Best Computer For Music Production 2017

In this article, we'll be reviewing the best laptops for music production in 2021. When you have so many options, it's hard to navigate through finding one that suits your workflow, has all the ports you need, works with your DAW and plugins, and has enough space. This list of reviews will help you choose the best laptop for you and your needs.

Here are the best laptops for music production:

1. Apple MacBook Pro

The ultimate best laptop for music production

Best Computer For Music Production 2017. 31st January 2017. What's the best PC for Audio in 2017? We have done all of the research, consulted with computer experts at Scan.co.uk and built the best possible PC to record and produce music today. Find all the specifications and details in the list below, and watch our unboxing video! What's the best PC for Audio in 2017? We have done all of the research, consulted with computer experts at Scan.co.uk and built the best possible PC to recor. Making the list for the third time and for good reason, this is yet another very powerful gaming PC that is perfect for music production. It includes Windows 10 pre-installed, a 7 th generation Intel Quad Core i7 processor, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card for stunning visuals. It also contains an overclocked memory setup and some streaming friendly features as well for all you social. The 'best' computer for music production is going to fall within your budget, and also provide you with enough processing power and storage to create music without significant limitations. This guide is going to help you get the most bang for your buck, and truly understand what's worth spending your money on when purchasing a computer.

Without a doubt, Apple has the best laptops for audio production in general, or if you prefer Apple's operating system and hardware over Windows'. The MacBook Pro has been a standard in music production for years and continues to hold that title as the best overall laptop.

The MacBook Pro boasts a powerful Intel processor (you can choose from 4-, 6-, and 8-core processors) and up to an impressive 32GB of memory (depending on the model you choose and hardware upgrades), making processing DAWs and plugins seem like a miniscule task.

The MacBook Pro uses a solid state drive rather than a normal hard drive, which allows you to navigate through files at lightning speed. The 13-inch model of the laptop has a capacity of up to 2TB and the 15-inch model has 4TB of storage.

I will stress heavily that this really is the best Mac laptop for music production, although there are many good Apple laptops out there. If you don't have a big budget, this computer might not be for you. If you can find a used model, do that. The used ones usually work as well as ones that are brand new.

The MacBook Pro is a great choice for anyone from beginners to experienced producers, and if you're looking to switch from Windows to Apple, definitely try out a MacBook Pro.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad P52

The best Windows laptop

For those of you who are Windows fans, the Lenovo ThinkPad P52 is probably the best Windows laptop for music production. While it has a giant price tag, its specifications definitely make up for it.

The ThinkPad P52 is equipped with an 8th generation Intel Core i7 6 core processor with vPro technology. The ThinkPad P52 allows for up to 64GB of RAM and you can choose either a 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive or a solid state drive (up to 1TB) depending on what type of storage you want.

The battery life of this laptop will last pretty long, up to 10 hours, which of course will vary depending on how many programs you have open and what you're doing with it.

The graphics card of this laptop is also customizable, you can either choose between an NVIDIA Quadro P1000 4GB or an NVIDIA Quadro P2000 4GB card. You should have no problem handling graphics heavy plugins or DAWs with these graphics cards.

Overall, this computer is a fantastic model, and although I'm a Mac fan, I would definitely consider using the Lenovo ThinkPad P52 for my own studio if I was to switch from Apple to Windows. It's an absolute workhorse of a laptop.

If you like the familiarity of Windows computers and want to stick with a really nice laptop that will get you through hours of recording sessions and beat making, definitely go with this one.

3. Dell XPS 13 9360

A great option for beginners

The Dell XPS 13 9360 is the best laptop for amateurs. This top-rated computer has 8GB of RAM (up to 16GB in some versions) and is soldered therefore RAM cannot be upgraded in the future.

However, it comes with a completely up to date 7th gen dual-core i5 (or i7) processor, SSD (up to 512GB) , and runs a Windows 10 64-bit operating system comfortably which is perfect for most users who are working with entry-level knowledge of music production.

It also has a 13.3-inch touch screen display with an Intel HD Graphics 620 processor (8GB RAM card) that makes its operations far more user-friendly, with the ability to manipulate and draw automation in if so desired.

If you are just starting out in music production, the Dell XPS 13 9360 will meet nearly all requirements for music production. It is fairly high in cost considering what it lacks so finding one that is used but still in good condition might be the better option for those seeking to start out with this laptop. When all is said and done, though, it does provide an adequate level of specs to run the majority of DAWs.

4. Razer Blade Stealth 13

The best ultrabook

The Razer Blade Stealth laptop is powered by the quad-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, giving it a speed of 1.8 GHz. However, it is fully capable of reaching a max speed of 4.6 GHz when put in turbo mode for up to four times performance increase in content creation.

It comes with a RAM of 16GB with a memory speed of 1866 MHz combined with an Intel Graphics card 620. The hard drive capacity is 256GB SSD but is upgradeable up to 512GB SSD.

This laptop is incredibly sleek and visually stunning. It features up to 4K resolution QHD+ 3200 X 1800 touch display giving it incredible graphics in a thin bezel 13.3' display. This in addition to a new Razer Chroma keyboard, the Razer Blade Stealth combines both mobility and style with power that makes it perfect for music production and gaming if that is something you would want to use it for as well.

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is perfect for any professional looking to launch multiple programs all at once. Both stylish and productive for work, music production, and gaming, this laptop is supported by the Windows 10 OS.

5. MSI GX63VR

The best laptop for making beats

I know what you're thinking: that the price of this laptop automatically makes it one that you'd never put your money towards. However, if you're heavy into making beats, the MSI GX63VR is an extremely solid choice for those of you who want a laptop that will provide hours of great performance but will also be portable and sturdy enough to carry with you wherever you go.

Like the Razer Blade Stealth, the GX63VR is a gaming laptop (hence the price tag). The GX63VR is considerably heavier and a little bigger, but it has some extra features that make it well worth it to consider as an option if you need somewhere to keep all your samples and recordings while simultaneously using graphics-heavy plugins and projects with a lot of tracks.

The MSI GX63VR has the 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor, VR Ready graphics with compatibility for graphics cards up to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 card, 16GB of RAM, and here's the killer: there are not one, but two storage drives. You get a 256GB solid state drive and a 2TB hard drive.

If you're the type of person that likes to store your files on your computer, or you just don't want to shell out the money for an external drive, I highly suggest this laptop, as you can store a ton of your samples and plugins on the hard drive and store your DAWs on the solid state drive so that you can access everything at lightning fast speeds.

Additional features include huge speakers and virtual surround sound, as well as individually customizable backlit RGB keys and a special fan made with copper heat pipes to keep the laptop from overheating even when you have a ton of programs open.

This laptop is definitely one of the more extreme ones on this list, but well worth the price if it's something you can afford or want to consider. I encourage you to not be afraid of the price tag, as it's an incredibly great laptop for making beats since it can handle so many plugins and DAWs with a lot of tracks.

6. Dell Inspiron i5378 2 in 1

The best budget laptop

The Dell Inspiron 2 in 1 is a really nice high-end choice for seasoned producers who often have recording sessions with clients while also being a good option for beginner producers.

The Dell Inspiron 2 in 1 has a 7th generation i3 Intel Core processor, RAM that starts at 4GB for the base model of this laptop (which is upgradeable up to 16GB), and a 1TB hard drive.

The Inspiron 2 in 1 has Waves MaxxAudio Pro technology which makes this laptop one of the best sounding laptops on this list. It also has an Intel HD Graphics 620 card to handle plugins and DAWs with lots of graphics.

The most obvious feature of this laptop is clearly the touch screen. Since the Inspiron is a 2 in 1, you can easily transport it as well as use it in laptop mode or tablet mode. This is beneficial for producers who like to be up on their feet instead of sitting at a desk or in a chair.

If you frequently need to move around your studio I strongly suggest using a 2 in 1 to control your DAW.

Since this is the budget option for this list, I would consider it to be a good middle of the road, affordable option. It's not super cheap (and therefore not fragile), it is upgradeable, and it allows for way more freedom in terms of transportation and creation in the studio.

Depending on where you buy this laptop it could go anywhere from $500 to $700 but it's definitely worth it considering it's one of the best laptops for recording music. Best windows vista downloads.

7. HP Jaguar 15.6 Touchscreen

The best laptop under $700

The HP Jaguar is a great laptop that is also fairly affordable if you're not wanting to spend more than $700. HP has some of my favorite computers, and all the HPs I've used have been really well built.

The HP Jaguar has a 2.50GHz (3.10GHz Turbo Boost) Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, HDMI capabilities, updated USB ports, and a touch screen.

The 1TB hard drive will leave you more than satisfied with the amount of storage, although if you want more speed when accessing your files you should go with a solid state drive. 8GB of RAM is plenty of memory to run plugins and store DAW information without slowing your computer down and causing it to crash.

The processor is one of the faster ones out there, especially for a laptop that runs Windows and has a touch screen. Speaking of the touch screen, it will definitely help you maximize efficiency in the studio and enable you to mix, master, and record very easily.

This laptop is upgradable so if there are some specifications that don't meet your expectations or preferences, that can easily be remedied. The only letdown of this laptop, which is barely a letdown, is that the battery life is not as long as others on this list. Nevertheless, it is still good.

If you want something that definitely has a lot of bang for your buck, this one is the way to go.

8. Lenovo Yoga 720 2 in 1

A good option for around $1000

If you're on somewhat of a budget and don't want to shell out over $1000 for a new laptop for audio recording that doesn't fail or fall short of what you need it for, the Lenovo Yoga 720 2 in 1 is probably the best option for a laptop for producers who need good quality but don't want to go broke.

The Lenovo Yoga 720 has a 2.8Ghz i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It has updated USB ports and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card with 2GB of video RAM.

You can use the Yoga as a tablet or a laptop since it's a 2 in 1, and it's also compatible with a stylus if you prefer to control your DAWs with a stylus or to write in automation.

The Yoga is actually a big rival right now against the Razer Blade Stealth 13 laptop, so if you were looking at getting one of those, check out the Yoga first. If you're not satisfied with the solid state drive capacity, you can always get a 1TB external hard drive to use.

As it rivals the Razer Blade Stealth 13 and is a very easily transportable laptop, definitely try it out. Best computer for pro tools 12.

How to choose a laptop for music production?

When looking for a laptop for music production, there are several things you must take into consideration:

• Operating system: Do you want a Mac? A Windows computer? Or do you want something with a different operating system, like Ubuntu, for example? This all comes down to personal preference but it also has to do with the DAW you'll be using. Some DAWs only work with Mac, some only work with Windows.
• Your DAW: What's your DAW of choice? Is it compatible with Mac or Windows or both? Is it hard to navigate through on a smaller screen? Does it require a computer with a lot of memory or CPU when using plugins?
• Your plugins: You may already have experience working with different audio plugins in your DAW. You may already have a suite of plugins in mind that you'd like to use. Think about them. Are they graphics-heavy? Do they require a lot of computer power?
• How you mix: Are you the type of person who likes to use only a few plugins, or do you come up with elaborate signal chains? Do you typically make songs that have many audio tracks, or just a few?
• Preparedness for future projects: Who do you anticipate working with? Will they want or need a lot of plugins? Will they likely have a lot of audio tracks?
• Studio size: How big is your studio? Are you a bedroom producer, or do you have a professional-grade studio to work in?
• Portability: Do you plan on taking your computer with you to work on projects at other studios or while you're on the go, or will it stay in one location?

Once you've considered these factors, you can now make a decision based on what your answers are to the questions above. You'll need to focus on the following:

CPU

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the main component of a computer that processes instructions. It is made up of many circuits and a chip that performs calculations to execute every task you do on your computer. CPU affects the speed of your computer and how much work it can take on.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. As its name suggests, RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly. RAM chips only remember information when a computer is powered on, so it's used for storing information that a computer is working on only in the very short term.

Storage drives

There are two types of storage drives: hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drives (SSD). Both are for long term file storage.

• A hard disk drive is a storage drive that has spinning, moving parts and uses that to access the information. There are hard drives with different rotation speeds. Depending on the speed, it will either be quite fast, or it could be slow. Hard drives slow down as you put more and more files on them.
• A solid state drive is a storage drive that has no moving parts, just like a thumb drive. This means it's extremely fast and efficient at locating and storing files. Solid state drives don't slow down like hard drives do.

Graphics cards

A graphics card outputs graphic information to your computer screen. All computers have something called integrated graphics, which uses the CPU to output graphics to your screen, but that slows down your computer a lot and usually integrated graphics don't have enough power to do much more than load images while browsing the web. A graphics card can do much more, like loading videos and games.

Once you've answered the base questions and decided what technical specifications would be best for what you're doing with the laptop, go out and do some window shopping or looking around on Amazon or other websites to find some options that you think would be a good fit.

I also suggest watching reviews on YouTube and even asking other producers what laptops they use or like. I encourage you to check out our upcoming guide on how to choose a computer for music production as well.

Is Mac better than Windows or vice versa?

This is more of a personal preference thing. Some people like Apple computers better and others like Windows. Both Mac and Windows laptops have their own specifications, and that means that some Windows models will have better specifications than some Mac models and vice versa. Windows laptops for music production are just as good as Mac laptops as long as you do your research on the technical specifications.

Are gaming laptops a viable option for music production?

Absolutely. If anything, gaming laptops are more than capable of running DAWs, plugins, and storing project files.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the choice is up to you, but hopefully this list of good laptops for making music has provided you with a solid amount of options of laptops (some more expensive and others being more budget friendly) for what you'll need in order to make the right purchase based on the best laptops for music production in 2021.

Remember that there's no right or wrong answer and that whatever you end up choosing will be based on what is best for you and your needs.

Jordan is a music producer, content creator, writer, and session musician. He has been producing music and engineering live performances for over 7 years. He is an experienced guitarist and enjoys listening to and playing many different genres of music.

Nowadays that virtually all music recording has gone digital…

The first question on every musician's mind when first starting out with music production is:

Which computer should I get?

Though as I'm sure you already know, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' answer.

Because depending on factors such as:

• budget
• processing speed
• portability

YOUR ideal option might be completely different from someone else's.

Which is why for today's post, I intend to show you everything you need to know to find the perfect computer/laptop for YOUR setup.

So let's begin. First up…

Laptops vs. Desktops

More and more these days, as technology becomes increasingly 'mobile'…

Desktop computers are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

Yet for music recording, they're still what all the pros continue to use.

Here's why:

• They're generally faster – their larger housing offers room for maximum processing power to meet the high demands of today's DAW's and plugins.
• They have more IN's/OUT's – which allow you to incorporate larger, more sophisticated routings to keep up with your ever-growing setup.
• They offer greater customization – which let's you add more RAM, extra hard drives, additional video cards, and more…as necessary.
• They solve the noise problem – by allowing you to keep the tower (noisy) in a separate room for your studio monitors and microphones.

Despite all these advantages, the ONE thing that desktop computers lack is…PORTABILITY.

And in today's world of DJ's and mobile studios, the portability of a laptop is a MUST.

Plus…since most of us use a laptop for school/work anyway, it eliminates the need for 2 separate purchases.

Now at this point, I'll assume you've already decided whether a desktop or laptop computer is right for you.

So let's move on. Up next…

Mac vs. PC

Want to know the easiest way to piss-off a recording geek? Here's what you do:

If he uses a PC in his studio, tell him Macs are better.

If he uses a Mac, tell him PC's are better.

Because for some strange reason, this topic incites violent debates…that last forever, and result in no real conclusions.

In fact, I absolutely HATE giving my opinion on this topic.

But here it is anyway:

Personally, I like Macs. Not just for recording, but for everything. And these days, most of the music world (and the rest of the world) agrees.

If YOU agree as well…get a Mac.

So why a PC then? It's usually 1 of 3 reasons:

1. Price – Macs are usually more expensive than PC's, and not everyone can afford them.
2. Customization – computer nerds typically prefer PC's, since they are much easier to modify/supercharge.
3. Windows – some people just like the Windows OS.

If none of these 3 things apply to you…get a Mac.

But whichever side you choose, just know that tons of great music has been created on either one, and this topic isn't nearly as important as some might have you believe.

Assuming you've made your decision…let's move on.

Up next…

Mac Desktops

With Mac desktops, you have 4 options:

1. Mac Pro
2. iMac
3. iMac Pro
4. Mac Mini

Now here's how they compare:

First, there's the Mac Pro.

For studio recording, there's probably nothing better. Peek your head into any pro studio…and odds are, that's what you'll find.

And the reason why is because it's the only model that's made to be easily upgradable, whichever part you're looking to switch.

Now, up until not so long ago, the Mac Pro was just overkill for most of us, whether it was in terms of specs, or price.

However…

There is a serious, brand new contender on the desktop mac scene: the iMac pro.

The iMac pro is basically the MOST POWERFUL (yes, way more powerful than the Mac Pro) mac to date, with the added benefit of being an iMac, meaning it's an all-in-one computer with a monitor built-in.

Logic pro pedals download. Now, one look at the base model price and you'll understand why this model is not for everyone… And don't even look at the price of the fully upgraded model if you're faint of heart.

But if you're looking for the most powerful mac out there and don't mind making a (very) long-term investment, the iMac Pro will have you covered for — at the very least — the next decade.

Now for the overwhelming majority of us who can't afford the iMac Pro, the next option is probably the best: the regulariMac.

While not nearly as powerful, the regular iMac is equally as practical for a typical beginner's setup.

If you can afford it, it's quite likely the ideal choice for most home studios.

If you CAN'T however, your final option is the Mac Mini.

How many times have your heard someone say:

I want to get a Mac, but they're too expensive 🙁

Well the Mac Mini is proof that this is not entirely true.

And quite surprisingly, while the older models were definitely not on par with the iMac or Mac Pro in terms of speed…

The newer models, and especially the boosted ones show surprisingly good performances on the benchmark, and in some cases even outperforms the regular iMac.

It may not have the speed or flexibility of the more expensive models…but it offers ALL the benefits of the Mac OSX, for a very modest price tag.

• Mac Pro – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
• iMac Pro – (Amazon/B&H)
• iMac – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
• Mac Mini – (Amazon/GuitarC/B&H)

Up next…

PC Desktops

For those of you guys who build custom PCs…

I have no doubt you know far more about this subject than I do…

So…

If you can assemble something faster and better than a Mac Pro…go for it.

I wouldn't dare try to convince you otherwise.

If however, you DON'T fall into this category, and you really don't know much about computers at all…

Then I suggest staying away from PC desktops altogether.

And here's why:

If you're NOT a huge PC fan, the only reason to choose a PC for your studio would be if you're a beginner trying to save money.

And since the main benefit of desktop computer is MORE PROCESSING POWER, it makes little sense to get any desktop that isn't blazing fast.

So if you only have $500 to spend, you might as well get a laptop, so you can at least have some portability as well.

Having said that, let's move on…

The 4 KEY Laptop Specs

Since we've already established that laptops are…in a way…'less-than-ideal' for music production…

Here are 5 potential issues to look out for:

1. Mechanical Noise – if you're a DJ in a loud club, this obviously doesn't matter. But in a bedroom studio, it matters a lot. One way to check for this: read a ton of user reviews. Another way: opt for a SSD (solid state drive) with no moving parts, over a traditional HDD (hard disk drive).
2. Backlit Keys – in low-light environments such as lounges and clubs, these are a MUST-HAVE.
3. Screen Size – you may not think it's important now, but once you've spent some time with any DAW, you'll quickly see how valuable a bigger screen can be.
4. Ports – as laptops get increasingly smaller, the number of ins/outs gets smaller as well. So make sure you have enough to get by.

Now let's check out some laptops already…

Mac Laptops

With Mac laptops you have 3 options:

1. Macbook Pro
2. Macbook Air
3. Macbook

First, there's the Macbook Pro.

My best guess is…Macbook Pros are the single most popular laptops for home recording.

1. They're ultra fast
2. They've got lots of inputs
3. They have large screen with detailed display, especially the new 16″ version

If you can afford it, get it. If not…

Then the Macbook and Macbook Air come in TIED at a distant2nd place.

They're not as fast, and they don't have nearly as many inputs, but they're extremely thin and lightweight…the Macbook Air ESPECIALLY!

So there you go. Check them out:

• Macbook Pro – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
• Macbook Air – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
• Macbook – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)

Up next…

PC Laptops

On one hand, PC laptops are GREAT…

Because you have a virtually unlimited number of options to choose from.

On the other hand, PC laptops SUCK…for the exact same reason.

And what I mean by that is…

While it's nice to have options, the more options you have, the harder it is:

• to actually choose one
• to be certain you've made the right choice
• to be happy with your choice after you've made it

And unfortunately, for music production, there is no clear-cut winner that stands out from all the others.

But as most people agree…the best PC laptops for music tend to be the best PC laptops in general.

So here are 5 of the most popular and well-reviewed options:

• HP Envy – (Amazon/B&H)
• Asus Zenbook – (Amazon/B&H)
• LG Gram – (Amazon/B&H)
• Dell Inspiron – (Amazon/B&H)
• Lenovo Yoga 3 – (Amazon)

Up next…

DAW System Requirements

One important point worthy of mention that rarely gets discussed…

Is the system requirements for your DAW of choice.

Even though these days, most computers are compatible with most DAW's…

In some rare cases…they're NOT, so you should always double check just to make sure.

If you don't have a preferred DAW yet, or don't even know what a DAW is, then don't worry about this part.

However for those of you that DO, here are the links to the system requirements for each of today's top DAW's:

Up next…

3 Essential Computer Accessories

Once you've finally chosen a computer, next come the ACCESSORIES.

For recording studios, the 3 accessories I recommend are:

• a keyboard
• a mouse
• a monitor

Now here's what you want from each one…

1. The Keyboard

While any old keyboard will do…

Your ideal keyboard should include 3 features:

1. DAW shortcut markers – which help you memorize all those shortcuts WAY faster.
2. A number pad – which includes a TON of useful shortcuts for most DAW's.
3. A wireless connection – which allows you access to your transport controls from anywhere in the room.

NOTE: Even if you have a laptop, you may still find it worthwhile to buy an external keyboard. That's how useful they are.

Now here are my 2 favorites:

1. Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard – besides having a number pad and a wireless connection, this keyboard has one unique feature that you almost never see: solar power. That means no batteries or cables ever.
   • PC – (Amazon/B&H)
   • Mac – (Amazon/B&H)
2. LogicKeyboard Custom DAW Keyboards – (website) – easily the most well-known maker of software shortcut markers, LogicKeyboard has both custom keyboards and skin layovers for virtually every DAW/keyboard combo imaginable.

Up next…

2. The Mouse

Again…while any old mouse (or trackpad) will do…

With a really good mouse…

A few programmable buttons can give you access to your most frequently used DAW shortcuts without ever touching your keyboard.

And this one tool can speed up your workflow significantly.

While there are an almost infinite number of these mice to choose from…I suggest Logitech.com as a good place to start your search.

My personal favorite mouse in their line is the Logitech MX Ergo – (Amazon/B&H). If you're not sure what to get, I highly recommend it.

For some other great options, check these out as well:

• Logitech MX Master2S – (Amazon/B&H)
• Logitech MX Anywhere 2S – (Amazon/B&H)

3. The Computer Monitor

When you first start out with home recording…

You probably won't recognize the value of REALLY GOOD monitor right away.

But eventually, after working without one for a while…

You'll notice 3 things:

1. Low resolution screens can only display a small number of tracks at once.
2. Flat screen TV's often look pixelated, and are awkward to view from close up.
3. Screens with slower refresh rates can't display level meters in sync with the track.

Best Computer For Music Listening

Any one of these problems alone is annoying. All 3 together will drive you crazy.

And once that happens, I highly suggest getting a good external monitor.

For a good high-end option, here is an example of something that would work well:

• LG 27″ 4k – (Amazon/B&H)

As an alternative, any standard monitor (such as this one) will work almost as well, such as he HP 27er.

Best Computer For Music Production

• Click here to compare prices – (Amazon/B&H)