With laptops at the heart of music production, you don’t have to rent costly studios to record your tracks. When shopping for a laptop, you should focus on power and memory. The machine should also handle the latest music software like Ableton Live and Fruity Loops. Here are the best laptops for music production.
Dell XPS 15
The XPS 15 is a solid machine for music production. It features the latest NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU and Core i7 processor making a powerful workhorse. And when pair this with 16GB of RAM, you can run your music editing applications faster. What’s more, the XPS15 comes with 512GB of SSD drive to ensure there’s plenty of storage room. Interestingly, this machine uses a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card for demanding tasks like video editing.
For music enthusiasts who need more eye candy, there’s an option of 4K touchscreen. This means you can make quick changes to the tracks and scroll music timelines. Also, the 15-inch full HD display is one of the best in the market. Needless to say, the carbon fiber chassis makes it an ideal machine for musicians who are always on the go.
Pros
- Features a slim and attractive design
- The display gives an infinity edge
- Great webcam placement
- The processor and GPU are a good mix
- Comes with a 1-year warranty with affordable extended warranty option available
Cons
- There are concerns about battery life
MacBook Pro (16")
The Macbook Pro is a remarkable compact machine that doesn’t sacrifice on performance. It features a 16-inch screen with 3,072 x 1,920 pixels resolution. More than that, the screen is bright enough in sunlight – you’ll surely appreciate it when editing high-resolution music videos.
This machine comes with a 2.6GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 processor and 512GB SSD. The base RAM variant is 16GB although you can upgrade to 32GB or 64GB. This is the first MacBook Pro to offer such high RAM and customization options. Apart from performance, this laptop offers a spacious touchpad and keyboard. It’s also compatible with Ableton Live. Of course, the tasteful design is great for music enthusiasts.
Pros
- Portability
- Comes in a compact design
- Fitted with a 6-speaker system - Best sound compared to all other laptops
- Features a tasteful and functional design
- Comes with an advanced audio card
Cons
- Like most Apple products, it is a very expensive laptop
Razer Blade Pro latest version 15"
Razer Blade Pro 15’s is arguably the most advanced laptop for music production. The base model features the latest corei7 Intel processor, full HD display, and 4K touch options. This means that everything appears sharp when you zoom into audio editing using Ableton live or fruity loops software. You also get 256 GB SSD and 12GB RAM which is enough for most music production needs. As long as you’re not using too many plugins, you’ll be just fine.
Each keycap has Razor Chroma RGB lighting while every key press delivers mechanical tactile feedback. The Razer Blade Pro is sleek and stunning. You’ll love the durable aluminum chassis that is anodized with an elegant finish. Furthermore, this machine utilizes smart technology to quietly dissipate heat for optimal performance.
Pros
- Comes with many USB ports
- Very nice display
- Remarkable hard drive space
- Intended as a gaming laptop
Cons
- Depending on which model can be costly
- May not be easy to find depending where you live
ASUS Rog Latest version 15"
ASUS Rog 15’s laptop is a powerful machine for music-making. It features a core i7 processor and 16GB RAM for multitasking. Additionally, the 120Hz G-SYNC display allows for an enhanced viewing experience. You can use it for video editing, streaming, etc. To maximize performance, this machine has a duo-copper cooling system. This version also allows you to use an audio card and graphics card.
Another feature that makes ASUS unique is a sleek and lightweight design. If you want to make beats on the go, you simply fit in your backpack and you’re good to go.
Pros
- Gives solid performance
- Nice display
- Can be upgraded with the latest RAM and SSD
- Solid gaming laptop
Cons
- The battery life could be better
Dell Alienware 15" (latest version)
The Alienware features an Intel 6-Core i7 processor to make the tedious task of producing music a breeze. Additionally, it’s equipped with 16GB 2400 MHz DDR4 memory which comes in handy when running software like Ableton. This model has 1 USB 3.1 port, 1 Mini Display Port 1.3, and 2 USB Type-A. The transfer speed is also excellent. Dell Alienware 15.3’s is compact and built to last. The body is made of anodized aluminum, steel-reinforced keys, magnesium alloy, and thermal copper modules.
Pros
- Decent battery life
- Affordable
- Great display
- Decent HD space options
- Great processing speed
Cons
- Build wise isn't the sexiest, however the design allows for good thermal management
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing more frustrating than finding out your computer has crashed during a recording session. Whether you’re an amateur or an advanced music producer, the above laptops will meet and exceed your expectations. They excel in terms of performance and allow you to use music software like Ableton Live and fruity loops.