Best laptops for music production for mobile music makers and professionals
In the 21st century, music production is an entirely digital process. Some producers work exclusively from their studio while others prefer to have a laptop and make music on the go. Now, we’re talking about the best laptops for music making.
This guide is all about the best laptops for music making and editing in 2023. In today’s digital music landscape, the music production laptop you choose can make or break your creative process. From aspiring artists to seasoned producers, finding the right tool is crucial as music production’s demands continue to evolve.
In this article, we’ll explore laptop features key for music production, from processing power to storage space. We’ve meticulously selected and ranked the top 5 laptops that cater to various styles and workflows, offering the potential to turn your musical ideas into reality. So, let’s start talking about the laptops that can truly amplify your music production capabilities in 2023.
How to choose a laptop for music production
While choosing a laptop efficient enough for making music on the go and over long production sessions, there are four main things you need to remember. What makes a good laptop for music production?
1. Processing power
Music production software like DAWs and software synthesizers can be greedy and like to hoard processing power when undertaking a number of editing tasks. Therefore, you need a processor that can process audio channels across at least four cores so you can make music with no lag, less latency, and fewer software crashes while undertaking those tasks.
Both i5 & i7 processors by Intel are quad-core processors. While an i5 does the job, an i7 processor has a faster clock speed (starting at 4.40 GHz) compared to the i5’s 3.4 GHz maximum.
2. RAM
While 8GB of RAM is enough for music production, 16GB is the optimal amount of memory for any audio processing. Nevertheless, 16GB is en route to becoming the standard for music production. This is because virtual instruments, some audio effects, and digital WAV files can swallow a lot of RAM memory. Consequently, RAM is an important specification to think about for music production, second only to your CPU.
3. Storage
The minimum amount of hard drive space your computer will need for music production is 500GB, although 1TB of storage space is more desirable. Sample-based virtual instruments can incorporate thousands of samples for a single instrument. Moreover, these samples tend to be high-quality WAV or FLAC files that can take up a fair bit of storage space.
4. Portability
Now, you need to balance all of this with portability. Finding a balance between performance and portability if you want to produce music on-the-go is critical. At least ten hours of battery life and a laptop small enough to fit in your bag back or a case will allow you to make music while you travel.
Best music production laptops 2023
Top 5 laptops for music production in 2023
Let’s explore the best laptops for making music that money can buy.
5. Alienware X14 ($1,649.99)
The Alienware X14 earns its place as the fifth-best laptop for music production in 2023 by providing a blend of high-performance hardware and an immersive audiovisual experience, packaged in a neat design that caters to creative professionals.
The Alienware X14 is powered by high-performance processors, giving you the choice of a 12th gen Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, and a choice of 16GB or 32GB RAM. More broadly, the X14 is more than capable of handling taxing music production tasks. With so much processing power, you can be sure your X14 ensures smooth real-time audio processing in projects littered with plugins.
Alienware’s X14 laptop boasts a captivating display bursting with vibrant colours and razor-sharp visuals. Though the display quality isn’t as important as the audio processing capabilities, a laptop capable of such visuals makes arranging tracks, editing waveforms, and working with intricate software interfaces go a long way in ensuring an accurate representation of your music software.
With that said, the commitment to audio quality from Alienware shines through in the X14. With its advanced audio components, the X14 delivers a rich and detailed sound output which, of course, is critical for critical listening and assessing assessment your mixes.
Are you a fan of customization? I hope so because the Alienware X14 allows you to tailor its performance to your specific needs. Whether you’re recording, mixing, or mastering, you can choose performance modes that optimize the laptop’s resources for seamless music-making!
Further, the X14 boasts a robust build quality that ensures it can withstand the demands of creative professionals. After all, music producers need a reliable and resilient tool capable of handling the rigours of studio work, travelling, and USB hardware.
This laptop’s distinctive Alienware design exudes a futuristic and stylish aesthetic. Combined with customizable RGB lighting options, the X14 brings character to your music production environment and enhances your creative workspace.
The Alienware X14 offers a variety of connectivity options including USB-C, Thunderbolt, and HDMI ports. Therefore, you can integrate the X14 with audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, external storage, and other peripherals central to music production.
4. Dell XPS 17 ($1,849)
Coming in fourth place as the best laptop for music production is the Dell XPS 17. With its impressive combination of performance, stunning display, and sleek design, the XPS 17 is a versatile choice for music creators.
Depending on the model you choose, Dell’s XPS 17 is powered by formidable 13th Gen Intel i7 or i9, you can choose between 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of RAM, and get up to 4TB of SSD storage! If you were concerned about the smooth operation of resource-intensive DAWs and plugins, don’t be. These specifications provide a high level of performance for handling complex production tasks easily, whether you’re composing intricate melodies or fine-tuning your mix.
With a captivating 17-inch high-resolution display that offers exceptional colour accuracy, Dell’s XPS 17 makes it even easier to stay focused on the plugins and tasks at hand. Further, this large and vibrant screen provides a spacious canvas for arranging tracks, visualizing waveforms, and managing various software interfaces.
Despite its larger display, the Dell XPS 17 maintains a relatively compact and lightweight form factor. As a result, its blend of screen size and portability is perfect for music producers seeking both a visual workspace and the convenience of a portable laptop.
Crafted from high-quality materials, the XPS 17 laptop exudes a sense of premium craftsmanship and professionalism. Its robust build not only enhances its aesthetics but also adds to its durability, making it a reliable tool for long-term music production endeavours.
The Dell XPS 17 features a variety of ports such as Thunderbolt and USB-C, ensuring seamless connectivity to audio interfaces, external storage, and other peripherals commonly used in music production setups.
3. ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED ($1,599.99) – best Windows laptop for music production
The ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED is the third-best laptop for music production in 2023 because of its exceptional blend of professional-grade features, stunning display technology, and robust performance capabilities.
Asus’s StudioBook 16 is equipped with powerful hardware such as a choice of an Intel i7 or i9 processor, either 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD storage. Therefore, even the most demanding projects and resource-intensive plugins and DAWs run smoothly, enabling seamless music production without compromise.
Powered by NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, the OLED display is a standout feature. With true-to-life colours, deep blacks, and outstanding contrast, the OLED technology provides an unparalleled visual experience. Accurately gauge waveforms and mix tracks with accurate visuals as well audio.
In fact, the 16-inch display offers ample screen real estate for multitasking and detailed audio editing. The larger canvas is particularly advantageous for arranging complex compositions, orchestrating intricate soundscapes, and managing multiple tracks simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the StudioBook’s cooling system is engineered to handle heavy workloads and ensures consistent performance during prolonged production sessions. Overheating can negatively impact both the performance and the longevity of a laptop, so Asus’s cooling system is especially important.
With a sharp focus on durability, the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED boasts a robust build that can withstand the rigours of professional use. Its premium construction materials reflect its price tag, making the laptop remains reliable and resilient even in challenging studio environments.
The laptop features an array of ports, including USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, and more. This variety of connectivity options makes it easy to integrate with audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, external storage, and other essential peripherals used in music production.
2. MacBook Air M2 ($1499 – $1699)
In our second spot, we have the MacBook Air M2 thanks to its balanced blend of performance, portability, and value-driven features in a sleek, trademarked Apple design.
Available in four colours (silver, starlight, space grey, and midnight), the MacBook Air M2 is powered by the latest-generation M2 chip, offering a substantial performance boost compared to its predecessor. Moreover, its improved processing power ensures that you can DAWs, virtual instruments and plugins without experiencing slowdowns or performance bottlenecks. Despite being a Windows user, I know full well that Apple does it best.
Furthermore, the MacBook Air M2 retains its reputation for being incredibly lightweight and portable, making it an excellent choice for musicians and producers who are always on the move. Its slim design and minimal weight enable you to carry it between studio sessions, gigs, and creative spaces effortlessly.
Apple’s MacBook Air M2 comes equipped with 8GB of memory, but you can upgrade to 16GB or 24GB. Meanwhile, you can choose between 256GB or 512GM of SSD storage and the Air offers an 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores.
In other words, you can manage your music projects efficiently with no stress. You can seamlessly switch between tracks, manipulate audio elements, and work with various software tools, all while maintaining a fluid and responsive performance. Oh, and with its 13.6 liquid Retina display and 10-core GPU, you can be sure you’ll get sharp visuals and accurate colour representation.
Battery life is a standout feature of the MacBook Air M2 with its energy-efficient M2 chip combined with macOS optimizations, so you can extend music production sessions without worrying about charging. Equally important are the versatile connectivity options such as Thunderbolt ports and USB-C. Therefore, you can connect various devices, external drives, and an audio interface easily.
Finally, being a more budget-friendly MacBook compared to the MacBook Pro lineup, the MacBook Air M2 offers exceptional value for the features it provides. As a result, it’s a very attractive option for musicians and producers seeking a powerful and reliable laptop without breaking the bank.
1. MacBook Pro M2 Max ($1999 – $4100) – best overall laptop for music production 2023
The MacBook Pro M2 Max stands out as the best laptop for music production in 2023 due to its processing power, precision, and user-centric features, making it the best MacBook for music production.
The MacBook Pro M2 Max is equipped with the latest-generation M2 Max chip, the manufacturer’s custom-designed Apple silicon that offers groundbreaking processing power. With eight high-performance cores and four efficient energy utilization, this chip ensures smooth multitasking, fast rendering, and seamless handling of resource-intensive music software.
Then, the MacBook Pro M2 offers 32GB of memory and a whole 1TB of SSD storage, although this is upgradeable to 2TB, 4TB or even 8TB! This lightning-fast SSD storage ensures quick access to your project files, minimizing load times and enhancing overall workflow efficiency. The MacBook Pro line features a stunning 16.2-inch or 14.2-inch liquid Retina depending on the model you choose, offering the same exceptional colour accuracy and clarity as the Air.
Ultimately, the MacBook Pro M2 Max boasts improved audio processing capabilities compared to its predecessors, making it a true powerhouse for music production. Whether you’re mixing intricate layers or mastering intricate tracks, the laptop’s enhanced processing engine ensures accurate sound representation, allowing you to make informed decisions about your music’s sonic qualities.
Despite its robust performance capabilities, the MacBook Pro M2 Max remains highly portable. Its slim and lightweight design is perfect for musicians on the move, allowing you to take your creative projects wherever inspiration strikes. Additionally, the laptop’s extended battery life of 22 hours ensures uninterrupted music-making sessions when you’re away from power sources.
Of course, the MacBook Pro M2 Max seamlessly integrates with Apple’s ecosystem, meaning you can connect with other Apple devices effortlessly. Apple’s cohesive ecosystem enhances your productivity by enabling you to transfer files, collaborate, and manage your music projects across various devices.
Apple’s commitment to building quality products ensures that the MacBook Pro M2 Max is a reliable music-making companion for years to come. Its premium construction materials, responsive keyboard, and precise trackpad contribute to a comfortable and immersive music production experience.
Final thoughts
In the dynamic world of music production, your choice of a laptop becomes a pivotal factor in shaping the quality and efficiency of your creative process. These five laptops are well suited to the intense processing that comes with music production in 2023, and it’s evident that each device brings its own set of strengths to the table.
From the MacBook Pro M2 Max’s unparalleled processing power to the Dell XPS 17’s captivating display, and the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED’s professional-grade features, to the Alienware X14’s blend of performance and aesthetics – these laptops embody a spectrum of qualities that cater to the diverse needs of music creators.
