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

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.

The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop is a decent choice for those looking to engage in music production on a budget. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, providing sharp visuals and vibrant colors, which is great for viewing software interfaces. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U quad-core processor paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM facilitates smooth multitasking and handling of music production software, though it may struggle with very intensive tasks.

The 128GB NVMe SSD ensures fast boot times and quick access to files, though the storage capacity might be limiting if you work with large audio files or extensive sample libraries, requiring external storage solutions. The laptop supports Wi-Fi 6, ensuring stable and fast internet connectivity for cloud-based music production tools and software updates. The absence of a backlit keyboard might be a drawback for those working in low-light conditions. Battery life is impressive at around 11 hours, enabling long sessions without needing to recharge frequently.

The 3.92-pound weight and slim design make it portable and easy to carry around. However, the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics are not particularly geared towards high-end graphics work, but this should not be a significant issue for music production tasks. The inclusion of multiple ports, including USB Type-C, HDMI, and a headphone/speaker jack, ensures compatibility with various audio interfaces and peripherals. This laptop is a solid, budget-friendly option that covers the essential needs for music production, though users may need to consider additional storage solutions.

The HP Stream 14" offers an affordable option with some strong points for basic music production tasks. Its 16GB of RAM is excellent for running multiple music apps or plugins smoothly, which is often a bottleneck in budget laptops. Storage combines a 128GB eMMC drive with an additional 160GB from a docking station, providing decent space for projects, though the eMMC storage is slower than standard SSDs. The Intel Celeron N4120 processor is an entry-level chip with four cores, suitable for light multitasking but may struggle with heavy audio processing or large sessions.

The laptop’s display is HD (1366x768), which is fine for general use but lacks the resolution and color accuracy that some music producers might prefer for detailed editing. Battery life is solid at around 11 hours, supporting longer work sessions on the go. Connectivity includes USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone/mic combo jack, enabling connection to external audio interfaces or MIDI controllers, though the absence of a dedicated high-quality audio interface is a limitation for serious sound work.

Windows 11 S mode may restrict installing some specialized software unless switched to the full version. This laptop is best suited for beginners or those on a tight budget who need a capable machine for basic music production, while more demanding producers might find the processor and storage speed limiting as their work grows more complex.