The most productive laptops for music production and DJs make recording and mixing smooth. We’ve tested a lot of laptops for musicians, artists, and creatives, and those are the ones we introduce for music production.
Music production software is rarely the simplest application, so you probably don’t want to invest in a high-end device for a recording or editing session, but it’s worth investing in a device that won’t fall out. Or freeze or slow you down in some other way and sap your creativity, especially if you’re using media. For this reason, the Apple MacBook Pro is a wonderful all-rounder for musicians and DJs just starting out with symbol editing and video production, and it’s our most sensible choice.
Our team of expert reviewers has tested all laptops for a variety of artistic uses. As part of our rigorous review process, we compare specifications, comparative performance, and battery life. We also explore the built-in speaker, audio quality, and design. Dimensions and portability to create music wherever inspiration strikes.
Below you will find comprehensive articles on the most productive laptops for our list finalists when it comes to music production. We’ve tested them extensively so you can be sure our recommendations are trustworthy.
Our opinion:
It’s no surprise that the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) is the best choice for music production. As a creative engine, it is also one of the most productive laptops for video and photo editing.
This computer with M1 Pro or M1 Max technology elevates MacBook Pro to the highest level. It impresses with its power, an equally amazing battery life and an XDR display with a maximum brightness of 1600 nits and a wide color gamut. The SD card slot, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports (all of which are still available thanks to the return of MagSafe charging) are fantastic little extras.
The mini-LED generation is the same as the new iPad Pro and provides a large contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1.
Read the full 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021).
Our opinion:
The Dell XPS 13 (2022) has been a regular on our list of the most productive laptops for years and also deserves a well-deserved spot on our list of the most productive laptops for DJs. The 2022 update included a new color option. , fewer ports, and upgraded hardware.
However, now using 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and a bezel-less “Infinity Edge” display, the Dell XPS thirteen (2022) performs brilliantly, while still being thin and light. There is also a wide diversity of customization options.
Like most ultrabooks, the XPS 13’s speakers aren’t great, and their placement doesn’t improve audio quality. The connectivity features are also a bit limited. The updated XPS 13 (2022) has lost all ports to less than two Thunderbolt 4 ports. While this is a debatable decision, if you’re using a base, it possibly doesn’t matter much anyway. However, if you still use a lot of USB-A devices, you’ll need adapters to be able to connect them to this laptop.
Read the full Dell XPS thirteen (2022) review.
Our opinion:
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a monster computer, no matter what kind of artist you are. Its functionality is comparable to its little sister, and while this beautiful demo is only a small advantage for audio creators, its length will give you a bit more extra screen area for your workflow.
Equally important, its impressive battery life will keep you active while on screen. And you may not experience any functionality limitations because you’re not plugged in. In addition, it comes with a large number of ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3. 5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3, so you can connect all your audio peripherals as well.
The spectacle is impressive. It supports a billion colors for smoother gradients and comes with the expected refresh rate of 120Hz, making it the fastest 16-inch MacBook Pro to date.
Read the full 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021).
Our opinion:
What makes the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Alan Walker Special Edition exclusive is on the outside and inside of the case. It’s still the same wonderful computer as the regular G14, but it includes a new color for the chassis and color combinations for the keyboard. But this collaboration with YouTube DJ is much more than just a paint job.
The enclosed box can be used as a controller for mixing or as a synthesizer pad that connects via USB-C for use with a dedicated application. Even if you already have your own dedicated controllers, the G14 Alan Walker Special Edition comes with two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports to connect them. And it has enough strength to take care of the maximum number of music production sessions.
Read the complete Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Alan Walker Special Edition.
Our opinion:
Its 13-inch and 15-inch models have rugged internals for music production, so the Surface Laptop 4 will meet all your music needs. It even comes with a beautiful 2,496 x 1,664 touchscreen to keep your eyes as entertained as your ears.
The battery life is also decent, enough to last a full day of operation. It may just use a few extra ports, but that’s what the hub is for. Whether you’re generating someone’s music or creating your own, this is one of the best.
The Surface Laptop four is just 0. 57 inches thick and weighs 1. 3 kg (2. 79 pounds), making it easy to carry. Despite its elegance, the computer feels sturdy. The lid is made of aluminum and has no flex.
Read the full Microsoft Surface Laptop 4.
Our opinion:
The M1 silicon chip is a real game-changer, as it was the first computer to get it. The company’s thinner and lighter is tougher than ever, putting it on the list of the most interesting Apple computers of recent years.
Thanks to its seamless functionality and brilliant battery life, without increasing the price to maintain it (entirely), the Macbook Air (M1 2020) is an excellent prospect for music producers. This MacBook isn’t just for casual users.
The battery life of the Macbook Air is fantastic, you can expect between 14 and 18 hours of battery life. The computer has a fanless design, so it runs without any noise, but this can lead to heat control issues and a drop in functionality with extended use.
Read the full review of the MacBook Air (M1, 2020).
For the most productive deal, explore our Apple promo codes for potential discounts.
Our opinion:
The latest version of the award-winning Microsoft Surface Pro lineup is a major improvement over the previous Surface Pro 7, which remains one of the most productive laptops for music production for those looking for a more flexible iPad-style experience. Windows device.
Surface Pro 8 is even better in this regard, with a faster Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor, longer battery life thanks to Intel Evo certification, and improved RAM features to keep your music production going as your compositions get longer and longer. longer. complex.
There’s no USB-A anymore, though, so if you have peripherals like microphones that use USB-A, you might want to get an adapter if you opt for the Surface Pro 8.
Read the full Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review.
Our opinion:
The Dell XPS 15 OLED (2021) may be impressive to look at, but it’s also a powerhouse. It comes with more than enough processing power and RAM to take care of your music production to the fullest, and if you’re willing to pay for a hard drive upgrade, you’ll be able to save all your files to the computer.
It even comes with a fairly rugged GPU, possibly not up to par with the most productive gaming laptops on the market. And, while the battery life may also be a little better, it’s an incredibly portable machine, which makes it an excellent one. option to go out on the road.
The Dell XPS 15 has ports: one USB-C 3. 2, a full-size SD card reader, a 3. 5mm headphone/microphone jack, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a wedge-shaped locking slot, all of which will help you connect your music production devices with ease.
Read the full Dell XPS 15 OLED (2021) review.
Our opinion:
Whether you’re recording, editing, or mixing a new track, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 UX582L is an artistic workstation that’s functional enough to be placed anywhere, thanks to its dual OLED touchscreens that allow you to hold your computer in your hands while freeing up your workspace to stay focused on the task at hand.
While they don’t have the newer 11th Gen Intel Core processors, the Core i7 and Core i9 are very rugged for just about any task you need to perform on them, whether it’s combining live audio or recording a new query in a studio.
The battery life of this one is far from the best, so make sure you have access to a power outlet while you’re running while you’re on the move, otherwise you might find that the music stops just when you least expect it. .
To save money on Asus products, check out our Asus coupon codes.
Read the full Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 (UX582L) review.
The most productive computer for music production will depend on the component of the process you specifically want to use it for. If you’re interested in anything from initial audio recording to blending and final release, anything like the 16-inch MacBook Pro. will take you there.
But if you’re looking for portable features for recording on the go and light editing, the newer Dell XPS laptops will work well, and thanks to the proper battery life, they can last long enough to perform a good-sized recording session.
There is a difference between what you want a music production computer and the specifications that will make the maximum difference in your music production.
Obviously, a graphics card is rarely among the best on the list, but you need the most productive processor possible, especially one with the right single-core performance. These are generally the newer Intel Core processors, so the newer Core i7 and Core. The i9 processors will be very useful to you.
It will also load heavy software and run giant raw audio files, so RAM will be very important. The more, the better, but anything below 8GB probably won’t work and the minimum you should aim for is 16GB of RAM. .
Storage will also come in handy, but if you want to save costs, opt for more RAM than more storage. You can use an external SSD if you want, but there is no such thing as the external RAM working.
When we check which laptops are for music production, we use the same technique as when we check all the hardware.
For core internal hardware, we ran tests that push the CPU and GPU to the limit with all hardware controls set up in balance for a consistent baseline across other computer manufacturers, adding GeekBench 5, CineBench, PCMark 10, 3DMark, and Blender.
We also measured the frame rates of some PC game benchmarks, such as Total War: Three Kingdoms and Metro: Exodus, to see how well the CPU and GPU work in combination to render complex 3D scenes quickly, which is just enough for an art. Paintingstation as it is for gaming.
In the case of gaming laptops in particular, we also spend a lot of time betting on them (for business purposes only, we swear) and getting a sense of the real pleasure a prospective customer can expect from the laptop. On Nvidia laptops, this also means testing the functionality of games with and without Nvidia DLSS enabled.
For the art workstations, we use various benchmarking tools, adding encoding of a 4K video in Handbrake and applying other filters and effects in other Adobe programs such as Photoshop and After Effects to simulate its intended use in the real world.
We also measure a laptop’s battery life, as laptops are meant to be cellular devices to some degree, and if a laptop’s battery shuts down after 3 or 4 hours out of an outlet, that’s something to know, especially when even laptops are running at full power. Hardware like a discrete Nvidia GPU can now get seven or 8 hours of battery life.
Finally, we compare all of this to a computer’s MSRP and judge whether the value matches its performance. There are some very rugged computers with adequate performance, but if they charge twice as much as their less rugged competitor charges, be sure to let you know.
Steve is TechRadar Pro’s B2B editor for art and hardware. Explore programs and devices for Americans and organizations that thrive on design and innovation. A former reporter for Web User magazine, he has covered news, reviews, features, and guides on software and hardware. In the past, he worked on content for Microsoft, Sony, and countless SaaS and product design companies. In the past, he wrote commercials and movie trailers. Relentless champion of the Oxford comma.
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