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Are you a fan of Mac looking for the best laptop to create beautiful tracks? Here you’ll find all the answers to your question. We understand how challenging finding the best laptop that’ll suit your needs among the many options available out there. That’s why we have gone ahead of you to do some research. After thoroughly evaluating different Mac laptops suitable for music production, we discovered the ✅2021 Apple MacBook Pro to be the overall best.
We have reviewed 7 different Mac laptops suitable for music production to give you enough variety and the flexibility of choice.
See the comparison table for a quick peek at our 7 best laptops.
Comparison Table For The Best Mac Laptop For Music Production
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| Product Name | Product Image | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Apple MacBook Pro |   | Processor: Apple M1 Pro chip with 8‑core RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Display: 14-inch Weight: 3.53 Pounds |
| Apple MacBook Pro |   | Processor: Intel Quad Core i7 RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Display: 15-inch Weight: 4.46 pounds |
| 2019 Apple MacBook Pro |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Display: 16-inch Weight: 4.3 pounds |
| 2020 Apple MacBook Pro |   | Processor: Apple M1 Chip with 16‑core RAM: 8 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Display: 14-inch Weight: 3 pounds |
| Apple MacBook Pro |   | Processor: Apple M1 Pro chip with 8‑core RAM: 16 GB Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 13-inch Weight: 5.98 pounds |
| Apple MacBook Pro |   | Processor: Intel Core i5 RAM: 4 GB Storage: 128 GB SSD Display: 14-inch Weight: 5.29 pounds |
| 2017 Apple MacBook Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core M3 RAM: 8 GB Storage: 256 GB SSD Display: 12-inch Weight: 3.4 pounds |
Compare The Top 7 On One Page
Best Mac Laptop For Music Production; An Overview
We want you to understand that making music is not as easy as most people think.
It is demanding and requires a lot of technical prowess.
Notable, only laptops with high-end specs can handle music production demands.
Before now, music production requires that you have a room/studio full of various musical instruments to produce music.
Now, with the right application and software, you can confidently produce music with your laptop.
There are different music production software out there with which you can record multiple tracks and edit music.
Mostly, this software is power-hungry; as such, it requires laptops with efficient specs to function effectively.
Specifically, laptops with multi-core processors, efficient RAM, large storage space/option, good battery life, and compatible OS is what you need for music production.
We’ll go into more details on these in the section below.
Important Specs For The Best Mac Laptop For Music Production
Quality Speakers/Placement
One important feature of a laptop for music production is having good quality speakers because the laptop speakers determine the sound output.
Fortunately, Apple manufacturers make it a point of duty to use exceptional speaker technology to ensure the best sound feedback.
Both the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro come with a six-speaker sound system having 80% bass.
That said, you need to consider the placement of these speakers in any laptop you may want to buy.
Ideally, an upward-facing speaker produces better sound quality than a downward-facing one.
Given this, we suggest you keep an eye on speakers placed on the top or sides to have a better sound experience.
This is because bottom-facing speakers may deliver muffled sound output when placed on a surface.
Processor/Graphics
The laptop’s overall performance depends on the processor, regardless of what you want to use it for.
It determines how fast your laptop can stream music or videos, play games, and execute other tasks.
So, because music production is a demanding operation, we suggest you opt for a laptop with a high-end processor.
This is so you can create, record, and mix your composition without any hindrances.
Thankfully, most Apple laptops have the unique M1 Silicon Chips that can handle anything, including music production software.
Likewise, other Mac laptops (mostly previous models before 2020 or renewed laptops) also have Intel processors.
If you’re opting for the Intel models, make sure it is of the latest generation with as many cores as possible.
Furthermore, a graphics card with multi-cores will ensure a smooth workflow.
So, we encourage you to go for a laptop with a discrete graphics card with a dedicated VRAM.
RAM/Storage
Even more, a laptop for music production requires a huge RAM size for the smooth execution of tasks.
Precisely, the RAM holds certain operations temporarily so the processor can have sufficient space to process other operations.
So, aim to get a laptop with at least 8 GB RAM or more.
Practically, the higher, the better the performance speed you’ll enjoy.
In addition to that, you will need ample storage space to store all your musical files and applications.
Audio tracks usually take up much space, especially uncompressed ones.
So to ensure you don’t run out of space too soon, we recommend you opt for at least 128 GB of SSD storage.
Overall, an SSD will allow you to save, access, and retrieve your music files with great speed.
Ports/Connectivity/Battery Life
Having more ports will allow you to be more flexible when you are producing music.
It allows you to easily plug in external hardware without always depending on the adapter hence, making things easier for you, especially if you are always on the go.
Finally, get a laptop with decent battery life to allow you to stay productive for long hours, even when on the go.
At least an average battery life of 6 hours should be enough to walk you through the entire workday.
With these in mind, let’s find out what our top 7 picks offer.
Our 7 Best Mac Laptops For Music Production
1. 2021 Apple MacBook Pro
Starting first is the 2021 Apple MacBook Pro.
This is our overall best pick and the best laptop that can handle music production with all efficiency.
Also, it can handle most complex projects with ease because it packs the performing power to do so.
Let’s see what it has to offer.
Design Features
The laptop is sleek and premium.
It has an attractive design with high-performing components fitted in an all-silver chassis.
Then, you have an Apple logo sitting pretty at the center of the top lid.
Also, it weighs 3.52 pounds.
Hence, this laptop won’t weigh you down when you have to move around and work while at it.
Furthermore, it’s equipped with a stunning display to deliver smooth, clear, and vibrant visuals from all angles.
To be precise, this MacBook features a 14-inch screen size display with 4K 3024 x 1964 resolution pixels.
In addition, the display comes with mini-LED backlit Liquid Retina XDR, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 1000 nits.
These features will excellently deliver sustained brightness, clarity, and vibrancy.
In addition to that, it has a wide range of posts such as; 3 Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.1 Gen 2, HDMI, SDXC, and a card slot.
For a wireless connection, it comes top-notch with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connector.
Performance
Away from the design features, the 2021 MacBook Pro comes with three different configurations.
First, the 13.3″ display features an M1 Pro Silicon Chips with an 8-core processor.
It also has a 14″ screen size with M1 Pro Silicon Chips and up to a 10-core processor.
Lastly, it has a 16″ screen display with M1 Pro Silicon Chips and a 10-core processor configuration.
This review model has the Up to a 10-core CPU for swift execution of tasks.
Combining that with the Up to 32-core GPU for exceptional speed.
Also, the laptop comes with a fast RAM and efficient storage which compliments the processor and graphics to ensure excellent production.
To be precise, it features 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage.
It works with Mac OS, which is compatible with most music production.
Lastly, the battery can last up to 17 hours, depending on individual usage and settings.
Pros
- High-end specifications.
- Amazing battery life.
- Portable at 3.52 pounds.
Cons
- It is expensive.
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2. Apple MacBook Pro
The Apple MacBook Pro is another laptop that can handle the necessary music production software.
Check out the features.
Design Features
Most Apple laptops are designed with adorable sleek chassis to give them attractive features.
So, this also has the sleek and solid silver-colored aluminum chassis peculiar to most Macbooks.
On the screen, this MacBook Pro has a wide display featuring a 15″ screen size with 2K 2880 x 1800 resolution pixels.
More so, the widescreen display has LED-backlit and an In-Panel switching technology feature.
You’ll enjoy true-life image quality and vibrant visuals, thanks to its display features.
The laptop is slightly heavy due to its widescreen -it measures 14.13 x 9.73 x 0.71 inches and weighs 4.46 pounds.
Performance
Impressively the MacBook laptop comes with the latest processor and a dedicated graphics card to hasten up your music production activities.
Specifically, the CPU here is an Intel Core i7 with a 2.3 base frequency.
On the other hand, the graphics processor is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics having 2 GB VRAM.
Furthermore, it has 16 GB DDR3 RAM for intensive multitasking.
Also, it offers 512 GB SSD for storing your music files.
Traditionally, all Apple laptops come with Mac OS, including this.
With this laptop, Apple promises 7 hours of battery life.
Pros
- It has a fast processor.
- Also, it has impressive display features.
- Sleek aluminum chassis.
Cons
- It is quite heavy.
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3. 2019 Apple MacBook Pro
Third on the list of the best Mac laptops for music production is the 2019 Apple MacBook Pro.
Let’s how much performing power is packed into the device.
Design Features
Apple always loves to keep it simple and sleek.
Hence, this MacBook is pretty simple with an all silver-colored aluminum chassis and the ports neatly arranged on the side, giving it a well-coordinated appearance.
Speaking of ports, it comes with a wide range of ports with which you can plug in your peripherals.
It features 4 Thunderbolt 3, which supports charging, data transfer, and video output in a single connector.
That isn’t all; it also has USB 3.1 Gen 2, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connection.
Furthermore, the MacBook offers a big voice with its six-speaker sound system with dual force-canceling woofers.
This will offer a loud, crisp, and clear sound that most laptops from other brands would not offer.
What’s more?
The speaker has a studio-quality-three-mic array for immersive sound output.
Performance
This laptop promises a swift and responsive workflow with its 6-core Intel Core i7 operating on 4.5 GHz plus AMD Radeon Pro 5300M.
Also, with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, this laptop will offer you nothing but the best multitasking and storage performance.
As mentioned earlier, all Macbooks feature the Mac OS, same as this.
Finally, it is equipped with up to 11 hours of battery life so that you can work for an extended period.
Pros
- Backlit keyboard.
- Good key travel distance.
- Neatly arranged ports.
Cons
- No touchscreen.
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4. 2020 Apple MacBook Pro
We have the 2020 Apple MacBook Pro on our list of the best Mac laptops for music production.
Design Features
It comes with the usual aluminum silver chassis.
It has a compact look.
Even more, it weighs 3 pounds; this won’t weigh you down.
In addition, there’s an Active cooling system that sustains the laptop from overheating, especially when performing intense functions like gaming, video editing, and music production.
Furthermore, this MacBook is one of the amazing laptops with a vivid and bright display.
In view of that, this 13-inch MacBook display features 500 nits of brightness.
This makes images appear vibrant and detailed.
Atop the lid is the FaceTime HD camera with an advanced image processor for clearer and sharper video conferencing.
Aside from the physical features, this MacBook is a powerful performer.
Let’s check out the specs.
Performance
The laptop is equipped with an Apple M1 chip having a 16-core CUP which delivers quicker and faster performance with amazing workflow.
Likewise, the laptop offers an 8-core GPU that delivers faster performance power for all graphics functions.
Moving on, it has 8 GB RAM for speedy multitasking functions and 512 GB SSD storage for the snappy saving of files.
Furthermore, the laptop has an impressive battery life that would allow you to get more done without any disruption.
Specifically, it offers up to 20 hours of battery life.
Finally, it is equipped with a Mac Operating system which facilitates the functionality of all musical software in the system.
Pros
- It has an active cooling system.
- Enough storing device.
- Fast and efficient processor.
Cons
- Overheating problems.
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5. Apple MacBook Pro
This MacBook Pro from Apple is a solid laptop suitable for various tasks, including music production.
Precisely, it does well in photo editing, graphics design, music, and gaming.
Design Features
Apple is known for two standard colors- silver and gray.
So this unit comes in a space gray chassis.
Sadly, it’s quite on the heavy side as it weighs 5.95 pounds.
On the bright side, it comes top-notch with a touchscreen for easy navigation with your fingertips.
The ports are well selected and arranged by the sides for easy access and connectivity.
Performance
Its 8-core M1 chip processor is fit to handle all forms of intensive tasks, including music production, swiftly without stuttering.
For all graphics demanding functions, the laptop comes with 8-core GPU.
In addition, it features 16 GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage which makes multitasking and savings much easier.
Lastly, it offers up to 20 hours of battery life.
Pros
- Uninterrupted battery life.
- Easy navigation.
- Simple and attractive design.
Cons
- It’s heavy at 5.95 pounds.
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6. Apple MacBook Pro
Here’s another Apple MacBook pro on the list of the best Mac laptop for music production.
Design Features
This MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure design.
This is also a slightly heavy laptop at 5.29 pounds.
It comes with an Apple multi-touch technology and a 13-inch, LED-backlit display with a glass trackpad.
Performance
Away from the design, Apple equipped this laptop with a Dual-Core Intel Core i5 processor having a boost clock of 2.5 GHz.
Also, it’s fitted with an Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, and 128 GB HDD storage.
These might not be the best specs out there, but the laptop can deliver exceptionally well in terms of music production.
Finally, it offers a battery life of up to 6 hours.
Pros
- A solid built material.
- High-resolution display.
- Above-average performance.
Cons
- HDD storage.
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7. 2017 Apple MacBook Laptop
Last on our list of the best Mac laptops for music production is the 2017 Apple MacBook.
Design Features
The laptop measures 12.1 x 2.1 x 8.7 inches and weighs 3.4 pounds.
It also has a space gray-colored aluminum chassis.
In addition to that, it has an array of ports so that you can plug in all your devices without hitches.
Performance
This laptop is equipped with the specs to deliver a smooth workflow.
It has an Intel Core M3 Processor running on a boost frequency up to 3.0 GHz.
It also has the Intel HD Graphics 615, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD storage.
This Apple laptop also features a redesigned keyboard for impressive typing accuracy.
Finally, it offers up to 8 hours of runtime.
Pros
- Smooth and ergonomic keyboard.
- Force Touch trackpad.
- Above-average specs.
Cons
- It comes with an integrated graphics card.
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Conclusion On The Best Mac Laptop For Music Production
Trust, we have done justice to the 7 best Mac laptops for music production.
The ball is now in your court to decide the best one to buy out of the 7 laptops listed here.
However, we recommend you get the ✅2021 Apple MacBook Pro because it stands out as the ultimate best among the rest.
