Best laptop for music production – May 2025
I’ve been DJing for the biggest part of my life, but I’m also a software engineer by trade and for the last 20-some years I regularly fill in at the local computer store when they have staff shortages.
I sell and repair laptops for customers, so I’m up-to-date when comes to the ins and outs of new laptops and the repairs behind the scenes.
In many articles on the topic I miss the specifics as to why THESE specific laptops they recommend.
My recommendations on this page are based on the advice I gave in my computer for music production buying guide.
The links to product pages are affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Difference producer & DJ laptops
Music producers and DJs need vastly different laptops, because the software is different.
If you are not sure about the difference, check out my article on the difference between DJ and producer.
A music producer needs a faster computer than a DJ.
All music producer laptops can cope with DJ software, but not all DJ laptops with music production software, because they might be too slow.
Looking for advice on DJ laptops?
Check my article on best laptops for DJing.
Top 5 best laptops for music production
I have assembled a list that inspired by my recommended specs from by music production laptop buying guide.
The specs of the laptops below are recommended for the most popular DAWs.
#1 HP – 6M0Z7UA
A HP laptop that will meet most of your needs: enough memory to do most music production tasks and sufficient storage.
The i5 Processor and the 15″ screen maybe on the weak side for high end production with a lot of reverb and synthesizers.
But it is enough for basic music production needs.
2x USB-A and 1x USB-C port.
Overall a decent laptop.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | 6M0Z7UA |
| Screen size | 15.6″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| CPU model | i5 11th gen, 4.2 Ghz, 4 cores |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics card | integrated, Intel Xe |
| USB | 2x USB-A and 1x USB-C port. |
| Backlit keyboard | No |
| Cooling | Active |
| My rating | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price & affiliate link | Check on Amazon |
#2 – HP B0DP14SLW2
A large 17″ screen is very appreciated at this laptop.
Overal good laptop.
But if you want to use a lot of synthesizers and/or effects, the processor might be a bit on the weaker side.
But it’s enough for basic music production needs.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | (ASIN B0DP14SLW2) |
| Screen size | 17.3″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| CPU model | Ryzen 5 4.3 Ghz 7430u (6 cores) |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics card | integrated, AMD radeon |
| USB | 2x USB-A 3.0 and 1x USB-C 3.0 port. |
| Backlit keyboard | no |
| Cooling | Active |
| My rating | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price & affiliate | Check on Amazon |
#3 – HP TPN-I140
This laptop has basically everything you need as a music producer:
A 17″ screen, a beefy Ryzen 7 processor, 1 TB storage and 16GB of RAM.
Both the synthesizer producer and the sample producer is fully covered with this laptop.
And on top of that: the price is extremely good for this much power!
| Brand | HP |
| Model | B0D23M2B26 |
| Screen size | 17.3″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| CPU model | Ryzen 7 4.5 Ghz (8 cores) |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro |
| Graphics card | integrated, AMD Radeon Graphics |
| USB | 3x USB 3.0 |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes |
| Cooling | Active |
| My rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price & affiliate link | Check on Amazon |
#4 – Nitro 17 AN17-41 Laptop
There is good, better and best.
This laptop in the last category: best!
This laptop is targeted towards a gaming audience that needs a beefy computer.
Which is a big thumbs up for a music producer, because you don’t need to worry about things like cooling.
An extremely capable Ryzen 9 makes your production a breeze: you don’t have to bounce out your music as much.
Speed and convience is the key here.
There is a NVidia Geforce in the machine, which is a bit overkill for a music producer.
Nevertheless, it’s good to have if you want to play a game once in a while or edit videos.
| Brand | Acer |
| Model | Nitro 17 AN17-41 Laptop |
| Screen size | 17.3″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| CPU model | Ryzen 9 5.2 Ghz (8 cores) |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics card | dedicated, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 |
| USB | 1x USB 2 + 3x USB 3 |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes |
| Cooling | Active |
| My rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price & affiliate link | Check on Amazon |
