When it comes to music production, nothing can beat Ableton, especially when you’re a beginner. However, there are several important details that you should know about before you start using it. First and foremost, you need to make sure your laptop will support all the features of the software you’re using. Thus, you must have one of the best laptops for Ableton music production devices, if you want to be efficient in your work.
Ableton has two mainstream products, which include the Ableton Live software and the Ableton Push hardware device, which comes in handy for music production. You will need a device that can handle both if you want a reliable laptop for music production.
For example, if your laptop doesn’t have enough memory or processor speed, it simply won’t work with Ableton and will prevent you from completing your projects on time. If this happens, don’t worry. Thus, in this guide, we will discuss the best laptops for Ableton that you can get in order to produce some bomb music.
5 Best Laptops for Ableton
Apple Macbook Pro
Apple’s MacBook Pro line has always been associated with music and entertainment, thanks to its tight integration with Logic Pro software. Though you can use any Mac running OS X as a MIDI controller, it’s hard to beat MacBook Pros as a production machine.
With 3 USB ports and two Thunderbolt ports, there’s plenty of room for other instruments like drum pads or extra synths (or just plugging in more storage). Plus, you can also connect it to a monitor to work with music on a bigger screen.
Plus, Apple supplies GarageBand software free of charge; so you can start making music right out of the box. The only drawback is the price—you can buy a Dell laptop with similar specs but still have money left over, instead. However, you’re paying for quality, and that comes at a cost. If you want something reliable and top-of-the-line, get an Apple laptop.
It comes with two different screen size options; plus, it offers multiple configuration choices as well. Thus, you can get the device configured according to your needs and requirements. However, as a beginner in music production, you can get a model with 16GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and an intel core i7 processor. However, If you are a professional, you can ramp up the configurations by paying some extra money.
Additionally, you will also get top-to-the-line battery life with Macbook pro; thus, long working hours are something that this device can handle without an issue. It features a battery life of approximately 14 hours which is quite decent for working. Thus, if you are looking for a professionally graded device for music production, Macbook Pro is a fantastic option to consider.
Dell XPS 15
We Recommend Dell XPS 15, which is an amazing laptop to invest in. This is one of our top picks because it offers a powerhouse Intel Core i7 processor (2.3 GHz), 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD that all help create an ideal computing environment for running complex software such as music production programs like Ableton Live 10.
With 512GB of built-in storage and a capable graphics card, Dell XPS 15 makes it easy to travel with your laptop because you won’t need to cart around as many additional accessories. It features a 15-inch display with a bezel-free design allowing you to utilize all the screen space that you might need.
Plus, it also comes with a pretty decent battery life allowing you to work for around 13 hours without taking a charging break which is impressive for professionals. Moreover, the laptop comes with multiple connectivity options; however, you might not get an HDMI port, which is disappointing for some people.
The laptop has a disappointing webcam quality; however, that might not be of a lot of use to you when it comes to music production. Additionally, the laptop does come with a pretty comfortable keyboard and a relatively large and responsive touchpad; thus, typing is an efficient job for this device.
The device will not disappoint you in any way; thus, you can always decide to invest in it if you are looking for one of the best laptops for Ableton music production software.
Asus Zenbook UX303
The UX303 is hands down one of our favorite laptops for music production. It’s light, thin, and has a battery that lasts all day (even when using music production software!). If you have deep pockets, we highly recommend getting it with an SSD. If not, make sure to save up—it’s worth it. The UX303 is hands down one of the best options that come with an affordable price tag.
The laptop weighs around 3 pounds, which is relatively lightweight, making it easy for you to carry it around. However, if it does not have a very eye-catching look, the laptop is still pretty durable, featuring a sturdy aluminum body.
You will also get quite an adequate battery life of 8 hours, which is not top-notch but will still provide you with a decent time to work. The display is pretty bright and vibrant as well, but if you are someone big on aesthetics, the device does feature relatively thick bezels, which many people don’t prefer.
The laptop also features some appreciable configurations that will allow you to run most of the software without any lag. You will get an Intel core i5 processor, along with a 128GB SSD and 8 GB RAM. Thus, you will get a smooth performance if you don’t overload your device.
Lenovo Yoga 900
Talk about portability, performance, and reliability in a single product. This laptop is perfect for producers who want to take their music on the go. It has two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support docking stations and external hard drives, so you can turn your laptop into a powerhouse workstation.
Plus, its 2-in-1 design lets you use it as a tablet if you want to go completely mobile. The laptop is also super lightweight weighing only around 2.8 pounds which is impressive. Thus, if you are always on the go, you can keep it with you without an issue. Moreover, the battery life is pretty adequate as well, giving you around 8 hours to work efficiently.
Moreover, the laptop also has a decent amount of connectivity ports; thus, you can connect multiple devices with it. However, it might be lacking an HDMI port which might appear disappointing to some people. The display quality is also decent, and the screen is pretty responsive. But the bezels are relatively thick for a lot of people’s liking.
When it comes to configurations, Yoga 900 makes sure that you don’t miss out on anything. You will get a powerful intel core i7 processor along with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD, allowing you to have a smooth powerful performance. Due to these configurations, the laptop runs smoothly without overheating, which is pretty appreciable.
One downside of the device is its downward-facing speakers. The speakers lack bass, which some music producers will find disappointing. But since most people use headphones, it might not appear as that big of an issue. Therefore, if you want to buy one of the best laptops for Ableton music production, keep Lenovo Yoga 900 on your list.
HP ZBook x2
The HP ZBook x2 is an incredibly versatile laptop that can not only function as a high-end music production workstation but also as a mobile studio. It’s a powerhouse of a machine that includes 3 USB 3.0 ports and 2 Thunderbolt ports, along with 32GB RAM and 8th gen Intel i7 processors.
If you plan on using your laptop to run Ableton, it’s hard to beat what you get with the HP ZBook x2. However, if you want a lighter machine that still packs a punch, consider the Surface Pro 6 or Surface Book 2. It also features an HDMI port; thus, you can attach a separate display or any other device with it.
The laptop is a convertible device; thus, you can use it as a tablet as well as a laptop, whenever you want. The laptop screen is pretty vibrant and responsive as well; therefore, working on it appears pretty smooth. However, if you prioritize portability, that’s something that this laptop doesn’t exactly provide, as it weighs around 4.78 pounds.
But when it comes to configurations, this laptop will not let you down for the most part. You will get Intel core i7 processor along with a battery life of 10 hours, which is impressive. The laptop might cost you a decent amount of money, but the performance remains efficient.
Moreover, it also comes with different screen size options, which means you can choose according to your requirements. Not only for music production. But the laptop is also great for art students and other artists due to the satisfactory touchscreen quality. Thus, if you are interested in getting a laptop, the ZBook x2 is a worthy option to consider.
FAQs
What is Ableton Live?
Ableton Live is an application with a lot of potentials to help you make all kinds of music. It includes several useful tools and effects. To use Ableton Live on your laptop, you will need a high-quality laptop that is fast enough to keep up with running Live and doing music-related tasks.
There are many options available today, so it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. This guide will help answer any questions you have about what kind of laptop might work best for Ableton Live production.
What to look for when buying a laptop for Ableton?
There are multiple things that you should consider before investing your money into a device. But there are a couple of mandatory questions that you should ask when buying a laptop. A good place to start would be by asking yourself a few simple questions:
- What do we want my laptop to do?
- How much are we willing to spend?
- What kind of performance do we need from my laptop?
- Do you want something lightweight and portable or something more heavy-duty?
For most people, price is probably going to be one of the biggest factors in deciding which laptop they should buy—after all, there are plenty of laptops out there that cost thousands of dollars each.
Are MACs good for Ableton?
MACs are an amazing option for music production and live performance because they are generally easier to use than PCs, less vulnerable to malware, and can be more cost-effective in some cases.
Additionally, Macs have great proprietary software like Logic Pro (DAW) or Garageband that is especially useful when making electronic music. However, MACs are not necessarily superior to PCs; instead, it depends on your specific needs. If you need a machine that can do everything, get a PC because it will most likely be able to run almost any program you throw at it.
Can my laptop run Ableton?
Running Live from a Mac is easy—no question. A PC can also handle Live with relative ease, but you’ll need to make sure your machine packs a punch. Recommended specs for Live include 2GB of RAM and a multi-core processor; 4GB or more of RAM and at least one core are preferable.
But keep in mind that gigabytes will do your computer no good if you don’t have enough cores to handle real-time audio processing. You’ll also want an external hard drive to store all of your samples, projects, and songs. Your laptop’s internal storage won’t cut it—trust us.
Conclusion
If you’re just getting started with music production, an older laptop may work fine, but it’s always better to get a new device if you can. However, if your laptop is fairly new and you don’t intend to do more than record a few tracks at home, then go ahead and stick with what you have.
If your old laptop has been acting up lately and it’s well past its prime, it might be time to think about buying something newer. When shopping around for a new computer, check out the options that we have given above to understand the kind of options that you have.
Remember that while certain brands are considered better than others when it comes to laptops, there isn’t one right answer when it comes to choosing a machine—it all depends on your needs.
Add a Comment