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 music production, especially if you want a lightweight and highly portable laptop. It features a powerful 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified RAM, which means it can handle multi-track recording and audio editing smoothly without lag. With 512GB of SSD storage, you have decent space for your projects and sample libraries, though larger collections might require external drives. The laptop's Liquid Retina display offers crisp visuals that help when managing complex music software interfaces.

Audio-wise, it’s well-equipped with a four-speaker system supporting Spatial Audio for immersive sound, plus a three-mic array with advanced noise reduction, which is great for recording vocals or instruments directly. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones is a plus for serious audio monitoring. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 18 hours, so you can work long sessions unplugged. Connectivity options include two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6E, enabling fast data transfers and connections to external audio interfaces or monitors.

This MacBook Air may not fit the "cheap laptop" label perfectly due to its premium pricing, which could be a drawback if budget is tight. It has only two Thunderbolt ports, so you might need a hub for additional peripherals. Also, while the integrated graphics and hardware are excellent, there’s no dedicated audio interface built-in, so an external audio interface is still necessary for professional recording. This MacBook Air delivers solid performance, great build quality, and excellent audio features, making it ideal for music producers valuing portability and reliability, though it may stretch the budget for those strictly seeking the cheapest option.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip offers impressive performance for its price range, making it a strong contender for music production beginners and hobbyists. Its 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory provide smooth multitasking and quick handling of audio software, which is essential when working on music projects. The 256GB SSD offers decent storage, though those with large music libraries or multiple sample packs might need external drives. The laptop’s audio system is a standout with four speakers supporting Spatial Audio and a three-mic array that ensures clear sound capture, both useful for recording vocals or instruments. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers sharp visuals and accurate colors, which can help when editing tracks or working with music apps that use visual waveforms.

Battery life is excellent, providing up to 18 hours, which means you can work on your music for long periods without being tethered to an outlet. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack supporting high-impedance headphones, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, offering reliable and fast connections to audio interfaces and other devices. However, the storage might feel limited to more serious music producers, and the integrated graphics are not tailored for intensive audio-visual projects but should suffice for typical music production tasks.

The MacBook Air’s lightweight design and seamless integration with other Apple devices add convenience for those already in the Apple ecosystem. Though it’s not the cheapest laptop on the market, its combination of speed, sound quality, portability, and battery life makes it a solid choice for musicians starting out or working on the go.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip brings impressive power and portability, making it an attractive option for music production on a budget. It has a strong 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified RAM, which means it can handle most music software and multitasking smoothly without slowing down. The 256GB SSD is decent for storing projects but might feel a bit tight if you work with large sample libraries or multiple projects, so you may need external storage. Its audio setup stands out with a high-quality four-speaker system, Spatial Audio, and a three-mic array, providing clear sound and recording capabilities, which is great for both producing and conferencing.

The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers vivid colors and sharp text, helpful for detailed editing in digital audio workstations. Battery life is excellent, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can create music for long sessions without worrying about charging. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, covering most needs for connecting audio interfaces and peripherals. However, the laptop has only two USB-C ports, which might require adapters if you use multiple devices simultaneously.

Though it is not the cheapest laptop available, this MacBook Air balances performance, portability, and sound quality very well, making it a strong choice for musicians who want a reliable, all-around machine without stepping into the higher-priced pro laptop range.