In music production, picking the right laptop can make all the difference in your workflow.
No matter if you’re a professional producer or an aspiring one, your laptop needs to be strong, reliable, and capable enough of handling complex tasks with ease.
From having multiple instances of DAWS open to juggling hundreds of plugins and audio tracks, your laptop will be expected to deliver on its A-game.
I personally handpicked the nine best music production laptops of 2024, by balancing variables such as processing power, RAM, storage, portability, and more, which gives you the perfect fit.
Now, let’s dive into the top contenders of the year.
Best Laptops For Music Production
Here are my top picks for the best laptops for music production.
- Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3
- HP Omen Transcend 14
- Apple MacBook Air 15 M3
- Dell XPS 15
- ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLED
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- HP Spectre x360 14
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
- Razer Blade 15
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3 – Best for Professional Music Producers
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) is the pinnacle of laptops for music production. Powered by the new M3 chip, it offers unparalleled performance with 8-core CPU and up to 32GB of unified memory. This powerhouse can effortlessly handle the most demanding DAWs, plugins, and multiple tracks. The MacBook Pro’s Retina display ensures crisp visuals, which is particularly beneficial when working on intricate audio timelines.
One of the standout features is its silent operation. Despite its powerful internals, the cooling fans are almost inaudible, making it perfect for studio environments where silence is golden. The battery life is also impressive, allowing you to work on projects for up to 18 hours without needing a charge.
Pros:
- Exceptional processing power.
- Quiet cooling system.
- High-resolution Retina display.
- Excellent battery life.
Cons:
- High price point.
- Overkill for basic production tasks.
Who Should Buy This: Professional music producers who need top-tier performance and reliability.
2. HP OMEN Transcend 14 – Best for Windows Users with Multimedia Needs
For Windows users, the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024) is a top choice. Equipped with Intel’s latest Meteor Lake CPUs and up to 32GB of RAM, this laptop is more than capable of handling extensive music production projects. The option to include a discrete NVIDIA GPU (ranging from RTX 4050 to 4070) provides additional power, especially for those who also dabble in video editing or gaming.
The OMEN Transcend 14 features a stunning OLED display, perfect for long sessions of editing and mixing. The laptop’s port selection is robust, offering multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, making it easy to connect your production station, external drives, and other peripherals.
Pros:
- Powerful Intel CPU with discrete GPU option.
- Stunning OLED display.
- Quiet under load.
Cons:
- Shorter battery life (around 6-7 hours).
- Heavier than some competitors.
Who Should Buy This: Windows users who also work on video editing or require a versatile, high-performance laptop.
3. Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 – Best for On-the-Go Producers
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (M3, 2024) is an excellent option for those who need portability without sacrificing too much power. While not as powerful as the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air’s M3 chip still provides ample performance for most music production tasks. Its fanless design ensures silent operation, making it ideal for recording sessions where noise is a concern.
The 15-inch Retina display offers plenty of screen real estate, and the laptop’s lightweight design makes it easy to take your studio on the go. However, the limited port selection (two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports) means you’ll likely need a dock for connecting multiple peripherals.
Pros:
- Silent, fanless design.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Impressive display.
Cons:
- Limited ports.
- RAM is not user-replaceable.
Who Should Buy This: Producers on the go who prioritize silence and portability over maximum power.
4. Dell XPS 15 – Best for Power Users with Large Workloads
The Dell XPS 15 (2024) is a powerhouse in a sleek, stylish package. With up to an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, it’s designed to handle everything from music production to video editing with ease. The XPS 15’s 4K display is one of the best on the market, offering incredible clarity and color accuracy, which is beneficial when fine-tuning audio visuals.
The build quality is top-notch, with a sturdy aluminum chassis that can withstand the rigors of travel. The battery life is also commendable, lasting up to 10 hours under normal use, though it may drain faster during intensive tasks.
Pros:
- High-performance CPU and GPU.
- Stunning 4K display.
- Excellent build quality.
Cons:
- Expensive, especially with higher-end configurations.
- Battery life can be short under heavy load.
Who Should Buy This: Producers who need a powerful, all-around laptop with a large, high-quality display.
5. ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLED – Best for Visual Artists and Producers
The ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2024) stands out for its breathtaking 16-inch OLED display, which delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors—ideal for producers who also work with video. This laptop is equipped with AMD Ryzen 9 or Intel Core i7 processors, providing plenty of power for running DAWs and plugins smoothly.
While the display is the star of the show, the laptop also offers excellent performance, with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. The Vivobook Pro’s battery life is decent, though the OLED display can be a bit of a power hog, reducing longevity during intensive tasks.
Pros:
- Stunning OLED display.
- Strong overall performance.
- Good value for its features.
Cons:
- Battery life could be better.
- Slightly heavier than other options.
Who Should Buy This: Visual artists and music producers who need excellent color accuracy and high performance.
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – Best for Versatile Creative Professionals
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (2024) is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that’s perfect for creative professionals. Its unique hinge design allows the screen to be pulled forward or laid flat, making it an excellent tool for producers who also sketch, design, or edit videos. The Surface Laptop Studio is powered by Intel’s 12th Gen processors and can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.
This laptop’s performance is solid, handling DAWs and plugins without any hiccups. The touch screen is responsive and supports the Surface Pen, making it a great choice for those who want to combine music production with creative design.
Pros:
- Versatile 2-in-1 design.
- Strong performance with ample RAM and storage options.
- Excellent touch screen with stylus support.
Cons:
- Higher cost, especially with maxed-out configurations.
- Heavier than some other laptops.
Who Should Buy This: Creative professionals who need a laptop that can handle multiple types of work, from music production to digital art.
7. HP Spectre x360 14 – Best for Flexibility and Portability
The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a premium 2-in-1 convertible that combines portability with performance. It features Intel’s latest Core processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, making it more than capable of handling demanding music production tasks. The 14-inch OLED display is sharp and vibrant, providing excellent visuals for long editing sessions.
One of the key selling points of the Spectre x360 is its flexibility. The 2-in-1 design allows you to use it as a traditional laptop or a tablet, which can be particularly useful for mobile producers. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 hours on a single charge.
Pros:
- Flexible 2-in-1 design.
- Long battery life.
- High-quality OLED display.
Cons:
- The display flickers slightly, which may cause eye strain.
- Fan noise is audible under heavy load.
Who Should Buy This: Producers looking for a versatile, portable laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance.
8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 – Best for Mobile Professionals
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 (2024) is the go-to choice for professionals who need a durable, reliable laptop. Known for its exceptional build quality, this ThinkPad is lightweight yet sturdy, making it perfect for mobile producers. The laptop is powered by Intel’s 13th Gen processors, with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
The X1 Carbon offers a comfortable typing experience with its iconic ThinkPad keyboard, and the battery life is excellent, often lasting up to 15 hours on a single charge. While it doesn’t have the most powerful GPU, it’s more than sufficient for music production tasks.
Pros:
- Durable and lightweight design.
- Long battery life.
- Comfortable keyboard.
Cons:
- Limited graphics capabilities.
- Higher cost for premium configurations.
Who Should Buy This: Mobile professionals who need a reliable, durable machine for on-the-go music production.
9. Razer Blade 15 – Best for High-End Gaming and Music Production
The Razer Blade 15 (2024) is a high-performance laptop often favored by gamers, but its powerful specs also make it an excellent choice for music production. Equipped with up to an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU, the Razer Blade 15 can easily handle the most demanding music production tasks, including running multiple DAWs, virtual instruments, and effects plugins simultaneously.
One of the standout features of the Razer Blade 15 is its build quality. The CNC-milled aluminum chassis is both durable and sleek, making it a stylish and robust option for professionals. The 15.6-inch QHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate provides sharp visuals and smooth performance, which is particularly beneficial for producers who also engage in video editing or gaming.
Despite its gaming roots, the Razer Blade 15’s keyboard is comfortable for long sessions of music production, and its precision touchpad is highly responsive. The laptop also includes a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, and HDMI, allowing easy connection to external monitors and audio interfaces.
Pros:
- Top-tier CPU and GPU performance.
- High-quality build with a sleek design.
- Excellent display with high refresh rate.
Cons:
- Expensive, especially in higher configurations.
- Battery life could be longer, particularly under heavy use.
Who Should Buy This: Producers who need a powerful, all-in-one machine that can handle music production, gaming, and multimedia tasks with ease.
Key Considerations for Music Production Laptops:
- CPU/GPU Power: Ensure your laptop has a powerful processor and, if necessary, a discrete GPU for handling large projects and complex plugins.
- RAM: Aim for at least 16GB of RAM to manage multiple tracks and plugins simultaneously.
- Storage: Opt for SSD storage with at least 512GB, though 1TB is preferable for storing large project files and sample libraries.
- Display Quality: A high-resolution display is crucial for detailed editing, especially if you also work with video or visual elements.
- Portability vs. Power: Decide if you need a portable laptop or if a more powerful, less portable model better suits your needs.
- Battery Life: Consider battery life, especially if you need to work away from a power source for extended periods.
Conclusion
Choosing the right laptop for music production in 2024 depends on your specific needs, whether it’s raw processing power, portability, or a balance between the two.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) remains the best overall choice for most professional producers, thanks to its exceptional performance and quiet operation. For Windows users, the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024) and Dell XPS 15 (2024) offer powerful alternatives with robust features tailored to music production.
If portability and silent operation are your top priorities, the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M3, 2024) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 (2024) are excellent options. Meanwhile, the ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2024) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio (2024) cater to producers who also engage in visual design or need a versatile, multifunctional device.
No matter your choice, each of these laptops provides the necessary tools to help you create and produce music efficiently in 2024. Be sure to assess your specific requirements, budget, and the features that matter most to you before making a purchase.
FAQs
1. What is the minimum RAM required for music production?
- Answer: The minimum recommended RAM for music production is 16GB. This ensures that your laptop can handle multiple tracks, plugins, and virtual instruments without slowing down. For more intensive production work, especially with large projects, 32GB or more is ideal.
2. Do I need a dedicated GPU for music production?
- Answer: A dedicated GPU is not essential for most music production tasks. However, if you also work with video editing or other graphics-intensive tasks, a laptop with a dedicated GPU can provide better performance and smoother workflow.
3. How important is storage capacity for a music production laptop?
- Answer: Storage capacity is crucial, especially if you work with large sample libraries, high-resolution audio files, and multiple project files. A minimum of 512GB SSD is recommended, but 1TB or more is preferable for serious music producers.
4. Can I use a gaming laptop for music production?
- Answer: Yes, gaming laptops like the Razer Blade 15 are often well-suited for music production because they come with powerful CPUs, ample RAM, and fast storage. However, they might be overkill if you don’t need the extra graphical power.
5. What are the most important ports to have on a music production laptop?
- Answer: Essential ports for music production include USB-C/Thunderbolt for fast data transfer and connectivity with external drives, USB-A for traditional peripherals, HDMI for external monitors, and an audio jack for direct monitoring.