Table of Contents
My journey as a creative person has been significantly altered by the decision to purchase the ideal laptop for music production. It is not enough to simply possess high-quality specifications; one must also locate a device that guarantees a smooth and immersive experience, free from the vexing interruptions of stuttering or crashing. My own experience has shown that by selecting a laptop that is outfitted with a chip from the most recent generation of either Intel or AMD and a minimum of 16 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), I am able to considerably increase my productivity. It is possible to effortlessly manage resource-intensive music production software with the help of these specifications, which provide the necessary power and speed.
In addition, having a screen that is as large as 14 inches or more and has a good resolution has proven to be an extremely valuable advantage. This larger display not only improves the visual experience, but it also proves to be extremely useful when working with detailed timelines, toolbars, and other critical aspects that are present in audio editing software. Having this canvas gives me the opportunity to go deeply into the specifics of my creative process, which is like having a canvas.
The investment in a laptop that is specifically designed for music creation extends beyond simply satisfying the technological requirements, as my own personal experience has shown me. The goal is to create an atmosphere that encourages creative expression, reduces disturbances as much as possible, and intensifies the joyful experience of making music.
Best Laptops for Music Production Comparison Table
There are a few things you should look for in a laptop for making songs. First, you need to make sure that the system can handle all the work. That means a CPU with at least four cores and 16GB of RAM at the very least. If you work with hundreds of songs, plugins, or samples, memory is very important. It’s important to have a big hard drive because audio software and tracks take up a lot of room. You’ll also need a lot of ports for other devices, like a production station, keyboard, or audio interface.
Feature | Display | Processor | Storage | Battery | Key features | Check Deal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR | M3 chip | 512GB SSD | Up to 17 hours | Powerful M3 chip, stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, long battery life | Check Deal |
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) | 15.4-inch Liquid Retina | M2 chip | 256GB SSD | Up to 20 hours | Sleek and lightweight design, large Liquid Retina display, all-day battery life | Check Deal |
Dell XPS 13 OLED | 13.4-inch OLED | 12th Gen Intel Core i7 | 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Up to 14 hours | Vibrant OLED display, compact and portable, powerful performance | Check Deal |
Dell XPS 17 | 17-inch InfinityEdge | 12th Gen Intel Core i7 | 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD | Up to 15 hours | Large display, powerful performance, versatile 2-in-1 form factor | Check Deal |
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 | 13-inch PixelSense Flow | 12th Gen Intel Core i7 | 512GB SSD | Up to 15 hours | Detachable tablet design, versatile kickstand, pen support | Check Deal |
Best Laptops for Music Production
Here is a list of the best laptops for making songs that you can buy right now. We’ve used our knowledge, connections in the business, and years of reviewing to think about everything, from memory and power to screen size and portability.
MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023)
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Processor | Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU |
Graphics | Integrated M3 GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
RAM | 8GB or 16GB of unified memory |
Storage | 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD |
Display | 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion |
Battery Life | Up to 22 hours |
Check Price |
I’m sure I can say that the MacBook Pro 14 with the M3 chip in 2023 is a real powerhouse now that I have one. The M3 chip has completely changed how I work, especially when I’m doing jobs that use a lot of resources, like editing videos and rendering 3D models. With a frame rate of 120Hz, the Liquid Retina XDR display really makes the experience feel great. An even bigger surprise is that the battery lasts for 18 hours on a single charge.
The Good
- Blazing-fast performance
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
- Exceptional battery life
- Wide range of ports and connectivity options
The Bad
- Pricey
- Limited port selection compared to older models
- Notch in the display may be distracting for some users
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Processor | Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU |
Graphics | Integrated M3 GPU |
RAM | 8GB or 16GB of unified memory |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD |
Display | 15-inch Liquid Retina display |
Check Price |
After getting the Apple MacBook Air 15 in 2023, my daily work has become much more enjoyable. Working and having fun are both beautiful on the 15-inch Liquid Retina monitor. The finless design keeps things cool and quiet, even though the M2 chip handles everyday chores without any problems. I think the wedge-shaped shape and the ease of MagSafe charging make my experience even more appealing.
The Good
- Thin and lightweight design
- Excellent battery life
- Bright and colorful display
- Great performance for everyday tasks
The Bad
- Fanless design may lead to throttling under heavy workloads
- Notch in the display may be distracting for some users
Dell XPS 13 OLED
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
RAM | 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD |
Check Price |
It’s been fun to look around the Dell XPS 13 OLED. This laptop is very thin and light, and it has a bright OLED screen that shows beautiful images with deep blacks and bright colours. The 12th Gen Intel Core processors make sure that the computer runs smoothly, and the stylish design and easy-to-use keyboard make every contact a pleasure.
The Good
- Stunning OLED display
- Slim and compact design
- Powerful performance
The Bad
- Limited port selection
- No touchscreen option
Dell XPS 17
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 |
RAM | 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of DDR5 RAM |
Storage | 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD |
Display | 17-inch InfinityEdge display with 4K resolution |
Check Price |
The Dell XPS 17 is a great choice for people who need a bigger screen for work or artistic projects. The large 17-inch QHD+ panel makes it easier to do more than one thing at once and gives you a more immersive entertainment experience. The powerful 12th Gen Intel Core H-series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs make my work flow smooth even when I’m doing hard jobs.
The Good
- Large and immersive display
- Powerful performance
- Great for creative professionals
- Long battery life
The Bad
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Limited port selection
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
RAM | 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD |
Display | 13-inch PixelSense Flow display with 120Hz refresh rate |
Check Price |
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 has become my flexible partner because it can instantly switch from a laptop to a tablet. The speed is better thanks to the 12th Gen Intel Core processors, and the bright PixelSense touchscreen display is great for drawing, taking notes, and watching movies. Because the battery lasts a long time, it’s great for travelling and staying productive while you’re away.
The Good
- Versatile 2-in-1 design
- Bright and colorful display
- Long battery life
- Great for note-taking and drawing
The Bad
- Keyboard and stylus sold separately
- Limited
Key Considerations for Music Production Laptops
Picking the right laptop for music production is important for getting the best results and keeping things running smoothly. When choosing a laptop for making music, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- The processor (CPU): Choose a laptop with a strong engine that has more than one core. For music production tools and plugins, the best processor is one with at least four cores and a fast clock speed.
- Memory, or RAM: Because music recording software can use a lot of resources, pick a laptop with a lot of RAM. It is suggested that you have at least 16GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking and effective handling of large tasks.
- Type and Size of Storage: Think about getting a laptop with a fast and large storage option. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are better because they let you view and load data faster. You should aim for at least 512GB of storage room, or you can add more with external drives.
- Video Card (GPU): A specialised graphics card isn’t necessary for making music, but having a good one can make the whole system run better. Most of the time, integrated graphics are enough, but a separate GPU can give you more power for visual jobs.
- Size and quality of the screen: For better vision, pick a laptop with a high-resolution screen. A bigger screen can make the area better overall, but portability may be an issue. If you work with graphics or make videos, you should also think about colour correctness.
- Ports for connecting: Make sure the laptop has a lot of different ways to join. To connect external devices like audio interfaces and MIDI controls, you need USB ports that support USB 3.0 or higher. For fast data sharing, Thunderbolt ports can also be helpful.
- Audio Interfaces That Work: Make sure that the laptop will work with your audio device. Make sure the laptop has the ports and drivers that your chosen audio device needs to connect and work properly.
- Length of Time: Think about how long the battery will last, especially if you want to make songs on the go. A longer battery life gives you more options, but keep in mind that strong parts may make the battery less effective overall.
Questions and Answers
The newest Intel® processors with multiple cores power Microsoft Surface devices, which makes them great for working on big projects. With up to 19 hours of battery life* on devices like the Surface Laptop 5, you can work on your music for hours from anywhere without running out of power.
The newest Intel® processors with multiple cores power Microsoft Surface devices, which makes them great for working on big projects. With up to 19 hours of battery life* on devices like the Surface Laptop 5, you can work on your music for hours from anywhere without running out of power.