Best Cheap Budget Laptop For Music Production (2022)

Looking for the best laptops for music production? You’re in luck!

The best cheap laptop for music production is hard to find because when it comes down to it, everyone has different price ranges. Generally, a laptop will offer less performance than a music production desktop in the same price range. So, choose wisely!

Mac or PC?

You are looking for a hard drive that has plenty of processing power and storage to handle multiple music tracks? When comparing the best laptops for producing music, you must consider many variables. In your music production laptop, the most important variable is which OS you’d like to produce music on

Whichever one you choose, The best laptops for producing music must be (RAM) strong!

A hard drive or, SSD (solid-state drive) is one of those crucial areas that need to be very strong and very fast. Like Alienware 13, Because you are going to be working with large file sizes that need TONS of storage space.

All the best laptops for making music have fast core processors to make loading flies quicker. Moreover, less time spent on loading files and downloading plugins is more time creating music and reaping the benefits of your awesome musical talent.

Both Microsoft and Apple have the best laptops for producing music. These 2 are the most popular companies in the music-making industry, they produce the best laptops for music.

And yes, the Mac is more reliable and more stable. However, a Windows PC can be just as stable and reliable! If you’re not computer savvy and need stability, I recommend the Apple MacBook Pro. It is known that the MAC is more stable than a PC.

But, here’s the only negative about MAC OS:

The Apple Macbook Pro has fewer possibilities for upgrading, which is a major setback when you want to add more functionality to your music production laptop. Be aware to take into account whether you already have a dedicated machine for music production, because work transfer between PC and Mac can sometimes get troublesome.

Currently Best Laptop For Music Production and Recording: Apple MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro has a super-fast core processor, which is needed to create good high-quality music.

The main thing you should consider in your music production laptop is the processor speed. The reason why it’s so important is that if the processor isn’t powerful enough, your computer will most likely have issues producing music and that is not good.

I’ll put it like this. Think of your processor as the consciousness of your computer, its main job is to get instructions from software on your music production laptop and carry out the tasks accordingly. However, just like your brain, your music-making laptop can only do so much at one time. So, purchase a music production laptop with plenty of RAM which this Apple Macbook Pro has TONS of it!

Dell Has A Good Laptop For Music Production As Well: Dell XPS 15 9560 15.6 Inch

Best Budget Laptop For Music Producer: Dell Flagship 15.6 Inch

• Why Dell Flagship 15.6 Inch?

With the ability to max out, the RAM plus an extra SSD, this cheap music production laptop will tune your audio production skills. Moreover, it has enough power to handle anything. You can just throw at it in a home production studio.

This budget laptop for music production is well under $1000, which is great for the quality! Plus, you can upgrade it via the extra bay so you get the latest, fastest Intel Skylake processor. What’s more! The Amazon reviews for this Dell are great! For these reasons, Flagship is the best cheap laptop for music production!

• Dell Flagship 15.6 Inch Specs

1. CPU: Central Processing Unit is the main factor when buying the best cheap laptop for music production. Make sure to go for i5 or i7 Intel processors and preferably aim for a +6000 CPU Benchmark. Two ideal CPU performance scores for music production are i7–4720HQ and  i7-4810MQ.
2. HDD: Hard Disk Drive. Another big factor for music production HDD’s is hosting audio files and sound libraries. You will need a 1+ TB HDD. Any traditional 7200 RPM HDD should serve you well, given large SSD’s are still prohibitively expensive. SSD storage is much faster than its HDD equivalent but also more expensive.
3. RAM: 8 GB is the minimum, but you might want to go up to 16 GB if you have a huge library ,or if you use a lot of VST- plugins. If you are not sure how much RAM you will need, the best choice will be to buy a laptop that allows you to expand the RAM from 8Gb to 16GB.
4. Soundcard: The sound cards that come with most cheap laptops for producing music rarely handle music production well. You will eventually have to upgrade your soundcard. If you want a professional studio setup it shouldn’t be a priority in your choice of a music production laptop.

• Focus on getting the fastest processor you can afford

The Dell Flagship has the Intel i7 dual-core processor. It’s standard, with 8GB RAM, which is the bare minimum for most DAWs. There is also a slot inside that allows you to add a second hard drive for even faster drive performance. Place an SSD in that extra bay, this way your software and DAW can run on the 256GB SSD for maximum performance and you can use the extra hard drive to store samples and so on.

How To Pick A Good Laptop For Making Music?

• The Most Important Factors: RAM And Hard Drive Speed

You’ll need plenty of hard drive space. Preferably a separate one for your sound files. And as a scratch drive, lots of RAM is also useful. Also, running 64 bit OS software will make life easier for you. Mac and PC both run good recording and DAW software. But, you have a far greater choice of the sound card with a PC. You also have a wider choice of input devices upgrades and plugins with a PC.

• Software Compatibiliy

For music production and recording, you have to choose the software that best fits your needs and not the platform.

If you are looking for a computer with a Windows operating system that is brilliant, well-rounded with powerful performance, then this model is definitely worth considering. Despite not being as attractive as the Macbook Pro, this music production laptop is still a beast at performing the tasks needed for music production. Moreover, this Dell’s performance is at the top of the line. Plus, you get the benefit of upgrading the hardware with ease. What’s more, it has free DAW software to choose from which is a plus for beginners!

This music production laptop is carved from a single slap of aluminum which means that it is durable and can withstand the punishment of gig to gig travel. And that is a plus! Also, It’s powered by a 7th generation Intel i7 processor which is one of the fastest on the market! This Dell PC is a good laptop for music production on the same level as Apple.

This is one of the best laptops for producing music on Windows because It will handle every program and track you throw at it, no matter the size. It performs smoothly the whole time.

• Make Sure To Get External Hard Drives

All the best laptops for producing music need external drives because you will be saving many flies over time. One for all your tracks and another for external files, for sample libraries, loops, instruments, etc…

It is not an absolute requirement but having separate hard drives will help your music production laptop’s overall system performance. Moreover, a slow hard drive will hinder performance no matter if you have the best laptop for music production or not. Furthermore, the MacBook Pro can handle this more than the Dell. That’s why I think it is the best laptop for producing music on the market.

Final Words On How To Choose The Best Laptops for Producing Music Review:

The main goal of a good laptop for music production is that it’s able to handle mastering a 100 track project with midi data and plugins on each track. Plus, still, be quick enough to produce audio at excellent quality. Furthermore, this means you need a good laptop for music production with a fast processor and lots of storage and memory. The best laptops for producing music have both of these features! Moreover, both laptops meet the best laptop for making music standards. So, it’s just really what system you prefer (Mac or Windows).

In the budget department, there’s always going to be a problem with the best cheap laptop for music production. The main things you need to address are RAM, drive speed, and processor speed. My pick comes with 8GB RAM which is the minimum suggested for most DAWS. Moreover, you would have to upgrade it after a while.

Other Factors To Consider Before Buying A Laptop Online

So you’ve decided it’s time to purchase a new laptop. Whether your old laptop is ready to bite the dust or you’ve simply decided that you deserve an upgrade, there are certainly numerous models online from which to choose, depending on your budget and how you’ll be using the laptop.

• What Is Your Budget?

Before you even begin to explore all the amazing features available in laptops, you need to decide what you can afford to spend. For general everyday use, you won’t have any trouble choosing an efficient serviceable model for less than $500.

However, if your purposes are more specialized and you need fancier options, you will have to set a budget that will allow you to get the laptop you need. It’s always great to economize and take home a great deal, but we don’t be so frugal that you end up with a model unable to perform all the tasks most important to you.

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• Why Do You Need a Laptop?

What are the primary tasks you plan to perform with your laptop? Will you be using it for producing music professionally, checking email, using social media, or ordering products online? Are you a college student? Maybe you’re into gaming or engineering and need some specialized functions. Perhaps you travel a lot and need a compact machine that travels easily with you. Or you might use your laptop for watching videos or playing music. It’s important to have clarity about how you will use your laptop before you begin to shop.

For everyday tasks: You should be able to select a great, serviceable, and long-lasting model in the $400-$500 range. Many different brand names will all give you solid performance, so don’t assume you’re always better off with the most well-known name.

• What Platform Do You Prefer?

Many platforms are available nowadays, but let’s take a look at the three most popular ones: Windows, Chrome OS, and Mac OS. 

1. Windows.The latest Windows operating system is Windows 10. In response to feedback from users, Windows 10 restores a lot of familiar functions requested by folks who prefer a mouse to a touch screen. You can use either option, and you also have a choice about whether your system boots to a start screen or your desktop. Another feature that’s returned is the power button to allow an easy shut-down.
2. Mac OS. The Mac OS X10.11 El Capitan has refined a whole system one app at a time, resulting in a smoother transition between computer and iOS use. Upgraded continuity features allow you to make and receive calls on your laptop, or begin a document on one device and continue it on another. Plus, the Mac comes fully loaded with gorgeous apps you’re going to enjoy using from the minute you take it out of the box.
3. Chrome OS. Chrome has made great strides since its inception, and you’ll be impressed with its improved multitasking capabilities. It’s super handy to be able to view multiple windows at once, plus you can pin convenient shortcuts to the bottom of the screen and even edit documents offline instead of only viewing them. You can also use Hangouts for video chatting now.

• What Size Laptop Would You Prefer?

1. Ultraportable: With 11-12 inch screens and weighing in at only 2.5 to 3.5 pounds, these pipsqueaks are scarcely bigger than your phone. However you’ll have to be truly committed to its tiny size, because its screen and keyboard may be a bit too small for the convenience of some users.
2. Thin and light: With 13-14 inch screens, weighing 3.5 to 4.5 pounds, many will find this size to be the best compromise between portability and ease of use. They’ll fit on your lap while still providing a keyboard large enough for most hands, and a screen big enough to easily view.
3. Mainstream: Laptops with 15 inch screens are a bit heavier at 5 to 6.5 pounds, but they’re at the top of the popularity polls for a good reason: they’re the least expensive. As long as you don’t need to carry your laptop around with you all the time, this size could be a winner.
4. Desktop replacement: If your system is a homebody, a 17-18 inch screens with a powerful processor may be just the ticket. You can easily move it from one room to another or take it out onto the patio or garden, but you’ll probably want to keep it plugged into a wall outlet.

• Which Brand of Laptop Would You Prefer?

There’s a large selection of quality laptops from which to choose these days. From Acer to Apple, Asus, Dell, HP or Lenovo; and don’t forget MIS, Samsung or Toshiba! According to LaptopMag.com, the #1 rated laptop is Apple, Dell is in second place and HP ranks third. However there are valuable features with each system, so it’s really a matter of your personal choice.

1. Apple Laptop. All you need to do is read their reviews to know that when it comes to performance, tech support, keyboards, touchpads, audio quality, and preloaded software, you just can’t beat Apple. While they only make a few laptop models, all are impeccable.
2. Dell Laptop. Dell now offers stellar notebooks with innovative new designs, as well as a fine selection of systems suitable for buyers on a budget, as well as business-friendly systems.
3. HP Laptop. Super tech support, coupled with a great selection and good value for the price has allowed HP a strong showing in recent ratings. Their design and audio will knock your socks off, although, admittedly, they haven’t done much in the way of innovation lately.
4. MSI Laptop. If you’re a gamer, this is one brand you’ll want to take note of. MSI’s displays are totally impressive, and the brand also scores big on high-quality audio. Their users give them big thumbs up in their reviews.
5. Samsung Laptop. Samsung’s laptops are crafted with quality materials and their tech support is decent. They’re pretty solid, but just don’t offer a great variety. A good brand to take a look at if you’re in the market for an affordable Chromebook.
6. Lenovo Laptop. We can’t really give them a strong recommendation at this time. First, there was the preloaded adware debacle that left users vulnerable to security attacks; but even beyond that, Lenovo’s tech support isn’t great, and their reviews have declined. However, they made excellent business results with 13.4 million global PC shipments in the first quarter of 2015.
7. Asus Laptop. Asus is a maker of well-designed and innovative products, and its large selection has something to offer consumers in any price range. Unfortunately, their tech support fared poorly in random tests, driving down the popularity of the brand. We hope that’s only temporary, as this brand really deserves consideration.
8. Toshiba Laptop. Toshiba sells an awesome Chromebook, the Toshiba Chromebook 2. Other than that, we can’t brag too much about this company’s rather ho-hum designs. Their keyboards and displays left much to be desired, and their reviews in the last year have been less than stellar.
9. Acer Laptop. Acer offers a good selection and value for your dollar, including an eye-catching Chromebook collection. They also offer 2-in-1 hybrids that may be just the answer some consumers are looking for. They have some room for improvement in the areas of tech support and design but keep an eye on them.

• What Is The Type Of Laptop?

Laptops no longer come in single, clamshell designs that can spring to mind. The popularity of the tablet in recent years has met the demand for 2-in-1s, which serve as both traditional laptops and tablets for a detachable screen. Here is a list of well-known types of laptops available in the market.

Notebook:

The Notebook is a common term used for a full-size laptop that strikes a balance between portability and functionality. Their specifications can range from medium to high. Notebooks have specifications to handle everyday use. These laptops vary greatly in overall size and specs – processors, storage, RAM, and screen size. Overall, they are built to handle almost everything you throw at them and can handle your homework, school work, gaming, and travel well. These qualities make Notebooks a great choice for many people.

They can vary greatly, from low-cost economic models to high-performance productivity and the price of gaming laptops. They require decent input devices, ergonomic displays, and connectivity that should allow the user to easily connect to a home or workplace environment, but this does not need to be very generous.

Netbook:

Netbooks are a great option for some people, but not good for others. Netbooks are highly portable due to their small size and weigh just three pounds or less. They do not require much power and are less expensive than larger laptops. Most netbook laptops are not as fast as you expect from a netbook. They are designed not for speed but for power efficiency. They use a different class of processors from traditional laptops which is closer to the processor used in tablets.

They only require sufficient processor performance to handle basic computing tasks such as web browsing, email, word processing, spreadsheet, and basic photo editing. Netbooks are usually $ 500 or less. Netbooks are actually great for internet surfing, email correspondence, creating and editing small office documents, and possibly for playing CDs or DVDs with an external drive.

Ultra-light and portable laptops:

Thin, lightweight laptops designed for mobility (sometimes called subnotebooks). Think of an ultraportable laptop as more powerful, slightly larger than a netbook. Netbooks have more features and are larger for easy use. Ultrabook also comes with a higher price. Maintaining super-slim profiles means they have to cut some features such as reducing the number of built-in CD / DVD drives and connection ports.

Unlike a netbook, an ultraportable laptop can function as an everyday computer. They will be small and lightweight in most places, especially for business travelers, not as powerful as desktop replacements. The best of these models will still cost you a lot of money, especially if you are looking for a business system that will not reduce you when traveling for work, but they offer remarkable performance and often many high-end – come with many features. The smallest model weighs around one kilogram only.

Convertible (2-in-1):

These laptops combine the features of laptops and tablets. They are also known as 2-in-1 laptops or hybrids. The 2-in-1 or convertible laptop combines the convenience and simplicity of a tablet with the feature of a keyboard. All 2-in-1 laptops have touchscreens. There are two main types of 2-in-1s. Some have detachable keyboards, allowing them to be put into tablet mode. Others will have flexible hinges that can tilt the laptop back 360 degrees and switch between different modes.

Most hinged 2-in-1 laptops even ship with different standing modes that suit different standing styles. Need to get some work done? Use it as a regular laptop. Need some Netflix time? Fold it into stand mode so that the keyboard tucks backward. Curious about some touch-screen gaming? Pop it in tent mode. They can quickly switch between touchscreen tablet modes and traditional keyboard modes, changing to various modes, including detaching, sliding, twisting, and fold-back mechanisms.

Chromebook:

If you cannot buy a new laptop, a Chromebook may be a suitable option depending on your needs. Chromebooks are normally cheap as compared to laptops and designed for productive tasks, such as writing and editing. Chromebooks run the ChromeOS (which is based on Linux) operating system. These are primarily designed to work with web apps and data that can be saved not only on a laptop but in the cloud. Apps must be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store. Most Chromebooks available in the market can run Android applications from the Google Play Store.

A primary benefit of Chrome OS is that it is mostly immune to the type of malware that spoils the Windows system, as you are not running Windows programs at all. Additionally, Chrome OS updates take seconds, instead of the minutes and hours you may look out for macOS and Windows updates. If you spend more than 90 percent of your time while using a laptop in web browsing, then you should have no problem using the Chromebook as your primary laptop.

Best Place to Buy Laptops Online

There are many reputable places from which you can order a laptop online. Best Buy, Newegg, Staples, Sears, Walmart, and Target will all sell you a laptop, but our recommendation is that you stick with the gold standard of online purchasing: Amazon.

One of the many perks of shopping on Amazon is the reviews. You’ll also be able to read the reviews of products that you’re interested in, written by hundreds of other buyers from all over the world. Reading the opinions of others who have purchased the product is almost as good as a “try before you buy” arrangement because the experiences of others will help you to decide if a particular laptop is appropriate for your purposes. 

Variety is another great reason to choose Amazon. Instead of having relatively few models that will be stocked by any one store, Amazon will probably have every possible model available. And can we talk about their awesome shipping? You just can’t beat Amazon Prime for low price, convenience, and speed when you need an item quickly. Additionally, if you have concerns about using a debit or credit card to purchase on Amazon, you will soon be able to use Paypal instead.

Ready to Shop Now?

Just remember the important points: Know what you need your laptop to do for you, and know how much you can afford to spend. Check out the reviews, then select a laptop that will serve you well for years to come.

Check out my homepage for more ideas on music production! Thanks for reading!