BEST MACBOOK MUSIC PRODUCTION PRO
BEST MACBOOK MUSIC PRODUCTION SOFTWARE
BEST MACBOOK MUSIC PRODUCTION MAC

If you don’t mind the smaller screen and the fact that it only has two ports (both Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports), the MacBook Air is one of the best second-tier music production laptops you can buy. Unlike previous models, the newest MacBook Air is designed without an internal fan, which is great for eliminating excess noise but could sacrifice performance. Apple also improved the Air’s battery life from its previous incarnation, boosting its capacity from 12 hours all the way up to 18 hours. It's the slimmest MacBook Air yet at 0.63 inches think, meaning it’s ideal if you’re constantly on the go. But the latest MacBook Air with the impressive 8 core M1 processor is more than sufficient for music makers who don’t require top-of-the-line performance.

BEST MACBOOK MUSIC PRODUCTION PRO

Professional music producers should likely stick to Apple’s superior MacBook Pro line. If you choose a lower-end processor, you might also find its noisy fan frequently kicks in to prevent overheating. On the downside, the Dell XPS 15’s battery life, with a maximum capacity of approximately 10 hours, pales in comparison to the MacBook Pro. You can also select up to 64GB RAM, up to 2TB of SSD storage space, and either a non-touch or touch screen display. For your processor, you could choose 12-core Intel Core i5 on the low end, or you could splurge for a higher-end 14-core Intel Core i9. Dell even lets you customize your XPS 15 laptop to your specific requirements. If you’re not in the market for a Mac, the Dell XPS 15 is a strong pick for on-the-go music production in terms of performance and value.

BEST MACBOOK MUSIC PRODUCTION SOFTWARE

The cheapest version is the 13-inch model, but working with DAW software on such a small screen size may leave you squinting at your monitor and wishing you’d sprung for the 14- or 16-inch.

BEST MACBOOK MUSIC PRODUCTION MAC

Plus, if Logic Pro is your DAW software of choice, the software is only available on the Mac operating system. It's our top pick for the best music production laptop thanks to its powerful Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max processor, up to 64GB RAM, up to 8TB of storage, 17-21 hours of battery life, a gorgeous liquid retina XDR display, and three Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports. Their new 5th Generation MacBook addressed several criticisms of the previous generation by giving the laptop a higher base memory, eliminating the Touch Bar, and restoring MagSafe charging and HDMI ports. Apple MacBook ProĪpple’s flagship laptop for media professionals comes with a hefty price tag, but it's powerful, reliable, fast, and worth every penny. Whether you have a low or high budget, or need an entry-level or professional machine, the list below should have at least one laptop for you. When looking for the best laptops for music production, we aimed for a mix of options that cover the needs of all types of music makers.

Best macbook music production