Whether you like it or not, computers are at the heart of the creative journey. They’re where you’ll store your sounds, access your programs, and refine your music into something that you can’t wait to share with the rest of the world.
So, how do you choose the best computers for music production?
What is the Best Computer for Music Production? (in short)
This is a very tough question as there are so many variables and user preferences to take into consideration. However, if we had to pick an allrounder we would go for the Macbook Pro 16-inch (or similar model) as they are super powerful, versatile, portable, proven, and a very stable machine.
There’s more to producing amazing music than picking up a guitar and letting the rhythm take control.
As any professional knows, you need the right tools at hand to bring your vision to life.
Today’s music leverages all the latest technology in the industry, from state-of-the-art software to incredible hardware.
For most people, however, the most valuable piece of equipment on the production floor will be a computer.
Best Music Production Computer: Mac or PC?
The first question you’ll need to ask when picking the best music producer is whether you’re going to go with a Mac or PC.
This is a pretty significant debate for a lot of music producers. Some believe that the only way to get a good sound is to use a Mac.
Others say that PCs are perfect for versatility.
The good news is that music generally sounds just as good on both operating systems of either type of computer. The one you choose is unlikely to affect your outcomes too much.
Additionally, many of the major DAW programs available today work for both Mac and PC.
There’s only Logic Pro that you’ll be tied into a specific system for.
You can access all of your essential computer equipment for both Mac and PC with no problem. Ultimately, your choice will come down to personal preference.
If you can, take some time experimenting with both options before committing to your choice.
Best Computer for Music Production: Buying Advice
If you want to excel as a music producer, then you need to look for a few essential features in any computer you choose.
A lot of the decisions you make when buying the right computer will come down to your personal preferences and how you like to create your music.
However, whether you are looking at building a computer for producing music from scratch or simply buying it off the shelf there are three must-have features that should always come at the top of your shopping list.
The most essential computer specs are as follows:
- Music Production Specifications CPU: This is the brain of the computer. Your CPU carries out all of the essential work, making things happen on the back-end. Whether it’s running various plugins or fetching data, a music production specifications CPU will always be at the heart of your computer.
- RAM: This is another essential part of your computer. For audio production, RAM is responsible for holding onto your sample files and important data that you need to keep track of. Double-check that you have the right amount of RAM before you buy.
- Storage: Storage is another key ingredient – and something that you need plenty of when you’re producing. Look for lots of storage in the computer itself, as well as external storage options. Access to HDDs and SDDs will be crucial.
Examining the Most Essential Components of a Music Production Computer
Choosing a computer that’s capable of running music audio production software is tricky at times. Some solutions soak up a lot of battery life, while others just require a high-end processor or music production specifications CPU.
If you have a specific piece of software that you need to use, check the requirements before you begin shopping. If you’re getting started from scratch, here are some tips to help you pick the right product.
The CPU
The CPU is the central processing unit and the workhorse for any computer for recording music. You can use your CPU to load a new MIDI instrument to your computer and fill it with data.
Your computer then translates that data into sound.
Plugins are also highly reliant on your CPU. They demand processing power to deliver new and improved music experiences.
Without the right CPU, you won’t be able to export finished versions of your tracks or bounce audio to create new sounds.
The better your CPU is, the more you can accomplish.
When shopping for your setup, focus on a CPU that offers reliability and speed. This will ensure that you can complete more tasks and process actions faster.
In the CPU world, there are currently two major players that stand out most: AMD and Intel.
Intel has a range that goes all the way up to i9 processors, which deliver the most speed and power.
AMD provides Ryzen processes, which follow a similar numerical approach to Intel. The higher the number, the better your computer processor will be.
The RAM
With RAM, it’s best to ignore the “minimum” specs that your DAW suggests. Trying to run your production software on minimum specs alone will end up causing a lot of frustration.
RAM means that your audio playback is glitch-free and smooth because the audio isn’t having to pull audio from the hard drive whenever it needs to play something.
Make sure that you go for something higher than 4GB of RAM. The more RAM you have, the better off you’re going to be.
Think of this solution as the short-term memory for your machine. Your audio programs need extra Ram to avoid glitching. Look into options to upgrade your RAM if you need to.
Apple laptop fans generally can’t add extra RAM, but quality laptop users have more freedom.
The Storage
Finally, storage memory is another absolute must-have for any high-end computer.
This is your long-term memory solution, unlike RAM, which focuses on the short-term. For audio applications, you’ll need at least a significant SSD (solid-state drive).
This will give you a rapid data transfer experience, so your data files can load a lot faster.
You will also often need an HDD too. It’s not uncommon to see people using a combination of HDD and SSD solutions to give the widest variety of storage.
External hard drives are handy also.
These are useful when you want to take your music elements with you on the move, without bringing your entire studio along.
Remember, for audio applications, you’ll need a high-level SSD, but HDD and external drives are crucial for the storage of videos, files, and other components.
A Quick Checklist for a Music Production Computer
Aside from the three primary considerations mentioned above, you’ll also need to consider a range of other crucial things for your computer too.
For instance, everything from your mouse to your screen size will often affect how comfortable you feel with your new system.
Here are some top tips to get you started on the right track.
- What screen size do I need? We recommend using at least a 15-inch screen, but a 17-inch screen is often a better choice for increased visibility. The more overview you have on your software and programs, the less you need to scroll. This means that you get work done faster. There are also DAW options out there that don’t work as well on 13-inch monitors.
- What mouse do I need? A good mouse is a crucial part of your workflow. Ideally, you want something that can offer side-scrolling functionality, as this will help you to get your work done faster. It’s also worth looking at the trackpads. Although these can be helpful from time to time, mouse options are often much better.
- What sort of keyboard do I need? A great manual will help you to get through production tasks much faster. Laptops with backlit keyboards mean that you can see the letters and shortcuts easily in a poorly-lit studio.
- What style of music production laptop do I need? Ideally, you’ll start your search with gaming laptops. These are built for a heavier workload, so they’re ideal for music producers, and come with a lot of memory and RAM. The only downside here is that you’ll pay more for a gaming machine thanks to a big graphics card, which you probably won’t use.
Be cautious when you’re shopping for the ultimate computer.
Things like Dell Inspiron and XPS models commonly suffer from latency problems, and there are many computers out there that rely heavily on bloatware (sponsored software).
Researching the company and the computer before you purchase is a good idea. You’ll get a better insight into how these tools perform.
One important thing to note is that you do get what you pay for in this arena.
The lower the price, the lower the quality of your laptop.
Low costs also often lead to poor customer service. There aren’t a lot of great deals out there these days.
Stick to a brand that you know and a company that’s local if you can. Computers from halfway around the world usually struggle with sub-standard components and terrible customer service.
You need to know you can rely on the company if something goes wrong.
Best Computers for Music Production
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what to shop for with your computer, we can start examining some of the top performers on the market.
We’ve picked these products for their excellent range of features, as well as their brilliant reviews from previous customers.
1. Apple MacBook Pro M1 16-inch (2021)
Best Overall Computer for Music Production
The Apple MacBook Pro M1 16-inch is a substantially enhanced version of its forerunner, which when equipped with the most up-to-date Apple silicon establishes a new bar for MacBook performance.
The beautiful new Liquid Retina XDR display makes nearly everything you do on it look fantastic, and the 1080p webcam above the screen aids in your video conferencing and FaceTime calls.
Other noteworthy improvements include a larger trackpad, a new Magic Keyboard with a physical Esc key, a longer-lasting battery life, and more ports.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is also the first Apple laptop to offer an option for an AMD Radeon Pro 5000M series GPU, which can greatly improve graphics performance.
If you’re a power user looking for quality laptops for music production in a portable package, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the only way to go.
- Liquid Retina XDR display
- Incredible performance
- Fantastic battery life
- Awesome speakers
- USB-C ports
- 1080p webcam
- Not a 4K display
2. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2
Best Windows Laptops For Music Production
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 is equipped with the latest 10th Generation Intel Core processors and AMD Radeon RX discrete graphics, so you can tackle any task with ease.
It also features up to 16GB of seamless memory, meaning you can keep all your important files and applications with you on the go.
Plus, with dual-drive storage and Intel Optane Memory, you’ll have plenty of space for all your data and programs.
The ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 also has a 15.6-inch display, making it the perfect size for carrying around with you. And at just 1.78 kg, it’s light enough to take with you wherever you go.
So whether you’re headed to the office or the airport, you can be sure your ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 will keep up with you.
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB PCIe Storage
- Intel Core i5 2.5GHz Processor
- 15.6" Full HD Touchscreen
- Windows 10 Pro
- Plastic Body
3. Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display 27-inch (2020)
Best Apple Desktop for Music Production
The Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display 27-inch is one of the most impressive desktop computers around for music producers.
This product has all the power you’re going to need to master your production. What’s more, the solution works with many of the leading tools on the market so that you can experiment with all kinds of software.
The iMac comes with plenty of storage, memory, and interface features. Plus, there’s a fantastic 5k display that comes in a sleek and beautiful all-in-one design.
If you’re looking for the leader in Mac functionality for your computer production needs, then this could be the perfect machine for you.
This particular model even comes with a fantastic 8-core processor.
With Turbo Boost, you can crank up your speed to a massive 4.5GHZ, so you don’t have to worry about running out of functionality. There’s also a redesigned cache architecture feature that’s better and more powerful than before.
- Improved build quality
- Price remained same as last model
- Excellent performance
- Improved webcam
- Perfect for Music Production
- Amazing for Video Editing
- Only 2 thunderbolt ports
4. Skytech Shadow 3.0
Best Value for Money Computer for Music Production
The Skytech Shadow 3.0 Gaming Desktop Computer PC features some of the latest and greatest hardware components in the market. It includes an Intel i7-8700K Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB Graphics Card, 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, a 240GB SSD, and a 2TB HDD.
All of this is housed in a sleek and modern-looking black and red case with tempered glass panels.
This PC is sure to provide you with an amazing gaming experience, as it is VR Ready and has support for 4K resolution. The Intel i7-8700K Processor is a powerful 6-core processor that can reach speeds of up to 4.7GHz.
It is perfect for gaming, as it can handle even the most demanding games.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB Graphics Card is also great for gaming, as it can provide you with smooth and realistic graphics.
It can also support 4K resolution, so you can enjoy your games in the highest quality possible.
- Compatible with Ryzen CPUs
- RGB lighting FX
- RTX 3000 series performance
- Optimised cooling
- Not the cheapest build
5. Acer Predator Helios 300
Best for Affordability
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of the more affordable gaming laptops on our list – and one of the best music production computers on the market.
Although this device is primarily for gaming fans, it also works well for production, thanks to its powerhouse performance.
Even though the Acer Predator is only a mid-range device, it comes with a fantastic Core Intel i5 processor.
You can also upgrade your processor whenever you like if you need a faster and better quality laptop. The design of the Acer Predator allows for customization to suit your needs.
The Acer Predator looks good and performs admirably and features a high-performance SSD – which is good for most music producers.
The battery life is also ideal for a 17-inch gaming laptop.
- Intel Core i7
- 16GB DDR4 Ram
- 512GB NVMe SSD
- Wi-Fi 6 enabled
6. Apple Mac Mini M1 (2020)
Best value for desktop computer music production
The Apple Mac Mini M1 (2020) is a great computer for anyone looking for an affordable and powerful machine. It’s small, fast, and comes with everything you need to get started.
The only downside is that it doesn’t have a built-in monitor, which means you’ll need to buy one separately.
But overall, the Mac Mini M1 is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and affordable computer.
The Mac Mini M1 is powered by Apple’s new M1 chip, which is a huge improvement over the previous generation of Mac Minis.
The M1 chip is faster and more efficient, meaning that the Mac Mini M1 will be able to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease.
It’s also worth noting that the Mac Mini M1 comes with 8GB of RAM, which is double the amount of RAM that the previous generation Mac Mini came with.
This means that you’ll be able to multitask with ease, and you won’t have to worry about your computer slowing down when you have multiple programs open.
- Blazing fast M1 performance
- Sleek and compact design
- Great value for computing
- Great choice of ports
- Unable to upgrade yourself
7. HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-1022
Best value for windows desktop
The HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-1022 is a great choice for music production and gaming. These desktop computers have a fast Intel Core i7 processor, plenty of storage, and a powerful graphics card.
Plus, it comes with a keyboard and mouse, so you’re ready to game right out of the box. If you’re looking for a desktop that can handle anything you throw at it, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-1022d is a great option.
If you’re needing an affordable yet powerful machine for producing music then look no further, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-1022d will have you covered. It comes with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive for storing all your music files.
In addition, the GTX 1050 Ti graphics card will allow you to run any music production software without any issues.
So, if you’re in the market for a desktop that is great for both gaming and music production, then the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-1022d should be at the top of your list.
- Great value
- Sleek & compact design
- Great range of connectivity
- Needs additional space for extra HDDs
8. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Most powerful Windows laptops for music production
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is the company’s latest attempt at a stylish, portable laptop that doesn’t make too many compromises.
The Surface Laptop 4 is a refinement of the Surface Laptop 3, which was already a quality laptop.
Microsoft has made a few tweaks to the design, including making the keyboard backlit and adding a USB-C port.
The biggest change is under the hood, where you’ll find either an Intel 11th-Gen “Tiger Lake” processor or an AMD Ryzen 4000 series CPU.
The Surface Laptop 4 is available in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch sizes, and you can get it with either an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor.
The AMD version is only available in the 15-inch size, and it has a Ryzen 5 or 7 processor. Both versions come with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
You can configure the Surface Laptop 4 with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage making this a fantastic choice for music production.
- Lightweight design
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Nice sounding speakers
- Long-lasting battery life
- Webcam could be better
9. Apple iMac M1 24-inch (2021)
Best for most stylish design
The Apple iMac M1 24-inch with Retina 4K display model is the newest and most affordable iMac with a starting price of $1,299.
The new iMac M1 features a 24-inch (diagonal) 4.5K Retina display with P3 wide color gamut support and True Tone for a more natural viewing experience.
The display also features an anti-reflective coating that reduces glare by 75 percent.
Under the hood, the iMac M1 is powered by Apple’s custom M1 chip, which is based on the A14 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 12 and iPad Air.
The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, along with an 8-core GPU and Apple’s Neural Engine.
The iMac M1 also includes Apple’s Fusion Drive, which is a combination of fast flash storage and a traditional hard drive.
The iMac M1 comes standard with 8GB of unified memory, but can be configured with up to 16GB or 32GB. For storage, the iMac M1 can be configured with up to 2TB of flash storage or 8TB of hard drive storage.
- Amazing screen quality
- Beautiful new design
- Super clear webcam
- Blazing performance thanks to M1
- Lack of ports
Best Computers for Music Production: Takeaway
Ultimately, there is plenty of best computers for music production options out there for anyone who needs a powerhouse computer for their career.
You can stick with something small and lightweight that’s great for life on the move, or you can invest in something more robust and future-proof.
Unfortunately, there’s no one “top computer for music production” or “best laptops for music production” here.
Over time, you’ll get a feel for the kind of technology that you work best with. This will help you to make your decisions more confidently in the future.
Until then, use our suggestions above to boost your chances of picking your best computer for music making.
