It doesn’t take much these days to put together a decent home recording studio using even the most basic of laptops. But if you’re looking for a laptop specifically to record your guitar with, what exactly should you be prioritising in your search? And how would a guitarist’s needs differ from, for example, a beatmaker or singer?
In this guide, we’ll outline what makes the best laptops for music production, and more specifically for recording guitars, focusing on the features and specs you should be looking for - and the benefits they’ll bring - along with a note on the headline-grabbing things you can ignore in your search.
Recording your guitar is great fun, and can lead you to hugely fulfilling creative projects, but having the right equipment to work with will make the process so much easier in the long run. Let’s begin!
Best laptops for music production: Quick menu
Want to cut to the chase and find out exactly which we think are the best laptops for music production on the market right now? Below, you’ll find a round-up of our top choices. You can jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals online today.
The 2022 Apple MacBook Air is an absolute beast. With the M2 chip powering things, you get frankly bonkers performance from what is essentially still a midrange machine. Things like all-day battery life, near-total silence in operation and enough power to breeze through pretty much anything make for a compelling package.
The Apple MacBook Pro is a premium laptop, and one that will stand you in good stead for recording your guitar for years to come. The model we’ve chosen matches a 14” display with 16GB of RAM, an M3 Pro chip and a terabyte of solid-state memory – more than enough to keep up with even the most demanding of multitrack recording sessions.
If you’re dead set on staying away from Apple and its laptops, then the Dell XPS range would be a great alternative for recording guitars. Over time, the XPS range has blossomed into one of the best Windows-based studio options, packing in enough power and performance to justify the relatively premium price tag.
If recording the guitar to a laptop is just one of the creative pursuits you’ll be undertaking, then the Asus Vivobook 16 is a superb option. It boasts similar power and performance - on paper - to others in the list but also manages to pack in a superb graphics card and genuinely breathtaking display. So, from gaming to video production, it looks and performs brilliantly.
If you’re looking more towards the mid-range - in terms of budget - then there’s plenty of value to be found. We liked the Acer Aspire 5, which gives you a range of options when it comes to specs. For the money, you’re getting a solid workhorse of a laptop for recording guitars, for a very reasonable price indeed.
An ideal place to start when you’re looking for a powerful laptop for recording music is to the world of gaming. The Asus TUF 15 certainly looks like a gamers’ laptop, but underneath the hood lies enough grunt to power even the most extravagant of multitrack recording sessions.
The best laptops for music production available today
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Best lightweight laptop
(Image credit: Apple)
1. Apple MacBook Air
Lightweight laptop with more power than you might think
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Apple M2
Graphics:: Integrated
RAM: 8GB
Storage:: 256GB
Reasons to buy
+
Incredible battery life
+
Super quiet
+
Light as a feather
Reasons to avoid
-
Only two USB-C ports
If you’re set on Apple as your laptop provider of choice, but don’t have access to the funds required for a MacBook Pro, then fear not. The 2022 Apple MacBook Air is an absolute beast. Trust me, I’ve got one myself. With the M2 chip powering things, you get frankly bonkers performance from what is essentially still a midrange machine.
Things like all-day battery life, near-total silence in operation and enough power to breeze through pretty much anything make for a compelling package. Don’t be put off by the fact it has just 8GB of RAM – the way Apple’s silicone works means it’s more optimized and efficient than in the past, and in a year of use it’s never been an issue for me.
Yes, the fact you only get two USB-C ports (and need one for charging) is annoying, but nowadays we all know our way around an external USB hub. Pound for pound though, this is a sensational machine and well worth your consideration.
Best overall
(Image credit: Apple)
2. Apple MacBook Pro 14” (2023)
Monstrous power with a price tag to match
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Apple M3 Pro
Graphics: Integrated
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB
Reasons to buy
+
Sleek form factor
+
Powerful
+
Long battery life
Reasons to avoid
-
Design hasn’t changed
If you’re a music producer, chances are the prospect of using an Apple MacBook Pro has already been factored into your thoughts. If you can afford it and are open to using MacOS, then the current crop of M3-equipped MacBook Pro models are top-notch and easy to recommend. It’s not going overboard to say the move to using Apple’s in-house silicone has revolutionised things. New laptops from Apple are faster, quieter, use less energy and last longer than their Intel-powered predecessors.
The usual grumbles about price and design remain, but the fact is that the Apple MacBook Pro is a premium laptop, and one that will stand you in good stead for recording your guitar for years to come. The model we’ve chosen matches a 14” display with 16GB of RAM, an M3 Pro chip and a terabyte of solid-state memory – more than enough to keep up with even the most demanding of multitrack recording sessions.
Best Windows options
(Image credit: Dell)
3. Dell XPS 13
High-grade Windows machine is ideal for music
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7
Graphics: Intel Iris
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Reasons to buy
+
Thin and light
+
Capable performance
+
Superb display
Reasons to avoid
-
Will need a bit of optimization
If you’re dead set on staying away from Apple and its laptops, then the Dell XPS range would be a great alternative for recording guitars. Over time, the XPS range has blossomed into one of the best Windows-based studio options, packing in enough power and performance to justify the relatively premium price tag.
As with many Windows machines, you may need to spend some time removing the bloatware to unlock the true potential of the XPS range, but there’s plenty here to like once you’ve up and running.
Best for value
(Image credit: Asus)
4. Asus Vivobook 16
Content creation powerhouse with plenty of power on tap
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7
Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4050
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512TB
Reasons to buy
+
Outstanding display
+
Versatile
+
Good value
Reasons to avoid
-
More connectivity would be useful
If recording the guitar to a laptop is just one of the creative pursuits you’ll be undertaking, then the Asus Vivobook 16 is a superb option. It boasts similar power and performance - on paper - to others in the list but also manages to pack in a superb Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card and genuinely breathtaking 120hz display. This means everything from gaming to video production - alongside digital audio workstations - looks and performs brilliantly.
As with many modern laptops, we’d have loved to have seen more in the way of USB ports, with just a single USB-B and a couple of USB-C-shaped ports on offer, but that’s why dongles were invented, right?
Best workhorse laptop
(Image credit: Acer)
5. Acer Aspire 5
Mid-range package with plenty to shout about
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Ryzen 7
Graphics: Integrated
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Reasons to buy
+
Choice of spec
+
Decent battery life
+
Upgradeable
Reasons to avoid
-
Poor screen
If you’re looking more towards the mid-range - in terms of budget - then there’s plenty of value to be found. We liked the Acer Aspire 5, which gives you a range of options when it comes to specs. We opted for a Ryzen 7 processor, along with 16GB of RAM, and the price came in very sensibly. We also liked the way you can manually upgrade the RAM, up to 32GB, if you do find your laptop is slowing down when you put it under pressure.
It’s not the most attractive laptop in the world, let’s be honest, and the screen is actually pretty poor, but look beyond that and you’re getting a solid workhorse of a laptop for recording guitars, for a very reasonable price indeed.
Best for connectivity
(Image credit: Asus)
6. Asus TUF F15
Gaming laptop promises stacks of processing punch
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 4050
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Reasons to buy
+
Decent price
+
Range of specs
+
Loads of connection ports
Reasons to avoid
-
May not appeal visually
An ideal place to start when you’re looking for a powerful laptop for recording music is to the world of gaming. While games may have some additional demands, like graphical power, there is a common requirement for a superfast processor and plenty of rapid-access storage.
The Asus TUF 15 certainly looks like a gamers’ laptop, with its stealthy black housing and subtle branding, but underneath the hood lies enough grunt to power even the most extravagant of multitrack recording sessions. We also loved the way Asus hasn’t skimped on its connectivity, with enough ports to cover your audio interface and a couple of MIDI controllers easily.
More options...
(Image credit: Microsoft)
7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Super-thin and super-slick laptop offers a touch of luxury
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i5
Graphics: Integrated
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Reasons to buy
+
Looks high class
+
Lightweight
+
Trusted marque
Reasons to avoid
-
Expensive
We’d heard for years how Apple’s dominance in the creative sector was due, in part, to the fact its hardware and software were created together, meaning they were optimized to within an inch of their lives and could offer users better performance than the competition. With the launch of the Surface range, Microsoft wanted to join the party and, in the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4, they might just have cracked it.
The new Surface Laptop 4 looks like a million dollars, with its Alcantara leather-covered front, but underneath you get the type of performance you’d expect for creative activities like recording the guitar. It’s expensive, sure, but with the Surface Laptop now being on its fourth iteration, it’s fair to say Microsoft has got things right here.
Best laptops for music production: Buying advice
(Image credit: IK Mlutimedia)
How to choose the best music production laptop for you
When it comes to choosing a laptop for recording guitars, there are several crucial aspects to consider. Things like the laptop's processing power, memory capacity, storage options, connectivity, audio capabilities, display quality, portability, battery life, operating system, build quality, and, naturally, your budget. With so many variables, we can see why people might find it difficult to know what counts as a priority.
What are the key laptop features I need for recording guitar?
For recording guitars though, one of the most critical elements to evaluate is the processing power of the laptop. When recording and producing music, you need a machine that can handle audio processing, effects, and virtual instruments with ease, and to achieve this, you’re going to need a laptop equipped with a meaty processor. A quad-core or better CPU from Intel, such as an i7, or from AMD, like a Ryzen 7 or higher, is what we’d recommend.
These processors provide the necessary computing power to run your digital audio workstation (DAW) and various plugins without performance bottlenecks. If you’re opting to go down the Apple route, then stick to the newer M-series processor-equipped laptops (now up to M3), which are incredible for musical pursuits, especially now migration issues moving software from Intel to Apple CPUs seem to have been overcome.
Memory (RAM) is another fundamental consideration. Music production software and virtual instruments demand substantial memory to work efficiently. While 8GB of RAM is the bare minimum we’d advise, it's preferable to aim for 16GB or more, especially if you intend to work with large audio projects, virtual instruments, and effects plugins. Having ample RAM ensures your laptop can handle multiple tracks, complex arrangements, and real-time audio processing without slowdowns.
When it comes to ‘regular’ storage, we’d point you towards a laptop with a Solid State Drive (SSD) instead of a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). SSDs offer faster data access, which significantly enhances overall system performance. Having at least 256GB of SSD storage is a good starting point, but larger options are preferable, particularly if you plan to store extensive music projects, sample libraries, and various audio files.
Connectivity is a crucial factor in music production. Your laptop should provide the necessary connectivity ports for multiple USB devices like MIDI controllers and audio interfaces. These also tie into the next point, which is portability. By opting for a laptop over a desktop computer, you’re building in the potential to record away from a studio environment, and in these situations a lightweight and compact laptop is more convenient, making it easier to transport and record on the fly. Naturally, you’ll want to check out a potential laptop’s battery life if you intend to use your machine for field recordings or in places without easy access to power outlets. A longer battery life will allow you to work on your music without worrying about running out of power, naturally.
In conclusion, selecting the right laptop for recording guitars is a critical decision that can significantly impact your music production experience. By considering the factors mentioned above, you can find a laptop that suits your needs and budget while ensuring that your recordings and musical projects are of the highest quality.
How we choose the laptops for this guide
(Image credit: IK Multimedia)
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best laptops for music production available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best laptops for music production on the market right now.
Find out more about how we make our recommendations, how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides and our review policy.
Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.
