The 10 Best cheap laptop for music production in 2024

Introduction to Music Production Laptops

In the realm of music production, having the right equipment is essential for creating high-quality tracks. Among the necessary tools, a reliable laptop plays a crucial role. However, finding the best laptop for music production can be challenging, especially when on a budget. This article aims to explore the top 10 best cheap laptops tailored for music production enthusiasts.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Cheap Laptops for Music Production

Processor Power

A powerful processor is vital for handling the intensive tasks involved in music production, such as running digital audio workstations (DAWs) and processing multiple tracks simultaneously.

RAM Capacity

Adequate RAM ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of large audio files. A minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended for music production tasks.

Storage Type and Size

Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer faster data transfer speeds and better reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Additionally, sufficient storage capacity is necessary for storing numerous audio files and software applications.

Display Quality

A high-resolution display with accurate color reproduction enhances the overall music production experience, allowing for precise editing and mixing.

Portability and Battery Life

For on-the-go music producers, portability and battery life are crucial factors to consider when selecting a laptop. A lightweight design and long-lasting battery ensure flexibility and uninterrupted workflow.

The 10 Best Cheap Laptop for Music Production

1. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

• Processor: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 7 hours

2. Acer Aspire 5

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 8 hours

3. HP Pavilion 15

• Processor: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 12GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours

4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 9 hours

5. ASUS VivoBook 15

• Processor: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 7 hours

6. Microsoft Surface Go 2

• Processor: Intel Core m3
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Display: 10.5-inch PixelSense
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

7. Apple MacBook Air

• Processor: Apple M1
• RAM: 8GB Unified Memory
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 13.3-inch Retina
• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours

8. Acer Swift 3

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 11.5 hours

9. HP Envy x360

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 13.3-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 8 hours

10. Lenovo Flex 5

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch Full HD
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

Detailed Reviews of Each Laptop

1. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is a solid performer in the budget category, offering reliable performance for music production tasks. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop can handle multiple DAWs and plugins with ease. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring quick boot times and smooth operation. The 15.6-inch Full HD display delivers crisp visuals, ideal for editing and mixing audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 7 hours, the Inspiron 15 3000 offers decent portability for on-the-go music producers.

2. Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is another excellent choice for budget-conscious music producers. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop delivers reliable performance for music production tasks. The spacious 512GB SSD provides ample storage space for storing audio files and software applications. The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, enhancing the overall music production experience. With a battery life of up to 8 hours, the Aspire 5 offers decent portability for mobile music production.

3. HP Pavilion 15

The HP Pavilion 15 is a versatile laptop that excels in both performance and design. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and 12GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop offers smooth multitasking and efficient performance for music production tasks. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring quick loading times for software applications. The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers crisp visuals and accurate color reproduction, ideal for editing and mixing audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 6 hours, the Pavilion 15 provides sufficient power for extended music production sessions.

4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop offers reliable performance for music production tasks. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring smooth operation and quick boot times. The 15.6-inch Full HD display delivers clear visuals, making it easy to edit and mix audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 9 hours, the IdeaPad 3 offers excellent portability for music producers on the go.

5. ASUS VivoBook 15

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a stylish and affordable laptop that packs a punch in terms of performance. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop offers smooth multitasking and responsive performance for music production tasks. The 512GB SSD provides ample storage space for storing audio files and software applications. The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, ideal for editing and mixing audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 7 hours, the VivoBook 15 offers decent portability for mobile music production.

6. Microsoft Surface Go 2

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a compact and lightweight laptop that’s perfect for music production on the go. Powered by an Intel Core m3 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop offers reliable performance for basic music production tasks. The 128GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring quick boot times and smooth operation. The 10.5-inch PixelSense display offers crisp visuals, making it easy to edit and mix audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 10 hours, the Surface Go 2 offers excellent portability for mobile music producers.

7. Apple MacBook Air

The Apple MacBook Air is a premium laptop that’s well-suited for music production tasks. Powered by the Apple M1 chip and 8GB of Unified Memory, this laptop delivers exceptional performance and efficiency. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring quick loading times for software applications. The 13.3-inch Retina display offers stunning visuals and accurate color reproduction, ideal for editing and mixing audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 18 hours, the MacBook Air offers unmatched portability and endurance for music producers.

8. Acer Swift 3

The Acer Swift 3 is a sleek and lightweight laptop that offers impressive performance for music production tasks. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, this laptop delivers smooth multitasking and responsive performance. The 512GB SSD provides ample storage space for storing audio files and software applications. The 14-inch Full HD display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it easy to edit and mix audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 11.5 hours, the Swift 3 offers excellent portability and endurance for mobile music production.

9. HP Envy x360

The HP Envy x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that’s perfect for music production and creative work. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop offers reliable performance for multitasking and productivity. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring quick boot times and smooth operation. The 13.3-inch Full HD display offers crisp visuals and accurate color reproduction, ideal for editing and mixing audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 8 hours, the Envy x360 offers decent portability for on-the-go music producers.

10. Lenovo Flex 5

The Lenovo Flex 5 is a versatile convertible laptop that offers excellent performance for music production tasks. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop delivers smooth multitasking and responsive performance. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access, ensuring quick loading times for software applications. The 14-inch Full HD display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it easy to edit and mix audio tracks. With a battery life of up to 10 hours, the Flex 5 offers excellent portability for mobile music production.

These detailed reviews provide insights into each laptop’s performance, features, and suitability for music production tasks, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and budget.

Comparison Table

Laptop Model	Processor	RAM	Storage	Display	Battery Life	Price Range
Dell Inspiron 15 3000	Intel Core i5	8GB DDR4	256GB SSD	15.6″ Full HD	Up to 7 hours	$500 – $600
Acer Aspire 5	AMD Ryzen 5	8GB DDR4	512GB SSD	15.6″ Full HD	Up to 8 hours	$550 – $650
HP Pavilion 15	Intel Core i5	12GB DDR4	256GB SSD	15.6″ Full HD	Up to 6 hours	$600 – $700
Lenovo IdeaPad 3	AMD Ryzen 5	8GB DDR4	256GB SSD	15.6″ Full HD	Up to 9 hours	$500 – $600
ASUS VivoBook 15	Intel Core i5	8GB DDR4	512GB SSD	15.6″ Full HD	Up to 7 hours	$550 – $650
Microsoft Surface Go 2	Intel Core m3	8GB DDR4	128GB SSD	10.5″ PixelSense	Up to 10 hours	$500 – $600
Apple MacBook Air	Apple M1	8GB Unified	256GB SSD	13.3″ Retina	Up to 18 hours	$900 – $1000
Acer Swift 3	AMD Ryzen 7	8GB LPDDR4X	512GB SSD	14″ Full HD	Up to 11.5 hours	$600 – $700
HP Envy x360	AMD Ryzen 5	8GB DDR4	256GB SSD	13.3″ Full HD	Up to 8 hours	$650 – $750
Lenovo Flex 5	AMD Ryzen 5	16GB DDR4	256GB SSD	14″ Full HD	Up to 10 hours	$700 – $800

This table provides an overview of each laptop’s specifications, including processor type, RAM capacity, storage size, display size, battery life, and approximate price range.

Pros and Cons

1. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

Pros:

• Good performance with Intel Core i5 processor.
• Adequate 8GB DDR4 RAM for multitasking.
• Fast 256GB SSD storage.
• Decent 15.6″ Full HD display.
• Reasonable battery life of up to 7 hours.

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity compared to some competitors.
• Average battery life for a budget laptop.

2. Acer Aspire 5

Pros:

• Powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor.
• Ample 8GB DDR4 RAM for multitasking.
• Large 512GB SSD storage.
• Crisp 15.6″ Full HD display.
• Extended battery life of up to 8 hours.

Cons:

• Slightly higher price range compared to similar models.
• Some users may find the design less appealing.

3. HP Pavilion 15

Pros:

• Strong performance with Intel Core i5 processor.
• Generous 12GB DDR4 RAM for smooth multitasking.
• Fast 256GB SSD storage.
• Vibrant 15.6″ Full HD display.
• Compact design with decent battery life of up to 6 hours.

Cons:

• Relatively higher price point compared to competitors.
• May lack some premium features found in higher-end models.

4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Pros:

• Efficient AMD Ryzen 5 processor.
• Sufficient 8GB DDR4 RAM for everyday tasks.
• Fast 256GB SSD storage.
• Clear 15.6″ Full HD display.
• Impressive battery life of up to 9 hours.

Cons:

• Mediocre build quality compared to more premium laptops.
• Limited availability of ports may be an issue for some users.

5. ASUS VivoBook 15

Pros:

• Reliable Intel Core i5 processor for smooth performance.
• Large 512GB SSD storage for ample space.
• Crisp 15.6″ Full HD display.
• Slim and lightweight design.
• Respectable battery life of up to 7 hours.

Cons:

• Some users may find the keyboard layout cramped.
• Average audio quality may disappoint audiophiles.

6. Microsoft Surface Go 2

Pros:

• Compact and portable design.
• Decent performance with Intel Core m3 processor.
• Lightweight with a comfortable 10.5″ PixelSense display.
• Long battery life of up to 10 hours.
• Compatible with Surface Pen for added versatility.

Cons:

• Limited processing power for demanding tasks.
• Storage capacity may be insufficient for some users.

7. Apple MacBook Air

Pros:

• Exceptional performance with Apple M1 chip.
• Swift multitasking with 8GB Unified Memory.
• Blazing-fast 256GB SSD storage.
• Stunning 13.3″ Retina display with True Tone technology.
• Incredible battery life of up to 18 hours.

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to other laptops on the list.
• Limited software compatibility outside of the Apple ecosystem.

8. Acer Swift 3

Pros:

• Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor for seamless multitasking.
• Large 512GB SSD storage for ample space.
• Compact and lightweight design.
• Clear 14″ Full HD display.
• Long battery life of up to 11.5 hours.

Cons:

• Slightly higher price range compared to similar models.
• Some users may find the build quality less premium.

9. HP Envy x360

Pros:

• Efficient AMD Ryzen 5 processor for reliable performance.
• Ample 8GB DDR4 RAM for multitasking.
• Fast 256GB SSD storage.
• Versatile 13.3″ Full HD touchscreen display.
• Decent battery life of up to 8 hours.

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to some competitors.
• May lack some premium features found in higher-end models.

10. Lenovo Flex 5

Pros:

• Powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor for smooth performance.
• Generous 16GB DDR4 RAM for multitasking.
• Fast 256GB SSD storage.
• Flexible 14″ Full HD touchscreen display.
• Long battery life of up to 10 hours.

Cons:

• Slightly higher price range compared to similar models.
• Some users may find the display slightly dimmer compared to other laptops.

These pros and cons provide a comprehensive overview of each laptop’s strengths and weaknesses, helping users make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences.

FAQs

1. Can I use a cheap laptop for professional music production?
   • Yes, many affordable laptops offer sufficient performance for professional music production tasks, especially when equipped with modern processors and ample RAM.
2. Do I need a dedicated graphics card for music production?
   • While a dedicated graphics card can enhance overall system performance, it’s not a necessity for music production. A laptop with integrated graphics can handle most music production tasks effectively.
3. What software do I need for music production?
   • Popular digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Logic Pro are commonly used for music production. Additionally, virtual instruments and audio plugins are often employed to enhance creativity and production quality.
4. How much storage space do I need for music production?
   • The amount of storage space required depends on the size of your audio files and software applications. As a general guideline, aim for at least 256GB of SSD storage to accommodate your projects comfortably.
5. Can I upgrade the components of a cheap laptop for better performance?
   • In some cases, it’s possible to upgrade certain components like RAM and storage in cheap laptops to improve performance. However, not all laptops offer upgradeable components, so it’s essential to check the specifications beforehand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the best cheap laptop for music production requires careful consideration of various factors such as processor power, RAM capacity, storage type and size, display quality, portability, and battery life. The top 10 laptops listed in this article offer a balance of performance and affordability, making them ideal choices for music production enthusiasts on a budget.