Best Budget Computer For Music Production
Are you looking for the best budget computer for music production? In this article, we’ll break down the top computer for music production available while comparing them for price versus performance.
Before we get started with our article detailing the best music production computer on the market, we have included links in the for each product mentioned, so make sure you check those out to see which one is in your budget range.
1. Apple MacBook Pro 15”
Starting off at number 1 we have the Apple MacBook Pro 15” Retina. Apple has been well-known for years as a leader in computer technology. The MacBook Pro 15″ with a brilliant 15.4 inches of Retina display and Touch Bar is no exception. This computer is usually the first choice when it comes to producing music.
Apple MacBook Pro (15-Inch, Latest Model, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage) - Space...
- 9th-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Brilliant Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Radeon Pro 560x Graphics with 4GB of video Memory
- Ultrafast SSD
- 9th-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Brilliant Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Radeon Pro 560x Graphics with 4GB of video Memory
- Ultrafast SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- 802.11AC Wi-Fi
- Force touch trackpad
You get to choose between the Intel Core i7 or i9 processor, either of which will give you more than enough processing speed to do what you need to do.
You also have the option of a 256GB SSD or a 512GB SSD. It also comes with 16GB of RAM, upgradable to 32GB.
Apple MacBook Pro (15-Inch, Latest Model, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage) - Space Gray, Apple Computer
Price History
2. Razer Blade Stealth
At number 2 we have the Razer Blade Stealth Graphics Model. The Razer Blade Stealth may be small, but don’t underestimate its power based on that. With a quad-core Intel i7 processor it delivers 4.6 GHz in processing speed. Combined with 16GB of RAM, up to 11 hours of battery life, and 256GB of disk space, the possibilities are endless.
Razer Blade Stealth 13 Ultrabook Laptop: Intel Core i7-8565U 4-Core, NVIDIA GeForce...
- Performance for work and gaming: NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (25W) 4GB VRAM graphics, quad core 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8565U processor, and 16GB dual channel memory
- Designed for mobility: Up to 13 hours long battery life ultra thin, light and incredibly durable with a CNC unibody aluminum frame
- Performance for work and gaming: NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (25W) 4GB VRAM graphics, quad core 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8565U processor, and 16GB dual channel memory
- Designed for mobility: Up to 13 hours long battery life ultra thin, light and incredibly durable with a CNC unibody aluminum frame
- Thin Bezel full HD display: Visually stunning matte full HD screen with 100 percent sRGB color saturation for work and entertainment
- Power by Razer Chroma: Keyboard featuring single zone RGB lighting with 16.8 million color options, and a precision glass touchpad
- Complete connectivity: Includes Thunderbolt 3, USB C, USB A, Wireless AC, Windows Hello infrared camera, and dual array mics
This computer is an excellent choice for music production or gaming and has the power to do both. Equally impressive is that all of that power is packed into a super-thin, 13.3” frame, making it very portable for the DJ always on the go. You won’t find any other ultrabooks with this much power.
Razer Blade Stealth 13 Ultrabook Laptop: Intel Core i7-8565U 4-Core, NVIDIA GeForce MX150, 13.3" FHD 1080p, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3, Black, Razer USA Ltd
Price History
3. Acer Predator Helios 300
At number 3 we have the Acer Predator Helios 300. The first in our article to be below $1,000, the Acer Predator Helios 300 still meets the minimum requirements for producing music. Packing a 6-core Intel Core i7 processor it delivers 4.1 GHz of processing speed. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and an Nvidia GTX 1060, making it an excellent choice for gaming as well.
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC, 15.6" Full HD 144Hz 3ms...
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9750H 6 Core Processor (Up to 4.5GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM
- 15.6 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED backlit IPS Display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness and 72 percentage NTSC)
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9750H 6 Core Processor (Up to 4.5GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM
- 15.6 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED backlit IPS Display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness and 72 percentage NTSC)
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD (2 x PCIe M.2 Slots; 1 Slot Open for Easy Upgrades) and 1 Available Hard Drive Bay
- Backlit Keyboard; LAN: Killer Ethernet E2500 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN; Wireless: Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless AC 1550 802. 11ac; 4th Gen All Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan
If you’re looking for a cheap laptop that meets all of your needs for producing quality music, you can’t get much better than this one.
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC, 15.6" Full HD 144Hz 3ms IPS Display, Intel i7-9750H, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB, 16GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Backlit Keyboard, PH315-52-78VL, Acer
as of September 22, 2023 9:35 am
Price History
Statistics
| Current Price | $1,459.00 | September 22, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $1,459.00 | August 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $1,459.00 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $1,459.00 | August 16, 2023 |
4. HP Spectre x360-13t
At number 4 we have the HP Spectre x360-13t. The HP Spectre x360-13t is one of the best options available for music production, video editing, or gaming.
HP Spectre x360 2019 GEM Cut 13.3" FHD Touch Laptop, Intel i7-8565U,...
- HP Spectre x360 13T Cutting Edge GEM CUT Design - 8TH GENERATION QUAD CORE CPU: Intel Core i7-8565U (1.8 GHz, up to 4 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores) four-way processing 1.80 GHz to 4.00 GHz with 8 MB SmartCache, high-efficiency performance with Intel Turbo Boost Technology
- HP Spectre x360 13T Cutting Edge GEM CUT Design - 8TH GENERATION QUAD CORE CPU: Intel Core i7-8565U (1.8 GHz, up to 4 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores) four-way processing 1.80 GHz to 4.00 GHz with 8 MB SmartCache, high-efficiency performance with Intel Turbo Boost Technology
- SUPERIOR SPEED and NETWORKING: Fast Data Access with 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Intel 802.11b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 Combo(MU-MIMO supported)
- IMPRESSIVE HD PANEL with HD Active Stylus Pen and Thunderbolt Support: Experience exceptional colors and clarity with 13.3" Full HD touch screen (Resolution: 1920 x 1080) for hands-on control and IPS technology for wide viewing angles. 13.3" diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen with NBT, HP Active Stylus Pen, USB-C port, Thunderbolt support & SD card reader
- UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE, Windows 10 PRO(Pre-installed by HP) 64 BIT, 16GB SDRAM (onboard), Bang & Olufsen Quad Speakers, HP Audio Boost, Fingerprint reader
- SLEEK, PORTABLE DESIGN with FREE 3 YEARS 1 DEVICE SUBSCRIPTION TO MCAFEE INTERNET SECURITY, AN ADVANCED ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE, AWARD WINNING PROTECTION, BLOCKS VIRUSES, MALWARE, RANSOMWARE, SPYWARE, UNWANTED PROGRAMS, AND MORE, ALSO INCLUDES MCAFEE WEB ADVISOR AND MCAFEE PASSWORD MANAGER
With a Quad-Core Intel i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512 GB of disk space, and an Intel UHD Graphics 620 card, this literally has everything you need for whatever purpose you need it for. And with all of that power also comes the convenient 2-in-1 convertible feature, meaning that one minute it can be a laptop, and the next a tablet. With a 13.3” screen size, it’ll be super easy to take this one on the road and have all of your files with you as well.
HP Spectre x360 2019 GEM Cut 13.3" FHD Touch Laptop, Intel i7-8565U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Bang & Olufsen Audio, Fingerprint Reader, HP Stylus, Dark Ash, 3 Years McAfee, Win 10 Pro(Pre-Installed), hp
as of September 22, 2023 9:35 am
Price History
Statistics
| Current Price | $1,899.00 | September 22, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $1,899.00 | August 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $1,899.00 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $1,899.00 | August 16, 2023 |
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
At number 5 we have the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. The Surface Pro easily blows people away with how powerful it is, especially given that the battery life easily sits at 13.5 hours. And that’s even with standard video streaming.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB)
- A best in class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet
- More power now with the new 8th Generation Intel Core processor
- Ultra slim and light, starting at just 1.7 pounds. Sensors : Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope
- A best in class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet
- More power now with the new 8th Generation Intel Core processor
- Ultra slim and light, starting at just 1.7 pounds. Sensors : Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope
- All day battery life, with upto 13.5 hours of video playback
- Pair with our signature type cover in luxurious Alcantara material and rich colors for a full keyboard experience
You get to choose between the Intel Core i5 or i7 processor; either way, it’ll perform well enough for your music production needs. Although the RAM sits at 8GB, you won’t be able to tell unless you usually do a lot of heavy work. And at just 1.7lbs, this will hardly add any bulk to your mobile set up. This is the most affordable laptop on this list and will work well if you’re on a very tight budget.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB), Microsoft PC
as of September 22, 2023 9:35 am
Price History
Statistics
| Current Price | $638.06 | September 22, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $638.06 | August 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $638.06 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $638.06 | August 16, 2023 |
6. Dell XPS 9570
At number 6 we have the Dell XPS 9570. The Dell XPS 9570 is probably the most powerful laptop on this list, sporting an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive.
Dell XPS 9570 Laptop 15.6" FHD, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H CPU,...
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7 8750H Processor 9MB Cache, up to 4.1 gigahertz
- 16GB 2666 megahertz DDR4, 2x8GB
- 512 GB M.2 2280 [PCIe] SSD, No Optical Drive
- 15.6 inch FHD 1920 x 1080, Infinity Edge Anti Glare, Non touch IPS 100% sRGB 400-Nits display: Silver machined aluminum; Power Supply: 130 Watts Power Adapter
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7 8750H Processor 9MB Cache, up to 4.1 gigahertz
- 16GB 2666 megahertz DDR4, 2x8GB
- 512 GB M.2 2280 [PCIe] SSD, No Optical Drive
- 15.6 inch FHD 1920 x 1080, Infinity Edge Anti Glare, Non touch IPS 100% sRGB 400-Nits display: Silver machined aluminum; Power Supply: 130 Watts Power Adapter
- Be more productive. Windows 10 is the best for bringing ideas forward and getting things done
This laptop not only matches the MacBook in power and speed but exceeds it. And the Dell XPS 9570 costs about $400 less. Serious music producers, video or graphics editors, and gamers will love having this powerful piece of hardware to do whatever they want with. This is by far the best Windows laptop for music production.
Dell XPS 9570 Laptop 15.6" FHD, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce GTX 1050Ti, Thin bzl 400 Nits Display, Silver, Windows 10 Home - XPS9570-7996SLV-PUS, Gaming Capable, Dell Marketing USA, LP
as of September 22, 2023 9:35 am
Price History
Statistics
| Current Price | $1,929.99 | September 22, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $1,929.99 | August 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $1,929.99 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $1,929.99 | August 16, 2023 |
7. ASUS ROG Strix Scar II
At number 7 we have the ASUS ROG Strix Scar II. For hardcore music producers and DJs who also need the perfect gaming laptop, look no further.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR II Gaming Laptop, 17.3” 144Hz IPS-Type FHD, NVIDIA...
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6
- Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core Processor
- 144Hz 3ms 17.3” Full HD (1920x1080) IPS Type Display
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM | 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD + 1TB FireCuda HDD | Windows 10 Home
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6
- Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core Processor
- 144Hz 3ms 17.3” Full HD (1920x1080) IPS Type Display
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM | 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD + 1TB FireCuda HDD | Windows 10 Home
- 802.11ac Wave 2 Gigabit Wi-Fi | Quad antennas and ROG RangeBoost technology provides up to 30% wider coverage
The ROG Strix Scar II brings you superior power and performance, along with the most stylish features you’ll find for a high-end laptop. It has a 144 Hz narrow-bezel display with ultra-fast gray-to-gray response time. It also brings the best in video graphics with the GeForce RTX graphics card. Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM gives you the right amount of power and speed, and the Hypercool Pro thermal system keeps the hard drive cool and dust-free. Do what you want on this laptop without fearing it overheating.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR II Gaming Laptop, 17.3” 144Hz IPS-Type FHD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB, Intel Core i7-8750H Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD + 1TB SSHD, RGB KB, Windows 10 - GL704GW-DS76, Asus
as of September 22, 2023 9:35 am
Price History
Statistics
| Current Price | $2,899.00 | September 22, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $2,899.00 | August 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $2,899.00 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $2,899.00 | August 16, 2023 |
8. Huawei Matebook 13
And for our final pick at number 8, we have the Huawei Matebook 13. Don’t let the simple design of the Huawei Matebook fool you.
Huawei Matebook 13 Signature Edn. Laptop - 13" 2K Touch, 8th Gen...
- Thin, light & portable: weighs only 2.86 pounds (or less with integrated graphics) and measures 11.26” wide x 8.31” deep x .59” high
- Fullview touch Display: feels larger than 13” - thin Bezel at only 4.4mm, 88% screen-to-body ratio, 2K (2160x1440) touchscreen, 200ppi, 1000: 1 contrast ratio
- Thin, light & portable: weighs only 2.86 pounds (or less with integrated graphics) and measures 11.26” wide x 8.31” deep x .59” high
- Fullview touch Display: feels larger than 13” - thin Bezel at only 4.4mm, 88% screen-to-body ratio, 2K (2160x1440) touchscreen, 200ppi, 1000: 1 contrast ratio
- Powerful performance: 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8565Uprocessor boosts performance up to 40% over its predecessor. Nvidia GeForce MX150, perfect for casual gaming and photo editing.
- Innovative cooling design: Huawei Shark fin design 2.0 cooling solution reaches up to 8, 000 revolutions per minute and increases airflow approximately 25% more than conventional laptop fans
- Includes compact Mate dock 2.0: USB-A port, USB-C port, HDMI port and VGA port. Includes 1 year office 365 personal and 1 year manufacturer warranty
It still packs a punch with an Intel Core i7 processor, boosting performance up to 40% over its predecessor. And it comes with the Nvidia GeForce MX150, making this a great laptop for video editing or casual gaming. 8GB of RAM allows for light to moderate music producing, and the precision touch screen makes it easy to navigate any of your programs or apps. Packed in a slim 13” frame and weighing only 2.86lbs, this laptop will be easy to take with you on the road.
Huawei Matebook 13 Signature Edn. Laptop - 13" 2K Touch, 8th Gen i7, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Office 365 Personal 1-Year, Gray, Huawei
as of September 22, 2023 9:35 am
Price History
Statistics
| Current Price | $1,699.90 | September 22, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $1,699.90 | August 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $1,699.90 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $1,699.90 | August 16, 2023 |
So that sums up our top music production computer of 2022. We hope you enjoyed. Until next time have a great day.
