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 Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop offers a powerful setup for those seeking a budget-friendly option for music production. The AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor is robust, with 8 cores and a high turbo frequency, providing ample processing power for running music production software. With 40GB of RAM, multitasking will be smooth, allowing you to run multiple applications and browser tabs without performance drops. The 1TB SSD ensures fast boot times and quick data transfers, which is crucial for accessing and saving large audio files efficiently.

The 15.6” FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 is decent for visual tasks, though not specifically geared towards color accuracy or high-end graphical needs. The laptop includes a range of ports, including USB 3.2 Type-C, HDMI, and a headphone/microphone combo, which can be useful for connecting various audio interfaces and peripherals. At 3.64 pounds and a thickness of 0.78 inches, the build is portable enough for on-the-go production. However, the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics may not be ideal for those who also plan to use the laptop for graphically demanding tasks like video editing or gaming.

The Windows 11 Pro operating system provides useful features for productivity and collaboration but may come with a learning curve if you are used to older versions of Windows. The Lenovo V-Series V15 is a strong contender in the budget category for music production, offering substantial RAM and storage, a powerful processor, and adequate portability. Potential drawbacks include the integrated graphics, which should be weighed based on your specific needs and usage scenarios.