Need Recommendation: Laptop for Music Production

MrUniqueName on 17/09/2021 - 07:10

Hi Ozbargainers!

I just bought my son a Novation Launchkey 61 midi keyboard but now need to get him a laptop to go with it (so he doesn't bug me to use my computer when I'm working).

Can anyone recommend a reasonable laptop that would easily handle software like Ableton and software like that? I don't need it to run games or anything like that (in fact I don't really want it to be at that level, or he'll just play games instead of create music) but I don't want it to be all laggy.

Budget is up to $1,500.

Thanks!!!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • lunchbox99 on 17/09/2021 - 07:58
    +2

    DPC latency is a real issue for windows laptops, so whatever you buy you need to ensure it supports latency free real time audio.

    Not that this will help pre-purchase, but latencymon is the standard way to test DPC latency on windows.
    https://www.resplendence.com/latencymon

    Any apple laptop supports latency free audio out of the box. Air or MBP 13" would work. Pro has better speakers.

  • Poppin on 17/09/2021 - 09:23
    +2

    Second hand MacBook Pro in your budget would be the quickest and easiest. Also the bonus of limited gaming capability.

  • TheBird on 17/09/2021 - 11:27
    +1

    I don't know music production myself, but my friends who do all seem to need massively high end computers for music production. Like insane amounts of ram and a high end processor. I come from video editing side of things and it always struck me as odd as music and audio needing higher end machines than the video side.

    • findingbargains on 17/09/2021 - 20:28

      Most likely because of digital (audio) signal processing plugins which need to run in real time.

      • TheBird on 18/09/2021 - 22:12

        Yeah sure, cause video editing isn't done in real time???

  • LoneWolfPodcast on 17/09/2021 - 11:49
    +2

    I can run Ableton fine on a 2014 surface pro i5 8gb ram.

    But, last month I got a mac mini m1 (M1 is the new apple chip) for video editing, $997. The thing is a beast. You can get the mac air m1 for $1,500. Realistically you'd want a larger monitor to go with it.

    Also, you don't need a large SSD, just get an extra external. I have Samsung T5, I edit video directly from there.

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