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Best Budget Laptops for Music Production under $500 in 2024: Music Production on a Tight Budget

Don’t let money hold you back on your music creation journey. Start producing music with these best budget laptops for music production under $500.

Best Laptops for Music Production under $500

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When I’m satisfied with a laptop brand I don’t switch that easily. So if you’re like me then you prefer your new music production laptop to be from the same manufacturer as your old one. No matter the brand

For people that have a big budget, I advise you to buy a gaming laptop. Gaming requires a lot of power from a computer. That’s why their specs will be top-notch. This comes in handy for you since a full-blown music production project also requires quite a bit of juice from your computer.

If you are on a lower budget or simply don’t want to spend too much check out some of these budget music laptops. They are not as powerful as the expensive ones, but they will be enough for anybody just starting with music production. Most of the best laptops for music production under $500 are very similar. There is not that much of a difference. I did not list the super cheap options, because they will not be powerful enough for what we want to do. But I’m very confident that the laptops on this list will be a good place to start creating music.

I did not include any Mac laptops. This is because Apple PCs are more expensive. You will not be able to get a new one under $500. And even if you do, most likely the other competitors have better specs. So without further ado Let’s find a laptop for music production on a budget!

What are the best laptops for under $500 included in this guide

ASUS Vivobook 16
Largest Screen

ASUS Vivobook 16

The Vivobook is a trusted name in the field of laptops. With its Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, you can get quite a lot done. With the 16-inch display, you can get an expansive, ‎1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution. It has a fast hard disk: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD. All in all a great laptop to begin music production with.

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Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
Most Ram & Storage

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Lenovo is known to produce quality laptops. I have used multiple Lenovo laptops and tablets. The IdeaPad 3 is a stable computer that can pack a punch considering its low price. The pre-installed RAM and storage are what make this such a great deal.

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Acer Aspire 5 Slim
Best Processor

Acer Aspire 5 Slim

This smart laptop is great for on the go. Its specs are very competitive and the processor is great. Even middle-heavy games can be played for when you want a break from your productions and music.

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Lenovo V15 Gen 4 Laptop
Best Overall Value

Lenovo V15 Gen 4 Laptop

And another Lenovo makes the list of quality latops. The Lenovo V15 Gen 4 is comparable to the ideapad 3i but the processor is quite a bit better. You still get a nice amount of RAM and storage. That's why I consider this to be the best overall value. Ready for big music projects and music sets.

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Dell 2023 Newest Inspiron 15 3520
Cheapest Laptop

Dell 2023 Newest Inspiron 15 3520

As the name already hints. This laptop is suitable for creating any kind of creative work. And definitely for music making. The Intel Core i5 processor is great for when you want to start producing music on a tight budget.

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Why use a laptop for creating and producing music? And what are the possible downsides?

One of the reasons why a laptop can be so useful for anything music production-related is that it allows you to produce music literally anywhere. Whether you are in a studio, travelling and on the road, or at home. You can easily carry your laptop with you and connect it to your audio interface, any MIDI controllers, microphones, and speakers. Just like any desktop computer, a laptop gives you access to a wide range of software and plugins that you can use for music production. Any digital audio workstation (DAWs), virtual instrument, effects, and samples should work.

Also, a laptop can work with most of the hardware and software that are available for music production. You can use a laptop with Windows or Mac OS, depending on your preference and budget. Just like a desktop, you can work with various audio formats and standards, such as WAV, MP3, MIDI, ASIO, and VST.

Music production workspace

But there are also some possible downsides when it comes to using a laptop for your music production needs. For example, laptops tend to be more expensive than desktop computers, especially if you want a high-performance laptop that can handle complex and demanding music production tasks. You may have to spend more money on a laptop than on a desktop computer with similar specifications.

Also, laptops are more prone to damage and wear and tear than desktop computers since most likely you travel with your laptop or use it in environments outside of your studio or house. Laptops also have some other limitations compared to desktop computers when it comes to music production. For example, laptops have smaller screens, keyboards, and trackpads than desktop computers. This can affect your workflow and comfort.

The best budget laptop for music production

ASUS Vivobook 16

A great laptop with a beautiful screen. Lightweight and flexible. Ready to take on your music arrangements

Largest Screen
ASUS Vivobook 16
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Pros

  • 16-inch screen
  • Fast M.2 SSD disk
  • Great port connectivity
  • Intel i5 processor

Cons

  • Could use a bigger hard disk
  • Can be less portable

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U Processor 1.3 GHz (10M Cache, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 cores) RAM: 8Gb DDR4 RAM STORAGE: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD SCREEN: 16” FHD (1920×1080) ultra-slim NanoEdge bezels CONNECTIVITY: Audio I/O jack, USB-C, 2x USB 3, USB 2, HDMI

The ASUS Vivobook 16 is surprisingly snappy. The performance is as you would expect from an Intel i5 processor. Although it is not suitable for playing AAA games, you can do some heavy tasks with this laptop. This means that it has enough power to run projects in your DAW. You will be able to work with multiple plugins on your tracks and do a comfortable job editing your recorded music tracks.

And when you are not busy producing music, you can enjoy watching movies and streaming TV series. The beautiful NanoEdge screen is a pleasure to look at. Not only a joy to work with but also nice for during your free time.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Trusted quality of Lenovo. A decent laptop for sound production with plenty of storage.

Most Ram & Storage
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
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Pros

  • Enough RAM
  • Lots of fast storage
  • 1920x1080 Full HD
  • SD card reader

Cons

  • Processor could be faster
  • Battery life could be better

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4, 3.0GHz RAM: 20Gb DDR4 RAM STORAGE: 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SCREEN: 14” FHD (1920×1080) CONNECTIVITY: SD card reader, Audio I/O jack, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0

This Lenovo IdeaPad 3i will be a great companion in your music production journey. It has all the features that any musician or beginning music producer will need. A stronger processor would have been nice, but when you look at the price you cannot ask for more. It really is a steal. Especially when you consider the 20GB of RAM and 1TB storage space that comes pre-installed. I like to store certain samples that I use a lot on my laptop. With 1TB of NVMe M.2, you can do this. And you will be assured of a quick file transport speed.

I do miss having USB-C, but that’s just personal. A lot of audio interfaces still support the ‘old’ USB ports, and if necessary you can buy a simple converter.

Acer Aspire 5 Slim

The production laptop with a powerful processor.

Best Processor
Acer Aspire 5 Slim
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Pros

  • Nice slim design
  • Good processor
  • USB-C and Thunderbolt

Cons

  • Could use more storage
  • More RAM is welcome

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U up to 4.6 GHz RAM: 8Gb DDR4 RAM STORAGE: 512GB Gen4 SSD SCREEN: 14.0″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) CONNECTIVITY: USB C, 2x USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, Audio I/O jack

The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is a great laptop. The specs are very balanced and very competitive for its price. The powerful i5-1334U is the best processor on this laptop list. And that’s quite a big deal. Especially when you consider that upgrading the processor is a lot more difficult than RAM or storage. The laptop is steady, and slim. This will be ideal for any music producer on the move. You can take it to any home studio, library or coffee bar that you like.

Lenovo V15 Gen 4

A great and trustworthy laptop with very competitive specs. Ready to grow with you while you learn to produce

Best Overall Value
Lenovo V15 Gen 4 Laptop
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Pros

  • Lot's of quick storage
  • Great processor
  • Many different ports

Cons

  • Build quality could be better

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i3-1315U, up to 4.50 GHz RAM: 16Gb DDR4 RAM STORAGE: 1TB NVMe SSD SCREEN: 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) CONNECTIVITY: Audio I/O jack, 1 x USB-C, USB 3.2, USB 2, HDMI, BT 5.1, Ethernet

I don’t know why this laptop has not crossed my path before. The Lenovo V15 Gen 4 laptop is a great piece of gear to start your creative journey with. It checks all the boxes and exceeds all the necessary specs for any DAW. The processor is a 13th-generation i3 processor and was launched beginning of 2023.

The 1 TB NVMe SSD disk in combination with a USB-C port will allow you to connect external SSD disks that have all your samples and virtual instruments on it. So you don’t have to clog your laptop’s hard disk. Which is something to avoid

Dell Inspiron 15 3520

A very powerful laptop for the money and has options for upgrading hardware.

Cheapest Laptop
Dell 2023 Newest Inspiron 15 3520
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Pros

  • Great processor for the money
  • Options for RAM upgrades
  • Great Narrow Border Display

Cons

  • No USB-C
  • A bigger hard disk would be welcome

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 2.4GHz (Up to 4.2 GHz) RAM: 8Gb DDR4 RAM STORAGE: 256GB SSD SCREEN: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) CONNECTIVITY: microSD card reader, Audio I/O jack, 2x USB 3, USB 2, HDMI

Dell is one of the trusted brands when it comes to making great computers and laptops. The Dell Inspiron 15 is a computer that gives value for money. Even though it’s not the quickest on the list. But for around $400 you could definitely do worse.

The Intel Core i5 processor has a boost of up to 4.2 GHz and should be able to deal with your tracks in your DAW. Even though the pre-installed 8GB of RAM is not overwhelming it should be enough for you to load some nice VST instruments.

When working on a laptop the screen size is very important. Because music arrangements in your DAW can become visually cramped. The 15.6-inch screen is big enough for you to work comfortably with multiple tracks. Overall this is a great laptop for the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to produce music on a laptop, you will need some essential tools. First, you will need a laptop with enough power, memory, and storage to run music software ( your DAW of choice) smoothly. Many DAW manufacturers have a list of the minimum and recommended specifications for their music software on their websites or manuals.

As I already mentioned you will need to choose your digital audio workstation (DAW). It is important that this is software that allows you to record, edit, arrange, and mix audio tracks. There are many DAWs available for different platforms and budgets, such as Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Reaper, and many more.

If you want to be able to play virtual instruments smoothly and trigger samples then you will need a MIDI controller or keyboard that lets you play and control virtual instruments and effects. MIDI controllers come in various shapes and sizes, from mini keyboards to drum pads to DJ controllers. I recommend you use a middle-sized MIDI keyboard with pads such as the M-Audio Oxygen 49. They connect to your laptop via USB or Bluetooth.

You will definitely need an audio interface that converts analogue signals from microphones, guitars, or other instruments into digital signals. Audio interfaces also provide headphone and speaker outputs for monitoring your sound. Some of the best and most affordable audio interfaces for music production are the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen, the UA Volt 2, the SSL2+ 2-In/4-Out and the Audient iD4.

Last but definitely not least, you will need a pair of headphones or studio monitors that deliver accurate and balanced sound for mixing and mastering your music. Headphones are more portable and affordable than studio monitors, but they may not always give you a realistic representation of how your mix or recorded tracks sound. Studio monitors on the other hand are more expensive and bulky than headphones, but they offer a more detailed and transparent sound quality. But this is only true if your room is acoustically treated! Some of the best headphones and studio monitors for music production are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, the Sennheiser HD 650, the KRK Rokit 5 G4, and the Yamaha HS5.

The RAM, CPU and Hard Disk are most important in a laptop. So you should always look out for their specs when you buy any budget laptop for music production under $500, but this also goes for the more expensive computers. Of course, you cannot expect the same performance of a budget laptop compared to a desktop or expensive gaming laptop.

Here is a short summary of why these three components are so important:

  • The RAM, or memory, is where the laptop stores the data that it needs to access quickly and frequently. The more RAM the laptop has, the more data it can store and process without slowing down or crashing.
  • The CPU, or processor, can be considered to be the brain of the laptop. It handles all the calculations and instructions. The faster and more powerful the CPU, the faster and smoother the laptop can perform various tasks.
  • The hard disk is where the laptop saves all the data that it does not need to access immediately, such as your applications, and files. The more storage space the laptop has, the more data it can store without running out of room. Storage speed is often overlooked but is very important. Because it determines how fast the data can be loaded and saved. Just imagine this when you need to load some heavy sample library. There are two types of storage devices: hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs are much faster and more reliable than HDDs, but they are also more expensive.

The amount of GB RAM you need for producing music production depends on several things, such as what DAW you use, and the number and type of your plugins. What also influences the performance is the complexity of your arrangement for instance how many tracks do you have? However, in general, 8 GB is the minimum requirement for most tasks, and 16 GB of RAM is recommended for smoother performance and more headroom. Some professional producers may even opt for 32 GB or 64 GB of RAM if they use a lot of high-end plugins or work with large sample libraries. With some of these laptops, you can upgrade your hardware later if you need more memory.

The amount of GB that a laptop should have for music production depends on many things, such as the type and size of the software and files you use. Are you recording audio files in 96kHz? Then you will need quite some storage space. Also, the complexity and amount of tracks add up. One thing that you need to consider is, whether you are going to work with many samples and virtual instruments and if so, where are you going to store these files. In general, you should have at least 500 GB of internal space (HDD or SSD). This will allow you to store your software, plugins, basic samples, and other music files without running out of space too quickly. I always recommend that you use an external hard drive or cloud services to backup your files and free up some space on your laptop.

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Xander | Learning Music Skills
Xander | Learning Music Skills

Hi my name is Xander and I am a Composer, Songwriter and Music Educator with a degree in music composition. I teach many students all over the world via private music classes and via my YouTube channel, Learning Music Skills.

As a composer, educator and content creator, my goal is to share all aspects of the process of making music. I want to give everyone the tools necessary to be able to understand, enjoy and create music. No matter the genre or skill level. If you have any questions or when you want to work together, please contact me.

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