Looking for a computer for music production has a lot of details & considerations. There’s so many options on the market & it can become overwhelming. There are also different computers & brands that work better depending on someone's needs, preferences, & brand loyalty - so because of that we’re not putting any of these computers in any particular order or ranking.

How To Choose Your Computer For Music Production

• Your budget – Knowing what your budget is will determine what your specs & configurations can be & it also may impact the brand you choose.
• Mac vs. PC? This is always a big topic of debate & we’re not on either side. We have people at SoundOracle.net that use both! The brand you use won’t make your beats or mixes sound any better or worse & it’s purely preference. We usually suggest sticking with what you know. If you have years of experience working with MacOs & you know the operating system very well, then we suggest not giving up all of the experience & knowledge. Same with Windows. There’s a lot of value in working with an OS that you know how to use very well. One thing to consider though is what DAW are you using. Some DAWs only work on a certain OS.
• What DAW are you using? Do you have your digital audio workstation picked out yet? If so, this may steer you towards choosing between Mac or PC. If you’re planning on using Garageband or Logic you’ll have to go with Mac since those software only work on MacOs.
• Laptop vs. Desktop – One of the biggest deciding factors for a laptop vs. desktop choice is if you’re planning on traveling or performing live a lot. If you need to be mobile, a laptop is the best route to go. If you’re planning on keeping your computer in your studio at all times, then going with a desktop might be better. The advantage of a desktop is not having to worry about having a battery heating up your computer & taking up space inside of the casing.

Our Recommendations For Tech Specs In 2021

• Processors – Quad core should be considered the bare minimum when it comes to music production, but we suggest at least a 6-core these days.
• RAM – Even a few years ago 16GB was the minimum suggestion; however, with how powerful VSTs & updates to DAWs have become, 32GB is our new recommendation, but 64GB might be soon around the corner & worth considering.
• Storage – We suggest at least 500GB of SSD storage. If you’re able to afford more then you should definitely go for more. You’re going to need it eventually with all of your VSTs & sound packs from SoundOracle.net
• Display Size - If you’re working on a laptop, you’ll want at least 13”, but you’d be surprised how much difference an extra inch or two can make when working inside your DAW. 

 Apple 16” MacBook Pro

• Up to Intel i9 8-core processor
• Up to 64GB RAM
• Up to 8TB SSD
• 16” retina display
• MacOs
• USB-C ports
• Starting at $2,399

Lots of producers, engineers, & artists swear by Mac computers & won’t use anything else. We’re not here to debate which one is better - but if you’re a fan of Mac - this 16” is a great starting point. This computer has processing power that can sustain high performance tasks for long periods of time & has excellent performance for content creation & music production. The addition of the touch bar in recent years allows for useful shortcuts & quick commands. If you’re a Logic Pro user, the touch bar will be extra handy because it turns into a mixer with faders & knobs. MacOs also has an elegant look & it’s easy to use. Not to mention that free OS upgrades for life are also a nice feature to have.

CONS

• Very hard to upgrade your specs after you purchase it.
• Starts off expensive & can get even more expensive when adding better specs.
• Lack of ports & does not have ports for USB, HDMI, SD, or ethernet.
• You will need to buy additional adapters for almost all of your gear.