10 Best Cheap Laptops For Music Production 2025 in the United States

The Lenovo V15 Business Laptop offers a strong performance for its price range. The Intel Celeron N5100 processor, while not the fastest on the market, provides adequate power for basic music production tasks. The 32GB RAM is a standout feature, ensuring smooth operation and multitasking, which is crucial for handling music software and multiple tracks. The 1TB SSD offers ample storage space and fast data retrieval, beneficial for storing and accessing large audio files efficiently.

The 15.6” FHD display with anti-glare coating delivers clear and vibrant visuals, useful for detailed music software interfaces and video editing. The laptop’s sleek design and lightweight build make it portable and easy to carry to different locations. Connectivity options are robust, including USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, Ethernet RJ-45, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.1, facilitating easy connections to audio interfaces and other peripherals. The battery life of up to 11 hours is impressive, ensuring extended usage without frequent charging interruptions, ideal for long music sessions.

Dolby Audio technology enhances the audio experience, although the integrated stereo speakers may not replace professional studio monitors or headphones. Despite the spill-resistant and durable design, the Intel UHD integrated graphics might limit high-end visual tasks or gaming, but it’s sufficient for music production. The inclusion of Windows 11 Pro adds security and advanced features for professional use. However, the Celeron processor may struggle with more demanding music production software compared to higher-end CPUs. This laptop is best suited for beginners or those on a tight budget looking for a reliable machine to start their music production journey.

The HP Business 17.3" Touchscreen Laptop offers significant strengths for music production, particularly for those seeking a budget-friendly option. It is powered by the Intel Core i3-N305 processor with 8 cores, which is capable of handling music production software, though it's not the fastest CPU available. The standout feature is the 32GB of high-bandwidth RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking when running multiple applications or browser tabs simultaneously. This is particularly beneficial for music production, where you might be using several software programs at once.

The storage setup is impressive; with 128GB eMMC for quick boot-ups and a 1TB SSD for ample space to store music files and projects, the laptop provides both speed and capacity. The 17.3" HD+ touchscreen display with a resolution of 1600 x 900 is large enough for detailed work, although the resolution might be slightly lower than ideal for visual clarity. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are adequate for basic tasks but might not be suitable for graphic-intensive work.

Connectivity is robust with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports including USB Type-C, ensuring fast and versatile connections with peripherals and the internet. The inclusion of Windows 11 Pro is beneficial, providing advanced features and improved productivity tools. However, the laptop's weight of 8 pounds makes it less portable. While the HP Business 17.3" Touchscreen Laptop has several strengths such as high RAM and ample storage, it may require additional investment in audio interfaces and isn't the most portable option.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong contender for a cheap laptop suitable for music production. Its standout feature is the powerful M4 chip, which ensures smooth performance even when using demanding music production software. With 16GB of unified memory, multitasking is seamless, and 256GB of SSD storage offers adequate space for music files and applications, although heavy users might need external storage or upgrades. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is vibrant and sharp, essential for detailed audio editing and visual work.

The four-speaker sound system and three-mic array are excellent for quality audio recording and playback, crucial for music production. However, the limited 3.5mm headphone jack might necessitate additional audio interfaces for more professional setups. Battery life is impressive, with up to 18 hours, making it dependable for on-the-go use without frequent recharging. Connectivity is decent with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6E, though the reliance on only two USB-C ports may require adapters or hubs for more extensive setups.

The lightweight and portable design make it easy to carry around, and the inclusion of Touch ID adds a layer of security. While its integration with Apple’s ecosystem is beneficial for iPhone users, it might require some adjustment for those accustomed to other operating systems. For an affordable music production laptop with solid performance, the 2025 MacBook Air is a compelling option, though users might need to consider additional accessories to fully meet professional audio production needs.