For years now, Apple has dominated the best laptops for music production arena. Indeed, Apple has the monopoly on any creative production. As the only portable platform for Logic Pro X, the Apple MacBook Pro is ubiquitous in music production, from the DJ booth and pro recording studios, to bands. The best Apple laptop for music production is definitely the MacBook Pro mid-2019 i5-8279U 2.4 GHz (4-cores). However, I didn’t mention that their CPUs can be overclocked, so you can save some cash with the MacBook Pro mid-2019 i5-8257U 1.4 GHz (4-cores). These are both entry-level models, but they’ll outperform certain desktops. It may not come with access to Logic Pro X, but the Surface Book 2 will have you covered in pretty every other conceivable music production scenario. To best the 15-inch MacBook Pro, both the 13. Top 10 Best laptops for music production 2019 VIDEO In my previous blog I talked about the best specs for the best laptop for music production. That was pretty general about specifications and brands. In this vlog I name you a top 10. Continue reading.

• Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production System
• Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production Chart
• Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production Guide
• Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production Software

For modern producers the laptop is the centerpiece of any music production studio.

You use a laptop to run your DAW where you create, record, mix and master your tracks.

Nothing is more frustrating than getting a perfect take only to find that your computer crashed during the recording session.

There are ways to reduce DAW latency and cut down on the demands your software is making on your system.

But sometimes a new laptop is what you need to get up and running.

Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production System

Here’s the 10 best music production laptops on the market today:

1. MacBook Pro
2. Microsoft Surface Book 2
3. HP ENVY x360
4. ASUS VivoBook Slim
5. Lenovo ThinkBook 14s
6. Razer Blade Stealth
7. ASUS Rog Strix
8. HP Omen 15
9. The Apple iPad
10. Build Your Own PC

In this guide we’ll look at the basic system requirements you’ll need to successfully use DAW software and we’ll list our top ten choices for music production computers.

How to Choose a Music Production Laptop

If you’re just getting started with a home studio you really don’t need anything super fancy or expensive.

There are plenty of affordable computers that can handle the demands a DAW puts on their systems.

There are plenty of affordable computers that can handle the demands a DAW puts on their systems.

There’s lots to consider when picking a music production computer.

But in general, watch for these four factors.

• Processing speed
• RAM
• Solid State Drive space
• Monitor size

Processing speed

The processing speed of your CPU is still one of the most important factors for processing audio.

Watch for computers that come with more processing cores and faster clock speeds above the 2.0Ghz range.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production Chart

Adequate RAM means having enough working memory for plugins, tracks, presets, and recordings to do their thing smoothly in your DAW.

For music production tasks we suggest having at least 8GB of RAM. You might want more, but it’s not always necessary.

Solid State Drive

Hard disc drives are somewhat a thing of the past. Today it’s all about the Solid State Drive or SSD.

If your DAW and plugins are installed on your SSD they’ll load much faster and be more responsive.

You want at least 512GB worth of storage space, but even that will get taken up pretty quickly.

The key is to be organized with how you store your data.

The key is to be organized with how you store your data.

Hot tip:In the past, hardware guides recommended that you track your audio files on a separate volume from the drive that stores your OS and DAW.

This is less of a concern with modern computers, but using a fast external drive for your session files can still help you get the most from your system. Consider using an external drive for tracking.

Monitor Size

A smaller monitor makes your setup more portable, but it also means more scrolling and wasted time in your workflow.

If you don’t mind using a larger machine, the extra screen real estate will help you see what you’re working on more clearly.

Ideally, any laptop you own should come with some kind of external display port so you can hook up to a larger secondary monitor.

The Top Ten Best Laptops for Music Production

Without further ado, here are our top ten picks for the best music production laptops today.

1. MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is a long-standing favourite among music producers.

You’ll see them everywhere from on stage at Coachella to the DJ booth at your local night club.

The MacBook Pro comes out of the box ready to go, it even has Garage Band pre-installed on it.

But chances are you’ll eventually want to upgrade to the Apple OS exclusive Logic X, which is widely seen as one of the world’s best DAWs.

MacBooks are powerful, versatile and designed with creators in mind.

The MacBook Pro is a long-standing favourite among music producers.

There are a few downsides to consider. The latest generation MacBook Pro is only equipped with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports.

That means you’ll have to buy the correct adapters to connect peripherals like your audio interface and midi controller.

For a more affordable option, you could consider searching for a refurbished unit or buying one on the used market.

2. Microsoft Surface Book 2

Microsoft Surface Book 2 is one of the most interesting laptops on the market right now.

It comes with a higher price tag, but it’s worth it considering the features, high powered specs, and functionality the laptop has.

The defining feature of the Surface Book 2 is its detachable 13.3-inch touchscreen tablet display.

The tablet itself is very high quality and compares favourably with the Apple iPad.

Tablets open plenty of new avenues for your production workflow.

Plus you can even use a smartpen stylus on the screen, making it a great option for artists who also create visually.

Since its launch the Surface Book 2 has come down in price significantly, but it still sits on the higher end of this list.

But considering that it comes as a two-in-one tablet and laptop package, the price tag is fairly justified.

3. HP ENVY x360

The HP ENVY x360 is a very good and very affordable option for a music production laptop.

It may not have the same power that a gaming laptop or the Surface Pro 2 has but its technical specs easily meet the requirements you need to produce music.

This laptop also features a tablet-style touch screen that is compatible with a smart stylus.

It doesn’t separate from the body like the Surface Pro 2, but the screen folds a full 360 degrees so you can use the laptop and touch screen in a variety of ways.

With its 8GB of ram and i5 processor, you can comfortably make music in your DAW too.

If you’re looking for an affordable music production laptop this is definitely one to have on your list.

4. ASUS VivoBook Slim

The most affordable option on this list is the ASUS VivoBook Slim.

The most affordable option on this list is the ASUS VivoBook Slim.

It’s a fairly simple laptop with a modern-looking design, a large 15.6 inch display, comprehensive connection ports including modern USB 3.1 Type-C and Type-A connectors and standard USB 2.0 ports.

Its lower price makes the VivoBook a greater starter laptop that can handle your music production needs even if it comes with only 8GB of RAM and an Intel i5 processor.

5. Lenovo ThinkBook 14s

While it’s more known for being a business computer, Lenovo’s ThinkBook series is known for being a powerful yet portable option.

The ThinkBook is known for its long-lasting battery life and durability.

The laptop is water-resistant and is protected from spills, extreme temperatures, and vibrations.

So if you often find yourself working in a thumping, spill-prone night club this could be a good option for you.

We recommend choosing a model with a larger screen, at least 8GB of RAM and an i5 or higher processor.

6. Razer Blade Stealth

The Razer Blade is first and foremost a gaming laptop so its higher price tag is justified by a superior graphics and sound card.

The Razer Blade is first and foremost a gaming laptop so its higher price tag is justified by a superior graphics and sound card.

You won’t need these to produce music, but the powerful 16GB RAM, i7 processor, and 512 GB SSD drive that comes with it will give you more than enough to create without limits in any DAW.

This model of laptop is popular amongst many FL Studio users given its powerful specs and cool aesthetic.

It comes with an eye-catching shifting neon backlit keyboard.

The 13-inch model comes with a smaller screen, but it is very portable and comes with ample USB, USB-C, and HDMI connections so you can easily hook it up to a larger monitor.

Considering how much power the laptop packs, you are getting very good value for its mid to high-range price.

7. ASUS Rog Strix

Another gaming laptop that should be on your list is the ASUS Rog Strix.

Despite its admittedly gamer aesthetic, the laptop comes with very powerful specs at a comparable price to other gaming laptops.

Its main advantage is its larger 15.6-inch screen even if it’s a bit bulkier than other laptops on this list.

If you are looking for a laptop in the mid to high price range this a good one to consider.

8. HP Omen 15

The last gaming laptop on this list to look at is the HP Omen 15.

This laptop certainly offers plenty of power with 12 GB of RAM, an i7 processor, and 128GB of SSD storage on top 1TB of hard drive storage.

While it has that bulkier gaming aesthetic, the laptop offers a sizeable a 15.6-inch display.

The HP Omen 15 prices slightly lower than its counterparts on this list since its specs are slightly behind the Razer or ASUS Rog Strix.

But for music production, this laptop has ample processing and memory for any project.

9. The Apple iPad

It’s not a laptop, but it’s a portable, powerful, and affordable option.

Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production Guide

There are plenty of music production apps and DAWs that work very well on iOS.

In fact, some of the biggest tracks today were produced with mobile apps.

In fact, some of the biggest tracks today were produced with mobile apps.

Working with a touchscreen interface is an entirely new experience that can sometimes be inspiring.

Plus, you can purchase hardware add-ons that enable you to use a keyboard and mouse with your iPad.

10. Build your own PC

If portability isn’t something you need, building a custom desktop PC might be your best option.

You’ll get maximum customizability and you can always change components if you aren’t satisfied.

There are plenty of builds you can find online in computer and music production forums.

Plus, you’ll get the satisfaction of having a computer that is uniquely yours!

Mac Tips

Music-making does not require renting studios to record your tracks—all you need is your home laptop to apply the desired effects to polish tracks. But before this, learn which Apple computers are the best ones to record music.

Best Macbook Pro Specs For Music Production Software

Musicians prefer Macs, and for several reasons—high-quality music production is one of them. In this article, we’ll cover the main aspects you should consider when choosing the best Mac for music production and give our recommendations on important models specs.

In a nutshell, we believe the top three of the best Macs for music production 2020 are:

• 27-inch 5K iMac—the best choice for music production
• 16-inch MacBook Pro—the best portable laptop
• Mac mini—the best budget Mac

Read further to find out why these models are the best computers for creating music!

What’s Best for Musicians—Mac or PC?

Choosing between macOS and a Windows platform depends mostly on your computer preferences and your collaborators. With the fast development of technology, the PC is right behind Mac. However, it's easier to get started making music on a Mac than on a PC. We’ll tell you why.

The PC standard audio drivers won’t be suitable for creating music professionally. Windows users would need to install ASIO drivers for the sound card alongside other music hardware they’d like to use, for example, MIDI controllers. Windows does not provide native music software—that’s why installing extra music software is essential.

On a Mac, on the contrary, fewer steps are required. You can plug in music hardware and then open GarageBand—the pre-installed app on iOS and macOS in DAW (digital audio workstation). It lets you have your music studio for recording, editing, composing, and experimenting with audio-tracks. We’ll tell you more about GarageBand in this article.

Recommended system requirements

The Mac’s system requirements depend on which type of music software you’d be using and the complexity of your music-making processes. The next step is to check the program’s official system requirements you will run. This will help you determine the minimum required specs your Mac should have.

For music production, a Mac should have at least a 2.2Ghz i7 quad-core processor. The process determines how fast your music projects would run (and usually they are huge). Start at least with 16GB of RAM. Having less than 16 GB of RAM means using fewer instrument voices. Also, your speed will decrease.

Let’s talk about storage. The amount of disk space depends on the size of the audio files you’ll be working on. As a rule, professional software can use hundreds of GBs. So, for starters, Macs coming with basic 256GB SSDs may be enough. Still, you can plan to add some external storage for your Mac in the future.

Video cards have always been important for playing games and video editing. And for audio software as well. Choose a video card wisely— check which one is required by the audio software you need and if you’ll have to connect any displays.

The Best Macs for Music Production

Here is our list of the best Macs for music-making:

27-inch 5K iMac—the best choice for music production

The new 2019 hardware makes the 27-inch 5K iMac our top pick for your home studio. You can customize its RAM up to 64GB. The advanced processor lets you use all the features of pro audio editing apps. The size of the Retina display is an obvious benefit. Besides, it comes with four USB 3 ports alongside with two Thunderbolt 3/USB Type C ports.

16-inch MacBook Pro—the best portable laptop

If you go on tours—the 16-inch MacBook Pro is just right for you! The basic configuration makes it powerful enough. Using the Touch Bar is useful when you record tracks and change the settings at once. Only 4.3 pounds (2.0 kg) of weight, MacBook Pro has a major advantage for musicians who are always on the road.

Mac mini—the best budget Mac

Why is the Mac mini also on the list of the best Macs for music-making? Mac mini had an update in March 2020, bringing in a 256GB SSD. Besides, it is a good choice if you’re on a budget. What’s great about the Mac mini is a small size, an extra audio-in port. In addition to this, you can customize it with a much more powerful processor and more RAM. But be ready to buy a keyboard, a mouse, a display to go with your Mac mini model.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Mac for Music Production

Consider these two factors when deciding on the best computer for music:

Portability

Among the first things to consider when determining which Mac to choose is to think over whether you need a desktop computer or a laptop. A laptop is the best choice for musicians who move a lot for work.

Connections

Using many additional instruments, such as monitors, headphones, USB instruments, and other audio interfaces, is essential. That’s why a limited number of USB ports might become an issue. Do check and compare the Connections sections when reviewing Mac specifications.

Mac Music Software

Here are our 2020 picks for the best apps for music-making on a Mac:

• If you’ve just started producing music, GarageBand has Smart Instruments helping you create a guitar, drum, synth, and orchestral parts without knowing how to play these instruments. GarageBand version 10.3 is full of surprises. New sound effects and instrument sounds and 1000 electronic and urban loops at your disposal are just the beginning. The Artist Lessons are finally free for those craving to learn songs taught by famous artists.
• Logic Pro X is called GarageBand's 'companion' and is, in fact, Apple's professional audio software. If you're an electronic musician and want to experiment with sound, you might opt for Logic Pro X. The great news is that you can get a 90-day free trial. However, you’ll need to run macOS 10.14.6 (macOS Mojave) or later. Moreover, this app is rather resource-consuming, so the best MacBook for Logic Pro X is either a 13-inch MacBook Pro or a 16-inch model.
• Ableton Live 10 makes your DJ experience smooth. Being a DAW it offers empowered MIDI sequencing hardware and software. With this app working on MIDI controllers is hustle-free now.
• PreSonus Studio One 4 Prime is for you if you’re still deciding whether you’re just at the beginning of your music-making career. It is free! A perfect app to start creating music with. Being a full-scale digital studio, it offers the Artist and Pro editions and an improved drum editor to make your instrument editing workflow easier.
• Cakewalk SONAR Mac Prototype is another free app used to be available on Windows only. However, now it can be installed on a Mac too.

How to Prepare your Mac for Music Recording?

Recording music does sound like a high-load process for your Mac. Full storage, apps responding longer than usual, or a spinning wheel on your screen may slow you down. So how to get back to productive work?

For starters, it's always a good idea to clean RAM. The rule applies—the more memory available, the faster your Mac should run. Memory Cleaner feature in MacKeeper frees up RAM with just a few clicks and lets you know which apps may be eating up memory without you even knowing it.

Another thing that may hamper music recording is the lack of free space. Music-making requires some extra gigabytes at hand, so you can use such MacKeeper tools as Safe Cleanup and Duplicates Finder to scan your Mac for old copies of files, caches, or apps leftovers and safely remove them.

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We hope our guide helped you choose the proper computer for music-making. Now go and grab your instrument or mic, plug it into your new Mac, and get rockin’!