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10 Best Cheap Laptops For Music Production 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight
The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong contender for a cheap laptop suitable for music production. Its standout feature is the powerful M4 chip, which ensures smooth performance even when using demanding music production software. With 16GB of unified memory, multitasking is seamless, and 256GB of SSD storage offers adequate space for music files and applications, although heavy users might need external storage or upgrades. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is vibrant and sharp, essential for detailed audio editing and visual work.
Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,488
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Most important from
983 reviews
#2
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home
The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop is a decent choice for those looking to engage in music production on a budget. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, providing sharp visuals and vibrant colors, which is great for viewing software interfaces. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U quad-core processor paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM facilitates smooth multitasking and handling of music production software, though it may struggle with very intensive tasks.
Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life
Most important from
3919 reviews
#3
HP 15.6" Business Laptop, Free Microsoft Office 2024 Lifetime License, Copilot AI Chat, HD Touchscreen Display, Intel 6-Core i3-1215U 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Long Battery Life, Windows 11 Pro
The HP 15.6" Business Laptop offers a decent balance of performance and affordability for those entering the world of music production. The Intel Core i3-1215U processor, though not the most powerful, offers six cores which can handle basic music production tasks. The 16GB RAM is a strong point, enabling smoother multitasking and handling of music production software. The 1TB SSD provides ample storage for large music files and quick access speeds, which is essential for productive work sessions. However, the display resolution of 1366x768 is quite low for modern standards; a higher resolution would be more desirable for detailed audio work and better overall clarity.
Rating
9.1
Battery Life
Build Quality and Portability
Most important from
439 reviews
Top 10 Best Cheap Laptops For Music Production 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
9.7 score
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight
Processor (CPU): Apple M4
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Audio Interface: Four-speaker system, Three-mic array
Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560x1664
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Connectivity: Two Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E
Chosen by 1488 this week
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128 GB NVMe SSD
Audio Interface Compatibility: USB Type-C, HDMI, headphone jack
Screen Size and Resolution: 15.6 Inches, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Battery Life: 11 Hours
Build Quality and Portability: 3.92 pounds, slim design
HP 15.6" Business Laptop, Free Microsoft Office 2024 Lifetime License, Copilot AI Chat, HD Touchscreen Display, Intel 6-Core i3-1215U 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Long Battery Life, Windows 11 Pro
HP 15.6" Business Laptop, Free Microsoft Office 2024 Lifetime License, Copilot AI Chat, HD Touchscreen Display, Intel 6-Core i3-1215U 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Long Battery Life, Windows 11 Pro
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3-1215U
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Audio Interface Compatibility: Multiple USB ports
Screen Size and Resolution: 15.6 Inches, 1366x768
Battery Life: 6 Hours
Build Quality and Portability: Solid build, 3.75 pounds
Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black
Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black
Processor (CPU): Intel i5-1155G7
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Audio Interface Compatibility: USB 3.2, HDMI
Screen Size and Resolution: 15.6-inch Full HD
Build Quality and Portability: 3.65 pounds
Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 40GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, RJ45, Webcam, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black
Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 40GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, RJ45, Webcam, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
RAM: 40 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Audio Interface Compatibility: USB 3.2 Type-C, HDMI, headphone/mic
Screen Size and Resolution: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Build Quality and Portability: 3.64 pounds, 0.78 inches thick
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Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i5-13420H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 144Hz Display | 8GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | WiFi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-51-51H9
Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i5-13420H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 144Hz Display | 8GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | WiFi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-51-51H9
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-13420H
RAM: 8 GB DDR5
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Audio Interface Compatibility: Thunderbolt 4, USB ports
Screen Size and Resolution: 15.6 Inches, 1920 x 1080
Build Quality and Portability: Solid, plastic, 4.66 pounds
HP 255 G10 Laptop for Home or Work, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6" Full HD, Ryzen 3 7330U (Beat Intel i5-1135G7), HDMI, USB-C, Windows 11 Pro, Business and Fun Ready
HP 255 G10 Laptop for Home or Work, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6" Full HD, Ryzen 3 7330U (Beat Intel i5-1135G7), HDMI, USB-C, Windows 11 Pro, Business and Fun Ready
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 3 7330U
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
Connectivity: HDMI, USB-C, WiFi 6, Bluetooth
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G2 Business Laptop Computer, 16" FHD+, AMD 8-Core Ryzen 7 7735HS (Beat i7-1360P), 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe SSD, WiFi 6E, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro, AZ-XUT
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G2 Business Laptop Computer, 16" FHD+, AMD 8-Core Ryzen 7 7735HS (Beat i7-1360P), 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe SSD, WiFi 6E, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro, AZ-XUT
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
RAM: 32 GB DDR5
Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD
Audio Interface: HD Audio
Display: 16-inch FHD+ 1920x1200
Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB, HDMI
Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6" Touchscreen i7 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, Intel Core i7-1255U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Numeric Keypad, Webcam, SD Card Reader, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home, Black
Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6" Touchscreen i7 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, Intel Core i7-1255U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Numeric Keypad, Webcam, SD Card Reader, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home, Black
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-1255U
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Audio Interface: headphone/mic combo jack, USB ports
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, SD reader
#10
7.1 score
ASUS TUF A15 Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 15.6 inch Full HD Display, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 11 Home, Wi-Fi, Alpacatec Accessory
ASUS TUF A15 Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 15.6 inch Full HD Display, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 11 Home, Wi-Fi, Alpacatec Accessory
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 7, 4.5 GHz, 8 cores
RAM: 32 GB DDR5
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 1920x1080
Connectivity: 4 USB 3.0 ports
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Buying Guide for the Best Cheap Laptops For Music Production
When choosing a laptop for music production, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure that the device can handle the demands of audio software and provide a smooth, efficient workflow. Music production can be resource-intensive, so even if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, you need to make sure the laptop has the necessary capabilities to support your creative process. Here are some key specs to focus on and how to navigate them to find the best fit for your needs.Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop and is crucial for running music production software smoothly. A powerful CPU can handle multiple tracks, effects, and virtual instruments without lag. For music production, look for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. These mid-range processors offer a good balance between performance and cost. If you plan to work on more complex projects, consider an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7. Your choice should be guided by the complexity of your music production needs; more demanding tasks require a more powerful processor.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) is important for multitasking and running large audio files and software smoothly. For music production, a minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended, but 16GB is ideal if you can afford it. More RAM allows you to run more plugins and virtual instruments simultaneously without slowing down your system. If you work with large projects or use memory-intensive software, opt for higher RAM to ensure a seamless experience.
StorageStorage is where all your files, software, and projects are saved. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are preferred over Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) because they are faster and more reliable. An SSD will significantly reduce loading times and improve overall performance. Aim for at least 256GB SSD storage, but 512GB or more is better if you have a lot of samples and project files. If you need more space, consider laptops that allow for external storage options or have additional slots for upgrading.
Audio InterfaceWhile not a spec of the laptop itself, the audio interface is crucial for music production. Some laptops come with decent built-in sound cards, but for professional quality, you might need an external audio interface. Look for laptops with multiple USB ports to connect external audio interfaces and other peripherals. The quality of your audio interface will affect the sound quality and latency, so ensure compatibility with your laptop.
DisplayA good display is important for seeing your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) clearly and managing multiple tracks and plugins. Look for a laptop with at least a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. Larger screens (15 inches or more) can provide more workspace, but they might be less portable. If portability is a priority, a smaller screen might be better, but ensure it has good resolution and color accuracy.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to work on the go or in places where you can't always plug in. Look for laptops with at least 6-8 hours of battery life. Keep in mind that running music production software can drain the battery faster, so consider laptops with efficient power management features. If you often work in a studio or at home, battery life might be less critical, but it's still a good idea to have a laptop that can last through a session without needing a charge.
ConnectivityGood connectivity options are essential for music production. Ensure the laptop has multiple USB ports, preferably USB 3.0 or higher, for connecting MIDI controllers, external hard drives, and audio interfaces. An HDMI port can be useful for connecting to external monitors. Additionally, consider laptops with Thunderbolt ports for faster data transfer and more versatile connectivity options. Your choice should be guided by the number and type of peripherals you plan to use.