We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best MacBooks For Music Production 2025 in the United States

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Sky Blue

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,398
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life

Most important from
1714 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers blazing-fast performance, effortlessly handling multitasking and demanding applications.
Screen Size and Resolution
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright, sharp, and vibrant, enhancing both work and entertainment experiences.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts a full day, supporting extended music production sessions without frequent charging.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a strong candidate for music production thanks to its powerful 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory, which help handle demanding audio software and multitasking smoothly. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina screen offers sharp and vibrant visuals, useful if you also work with video or complex audio interfaces. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can create music on the go without needing frequent charging.

The laptop includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, giving you good options for connecting audio gear, external drives, or displays. Storage at 256GB SSD is somewhat limited, especially if you store large music libraries or sample packs, so you might need external storage. The integrated 10-core GPU is capable for everyday tasks but won’t support heavy graphics work, which is generally less crucial for music production.

The MacBook Air’s lightweight design and solid build make it very portable, and the macOS ecosystem works well with popular music apps. This MacBook Air balances power, portability, and battery life effectively, fitting the needs of musicians and producers, especially those who prioritize mobility and general performance.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,398
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life

Most important from
1714 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers blazing-fast performance, effortlessly handling multitasking and demanding applications.
Screen Size and Resolution
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright, sharp, and vibrant, enhancing both work and entertainment experiences.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts a full day, supporting extended music production sessions without frequent charging.
#2

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Sky Blue

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life

Most important from
4867 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The MacBook Air delivers impressive processing power and efficiency, smoothly handling intense multitasking and demanding applications without lag.
Screen Size and Resolution
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, enhancing the experience when editing audio waveforms or using visual plugins.
Battery Life
Battery life stands out with up to 18 hours on a single charge, perfect for long, unplugged music production sessions.
Ports and Connectivity
Connectivity through Thunderbolt 4 ports supports high-resolution external displays and accessories, though additional hubs may be needed for more extensive setups.

The 2025 MacBook Air with the new M4 chip is a strong choice for music production, especially if you value portability and battery life. Its 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory provide smooth performance for running multiple music apps and handling complex projects without slowing down.

The 256GB SSD offers fast storage but might feel tight if you work with large audio files and libraries, so pairing it with external storage could be a good idea. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers sharp and colorful visuals, which is nice when editing audio waveforms or using visual plugins, although the screen size might feel a bit small for detailed multitasking. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, letting you work unplugged for long sessions.

Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, which covers most audio interfaces and accessories, but professionals needing extra ports may require a dock. The integrated 8-core GPU is sufficient for any visual needs related to music production but not aimed at heavy graphics work. Features like the backlit keyboard and Touch ID add to comfort and security. This MacBook Air excels in speed, portability, and battery life, though the limited storage and smaller screen might require some compromises or additional accessories for serious music producers.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life

Most important from
4867 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The MacBook Air delivers impressive processing power and efficiency, smoothly handling intense multitasking and demanding applications without lag.
Screen Size and Resolution
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, enhancing the experience when editing audio waveforms or using visual plugins.
Battery Life
Battery life stands out with up to 18 hours on a single charge, perfect for long, unplugged music production sessions.
Ports and Connectivity
Connectivity through Thunderbolt 4 ports supports high-resolution external displays and accessories, though additional hubs may be needed for more extensive setups.
#3

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Sky Blue

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life

Most important from
1714 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers incredibly fast and smooth performance, making multitasking and running multiple music apps effortless.
Screen Size and Resolution
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, providing a bright and sharp workspace ideal for detailed audio editing.
Battery Life
Battery life lasts all day with ease, supporting long production sessions without needing to recharge.
Ports and Connectivity
Connectivity options cover essential music gear, though some legacy devices may require adapters.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the new M4 chip is a strong choice for music production, especially for users who value portability and a high-quality display. Its 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory provide smooth performance for running multiple music apps and plugins simultaneously, which is essential in production work. The 512GB SSD offers fast storage speeds and enough space for many projects, though power users with large sample libraries might need additional external storage. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp, making it comfortable to work long hours on detailed audio editing, though screen size is mid-range compared to some larger workstations.

Battery life is impressive, with up to 18 hours, allowing for long sessions without being tethered to power. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones, and MagSafe charging, covering most common music gear connections, though some may require adapters for legacy devices. The integrated 10-core GPU and advanced audio system with spatial audio and a quality mic array enhance media playback and recording, but the lack of a discrete graphics card is not an issue since music production relies more on CPU and RAM.

The MacBook’s synergy with other Apple devices benefits users already in the Apple ecosystem. Its relatively slim port selection might limit direct hardware hookups without dongles. This MacBook Air blends power, portability, and excellent sound features, making it well-suited for music producers who want a reliable, lightweight laptop with strong performance and great battery life.

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
Screen Size and Resolution
Battery Life

Most important from
1714 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers incredibly fast and smooth performance, making multitasking and running multiple music apps effortless.
Screen Size and Resolution
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, providing a bright and sharp workspace ideal for detailed audio editing.
Battery Life
Battery life lasts all day with ease, supporting long production sessions without needing to recharge.
Ports and Connectivity
Connectivity options cover essential music gear, though some legacy devices may require adapters.

Buying Guide for the Best MacBooks For Music Production

Choosing the right MacBook for music production involves understanding your specific needs and how different specifications can impact your workflow. Music production can be demanding on a computer, so it's important to select a MacBook that can handle the software and tasks you plan to use. Here are some key specifications to consider when making your decision.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your MacBook and is crucial for running music production software smoothly. A faster processor can handle more complex tasks and run multiple applications simultaneously without lag. Processors are typically measured in GHz and come in different cores. For basic music production, a dual-core processor might suffice, but for more intensive tasks, such as running multiple virtual instruments and effects, a quad-core or higher processor is recommended. Consider your workload and choose a processor that can keep up with your demands.
RAM (Memory)RAM is where your MacBook stores data that is actively being used or processed. More RAM allows your computer to handle more tasks at once and can significantly improve performance when working with large audio files or multiple tracks. For light music production, 8GB of RAM might be enough, but for more serious work, 16GB or more is advisable. If you plan to use a lot of virtual instruments and plugins, opting for higher RAM will ensure smoother performance.
Storage (SSD)Storage is where all your files, software, and projects are saved. An SSD (Solid State Drive) is faster and more reliable than a traditional hard drive, which means quicker boot times and faster access to your files. For music production, having ample storage is important as audio files and software can take up a lot of space. A minimum of 256GB SSD is recommended, but 512GB or more is ideal if you have a large library of samples and projects. Consider your storage needs and choose accordingly.
Screen Size and ResolutionThe screen size and resolution can affect your workflow and comfort while working on music production. A larger screen provides more space for your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) interface and can make it easier to see multiple tracks and plugins at once. MacBooks typically come in 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch models. If you prefer portability, a 13-inch model might be suitable, but for a more immersive experience, a 16-inch model with higher resolution can be beneficial. Think about where and how you will be using your MacBook and choose a screen size that fits your needs.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to use your MacBook on the go. Longer battery life means you can work on your music projects without needing to be constantly plugged in. MacBooks generally offer good battery life, but it's worth checking the specifications to ensure it meets your needs. If you often work in different locations or travel frequently, a MacBook with extended battery life will be more convenient.
Ports and ConnectivityHaving the right ports and connectivity options is essential for connecting your audio interface, MIDI controllers, and other peripherals. MacBooks come with USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, which are versatile but may require adapters for older devices. Ensure the MacBook you choose has enough ports for your setup, or consider getting a hub to expand connectivity. Think about the equipment you use and make sure the MacBook can accommodate all your connections.
Graphics Card (GPU)While the graphics card is not as critical for music production as it is for video editing or gaming, it can still play a role in the overall performance of your MacBook. A dedicated GPU can help with rendering visual elements in your DAW and improve the overall responsiveness of your system. For most music production tasks, an integrated GPU will suffice, but if you plan to do any video work or use graphically intensive plugins, a MacBook with a dedicated GPU might be worth considering.

FAQ

Most Popular Categories Right Now