A laptop is not the only device you can use to produce music. People have used phones and tablets to create pro-level music, songs that sound like they were made in a professional studio.

However, a laptop is often the best option for home producers.

The main benefit of a laptop when recording is that it can be easier to use because the screen is bigger than a mobile device, it has a lot more storage, and it has much more computing power.

Yet a laptop is still mobile, letting you record at home or easily bring it to another location.

The best way to figure out the specifications you need on your music production laptop is to compare your chosen laptop’s available RAM and storage to the required RAM and storage of your digital audio workstation (DAW) and equipment.

But generally speaking, here are the minimum specifications you need to produce music:

• A multi-core processor, ideally an Intel Core i5/i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 5/7/9
• Minimum 16GB RAM (32GB is better for heavy sessions with lots of plugins)
• At least 512GB SSD (Solid-State Drive) storage, with 1TB SSD or more for extensive libraries
• Runs Windows or macOS because the recording software you’ll need works with either of these operating systems
• Has USB 3.0/3.1, USB-C, and/or Thunderbolt ports for your audio interface

Here are some of the best music production laptops for home producers. The newest version of each of these should be enough for your music production needs.

If you like Apple’s design and operating system, I’d recommend a Macbook Pro, preferably whatever their newest model is.

It’s powerful enough to run any DAW, but it does come pre-loaded with GarageBand, which is a precursor to their more expansive (and paid) DAW, Logic Pro. Personally, I use a Macbook Pro with Reaper as my DAW, but I often will use GarageBand because of all the built-in sounds, effects, and samples.

Macbooks are on the more expensive side, but it’s an investment in your music career that’s worth making.

The Acer Swift runs the Windows operating system, and it’s definitely a good option if your budget is smaller. It has all the ports you’ll need: USB-C, USB 3.2, and Thunderbolt. And you can choose the iteration of it that fits your needs, including one model that has 1 TB of storage.

The Dell XPS also runs the Windows operating system, and it’s on the more expensive side with the most affordable option coming in at about $1,600. However, that’s because it offers a lot of power with its 4+ GHz processor and up to 4 TB of storage. It has all the ports you’ll need too: a USB-C and two Thunderbolts.

The Asus VivoBook Pro is a solid option.

It runs the Windows operating system, and it gives you plenty of ports: three USB ports and a Thunderbolt port. It’s also made to military-grade toughness, which means if/when you drop it, it has a better chance of staying intact. Plus, the built-in speakers are 350% louder yet without distortion, just in case you need to play your music not through headphones or monitors.

And depending on the model you choose, it can be on the more affordable side.

If you’re more of a fan of the Windows operating system, check out the Microsoft Surface laptop. It provides all the power you need to make music at home. Plus, you can use it as a touch screen if you’d like.

The one downside is that the newest version has just one Lightning Thunderbolt port, although you can buy a dock with additional ports, including USB ports. Depending on your recording setup, you may need more than one port so you can use your audio interface along with a MIDI controller and/or a USB mic.

Ultimately, as long as your music production laptop meets the minimum requirements mentioned above, you can make music that stands next to any song created in a “pro” studio.

If you have a laptop that can run your chosen DAW and offers the right ports to plug in your equipment, you’re good to go.

Making great music is just a matter of knowing how to use your tools well. So pick the laptop you can afford that can run your chosen DAW and start making music.