Best Desktop For Music

• Best Desktop For Music Recording
• Best Desktop For Music Production 2019

Apple MacBook Pro. The ultimate best laptop for music production. Without a doubt, Apple has the. The iPad Pro was an obvious choice for a list of powerful tablets. With a 12.9-inch screen and Apple's most powerful chip, the A12X, this tablet is a beast that can and will handle anything you.

In this article, we'll be reviewing the best laptops for music production in 2021. When you have so many options, it's hard to navigate through finding one that suits your workflow, has all the ports you need, works with your DAW and plugins, and has enough space. This list of reviews will help you choose the best laptop for you and your needs.

Here are the best laptops for music production:

• Laptop vs Desktop/Tower Generally laptops offer less power/performance compared to desktops at the same price-point. Laptops also limit your options for expansion and upgrades. Of course, laptops can be used but you should have a specific requirement to be mobile with your music production/performance. If not, definitely go the desktop route.
• We're just going to focus on the best laptops for music production and podcasting. There are many more options for desktop and all-in-one computers that work well for audio recording and podcast recording, but the flexibility and portability of a laptop makes it a must-have. The other big thing to consider is Apple vs Windows (Mac vs PC).
• Now for those of you who want something a little more stable that screams the best music producer around. This Apple iMac 5K screen model is the perfect fit for anyone who doesn't want a laptop for music production. It has the ultimate quality and is seen in the industry as the best mac for music production.

1. Apple MacBook Pro

The ultimate best laptop for music production

Without a doubt, Apple has the best laptops for audio production in general, or if you prefer Apple's operating system and hardware over Windows'. The MacBook Pro has been a standard in music production for years and continues to hold that title as the best overall laptop.

The MacBook Pro boasts a powerful Intel processor (you can choose from 4-, 6-, and 8-core processors) and up to an impressive 32GB of memory (depending on the model you choose and hardware upgrades), making processing DAWs and plugins seem like a miniscule task.

The MacBook Pro uses a solid state drive rather than a normal hard drive, which allows you to navigate through files at lightning speed. The 13-inch model of the laptop has a capacity of up to 2TB and the 15-inch model has 4TB of storage.

I will stress heavily that this really is the best Mac laptop for music production, although there are many good Apple laptops out there. If you don't have a big budget, this computer might not be for you. If you can find a used model, do that. The used ones usually work as well as ones that are brand new.

The MacBook Pro is a great choice for anyone from beginners to experienced producers, and if you're looking to switch from Windows to Apple, definitely try out a MacBook Pro.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad P52

The best Windows laptop

For those of you who are Windows fans, the Lenovo ThinkPad P52 is probably the best Windows laptop for music production. While it has a giant price tag, its specifications definitely make up for it.

The ThinkPad P52 is equipped with an 8th generation Intel Core i7 6 core processor with vPro technology. The ThinkPad P52 allows for up to 64GB of RAM and you can choose either a 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive or a solid state drive (up to 1TB) depending on what type of storage you want.

The battery life of this laptop will last pretty long, up to 10 hours, which of course will vary depending on how many programs you have open and what you're doing with it.

The graphics card of this laptop is also customizable, you can either choose between an NVIDIA Quadro P1000 4GB or an NVIDIA Quadro P2000 4GB card. You should have no problem handling graphics heavy plugins or DAWs with these graphics cards.

Overall, this computer is a fantastic model, and although I'm a Mac fan, I would definitely consider using the Lenovo ThinkPad P52 for my own studio if I was to switch from Apple to Windows. It's an absolute workhorse of a laptop.

If you like the familiarity of Windows computers and want to stick with a really nice laptop that will get you through hours of recording sessions and beat making, definitely go with this one.

3. Dell XPS 13 9360

A great option for beginners

The Dell XPS 13 9360 is the best laptop for amateurs. This top-rated computer has 8GB of RAM (up to 16GB in some versions) and is soldered therefore RAM cannot be upgraded in the future.

However, it comes with a completely up to date 7th gen dual-core i5 (or i7) processor, SSD (up to 512GB) , and runs a Windows 10 64-bit operating system comfortably which is perfect for most users who are working with entry-level knowledge of music production.

It also has a 13.3-inch touch screen display with an Intel HD Graphics 620 processor (8GB RAM card) that makes its operations far more user-friendly, with the ability to manipulate and draw automation in if so desired.

If you are just starting out in music production, the Dell XPS 13 9360 will meet nearly all requirements for music production. It is fairly high in cost considering what it lacks so finding one that is used but still in good condition might be the better option for those seeking to start out with this laptop. When all is said and done, though, it does provide an adequate level of specs to run the majority of DAWs.

4. Razer Blade Stealth 13

The best ultrabook

The Razer Blade Stealth laptop is powered by the quad-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, giving it a speed of 1.8 GHz. However, it is fully capable of reaching a max speed of 4.6 GHz when put in turbo mode for up to four times performance increase in content creation.

It comes with a RAM of 16GB with a memory speed of 1866 MHz combined with an Intel Graphics card 620. The hard drive capacity is 256GB SSD but is upgradeable up to 512GB SSD.

This laptop is incredibly sleek and visually stunning. It features up to 4K resolution QHD+ 3200 X 1800 touch display giving it incredible graphics in a thin bezel 13.3' display. This in addition to a new Razer Chroma keyboard, the Razer Blade Stealth combines both mobility and style with power that makes it perfect for music production and gaming if that is something you would want to use it for as well.

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is perfect for any professional looking to launch multiple programs all at once. Both stylish and productive for work, music production, and gaming, this laptop is supported by the Windows 10 OS.

5. MSI GX63VR

The best laptop for making beats

I know what you're thinking: that the price of this laptop automatically makes it one that you'd never put your money towards. However, if you're heavy into making beats, the MSI GX63VR is an extremely solid choice for those of you who want a laptop that will provide hours of great performance but will also be portable and sturdy enough to carry with you wherever you go.

Like the Razer Blade Stealth, the GX63VR is a gaming laptop (hence the price tag). The GX63VR is considerably heavier and a little bigger, but it has some extra features that make it well worth it to consider as an option if you need somewhere to keep all your samples and recordings while simultaneously using graphics-heavy plugins and projects with a lot of tracks.

The MSI GX63VR has the 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor, VR Ready graphics with compatibility for graphics cards up to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 card, 16GB of RAM, and here's the killer: there are not one, but two storage drives. You get a 256GB solid state drive and a 2TB hard drive.

If you're the type of person that likes to store your files on your computer, or you just don't want to shell out the money for an external drive, I highly suggest this laptop, as you can store a ton of your samples and plugins on the hard drive and store your DAWs on the solid state drive so that you can access everything at lightning fast speeds.

Additional features include huge speakers and virtual surround sound, as well as individually customizable backlit RGB keys and a special fan made with copper heat pipes to keep the laptop from overheating even when you have a ton of programs open.

This laptop is definitely one of the more extreme ones on this list, but well worth the price if it's something you can afford or want to consider. I encourage you to not be afraid of the price tag, as it's an incredibly great laptop for making beats since it can handle so many plugins and DAWs with a lot of tracks.

6. Dell Inspiron i5378 2 in 1

The best budget laptop

The Dell Inspiron 2 in 1 is a really nice high-end choice for seasoned producers who often have recording sessions with clients while also being a good option for beginner producers.

The Dell Inspiron 2 in 1 has a 7th generation i3 Intel Core processor, RAM that starts at 4GB for the base model of this laptop (which is upgradeable up to 16GB), and a 1TB hard drive.

The Inspiron 2 in 1 has Waves MaxxAudio Pro technology which makes this laptop one of the best sounding laptops on this list. It also has an Intel HD Graphics 620 card to handle plugins and DAWs with lots of graphics.

The most obvious feature of this laptop is clearly the touch screen. Since the Inspiron is a 2 in 1, you can easily transport it as well as use it in laptop mode or tablet mode. This is beneficial for producers who like to be up on their feet instead of sitting at a desk or in a chair.

If you frequently need to move around your studio I strongly suggest using a 2 in 1 to control your DAW.

Since this is the budget option for this list, I would consider it to be a good middle of the road, affordable option. It's not super cheap (and therefore not fragile), it is upgradeable, and it allows for way more freedom in terms of transportation and creation in the studio.

Depending on where you buy this laptop it could go anywhere from $500 to $700 but it's definitely worth it considering it's one of the best laptops for recording music.

7. HP Jaguar 15.6 Touchscreen

The best laptop under $700

The HP Jaguar is a great laptop that is also fairly affordable if you're not wanting to spend more than $700. HP has some of my favorite computers, and all the HPs I've used have been really well built. Notepad exe download.

The HP Jaguar has a 2.50GHz (3.10GHz Turbo Boost) Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, HDMI capabilities, updated USB ports, and a touch screen.

The 1TB hard drive will leave you more than satisfied with the amount of storage, although if you want more speed when accessing your files you should go with a solid state drive. 8GB of RAM is plenty of memory to run plugins and store DAW information without slowing your computer down and causing it to crash.

The processor is one of the faster ones out there, especially for a laptop that runs Windows and has a touch screen. Speaking of the touch screen, it will definitely help you maximize efficiency in the studio and enable you to mix, master, and record very easily.

This laptop is upgradable so if there are some specifications that don't meet your expectations or preferences, that can easily be remedied. The only letdown of this laptop, which is barely a letdown, is that the battery life is not as long as others on this list. Nevertheless, it is still good.

If you want something that definitely has a lot of bang for your buck, this one is the way to go.

Best Desktop For Music Recording

8. Lenovo Yoga 720 2 in 1

A good option for around $1000

If you're on somewhat of a budget and don't want to shell out over $1000 for a new laptop for audio recording that doesn't fail or fall short of what you need it for, the Lenovo Yoga 720 2 in 1 is probably the best option for a laptop for producers who need good quality but don't want to go broke.

The Lenovo Yoga 720 has a 2.8Ghz i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It has updated USB ports and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card with 2GB of video RAM.

You can use the Yoga as a tablet or a laptop since it's a 2 in 1, and it's also compatible with a stylus if you prefer to control your DAWs with a stylus or to write in automation.

The Yoga is actually a big rival right now against the Razer Blade Stealth 13 laptop, so if you were looking at getting one of those, check out the Yoga first. If you're not satisfied with the solid state drive capacity, you can always get a 1TB external hard drive to use.

As it rivals the Razer Blade Stealth 13 and is a very easily transportable laptop, definitely try it out.

How to choose a laptop for music production?

When looking for a laptop for music production, there are several things you must take into consideration:

• Operating system: Do you want a Mac? A Windows computer? Or do you want something with a different operating system, like Ubuntu, for example? This all comes down to personal preference but it also has to do with the DAW you'll be using. Some DAWs only work with Mac, some only work with Windows.
• Your DAW: What's your DAW of choice? Is it compatible with Mac or Windows or both? Is it hard to navigate through on a smaller screen? Does it require a computer with a lot of memory or CPU when using plugins?
• Your plugins: You may already have experience working with different audio plugins in your DAW. You may already have a suite of plugins in mind that you'd like to use. Think about them. Are they graphics-heavy? Do they require a lot of computer power?
• How you mix: Are you the type of person who likes to use only a few plugins, or do you come up with elaborate signal chains? Do you typically make songs that have many audio tracks, or just a few?
• Preparedness for future projects: Who do you anticipate working with? Will they want or need a lot of plugins? Will they likely have a lot of audio tracks?
• Studio size: How big is your studio? Are you a bedroom producer, or do you have a professional-grade studio to work in?
• Portability: Do you plan on taking your computer with you to work on projects at other studios or while you're on the go, or will it stay in one location?

Once you've considered these factors, you can now make a decision based on what your answers are to the questions above. You'll need to focus on the following:

CPU

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the main component of a computer that processes instructions. It is made up of many circuits and a chip that performs calculations to execute every task you do on your computer. CPU affects the speed of your computer and how much work it can take on.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. As its name suggests, RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly. RAM chips only remember information when a computer is powered on, so it's used for storing information that a computer is working on only in the very short term.

Storage drives

There are two types of storage drives: hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drives (SSD). Both are for long term file storage. Adobe reader 8 1 3 download.

• A hard disk drive is a storage drive that has spinning, moving parts and uses that to access the information. There are hard drives with different rotation speeds. Depending on the speed, it will either be quite fast, or it could be slow. Hard drives slow down as you put more and more files on them.
• A solid state drive is a storage drive that has no moving parts, just like a thumb drive. This means it's extremely fast and efficient at locating and storing files. Solid state drives don't slow down like hard drives do.

Graphics cards

A graphics card outputs graphic information to your computer screen. All computers have something called integrated graphics, which uses the CPU to output graphics to your screen, but that slows down your computer a lot and usually integrated graphics don't have enough power to do much more than load images while browsing the web. A graphics card can do much more, like loading videos and games.

Once you've answered the base questions and decided what technical specifications would be best for what you're doing with the laptop, go out and do some window shopping or looking around on Amazon or other websites to find some options that you think would be a good fit.

I also suggest watching reviews on YouTube and even asking other producers what laptops they use or like. I encourage you to check out our upcoming guide on how to choose a computer for music production as well.

Is Mac better than Windows or vice versa?

This is more of a personal preference thing. Some people like Apple computers better and others like Windows. Both Mac and Windows laptops have their own specifications, and that means that some Windows models will have better specifications than some Mac models and vice versa. Windows laptops for music production are just as good as Mac laptops as long as you do your research on the technical specifications.

Are gaming laptops a viable option for music production?

Absolutely. If anything, gaming laptops are more than capable of running DAWs, plugins, and storing project files.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the choice is up to you, but hopefully this list of good laptops for making music has provided you with a solid amount of options of laptops (some more expensive and others being more budget friendly) for what you'll need in order to make the right purchase based on the best laptops for music production in 2021.

Remember that there's no right or wrong answer and that whatever you end up choosing will be based on what is best for you and your needs.

Jordan is a music producer, content creator, writer, and session musician. He has been producing music and engineering live performances for over 7 years. He is an experienced guitarist and enjoys listening to and playing many different genres of music.

There are so many great pre-built desktop computers out there and they are much cheaper than laptops. If you are on a budget of sorts and want something really powerful, keep reading on to check out the best desktop computers for music production in 2021.

Here are the best computers for music production:

1. Apple iMac

The best Mac for music production

If you have not used an iMac, I can almost guarantee that you have heard of them. Apple's iMacs are some of the most powerful desktop computers for music production. Because they are so powerful, they come at a pretty big price. This model iMac has a six-core 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 21.5-inch Retina 4K display, and a Radeon Pro 560X graphics processor.

It comes with a magic mouse and keyboard, and is designed for everyone. It has dark mode, easier screenshots, useful built-in apps, and Stacks. If you are not familiar with Stacks, it is the new desktop feature in macOS Mojave that helps organize clutter by putting your desktop files into stacks. This can be beneficial for producers who have a lot of icons on their desktop and like to launch files and programs from there rather than from the main program menu.

Is Mac better than Windows or vice versa?

This is more of a personal preference thing. Some people like Apple computers better and others like Windows. Both Mac and Windows laptops have their own specifications, and that means that some Windows models will have better specifications than some Mac models and vice versa. Windows laptops for music production are just as good as Mac laptops as long as you do your research on the technical specifications.

Are gaming laptops a viable option for music production?

Absolutely. If anything, gaming laptops are more than capable of running DAWs, plugins, and storing project files.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the choice is up to you, but hopefully this list of good laptops for making music has provided you with a solid amount of options of laptops (some more expensive and others being more budget friendly) for what you'll need in order to make the right purchase based on the best laptops for music production in 2021.

Remember that there's no right or wrong answer and that whatever you end up choosing will be based on what is best for you and your needs.

Jordan is a music producer, content creator, writer, and session musician. He has been producing music and engineering live performances for over 7 years. He is an experienced guitarist and enjoys listening to and playing many different genres of music.

There are so many great pre-built desktop computers out there and they are much cheaper than laptops. If you are on a budget of sorts and want something really powerful, keep reading on to check out the best desktop computers for music production in 2021.

Here are the best computers for music production:

1. Apple iMac

The best Mac for music production

If you have not used an iMac, I can almost guarantee that you have heard of them. Apple's iMacs are some of the most powerful desktop computers for music production. Because they are so powerful, they come at a pretty big price. This model iMac has a six-core 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 21.5-inch Retina 4K display, and a Radeon Pro 560X graphics processor.

It comes with a magic mouse and keyboard, and is designed for everyone. It has dark mode, easier screenshots, useful built-in apps, and Stacks. If you are not familiar with Stacks, it is the new desktop feature in macOS Mojave that helps organize clutter by putting your desktop files into stacks. This can be beneficial for producers who have a lot of icons on their desktop and like to launch files and programs from there rather than from the main program menu.

If you ask me, getting an iMac is super worth it. It may be expensive, but it is a workhorse of a computer. I have found that really all I have needed in terms of computers for my studio is an iMac, and if I want to have something that is portable, I can just use a cheap laptop. In general, I'd call the iMac the best computer for music production if you want something that's tried-and-true and not going to break your wallet.

2. HP Envy 34″ All-in-One

The best desktop PC for music production

This HP Envy 34-inch not only is an all-in-one computer, but it also has a curved screen. The ultra-wide QHD LED backlit micro-edge monitor QHD (3440 x 1440) makes it to where you can fit so much more on the screen, making it a perfect choice for producers. It also has built-in quad speakers and dual passive radiators with Bang & Olufsen power. No tower means that this computer doesn't take up a ton of space.

As for features, it has an 8th generation six-core Intel Core i7 processor, a 1 TB hard drive, and 16 GB of RAM. Amazon Alexa allows you to just ask and Alexa can check your calendar, create lists, answer questions, play music, control your smart home and much more, making it easy to control many different things in your studio without having to get up from your computer.

As for the keyboard and mouse, it includes an HP Premium Lifestyle Wireless keyboard with volume control and optical mouse with nano-dongle kit. This computer will allow you to multitask and work more efficiently with such a big screen.

The HP Envy 34-inch all-in-one computer is an amazing choice for those producers who want a good computer for making beats. The speaker technology and wide screen make it an ideal computer if you are using your DAW a lot. I highly recommend it.

3. Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop

The best tower desktop computer for music production

The Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop is a powerhouse that will absolutely be capable of running your DAWs efficiently. It's got an 8th generation Intel Core i7 six-core processor, 16 GB of memory, and both a 2 TB hard drive and a 256 GB solid-state drive. It also has 4 GB of video memory that is powered by an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card.

The XPS 8930 is extremely quiet and has thermally-controlled fans that are designed to meet Dell's acoustic limits, which make it a great computer to use in the studio. Quiet fans mean that if you need to record in the same room that you're using the computer, you'll have less background noise.

The six-core processor makes this computer an ideal choice if you do a lot of multitasking on your computer while in the studio as well. If you're the type of person who uses their studio speakers in the studio and uses computer speakers for non-studio related entertainment, this XPS also has Waves MaxxAudio technology with MaxxSense, which makes the speakers adapt to your environment, leaving you with a fuller sound.

This computer is a producer's dream. It can handle a ton of plugins, DAWs, etc, with no problem while remaining exceptionally quiet. I'd say it's the best desktop computer for recording because of this, especially if you have a home studio or you're a bedroom producer.

4. Microsoft Surface Studio 2

The best touchscreen all-in-one computer for studio

Easily the most expensive computer on this list, the Surface Studio 2 by Microsoft is probably not on your personal list of computers you'd want to look into. However, before you knock it, at least take a look at the specs; you'll find that there's nothing out there on the market like it.

The Surface Studio 2 is an all-in-one computer with a touchscreen, and it's even slimmer than the iMac. It features an Intel Core i7 processor, and depending on what model you get you can either choose to have a 1 TB or 2 TB solid-state drive and either 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM. The Surface Studio 2 is powered by an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 card with 6 GB of memory.

Now, not only does this computer have a touchscreen and is an all-in-one, it also folds like a tablet, so you can use it in pretty much any orientation. This makes it extremely ideal for producers who want an all-in-one and want to be able to fine tune automation and other elements of their project files. There's nothing else on the market that has this type of power in something so versatile. Don't pass by the Microsoft Surface Studio 2.

This thing is a beast. I'd get one myself if I didn't already have a reliable computer. I can see so many uses for this thing; it would be a great computer to use to record, great for mixing and mastering, and great for beat-making. With the stylus and touchscreen, it enables you to make music in great detail. I'd say overall it is an ideal computer for making music.

5. Apple Mac Mini

The best portable desktop computer for producers

The Apple Mac Mini is exactly what it sounds like: a miniature Mac. It's essentially everything you get in an iMac, just in a box (no screen included) instead of a tower or an all-in-one.

The Mac Mini has a quad-core 3.6 GHz Intel Core i3 processor, and it's configurable up to a six-core 3.2 GHz Intel Core processor that boosts to up to 4.6 GHz. As for memory, the starting amount of RAM is 8 GB, but it's configurable to 16, 32, or 64 GB.

The storage is configurable too; you start out with a 128 GB SSD but can upgrade to 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB. The graphics card in this thing is an Intel UHD Graphics 630 card. Overall, the Mac Mini is a great choice for a budget computer in a very small package.

If you want a desktop computer that is actually portable (aside from a screen), this is the one you should get. It has everything you might need for making music, and if the specs aren't where you need them to be, you can upgrade. Because of how small it is, the Mac Mini is the perfect computer for a home studio with not a lot of space.

6. Lenovo ThinkCentre M720 Tower

The budget computer for beginning producers

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M720 Tower is a very solid choice for a desktop PC for music production. It has an Intel Core i5 six-core processor, 8 GB of RAM, and for storage it has a 250 GB solid-state drive. The graphics card is an Intel UHD Graphics 630 card.

This desktop tower is definitely in a more affordable price range, but it is more than able to run your plugins, DAWs, and other programs you might need to use in order to successfully make music. It doesn't come with a screen, but the tower does have 8 USB ports and multiple display ports. If you need to connect the computer to multiple screens in your studio, the ThinkCentre is a good option for that.

The ThinkCentre M720 Tower is a suitable PC for music production and has everything you'll need. I'd say it's a good desktop computer for beginners as well as people who are on a budget.

7. Acer Aspire TC-780

Another good budget option for music production

The Acer Aspire TC-780 is yet another cheaper option that doesn't give up quality as the price decreases. The Aspire features an Intel Core i5 quad-core 3.0 GHz processor and 16 GB of RAM. The Acer Aspire comes with a 256 GB solid-state drive as well as a 1 TB hard drive. As for graphics, it has an Intel HD 630 graphics card.

It also has plenty of USB ports for your audio interface and MIDI instruments. All of these specifications should give you more than enough for what you need, and with 16 GB of RAM you shouldn't have a problem with the computer crashing or getting bogged down while you're using a lot of programs.

The Acer Aspire TC-780 is even more of a steal than the Lenovo ThinkCentre. Download hack call of duty mobile. I definitely recommend that you check this one out, especially because of the price for how much it comes with. It's a great PC worth buying if you're not interested in something more expensive.

Laptops vs. desktops

Laptops and desktops both have their advantages and disadvantages as well as specific uses for certain scenarios. Here we will focus on the different factors that make desktops stand out from laptops and vice versa.

Cost

Desktops are a lot cheaper than laptops. They have many more component options which allows for them to start at a lower price but still be super-powerful. Laptops have a wide variety of components as well, but are still more limited than desktops, which makes them extremely expensive. Since they are smaller, it takes more expensive components to get a more powerful laptop, etc.

Portability

Obviously laptops are more portable than desktops. Desktops usually have an additional monitor, and that makes it much more difficult to transport. Even if it is an all-in-one computer, it was definitely not meant for carrying around with you. Laptops were designed to be portable and compact.

Processor

Desktop computers have ‘bigger' processors, which means they are more powerful as well. This makes them much more ideal for producers. Laptop processors can be powerful too, but you are going to end up paying a much higher price for a laptop with that much processor power.

Keyboard

If you are wanting a full-size keyboard, desktops are the way to go, especially if you use the number keypad for things like shortcuts to navigate through your DAW. Laptop keyboards are a bit more limiting.

Screen

Desktop monitors are usually pretty big, and a lot of them have the capability to connect to additional monitors as well, or even a TV screen if you are in need of something that big. If portability is your main priority, a laptop screen will still be good-quality and you should be able to connect it to external sources just like a desktop.

Power usage

Since desktops have powerful processors, they use much more power. Laptops have a battery that can be used if you are not wanting to use a power cord, whereas desktops do not have that option.

Upgrading

Desktops are easier to upgrade by far. RAM and hard drives are pretty much the only things that can be upgraded in a laptop, whereas in a desktop you can update the graphics card and so many other components. Desktops also have more space in the tower for you to work with rather than staying cramped.

Assembly

It is not difficult to set up a desktop, really all you have to do is plug in a screen and keyboard into the tower and plug the tower into the wall. If you have an all-in-one it is much easier than that and you can just plug the all-in-one into the wall. Laptops are about as easy as all-in-ones and are even easier if you are setting it up and the battery is already charged.

Repair

Repairing desktops are much easier than repairing laptops. With desktops, you can purchase the hardware from most computer retail stores. Repairing a laptop usually requires going directly to the computer manufacturers and ordering the parts from there or another online laptop parts store.

With this information, feel free to determine which computer is best for what you are needing. Your production needs may be more geared towards using a desktop computer if you need a lot of power and do not care about portability, or you may need a laptop if you are really focused on transporting your music and gear with you. Honestly, if you are not wanting portability, getting a laptop is not a very good value if you can get something so much more powerful for much cheaper.

Best Desktop For Music Production 2019

Other alternatives

This leads me into the next portion of this guide: the other alternatives like making your own computer from scratch.

If you are really on a budget and like to tinker with things or build things, making a computer is something you will really enjoy, and you can make a super powerful computer for a fraction of the cost of getting an already built desktop computer.

Making your own computer

Building a computer is a fun endeavor that can save you a ton of money. Getting started, you should know what things you will need, and an understanding of what each component does is also useful.

Motherboard

The motherboard determines how big your tower will be and also what other types of components you will need to get based on compatibility. It establishes things like memory and storage technology, how much processing power it can handle, and the number of modules that can be installed.

Processor (CPU)

CPU sets the expectations of how your computer will perform. Memory and storage are what feed the processor, and then the processor uses the memory and storage to carry out what you're asking the computer to do. When picking a good processor, the higher the GHz, the faster it will be.

Memory (RAM)

RAM holds temporary information and data that your computer uses. Having a lot of memory can make your computer run really fast. With music production, you need as much RAM as you can get. Just remember that your computer can only hold a certain amount of RAM (established by the motherboard), so you shouldn't get more RAM than your computer is compatible with.

Storage

Files and other data that need to be stored long term are stored on the hard drive or solid state drive. Both a hard drive and solid-state drive serve the same purpose, but solid-state drives are much faster and way more efficient than hard drives because of the way they write data onto the drives. A lot of producers have external hard drives to use alongside their computer's storage drive.

Taking this information as well as other resources like YouTube videos, you can build a really nice computer for what you're needing. Computer parts are much less expensive than pre-built computers and you can easily buy parts from online retailers. The average computer build costs around $500-$700, although this price can definitely go up based on what you're wanting.

You have a wider selection of parts as well, so if you really want to customize things not only based on the computer's hardware, but also aesthetically, you can even buy colored lights and other pieces to make your computer look cool.

Conclusion

If you're in need of a new computer for your studio and don't know what to pick, hopefully this article has shed some light on whether or not you should get a desktop or laptop, and if you go with a desktop, whether or not to get a pre-built one or build your own. There are advantages and disadvantages to both; the choice is up to you.

Jordan is a music producer, content creator, writer, and session musician. He has been producing music and engineering live performances for over 7 years. He is an experienced guitarist and enjoys listening to and playing many different genres of music.