9 Best Cheap Laptops for Music Production That Rocks!
There is hope for the savvy musician, producer, or hobbyist seeking to make music without breaking the bank! With this review of nine budget-friendly laptops that provide all necessary specs and offer flexible work-from-anywhere options, producing music on a tight budget is now achievable.
Need the perfect laptop for music production? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 9 laptops that will get you the results you need, and all but 1 are under 800 bucks. Keep on reading to find out more about these amazing machines!
What are the Best Cheap Laptops for Music Production?
Everyone’s music production needs differ, and the best budget laptop for your situation relies on both these requirements and your financial capacity.
Whether you’re just starting and need a basic laptop or are on the hunt for one of the most cutting-edge models available in 2022, our selection offers something for every budget. If music production is your thing, we guarantee that no matter your skill level or preferences, there’s a laptop right here to suit your needs!
- Acer Aspire 5 A515
- ASUS VivoBook Flip
- Microsoft Surface Go
- Samsung 4+ Chromebook
- HP Pavilion x360
- Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6″
- Dell Inspiron 15.6″
- HP Jaguar – 15.6″
- ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop
1. Acer Aspire 5
The Aspire 5 is the perfect tool for musicians on the go, with its slim 14.31 x 9.86 x 0 .71 inches silhouette and light weight of only 3.88 lbs! In addition, you won’t feel it in your bag or backpack when taking it along to your next gig – a practical asset for music producers around the globe!
Upgrade your music production experience with this cost-effective laptop, featuring a 4GHz AMD Ryzen 5_5500u processor for lightning-fast performance and seamless audio latency!
Prepare to work quickly and effortlessly – this 8GB DDR4 SDRAM grants you the power of speedy loading and launching. Additionally, its 256 GB SSD storage ensures that your samples are instantly accessible. The 15-inch display screen will undoubtedly meet all your visual needs for seamless production!
Key Features
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Mobile Processor with AMD Radeon Graphics
- 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display
- 8GB DDR4 Onboard Memory and 256GB NVMe SSD
Conclusion
Depend on the Acer Aspire 5 to provide up to 11 hours of continuous runtime, powered by its supremely reliable Lithium-ion battery. Perfect for traveling and working in your studio – this laptop is sure to satisfy all your needs!
Price: $526 USD
2. ASUS VivoBook Flip
Coming in second on our list of the best budget laptops for music production is the ASUS VivoBook Flip. This laptop’s innovative flip design grants you greater flexibility when producing your tracks, allowing you to easily create magnificent compositions!
This laptop is engineered with gamers in mind, featuring jaw-dropping graphics powered by AMD Radeon Graphics coprocessor. With this device, you can effortlessly add VSTs to your production so that the tracks sound even more polished. For those who place a lot of importance on visuals during the creation process – this laptop should be your go-to choice!
For unparalleled speed, the ASUS VivoBook Flip is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor and an 8M Cache that leads up to a speedy 4.0Hz. With 8GB of RAM expandable up to 20GB for intense DAWs like Ableton Live – plus 256GB SSD storage space – you’ll have all your tracks easily accessible at lightning speeds!
Key Features
- Powerful & efficient AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.0Hz)
- Windows 10 Home, 256GB SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 14” Full HD Wideview touch display (with glossy finish) with up to 178° viewing angle optimized for entertainment
Conclusion
Achieve your creative goals with the ASUS VivoBook Flip. This sleek laptop boasts an ultra-thin, brushed aluminum chassis and a lightweight 3.3 lb body that looks and feels high-end without breaking the bank; what’s more, it’s 82% screen-to-body ratio offers ample space for digital art production! So say goodbye to overspending on subpar hardware – take your work to the next level today with this beautiful device from Asus.
Price: $599 USD
3. Microsoft Surface Go
Whether you are a novice musician or an ambitious hobbyist, the Microsoft Surface Go is the ideal device for your multi-faceted needs. With this laptop, you can produce beats and join in remote collaborations with teachers and other up-and-coming artists!
Featuring a top-of-the-line Pentium Gold processor and an unbeatable memory speed of 1866 MHz, this device is optimal for adding some extra components to your tracks while you learn the basics. The 4GB LPDDR3 SDRAM may be small, but it’s more than enough to run most basic plugins that will amp up your music production!
Crafted with a sleek silver finish, the Surface Go is an incredibly portable 2.9 lbs laptop that fits your studio and on-the-go lifestyle. Its Lithium-ion battery easily provides up to 13 hours of uninterrupted power, so you can take it wherever life takes you! In addition, this lightweight device stands out from other laptops, measuring only 16 x 9 x 3 inches.
Key Features
- High res 10 inch PixelSense: Display designed to be viewed, touched, and written on
- Lightest surface yet, starting at 1.15 pounds. Touch: 10 point multi touch
- All day battery life, with upto 9 hours of unplugged power. Ambient light sensor
Conclusion
If you’re a music producer, want to produce as a hobby, or are just getting your feet wet in the industry, Microsoft Surface Go’s 64GB flash memory is perfect. This device will serve your needs exceptionally well and won’t let you down!
Price: $349 USD
4. Samsung 4+ Chromebook
The Samsung 4+ Chromebook is an ideal choice for those starting out to create music with a limited budget. This lightweight laptop won’t break the bank, but it still offers plenty of great features at an affordable price. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned musician on a tight budget, this laptop is perfect for producing tracks without breaking your wallet!
This ultra-compact and lightweight laptop is just 11.33 x 7.96 x 0.66 inches and weighs only 2.6 lbs, making it the perfect companion for on-the-go producers! Its most impressive feature is its lightning-quick connection to any Wi-Fi network you may be utilized when creating your tracks, which can make accessing samples from the cloud easy with Chrome OS preinstalled as well!
The Samsung 4+ Chromebook offers a reliable Intel Celeron processor at 1.1GHz and comes with an exceptional 4GB DDR4 SDRAM that is sure to add serious power to your workstation. It may not be the quickest CPU out there, but it will easily let you operate two tasks simultaneously – enabling more productivity in less time!
Key Features
- Compact, light design with 11. 6” display
- Military-grade durability
- Ultra-fast connectivity with Gigabit Wi-Fi
Conclusion
This laptop stands out from the rest due to its advanced Lithium polymer battery, which can last up to 12.5 hours—giving you plenty of time to work on your production without worrying about running out of power. Perfect for both novices and experts alike who may need an extra laptop that they can rely on throughout their projects. With a 32GB SSD capacity, this machine is perfect for any task!
Price: $229 USD
5. HP Pavilion x360
When searching for the top budget laptops for music creation, one must mention the HP Pavilion x360. This model from a renowned computer company has all you need for productive audio production; it boasts an impressive responsive touch screen to make your experience faster and smoother.
The HP Pavilion x360 is your ticket to a lightning-fast workflow with its 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U mobile processor. With 8GB DDR4 RAM, you’ll be able to handle multitrack production and samples during music creation, making it possible for you to craft truly remarkable audio tracks.
Experience your musical creativity in various lighting settings at any time of day or night with an illuminated backlit keyboard. Plus, the generous 256GB solid-state storage can house even the largest sample libraries – allowing you to explore and store away all that you create!
Key Features
- 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U mobile processor.
- 8GB RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once. DDR4 is the future of RAM.
Conclusion
HP has perfected the craft of uniting effortless performance in a fashionable and compact laptop. The HP Pavilion x360 is an evident demonstration of this, with its surprisingly lightweight 7.41oz frame that measures just 12.8×8.8×0.8inches— yet packed with all the features required by both experienced and novice music producers to execute their creative projects!
Price: $659 USD
6. Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6“
Suppose you’re on the hunt for affordable laptops that can handle music production, look no further than Lenovo. The IdeaPad 15.6″ is perfect for bringing your creativity to life, and it only weighs 3.3 lbs – truly a digital studio on wheels!
Step up your music production with the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U mobile processor laptop. It’s 8GB DDR4 SDRAM ensures you have plenty of resources to work on multiple samples and tracks simultaneously, while its 256 GB SSD provides a safe storage space for all your files. Experience the speed and efficiency that this powerful machine can bring to your creative process!
Get ready to experience sound like never before with the Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6″! Built-in Dolby-powered speakers bring your audio to life, immersing you in a completely uninterrupted sonic environment – no headphones or monitors required!
Key Features
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Mobile Processors with Radeon Graphics deliver powerful performance for everyday tasks
- Dopoundsy Audio delivers crystal-clear sound, while the 14-inch FHD screen and narrow side bezels give you more viewing area and less clutter
Conclusion
If you are a creative individual who needs the freedom to act upon your inspiration without worrying about having sufficient audio tools, then the Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6″ is perfect for you! This device will provide everything you need to bring your ideas alive and easily test your sound creations.
Price: $501 USD
7. Dell Inspiron 15.6″
Dell is an obvious choice if you’re looking for a dependable, high-performing laptop to suit your music production needs on the cheap. Boasting superior design and an impressive selection of storage options, the Dell Inspiron 15.6″ stands out as one of the best laptops for producers and recording artists.
The 1TB HDD in this laptop is the biggest of our selection and will offer you plenty of space to store an expansive sample library for maximum versatility when crafting your music – though it may not provide speed equivalent to that of an SSD.
The Dell Inspiron 15.6″ is equipped with an Intel Core i3-7100U processor and 8GB DDR4 RAM, which can be extended to 16GB for ultimate multitasking capabilities. With this powerful processor and superior memory capability, you can work on multiple tasks simultaneously at great speeds!
Key Features
- 15.6″ (1366 x 768) HD Display, Intel HD Graphics 620
- Intel Core i3-7100U Dual-Core processor, 2.4 GHz, 8GB DDR4 Memory can up to 16GB, 1TB HDD 5400rpm; Picture is for reference only, there is no Optical Drive
- 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack, 1x HDMI, 10/100 Ethernet
Conclusion
Pack the Dell Inspiron 15.6″ Laptop with you to your next beach getaway and enjoy up to five hours of battery life – just enough time for a productive work session! The most noteworthy feature, however, is its powerful stereo speakers powered by MaxxAudio technology, providing a superior audio experience that doesn’t require headphones. So if you’re searching for an affordable laptop ($500 or less) perfect for music production, this one should be at the top of your list!
Price: $499 USD
8. HP Jaguar 15.6″
HP’s impressive performance has made them a leader in the best cheap laptops for music production. We are delighted to showcase another of their products that both amateur and experienced musicians will appreciate.
Maximize your audio quality with the HP Jaguar-15.6″, equipped with an ultra-fast i5-7200U (Dual Core, 3M Cache) processor that clocks up to 3.10 GHz for minimal latency and optimal sound quality in each of your tracks!
The 8GB DDR4 SDRAM (2×4 GB) is expandable and maximizes the laptop’s speed, allowing you to work on multiple samples without lag. Plus, a generous 1TB HDD offers storage for sample libraries and heavy files so that nothing slows down your creative flow.
Key Features
- Intel Core i5-7200U 2.50 GHz up to 3.10 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology with 3MB cache.
- 8GB DDR4 SDRAM (2 x 4 GB), 1 TB 5400 rpm SATA hard drive.
- 15.6 in diagonal HD SVA WLED-backlit touchscreen (1366 x 768), 10-finger multi-touch support
- Full-size island-style keyboard, touchpad with multi-touch gesture support
- Multi-format SD media card reader, 2 USB 3.1, 1 USB 2.0, 1HDMI, 1 RJ-45, 1 headphone/microphone combo.
Conclusion
If you’re a professional or beginner producer who wishes to have the ability to further customize their laptop over time, then this HP Jaguar-15.6″ is your ideal choice for music production. It’s an investment worth making that will take your audio experience up a notch!
Price: $899 USD
9. ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop
Bringing up the rear of our list of nine budget-friendly laptops for music production is the ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop. Boasting a formidable AMD Quad Core Ryzen 7 3700U Processor (2M Cache, up to 4.0 GHz), this specific laptop stands apart from its contenders with unmatched processing power.
Elevate your production to the next level with ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop. This powerful device is equipped with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, which offers excellent speeds and multitrack capabilities. Plus, you can count on it for zero audio latency!
Weighing only 3.53 lbs, the aptly-named laptop permits you to erect your digital studio anytime and anywhere. Moreover, its Lithium-ion battery can stay up and running for a maximum of six hours!
Key Features
- 15.6-inch Full HD 4 way NanoEdge bezel display with stunning 88% screen-to-body ratio
- Powerful AMD Quad Core Ryzen 7 3700U Processor (2M Cache, up to 4.0Ghz)
- AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphic with Windows 10 Home
- 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Ergonomic chiclet backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello
Conclusion
If you’re a music producer or game creator seeking to work at lightning speed, look no further than the ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop. This cutting-edge device is perfect for you–it gives users maximum speeds when producing and saving their projects.
Price: $789 USD
Summary
To find the ideal budget laptop for music production, it’s important to consider processor power, RAM, OS, and storage capabilities. After analyzing some of the best laptops in this category with these features in mind, we can confidently recommend any of the above options based on our exhaustive review. You’ll have all you need to create beautiful tracks easily with any of them!
How to Choose the Best Laptop for Music Production
Technology has progressed exponentially from the primitive era of banging on tree trunks and trying to communicate through caves. Nowadays, we can craft beautiful compositions in our spaces using only a laptop, plus some talent if you’ve got it! If you’re searching for economical laptops suitable for music production purposes, there are three key aspects worth considering before purchasing. Let’s take a closer look at these critical components when selecting the best budget-friendly laptop for producing music.
1. Processor
When choosing a laptop for music production, it is critical to pick the most suitable processor. If you’re using multiple virtual instruments and plugins, then your processor must be powerful enough not to hinder efficiency when running them simultaneously. For optimal performance in this situation, we suggest investing in Intel Core i5 or i7 processors or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processors.
2. RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) is essential when using music production software that takes up a lot of resources. We suggest having at least 8GB RAM; 16GB or higher would provide the best results!
3. Storage
Music files require a substantial amount of storage space, so selecting a laptop with adequate memory is essential. If you are an aspiring audio creator or wish to retain many recordings, we suggest investing in one with 256GB+ hard drive capacity. That extra room will provide the necessary resources for your projects!
While selecting a laptop for music production, these three points should be considered. Once you have considered them carefully, the perfect device will appear to you like an epiphany, and it won’t even put a dent in your pocket!
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