. The best MacBook Pro deals 2020: get a great price on a new Apple laptop. MacBook Pro vs Dell XPS 13: which laptop is best for music making?. The 10 best laptops for music production 2020. There's the option to spec a 10th-generation quad-core Core i5 processor, too, with Turbo Boost speeds of up to 4.1GHz. However, the Apple iMac pro is expensive, and this is mainly because of the Apple brand it sits under. Many Apple products are known for being great quality, but that comes at a large expense too. Although it's a great music production laptop, it will only suit those who a bigger budget. Pros: + Core Intel i7 Processor + Good Image and Screen.
Your computer is one of the most important pieces of hardware you'll need if you want to get into music production. Desktop computers are great investments for your home recording studio, but laptops provide more portability if you ever need to hit the road while working on a project or if you constantly perform live.
In this article we compare them all and explain which Mac is right for you: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro. There was a time when music production required hiring a studio. The computer can be easily customized and is powerful enough to handle all the tasks involved in music production; How to choose the Best Mac for Music Production. The guidelines below will help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing an appropriate Mac for music production. Macbook Air M1 vs Macbook Pro M1 vs Mac Mini M1 vs iMac.
It goes without saying that if you're going to get a laptop, you'll need to go all out and get a reliable one that comes with all the necessary specs that meet your workflow requirements. After all, its quality will affect your performance and efficiency as a music producer.
To help all you budding music producers or sound engineers with your buying decisions, we've compiled a list of the best laptops for music production—read on to see which ones made the cut.
8 Best Laptops for Music Production
Apple Macbook Pro 15.4' (Mid 2015)
Adorama Price:
When it comes to music production, Macbooks have been known to dominate the market—and this laptop is no exception. From memory to storage, the Macbook Pro 15 provides everything you need to produce music. It's virtually a plug-and-play laptop that works with almost any audio interface, MIDI controller, and digital audio workstation (DAW). And speaking of DAW, it already has the beginner-friendly Garageband preinstalled to help you get started on producing music or podcasts right away.
This most basic version already comes with a 2.2GHz quad core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage, which is good enough for most music production applications. If you have the money to upgrade, you can go with models that have a faster processor (either the 2.5GHz or 2.8GHz) or bigger storage space (512GB or 1TB). Of course, if you want the biggest and fastest, you can get the Macbook Pro 15 () with the 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 and 1TB SSD storage.
You can of course opt for the more recent models like the MacBook Pro 15.4' with Touch Bar () that came out in late 2016, which has roughly the same specs. However, it may not be the most convenient choice due to the fact that it has fewer ports—and when working with music production equipment, you're definitely going to need a few of those.
Key Specs:
- Processor: 2.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (up to 3.4GHz Turbo Boost)
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Graphics: Intel Iris Pro
- Display: 15.4in LED-Backlit with IPS (Retina Display)
- Native Resolution: 2880 x 1800
- Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 2 / 2x USB 3.0 (up to 5Gbps) / 1x HDMI
- Operating System: MacOS High Sierra
- Battery Life: Up to 8 Hours
Apple Macbook Pro 13' with Touch Bar (2017)
Adorama Price:
As we've already established, Macbooks are widely considered to be standard laptops for music production. This Macbook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar is somewhat more expensive, mainly because of the added touch bar feature. However, if your top requirements for a laptop are portability and convenience, this may be a better option than the first MacBook we mentioned.
Music producers who are constantly on the go will usually need something a bit lighter (not everyone needs 15 inches of screen) and thinner, and this model is less than 1 centimeter thick and weighs just a little over three pounds—1.5 pounds lighter than its 15-inch, touch bar-less counterpart. It has a dual-core Intel Core i7 3.5GHz processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, which should give you more than enough space and just the right processing power for producing and storing music.
This Macbook Pro also comes with Garageband, so you're also killing two birds with one stone. If your budget is a bit more flexible, you can get the Macbook Pro 13' with Touch Bar () to enjoy 1TB storage capacity for all your music.
Key Specs:
- Processor: 3.5GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 (Up to 4GHz Turbo Boost)
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
- Display: 13.3in LED-Backlit with IPS (Retina Display)
- Native Resolution: 1680 x 1050
- Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2
- Ports: 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C)
- Operating System: MacOS Sierra
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
Dell Alienware 15 R3
Adorama Price:
Laptops from Dell's Alienware series are designed for hardcore gaming, but for music production, its specs list definitely fits the bill. The Alienware 15 R3 in particular offers 16GB of RAM (with a maximum capacity of up to 32GB) and at least 1TB HDD of storage, giving you more than enough extra space for your sample libraries and tracks. As a Dell laptop, it also features a superior cooling system to greatly reduce the operating temperature when using intense applications.
Moreover, the Alienware 15 provides all the ports you need for connecting your external hardware. You can also choose to go with the Dell Alienware 15 with 1.5TB () to enjoy a slightly faster processing speed of 2.9GHz and additional 512GB SSD storage.
Key Specs:
- Processor: 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7-7700HQ (up to 3.8GHz Max Turbo)
- Memory: 16GB RAM (32GB Max. Upgrade)
- Storage: 1TB Drive
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
- Display: 15.6in LCD with IPS
- Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Wi-Fi: Dual-Band 802.11AC
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1
- Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 3 / 1x USB 3.0 Type-C / 2x USB 3.0 Type-A / 1x Docking Port
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Lenovo Ideapad Y700 17.3'
Adorama Price:
The Lenovo Ideapad Y700 is much more affordably priced, but it doesn't fall short in terms functionality and performance. It's equipped with a pretty decent 8GB RAM for standard music production and a large 1TB HDD storage that can accommodate your heavier samples and tracks.
If you're looking for a laptop with a bigger display (compared to the 15-inch model), the Lenovo Ideapad Y700 has a 17-inch full HD screen for better viewing. Despite being less than $1000, this budget-friendly laptop definitely delivers optimal performance for your basic music production needs.
Key Specs:
- Processor: i5 Intel Core Skylake 14nm 6th Gen (up to 3.2GHz Max Turbo)
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
- Display: 17.3in IPS LCD with LED Backlight (Anti-Glare)
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Wi-Fi: 802.11AC (Wireless LAN)
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports: 2x USB 3.0 / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x HDMI
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: Up to 4.5 Hours
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Adorama Price:
Touchscreen computers are becoming a popular option for on-the-go music production. The Surface Pro is possibly the best, most versatile laptop-tablet hybrid that you can use on stage, as its 12.3-inch PixelTouch display provides more dynamic use of the computer, compared to a laptop with a trackpad and keyboard.
The all-touch capability enables you to access your apps during live sets quickly and easily, making it a great alternative to analog DJ stations. One more thing we love about the Surface Pro 4 is that its bright and sharp display is great for low light situations, such as clubs and enclosed concert spaces. It also has an impressive battery life (it can last up to 9 hours while watching videos) despite its thin and lightweight body.
Key Specs:
- Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core m3
- Memory: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
- Display: 12.3in PixelTouch (with 10-point Multi-Touch)
- Resolution: 2736 x 1824
- Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
- Bluetooth: 4.0
- Ports: 1x USB 3.0 / 1x Mini DisplayPort
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
- Battery Life: Up to 9 Hours
Apple Macbook Air 13.3' (2017)
Adorama Price:
The 2017 13.3-inch Macbook Air is ideal for music producers who want a reliable computer but prefer an even thinner and lighter device to work with. Fortunately, the lack of bulk means the Air comes at a slightly lower price than the Pro.
It's the perfect mix of sophistication, performance, and portability. It has the latest dual-core i5 processor with Turbo Boost of up to 2.9GHz, as well as 8GB RAM, which are just enough for you to start making tunes. Surprisingly, it also includes enough ports for at least your audio interface, MIDI controller, and monitor—a definite plus for those who are worried about the Mac not having enough ports.
If you have a bit more cash to spare, you can get the same Macbook Air 13.3' () model with the more powerful 2.2GHz i7 Dual-Core processor.
Key Specs:
- Processor: 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 (up to 2.9GHz Turbo Boost)
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Graphics: Intel HD 6000
- Display: 13.3in LED-Backlit
- Native Resolution: 1440 x 900
- Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports: 2x USB 3.0 / 1x Thunderbolt 2.0 USB
- Operating System: MacOS Sierra
- Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5'
Adorama Price:
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is perfect for big, high-resource recording productions. Its powerful quad-core Intel Core i7 processor has a maximum turbo boost of 4.2GHz and 16GB memory enable music producers to run intensive audio recording operations smoothly.
Its SD card slot and three USB ports are perfectly compatible with most audio interfaces, plus it has a detachable touchscreen monitor that can provide convenience for audio recording applications and other activities that don't require the use of the bulky keyboard bottom.
Should you need the extra space for all your tracks, you can upgrade to the Microsoft Surface Book 2 15' ($3,195) with 1TB storage.
Key Specs:
- Processor: 8th Gen Quad-Core Intel Core i7-8650U (up to 4.2GHz Max Turbo)
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
- Display: 13.5in PixelSense (with 10-point Multi-Touch)
- Resolution: 3000 x 2000
- Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC Compatible
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1
- Ports: 2x USB 3.1 Type-A / 1x USB 3.1 Type-C / 2x Surface Connect Ports
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro Creators Update
- Battery Life: Up to 17 Hours
5 Important Laptop Specs for Music Production
There's no point in spending money on the most expensive laptops if they don't even have the specifications and features you need to be able to efficiently use them for your desired applications. Computer specifications may seem confusing, especially if you've never purchased a laptop for intensive applications, but you'll only really have to check the following:
Processor
The computer's processor is one of the most important specs to consider for any user who needs a workhorse that can run smoothly and fast even while using several heavy applications at once. When choosing a laptop for music production, check the number of cores its processor has. Four cores are pretty standard with laptops, but if you want something lighter and more compact, you may have to settle for a dual-core processor.
Another thing to consider is clock speed. For music production, it's best to go with something within the 2.4 to 4.2GHz range. Again, you may have to go a little slower than that if you want a light and portable machine.
RAM
Nobody wants to deal with slow and glitchy programs—it can disrupt your workflow and may even affect the quality of your final product. To ensure that this doesn't happen, make sure to get a laptop that has enough Random-Access Memory or RAM. Music production requires at least 8GB of RAM to enable you to work smoothly without any issues, but 16GB would be ideal.
Storage Capacity
Working with audio files will require you to have a lot of storage space. Before purchasing your laptop, decide whether you want one that has plenty of built-in storage space, or if you want to simply use an external hard drive to store all your files.
If you do want to store most of your files on the laptop itself, go for at least 1TB of storage.
You may also want to consider SSD vs. HDD when it comes to your laptop's built-in storage. SSD reads and writes data much faster, but it's definitely more expensive (per GB) than HDD. You can also go with a combination of both, similar to the storage setup on the Dell Alienware 15 R3.
Ports
Music production involves the use of several equipment, including microphones, instruments, control surfaces, audio interfaces, and more. With that in mind, one of the most important things to consider is whether a laptop has enough ports to create a seamless and efficient music production setup.
Of course, you can always purchase a USB hub—if you have one, the number of ports on your laptop may not matter as much. However, if you require a more portable setup, keep in mind that this is another added item to your gear list.
Screen Size
Finally, consider the screen size of the laptop you want to get. If you're monitoring more than 10 tracks, then you're obviously going to want a bigger screen. This specification is mostly a matter of preference or convenience, as anyone can easily work with whatever screen size they feel comfortable with.
Keep in mind that the more complex your productions are, the better, faster, and bigger these specifications have to be. There are many choices out there that may not have been mentioned here, but hopefully our list can help narrow down your choices.
Should I use Mac vs. PC for music production? Which operating system and type of computer is better for recording and making music? Does it even matter? Not only had we asked ourselves this questions for years, but it's also one of the most popular questions we receive from our readers. Can we give you a literal answer to save you time from reading this relatively long article? Unfortunately, that wouldn't be fair. If we literally had to give you one, this may not be what you want to hear, but this is the truth: it really doesn't matter.
PC vs. Mac for Music Production
Still here? Ok, we can elaborate. Today we'll wade into the deep end on the Mac vs. PC debate, joining a battle that has been raging for 30 plus years. This time however, we will discuss only the music production end of the spectrum. Before we begin though, we want to mention that this is simply an overview of the debate between PC vs. Mac in terms of capabilities and the pros and cons of each platform. Production has many facets when it comes to music making equipment with instruments, controllers, mixers and software, so be sure to read our other guides when you're done if you need further help. While some software will only work on some systems and not others, the hardware of music production is multi-platform, so we won't get too far into that today.
Everyone talks about the pros and cons of this debate, but they all end up the same way. Some people are Mac fans and others are PC fans. You could literally use either one of them and be happy, and that is a true statement. The fact that this fight has been going on for a generation should tell you just how close the two are to each other in capabilities. Both can deliver a level of performance that any audiophile, musician or producer would want. It really boils down to what you are comfortable with. Some kids grew up on a Mac, others grew up on a PC. Tribalism is an ugly business, but since it makes both sides money it will most likely never end, neither will the debate of PC vs. Mac.
Before our feet can't touch the bottom anymore, we should talk about production desktop computer vs. music making laptop. When talking about which one is the right one for you, we must first decide how you are going to use it. Is it going to be for a home recording studio? Or is this going to be your mobile laboratory? This is a tougher question than you might think.
Maybe you want to go to a friend's house to work on something together. It's not very practical to pack up a desktop and haul it across town every time you want to collaborate. Perhaps the best method would be to go dual platform, have both a desktop and a laptop, using the desktop for the bulk of the work and storage and the laptop for mobile work. Since you will already have the software, and with the compact nature of some of the hardware these days, logistics shouldn't be a problem.
Do I Choose Mac or PC for Music Making?
In the beginning, it's going to be all about budget. If you have the means, then go ahead and spend away! If you don't, then there are some things to consider when comparing the PC vs. Mac. First off, the PC is and expandable device. This means that as long as you have a huge power supply and a large enough box to put it in, you can literally upgrade from time to time forever. This approach favors the lower end budget because you may only need a few hundred dollars at a time, allowing you to stretch the cost over a very long period of time after the initial purchase. This is also a forgiving route because the speed at which technology races forward is going to render your machine obsolete in just a few years, what's hot tomorrow may not exist yet but with a PC you can be pretty sure it will simply be a matter of plug and play.
For the Mac however, it's a bit tougher on the budget initially but you get a very powerful and capable machine right out of the box. The way Apple has progressed in recent years has been nothing short of impressive, with technologies and software compatibility the PC is going to be hard pressed to match in the future. Apple has made it a strong point that they want to own the cell phone market and it's clear that's what they've invested most of their R&D into, but that may be about to change. The Mac Pro Tower back in 2012 was the closest Apple ever got to the PC in terms of hardware upgrade compatibility, and with the rumors of a new Mac Pro on the horizon later in 2018 it may very well be game on in the battle between Mac vs. PC for music production. The software for Apple products is easily transferred from one device to another, making it simple to run audio software on say an iPad and send it straight to the iMac in just a few moments.
Although the PC and Mac look very similar these days, the cost of components inside them is a very real difference. If you have the ability to build your own PC, this may be the cheaper way to go. Make sure you buy with quality in mind though. Very often a newly built PC can suffer from compatibility issues right out of the gate. That's not to say that Apple doesn't have their fair share of problems (cooking an egg on the back of your MacBook for example), but a well-built PC with quality components inside can be a very effective tool for your music production. Combine this with a hard drive array and watch your workflow will blossom. Some of the best array's work with both PC and Mac, and utilize the new Thunderbolt technology.
While you may have to pony up some money for dongles and cables, because the iMac only has 4 slots for USB, it also comes with 2 additional Thunderbolt 3 ports making it a bit more worth the money considering buying just one Thunderbolt 3 dock for a PC can cost $250 to $300 US. RAM is also a very big consideration when looking at the PC vs. Mac for music production. 16 GB of RAM should be more than enough to run your software, but if you're using sample-based instruments with plug-ins and a large library you should consider about 32GB of RAM. The iMac offers a 32 GB version, which will completely serve this purpose.
So, as we swim back towards the safety of the shallow end, let's discuss some of the drawbacks to both systems.
Music Production with a PC
The PC for music production suffers from a few things like sound bleed from the fans and compatibility issues, but those are all relatively simple to fix. The biggest problem for the PC is upgrade. Now we know what you're going to say here 'but the PC can be upgraded countless times!' which is true, but think about the cost of upgrading your system every year. On average, to replace memory sticks, you're looking at about $100 to $800, to replace an SSD hard drive it can cost between $110 to $700 US. Upgrading to a motherboard with the new Thunderbolt 3 and an Intel i9 CPU is going to run well over $2000.
Also not to be out done is the video card. Those have come down in price in recent years, but for a good quality card these days, you can pick one up for about $100. However, the wrong card can bottleneck your system and destroy your workflow. Expect to spend a few hundred dollars on a decent card. At those price points, you can see that the upgrade tree for the PC can be an expensive endeavor. All of that is also before you begin to get into any compatibility issue you might end up with.
Making Music with a Mac
The Mac has obvious drawbacks in terms of out of the box cost, but its' biggest problem is being able to upgrade. The iMac is really just a thin computer strapped to the back of a monitor and although this is great for keeping your workspace tidy, it's not so great for adding components like a new video card or hard drive. You're pretty much stuck with what you have until you decide to go out and get some add-on devices for storage, but that will take up another USB slot on your already scant computer. Of course we can't forget that should anything ever go wrong with your monitor your entire computer is pretty much useless. One would be forgiven for thinking that kind of design flaw would've surely been removed with the combo TV-DVD players that now sit in the dustbin of history.
Imac Vs Macbook Pro For Music Production
Ending the Mac vs. PC for Making Music Debate
In the end, the range of software available for music production is both large and well-defined. Most companies today make them compatible with both PC and Mac. We have tried to be impartial in this discussion without going too far into the deep end with specs, drivers and hardware devices that will be connected to these computers for music production, but simply give you an overview of their capabilities and flaws.
Both platforms are very powerful when it comes to music production and with the exciting new technologies on the horizon for both the PC and the Mac the debate between PC vs. Mac will continue long after these technologies become obsolete. One thing is for certain, however — the future of music production on both platforms is very bright.
Imac Vs Macbook Pro For Music Production Chart
More gear reviews and guides in the realm...
