How to Pick a Laptop for Music Production | Tips from a Seasoned Musician on How to Become a Star

This guide will tell you about the TOP-5 best laptops for music production and their types based on the following elements: the operating system, built-in mics, and processors. Learn what makes them music-making devices and what you need to create your own high-quality music. Read a detailed FAQ section to get answers to the most common questions and take a look at a chart showing the key features of the most popular models available on the market.

What You Will Learn From This Guide:

• Create your own music using laptops
• How does a laptop for music production work?
• What are the types of computers for music production?
• What to look for when buying

Create Your Own Music Using Laptops

It's easier to create music in the 21st century than ever before — this much we know. As recording technology becomes more and more accessible to consumers, this reality only becomes more real, giving people cheap tools that were once so expensive that they were only housed in studios.

As a result of recording and production technology becoming more widely accessible, anybody can record their own music or become a star. This is why the chart-topping hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy Tell'em could rise so high despite being created on a free program called FL Studio and why Car Seat Headrest's masterpiece Twin Fantasy could become a cult classic despite being recorded largely into Garageband, a consumer-friendly program included with MacBooks. No longer are accessible music production tools viewed as a lack of professionalism, but rather as simply another way of making music.

Computers have played a huge role in this development, with the commercialization of the laptop and the aforementioned free software giving anybody with an internet connection and artistic ambition the ability to create their own music. I even relate to this statement as I definitely would have not become a musician if I didn't have the opportunity to hone my skills on the family computer while in high school.

Being able to create your own music whenever and wherever you want has revolutionized the industry, allowing anybody to become their own producer. Living in a world with platforms such as Bandcamp and Spotify has only made this easier, allowing artists to subsequently self-publish their songs, removing the need for labels.

However, to even begin creating the music you want to do, you have to have the right tools to do so. This is why I believe that finding the right laptop is so essential, as it can often be the start or end point of the musical possibilities you have when creating music.

In this Buyer's Guide, I'm going to walk you through just why I think this, showing you the purpose of having a laptop for music, what that even looks like, and which ones are truly worth looking into.

So, without further ado, let's get right into it!

How Does a Laptop for Music Production Work?

It should be stated that no laptops are inherently made solely for music production. Though there are certain models that are geared more heavily toward art and subsequently music, laptops are made to be versatile machines. Laptops become music-making devices with the aid of different types of software, typically referred to as Digital Audio Workspaces (DAWs).

DAWs are essential tools for those looking to create music. Not only do they allow you to record music, but they also allow you to organize, produce, and even master it. You don't need a lot of money (or, in some cases, any money at all) to use a DAW to record, as there is often a large variety of different types of software that are either available for free or come with the computer.

The way a DAW typically works on a computer for music making is that it takes an input sound, typically a microphone, and allows the user to then organize the sound and manipulate it, creating what is referred to as a mix. This mix can then be released as it is or mastered into a final recording.

What types of DAWs are there?

There are a few different types of DAWs that are used in the music industry, but the most prominent ones by far are ProTools and Logic Pro X. Those are the industry standards, with many different audio engineers having their own personal preferences. Both programs cost money, but only Mac laptops can access Logic Pro X, making that type of laptop a more significant purchase for musicians that have that preference.

Which one you want to work with is dependent on your personal preference, but it's worth noting that both ProTools and Logic Pro X let you do similar things, so the differences are very subtle. The program Garageband is included with all Mac computers and is essentially Logic Pro-lite, so you can often gauge if you'll enjoy Logic based on what you think of Garageband.

However, regardless of which type of operating system you get, there's always the possibility of Reaper, a type of DAW that is truly a good example of a nearly free program that gives you the same customization and functionality of the most professional DAWs currently on the market. Why nearly free? Well, you can download the program for free, but you're recommended to make a donation.

This accessibility is also why Reaper is such a popular program for many musicians, as it's accessible by virtually anyone with a laptop and very similar to use on the same level as the industry standards. There are plenty of other DAWs available on the market, but those are the three most important ones to know.

How do Computers for Music Production Differ

The different types of laptops for music production are mainly based upon three elements: their operating system, built-in mics, and processors. To elaborate, the OS will often determine which types of DAWs the computer can access, the built-in mics allow people to record their music directly to the computer, and the processors allow the computer to keep track of many different files at once.

Thankfully, most computers on the market today are capable of handling a large number of tracks happening at the same time, so the processors aren't something you should necessarily base your entire search upon. To the same degree, built-in mics typically aren't good and I'd recommend more than you invest in either a USB interface, a USB microphone, or using your phone to record if you're planning to record. On top of this, many types of electronic music can be made solely through sampling other recordings, so the microphone part isn't even necessary.

An added benefit to some computers is that they have a lot of storage to store your music on. This is why I recommend getting a computer that has at least 256GB, though it's always possible to buy an external hard drive if you don't have enough space.

What to Look for When Buying?

When looking to purchase a computer for music production, it's most important to look at the operating system. The other factors mentioned in the previous section will also affect whether or not a certain laptop is good, as the factors that distinguish certain computers are also the things that consumers should be looking out for when in the market for a new device.

To help aid you in your search, I've tested out a lot of different laptops on the market and will be sharing some reviews below so you can see the benefits and detriments of each option:

FAQ

What is the best computer for music production?
Out of all the laptops I've used for music production throughout the years, the MacBook Pro 15-Inch is the most versatile and worthwhile. In fact, I actually use this model of computer to make my albums today and am typing this article on one! The reason why I think that the MacBook Pro 15-Inch is such a good computer is just because of how it supports nearly all of the music production software you could want.

You can use ProTools, Logic Pro X, Ableton, FL Studio, Audacity, Garageband and Reaper. In terms of other computers on the market, there are currently none that give you that much flexibility. In fact, all of the other operating systems aren't able to support at least one of the aforementioned DAWs, meaning you have to get a Mac to have true flexibility.

That being said, I totally understand if the price point of a Mac stops you from wanting to get it. However, I also believe that if you purchase a Mac, you're committing to a product with a durable design that will also allow you to make some truly incredible music.

Can you use any laptop for music production?
Yes! Any laptop will be compatible with at least some type of DAW, allowing you to make whatever type of music you want to make. However, it should be noted that some models and brands are better than others, something I highlight in the reviews portion.

What size should it be?
Any size laptop will work for music making and the screen size will likely depend on your personal preference. Personally, I prefer having a 15" laptop screen, as it is enough space that I can organize complicated files in a DAW but small enough that the computer is portable. I used to have a 17", though and didn't have a problem at the time, but in retrospect think it was too large for my taste.

That being said, I also have friends who are also professional musicians and use 13" laptop screens. It's all about your personal preference, but I recommend 15"!

Are gaming laptops good for making music?
Yup! A laptop that is specifically for gaming likely has great hardware, as running games takes up a lot more processing power than making music does. So, if you are getting a laptop for gaming, you'll definitely be able to use it for music.

What specs do I need for music production?
There are no specifications necessary for music production. All computers can run some form of DAW and any computer made in the past 10 years will offer you enough processing to handle pretty complex amounts of music. So, don't worry about this aspect at all when looking for a laptop for music production.

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Make music wherever you want
• Have a variety of production tools on hand
• Make high-quality tracks easily
• Use the same software used in studios

Cons

• External microphones have to be bought
• Music producing is like an instrument and needs to be practiced

Conclusion

Being a musician in today's technological society is easier than it has ever been before. Because nearly every model of a computer has the possibility to have the power of a DAW in it, there's truly no wrong answer when determining which laptop is better for you.

However, there are some options that give you more versatility than others, which is why I hope that my information in this article has been helpful enough so you can make an informed decision the next time you're looking for a laptop for music production!