looking to save money, need ample storage, or prioritize RAM, there is a perfect music production laptop for you.
1. Apple 2023 MacBook Pro
The Apple MacBook Pro Max 14-inch (M3) claims our top spot for music production laptops. The M3 chip delivers unparalleled performance, providing all the power necessary for most music production tasks. Its lightweight design and portability make it perfect for musicians on the go.
Although Apple products aren’t as dominant in the gaming laptop market, they are often the preferred choice for music production. The MacBook’s sleek design, exceptional portability, and smooth performance keep music producers coming back, and the new MacBook Pro Max 14-inch M3 is no exception.
Battery life is consistent, typically lasting around 12 hours while mixing on the go, though this may vary depending on usage. The display is perfect for musical projects, and while there are laptops with more connectivity options, the three Thunderbolt 4 ports suffice for mobile work. Like most Apple products, the MacBook Pro Max 14-inch comes with a hefty price tag, but with these specs, the performance is worth every penny.
Pros:
- All the power you need
- Incredibly smooth performance
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Quite expensive
2. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
If you’re seeking a high-performance Windows laptop for music production, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is an excellent choice. With outstanding CPU performance housed in a robust build, it’s perfect for music producers balancing travel and their craft.
Asus might not be the first brand that comes to mind for music production laptops, but the ROG Zephyrus G14 is a standout option for those who prefer Windows. Available in several configurations, we recommend opting for the 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage model for optimal results.
The 2TB SSD provides ample internal memory and impressive speed, ensuring quick load times when downloading audio tracks. The laptop features AMD processors, and the Ryzen R9 processor is particularly effective in handling large files within a digital audio workstation (DAW). Known for its ability to manage resource-intensive plugins, the Ryzen 9 is ideal for users who rely on Universal Audio plugins.
While the ROG Zephyrus G14 may not have the most elegant design, its minimalist aesthetic is complemented by a durable magnesium casing. For a 14-inch laptop, it offers excellent connectivity options, including USB-C (3.2) and USB 4 ports, two USB-A ports, a microSD slot, and a 3.5mm connector.
Pros:
- Fantastic CPU performance
- Robust build
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Design could be more elegant
3. Lenovo LOQ 15i
The Lenovo LOQ 15i (2023) is our top pick for the best budget laptop for music production. It comes packed with several gaming features that are also ideal for producing and mixing music, such as decent battery life, quick loading speeds, and a generous array of connectivity options, making it an excellent compact package.
The Lenovo LOQ range is popular among budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice much on performance. If you’re planning to dive into musical projects, the LOQ 15i is worth considering.
We tested one of the more powerful LOQ 15i versions, featuring an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, which can handle fairly intense projects with reasonable efficiency. The 1TB SSD offers read speeds up to 4065MB/s. Although faster read speeds exist, this is an ‘affordable’ laptop, and expectations should be aligned accordingly.
Lenovo has uniquely designed the connection ports, placing most of them at the back. You’ll find an HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and two USB-A ports at the rear. On the left side, there’s a 3.5mm headphone socket and a USB-C port, while the right side houses a USB 2.0 port. This strategic placement of connectivity options contributes to a versatile setup, proving advantageous when traveling and needing convenience in unpredictable environments.
Pros:
- Plenty of connection options
- Reasonably quick loading speeds
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Display doesn’t compete with pricier models
4. Dell New XPS 17
If you’re looking for one of the best music production laptops money can buy, the Dell XPS 17 is an excellent choice. With immense power and an impressive display, this is a top-tier option—ideal for serious producers and full-time artists, but not for the faint of heart or casual user. For those committed to their craft or seeking a premium laptop, the Dell XPS 17 stands out.
The XPS 17 boasts a sleek design with an aluminum and carbon-fiber reinforced polymer build that is both robust and lightweight, ensuring durability. Dell prioritizes speed with four ultra-fast Thunderbolt 4 connectors, ideal for modern recording equipment. The display is stunning, supporting up to 4K resolution.
When it comes to performance, the XPS 17 excels. Equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900H processor, 2TB SSD, and 64GB RAM, this laptop can handle any DAW and multiple VSTs, plugins, and audio samples with ease.
While the XPS 17 might be overkill for casual users, it is perfect for those needing a machine that can handle intensive music production tasks. The more power, the better, for those relying on a robust system for their work.
Pros:
- All the power you’ll ever need
- Tremendous display
- Touchscreen capabilities
Cons:
- Overkill for casual users? Perhaps
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
If you’re seeking the best 2-in-1 laptop for music production, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 stands out. With its stunning design and ultra-portability, it’s an ideal choice, especially for frequent travelers.
While 2-in-1 laptops aren’t typically the first choice for music producers, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 makes a compelling case. Unlike many other 2-in-1 laptops, it offers impressive processing power.
Equipped with an Intel 12th Gen i7 Processor and 16GB of RAM, the Surface Pro 9 can handle most DAWs with ease. For those needing more power, a 32GB RAM option is available. The 1TB SSD storage is remarkable for a 2-in-1, so you don’t have to compromise on memory.
One of the key advantages of a 2-in-1 is its portability. The Surface Pro 9 weighs just 879g, making it easy to carry while traveling. However, the limited connectivity options might be a drawback, with only two USB-C ports available. Despite this, if your primary goal is producing music on the go, it may not be a significant issue.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Incredibly portable
- Can be used as a tablet
Cons:
- Limited connectivity options
How did we choose the best laptops for music production?
There’s nothing quite like first-hand experience. When one of our team members at Pocket-lint had hands-on experience with a laptop, we included it on our list. Otherwise, specifications play a crucial role. The main components that make a laptop ideal for music production are storage capacity, processor performance, battery life, and RAM. We also considered the price tag.
Which CPU is best for a music production laptop?
There are primarily three different CPU choices for a music production laptop: Apple, Intel, and AMD. The choice depends on your preferences.
- Intel: Intel is probably the biggest name in the CPU world. Their range starts at i3, which is the weakest processor in its lineup. For music production, you should at least go for one of their middle-tier CPUs, like the i5 or i7. If you want the fastest Intel CPU, look at the i9 processor. The i9 is currently the quickest on the market but will make a music production laptop more expensive.
- AMD: AMD produces Ryzen processors, named similarly to Intel’s, making it easy to identify their power levels. The range starts at Ryzen 3, followed by Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 9, and the high-end Ryzen Threadripper. For music production, we recommend at least a Ryzen 5.
- Apple: Apple’s latest line of CPUs is the ‘M’ series processors. The current M3 iteration offers three options: M3, M3 Ultra, and M3 Max, each progressively enhancing power and responsiveness. These new CPUs are highly capable for music production, offering plenty of power across all options.
How much RAM do I need for a music production laptop?
RAM is a crucial component for a music production laptop. The larger your RAM, the quicker and smoother your laptop will perform various tasks. Music production involves multitasking—running DAWs, audio effects, plug-ins, and virtual instruments. More RAM allows your laptop to handle these tasks smoothly and helps with latency, essential for real-time audio processing without delays or glitches.
How much storage does my music production laptop need?
For storage, the more memory, the better. Audio files take up a lot of space, so having ample storage is important. You’ll need to decide between HDDs (hard disk drives) and SSDs (solid-state drives). HDDs offer large amounts of memory but are slower than SSDs, which load samples quicker but tend to be more expensive.
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