Best Macbook Pro For Music Production 2012

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Best Macbook Pro For Music Production 2012

Youtube Music For Macbook Pro
Macbook Air For Music Production
Best Macbook Pro For Music Production 2012 Free
For the music producer, Apple's new Macbook Pro 2016, requires quite a bit of upfront investment.
The first thing I wondered when I saw the Macbook Pro being introduced is how am I going to plug in my Cubase dongle? Let alone the many other audio hardware a typical music producer owns – from audio interfaces, MIDI controllers to drum pads & DJ controllers.
Nov 21, 2019 The best MacBook Pro deals online right now; Need more convincing? These are the best laptops for music production; Add one of the best audio interfaces to your computer music set-up; iPad Pro vs MacBook Pro: which should you buy for music-making? One model stands out above all the others as a genuine MacBook-killer: the Dell XPS. This isn't true. Mine is 2012 bootcamped on windows 7 and it has a i7 processor and goes up to 3.6ghz and is pretty usable for music production. The later macbook pros are actually slower with shittier graphic cards and processors, believe it or not. I'm asked often about the specs of my Apple Mac computers in the studio, working with Logic Pro X and other audio apps. Here's a rundown of my Mid 2010 iMac.
The Macbook Pro has been stripped off all traditional USB ports USB-C ports instead.
Well to use the latest Macbook Pro for music production, you'll have to invest in about $250 of dongles & special cables.
The New Macbook Pro For Music ProductionThe new MacBook Pro 2016

How will the new MacBook pro do for music production? It's lighter, thinner and it comes with a nice new ‘touch bar'. The MagSafe power connector is gone, which is a shame really as it was a useful safety feature, so your Macbook does not fly off the stage if someone happens to trip over the power cable.
You can still use traditional USB2.0 & USB3.0 devices with USB-C
I don't know what type of musician or producer you are, but you're bound to have some controller or audio device that connects to your computer via USB. How to connect your USB devices like audio interfaces and controllers to the Macbook Pro then?
The good news is you can buy a USB-C to USB 3.0 cable, which would work with USB2.0 devices as well. But this means changing all the cables you have in your studio, which can get pretty costly.
Another alternative is to buy a dongle like the USB-C Hub to USB-A, for all your connection needs.
It does not end there. Those dongles are needed to connect your audio devices. What if you take pictures as well or have an audio recorder like the Zoom H6 that uses SD cards? Well, another SD card USB-C card reader dongle for you.
You plan to connect your Macbook Pro to an external monitor in your studio? Yup, another USB-C to VGA adapter for you unless you're waiting for the said new LG monitors that will be built with Macbook Pros in mind.
This might not be a deal breaker for many music producers, but I don't like the idea of carrying so many different dongles. They get broken quickly and worse, you're bound to forget a dongle and mistakenly leave it behind when you travel.
What about the new 'Touch Bar' for music production? 
Since Apple developed Logic Pro X, we would think some kind of Touch Bar feature will be built for it. But it seems like while every creative app, like Final Cut X, Numbers & Pages got updated with Touchbar support, Logic Pro X did not.
I must say, the Touchbar feature looks amazing and cool. There are so many features that I could think off, would be really cool on the Touchbar. For example, imagine using the Touchbar as a transport bar, MIDI controller or a mixing control surface to mute/solo or perhaps tweak some pan pots.
Touchbar seems like a nice feature for the music producer, but do you really need it? I figured using a touch screen to control the knobs and faders on a DAW would be much more intuitive than trying to fiddle on a thin Touchbar strip.
The new Macbook Pro can only have max 16GB RAM
Only max of 16GB RAM on the new MacBook Pro 2016. Good enough for music production?As a music producer, producing with lots of VSTs and effects through the years, you probably know how important RAM is for your setup. Mac photos adobe premiere.
Before you throw hate on Apple, understand that the Macbook Pro is a laptop. It is designed to be small and portable. If you're looking for super serious production work, it's best to get a desktop unit or something like the iMac 27.
The reason why the Macbook Pro only limits up to max 16GB of RAM is possibly to make up for its higher battery life. Free editing software no watermark pc. Some users also noted that the MacBook Pro is using an LPDDR3 RAM which uses more power as compared to DDR4, in which surprisingly Apple did not put in.
Movist pro 2 2 1 2. However that being said, it's still possible to do serious production work on a Macbook Pro. The SSD speeds on the MacBook Pro will aid with any heavy audio recording or processing in the studio or on the roads.
It also has a bumped up battery life to 10 hours between charges, so producing music on the road will be a breeze.
 How to update safari on macbook air. Isn't the MacBook Pro a little expensive? 
MacBook Pro are expensive for starters in music productionThe standard 13-inch MacBook Pro (without the Touchbar) starts at $1499 instead of the previous pricing of $1299. And this model is without the TouchBar, which in my opinion, kind of defeats the purpose of upgrading to the new MacBook Pro. Besides, the entry Macbook Pro also comes with only 2 USB-C ports which is quite a deal breaker for music producers.
I used to recommend fellow music producers who wanted a Macbook Pro, to go for the base 15-inch model as it comes with higher disk space and also with a maxed out 16GB RAM. It wouldn't be worth the price difference if you were to get the 13-inch model and upgrade the disk space and RAM.
However, the new MacBook Pro 15-inch model now starts at $2300 and even higher for people in Europe at €2799 (which is reported to be a 50% increase in price from the last pricing).
Even though Apple is a company that prides on their higher priced products, the price increase this round has caused lots of grumbles. Many users are talking about going back to run on a refurbished 2015 unit instead of getting the new Macbook Pro 2016.
Switch To Windows For Music Production?Mac used to be the computer you want to get if you are into music production. But that isn't the case anymore these days. There is no reason why you can't produce great music on a Windows based computer system.
In fact, I'm using both the Mac and Windows for music production. The ONLY complaint I probably have for a Windows machine is the absence of a robust audio driver like CoreAudio on a Mac.
There is also a few great reasons why you would consider the switch to a Windows machine. Again, I'm not biased and this is not a Windows to Mac debate, but it's cheaper to start off your music production journey on a Windows machine. You get more power for the price you pay for in most Windows based machine.
Some MacBook Pro alternatives for music production
Here are some great laptops you can consider if you're in for the switch to Windows. The laptops recommended here are near the Macbook Pro in terms of portability and battery life.
1 – Dell XPS 13″ (Kaby Lake)
Coming with a new 7th generation processor, this is one of the best MacBook Pro alternatives you can find for music production. The Dell XPS is super portable, and it also comes with an excellent battery life, said to last up to 14 hours on web browsing – better than a Macbook Pro.
The laptop also comes with touch display, which can be used to control your DAW. For $1399, the highest model, you get an i7 CPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a beautiful 3200 x 1800 touch display.
2 – Microsoft Surface Book i7
If you're into full portability, consider the Surface Book i7. The Surface is easily mistaken as a tablet PC with touch display but is in fact pretty powerful for music production.
The Surface more towards a mid-range to a high-end computer but you get lots of performance while it being extremely portable as well with 12 hours of battery life. At $2699, you get an i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and also a NVIDIA graphic card.
The Surface wouldn't be a great choice if you're into high graphic work, but for music production, the touch display and the performance it comes pack with are superb.
3 – ASUS GL552VW
This laptop packs lots of power at the expense of having less battery life. It's a gaming laptop but a good choice for music production as well.
It comes packed with an i7 processor and RAM upgradable up to 32GB, and this laptop is a powerhouse when it comes to processing and recording audio. Another thing to note is that it comes with an SSD and also a 1TB mechanical hard disk. This means you can put your system files on the SSD and your samples on the mechanical hard disk.
The cons to the ASUS GL552VW ROG is sadly that ASUS shipped many laptops that had graphic driver issues. I suspect it's a hardware issue, but there is no solid answer. Just make sure you test the laptop thoroughly to check for any fault when you receive it.
4 – Microsoft Surface Studio
Not a portable computer but it definitely caught the eye of many creative professionals. It looks near to an iMac, but it's more than just a regular computer.
The Surface comes with 28″ touch display, giving you lots of display screen real estate. The 4500 x 3000 Pixelsense display also gives you true colors, which would be amazing for design – showing you the actual colors. Upgradable up to 32GB RAM and has plenty of ports of all your audio hardware, it also comes pack with lots of CPU power with a
What really makes the Surface studio shine, is the Surface dial. It's a new accessory that works with the Surface studio by just placing it on the display.
Imagine the things you could do with the Surface dial, from drawing in automations, using it as a fader and more. We don't know the possibilities that it can do for now, but pretty sure more support for it will be launched soon.
Your Turn – Thoughts For The New MacBook Pro for Music Production?What do you think about the new MacBook Pro and how will it fit into your studio?
Let us know in the comment section below. Will you stick to Apple and buy the MacBook Pro or is it time to look for an alternative?
Drop Your Comments Here
Your computer is one of the most important pieces of hardware you'll need if you want to get into music production. Desktop computers are great investments for your home recording studio, but laptops provide more portability if you ever need to hit the road while working on a project or if you constantly perform live.
It goes without saying that if you're going to get a laptop, you'll need to go all out and get a reliable one that comes with all the necessary specs that meet your workflow requirements. After all, its quality will affect your performance and efficiency as a music producer.
To help all you budding music producers or sound engineers with your buying decisions, we've compiled a list of the best laptops for music production—read on to see which ones made the cut.
8 Best Laptops for Music ProductionApple Macbook Pro 15.4' (Mid 2015)Adorama Price:
When it comes to music production, Macbooks have been known to dominate the market—and this laptop is no exception. From memory to storage, the Macbook Pro 15 provides everything you need to produce music. It's virtually a plug-and-play laptop that works with almost any audio interface, MIDI controller, and digital audio workstation (DAW). And speaking of DAW, it already has the beginner-friendly Garageband preinstalled to help you get started on producing music or podcasts right away.
This most basic version already comes with a 2.2GHz quad core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage, which is good enough for most music production applications. If you have the money to upgrade, you can go with models that have a faster processor (either the 2.5GHz or 2.8GHz) or bigger storage space (512GB or 1TB). Of course, if you want the biggest and fastest, you can get the Macbook Pro 15 () with the 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 and 1TB SSD storage.
You can of course opt for the more recent models like the MacBook Pro 15.4' with Touch Bar () that came out in late 2016, which has roughly the same specs. However, it may not be the most convenient choice due to the fact that it has fewer ports—and when working with music production equipment, you're definitely going to need a few of those.
 Key Specs: Processor: 2.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (up to 3.4GHz Turbo Boost)
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 256GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Pro
Display: 15.4in LED-Backlit with IPS (Retina Display)
Native Resolution: 2880 x 1800
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 2 / 2x USB 3.0 (up to 5Gbps) / 1x HDMI
Operating System: MacOS High Sierra
Battery Life: Up to 8 Hours
Apple Macbook Pro 13' with Touch Bar (2017)Adorama Price:
As we've already established, Macbooks are widely considered to be standard laptops for music production. This Macbook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar is somewhat more expensive, mainly because of the added touch bar feature. However, if your top requirements for a laptop are portability and convenience, this may be a better option than the first MacBook we mentioned.
Music producers who are constantly on the go will usually need something a bit lighter (not everyone needs 15 inches of screen) and thinner, and this model is less than 1 centimeter thick and weighs just a little over three pounds—1.5 pounds lighter than its 15-inch, touch bar-less counterpart. It has a dual-core Intel Core i7 3.5GHz processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, which should give you more than enough space and just the right processing power for producing and storing music.
This Macbook Pro also comes with Garageband, so you're also killing two birds with one stone. If your budget is a bit more flexible, you can get the Macbook Pro 13' with Touch Bar () to enjoy 1TB storage capacity for all your music.
 Key Specs: Processor: 3.5GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 (Up to 4GHz Turbo Boost)
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
Display: 13.3in LED-Backlit with IPS (Retina Display)
Native Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2
Ports: 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C)
Operating System: MacOS Sierra
Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
Dell Alienware 15 R3Adorama Price:
Laptops from Dell's Alienware series are designed for hardcore gaming, but for music production, its specs list definitely fits the bill. The Alienware 15 R3 in particular offers 16GB of RAM (with a maximum capacity of up to 32GB) and at least 1TB HDD of storage, giving you more than enough extra space for your sample libraries and tracks. As a Dell laptop, it also features a superior cooling system to greatly reduce the operating temperature when using intense applications.
Moreover, the Alienware 15 provides all the ports you need for connecting your external hardware. You can also choose to go with the Dell Alienware 15 with 1.5TB () to enjoy a slightly faster processing speed of 2.9GHz and additional 512GB SSD storage.
 Key Specs: Processor: 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7-7700HQ (up to 3.8GHz Max Turbo)
Memory: 16GB RAM (32GB Max. Upgrade)
Storage: 1TB Drive
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
Display: 15.6in LCD with IPS
Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Wi-Fi: Dual-Band 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1
Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 3 / 1x USB 3.0 Type-C / 2x USB 3.0 Type-A / 1x Docking Port
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Lenovo Ideapad Y700 17.3'Adorama Price:
The Lenovo Ideapad Y700 is much more affordably priced, but it doesn't fall short in terms functionality and performance. It's equipped with a pretty decent 8GB RAM for standard music production and a large 1TB HDD storage that can accommodate your heavier samples and tracks.
If you're looking for a laptop with a bigger display (compared to the 15-inch model), the Lenovo Ideapad Y700 has a 17-inch full HD screen for better viewing. Despite being less than $1000, this budget-friendly laptop definitely delivers optimal performance for your basic music production needs.
 Key Specs: Processor: i5 Intel Core Skylake 14nm 6th Gen (up to 3.2GHz Max Turbo)
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 1TB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
Display: 17.3in IPS LCD with LED Backlight (Anti-Glare)
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC (Wireless LAN)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 2x USB 3.0 / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x HDMI
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Battery Life: Up to 4.5 Hours
Microsoft Surface Pro 4Youtube Music For Macbook ProAdorama Price:
Touchscreen computers are becoming a popular option for on-the-go music production. The Surface Pro is possibly the best, most versatile laptop-tablet hybrid that you can use on stage, as its 12.3-inch PixelTouch display provides more dynamic use of the computer, compared to a laptop with a trackpad and keyboard.
The all-touch capability enables you to access your apps during live sets quickly and easily, making it a great alternative to analog DJ stations. One more thing we love about the Surface Pro 4 is that its bright and sharp display is great for low light situations, such as clubs and enclosed concert spaces. It also has an impressive battery life (it can last up to 9 hours while watching videos) despite its thin and lightweight body.
 Key Specs: Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core m3
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 128GB SSD
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
Display: 12.3in PixelTouch (with 10-point Multi-Touch)
Resolution: 2736 x 1824
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: 4.0
Ports: 1x USB 3.0 / 1x Mini DisplayPort
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Battery Life: Up to 9 Hours
Apple Macbook Air 13.3' (2017)Adorama Price:
Macbook Air For Music ProductionThe 2017 13.3-inch Macbook Air is ideal for music producers who want a reliable computer but prefer an even thinner and lighter device to work with. Fortunately, the lack of bulk means the Air comes at a slightly lower price than the Pro.
It's the perfect mix of sophistication, performance, and portability. It has the latest dual-core i5 processor with Turbo Boost of up to 2.9GHz, as well as 8GB RAM, which are just enough for you to start making tunes. Surprisingly, it also includes enough ports for at least your audio interface, MIDI controller, and monitor—a definite plus for those who are worried about the Mac not having enough ports.
If you have a bit more cash to spare, you can get the same Macbook Air 13.3' () model with the more powerful 2.2GHz i7 Dual-Core processor.
 Key Specs: Processor: 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 (up to 2.9GHz Turbo Boost)
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: Intel HD 6000
Display: 13.3in LED-Backlit
Native Resolution: 1440 x 900
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 2x USB 3.0 / 1x Thunderbolt 2.0 USB
Operating System: MacOS Sierra
Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5'Adorama Price:
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is perfect for big, high-resource recording productions. Its powerful quad-core Intel Core i7 processor has a maximum turbo boost of 4.2GHz and 16GB memory enable music producers to run intensive audio recording operations smoothly.
Best Macbook Pro For Music Production 2012 FreeIts SD card slot and three USB ports are perfectly compatible with most audio interfaces, plus it has a detachable touchscreen monitor that can provide convenience for audio recording applications and other activities that don't require the use of the bulky keyboard bottom.
https://truepfil328.weebly.com/2014-macbook-pro-fortnite.html. Should you need the extra space for all your tracks, you can upgrade to the Microsoft Surface Book 2 15' ($3,195) with 1TB storage.
 Key Specs: Processor: 8th Gen Quad-Core Intel Core i7-8650U (up to 4.2GHz Max Turbo)
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
Display: 13.5in PixelSense (with 10-point Multi-Touch)
Resolution: 3000 x 2000
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC Compatible
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1
Ports: 2x USB 3.1 Type-A / 1x USB 3.1 Type-C / 2x Surface Connect Ports
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro Creators Update
Battery Life: Up to 17 Hours
5 Important Laptop Specs for Music ProductionThere's no point in spending money on the most expensive laptops if they don't even have the specifications and features you need to be able to efficiently use them for your desired applications. Computer specifications may seem confusing, especially if you've never purchased a laptop for intensive applications, but you'll only really have to check the following:
ProcessorThe computer's processor is one of the most important specs to consider for any user who needs a workhorse that can run smoothly and fast even while using several heavy applications at once. When choosing a laptop for music production, check the number of cores its processor has. Four cores are pretty standard with laptops, but if you want something lighter and more compact, you may have to settle for a dual-core processor.
Another thing to consider is clock speed. For music production, it's best to go with something within the 2.4 to 4.2GHz range. Again, you may have to go a little slower than that if you want a light and portable machine.
RAMNobody wants to deal with slow and glitchy programs—it can disrupt your workflow and may even affect the quality of your final product. To ensure that this doesn't happen, make sure to get a laptop that has enough Random-Access Memory or RAM. Music production requires at least 8GB of RAM to enable you to work smoothly without any issues, but 16GB would be ideal.
Storage CapacityWorking with audio files will require you to have a lot of storage space. Before purchasing your laptop, decide whether you want one that has plenty of built-in storage space, or if you want to simply use an external hard drive to store all your files. Apple macbook ios versions.
If you do want to store most of your files on the laptop itself, go for at least 1TB of storage. https://herejfiles887.weebly.com/vu-software-free-download.html.
You may also want to consider SSD vs. HDD when it comes to your laptop's built-in storage. SSD reads and writes data much faster, but it's definitely more expensive (per GB) than HDD. You can also go with a combination of both, similar to the storage setup on the Dell Alienware 15 R3.
PortsMusic production involves the use of several equipment, including microphones, instruments, control surfaces, audio interfaces, and more. With that in mind, one of the most important things to consider is whether a laptop has enough ports to create a seamless and efficient music production setup.
Of course, you can always purchase a USB hub—if you have one, the number of ports on your laptop may not matter as much. However, if you require a more portable setup, keep in mind that this is another added item to your gear list.
Screen SizeFinally, consider the screen size of the laptop you want to get. If you're monitoring more than 10 tracks, then you're obviously going to want a bigger screen. This specification is mostly a matter of preference or convenience, as anyone can easily work with whatever screen size they feel comfortable with.

How will the new MacBook pro do for music production? It's lighter, thinner and it comes with a nice new ‘touch bar'. The MagSafe power connector is gone, which is a shame really as it was a useful safety feature, so your Macbook does not fly off the stage if someone happens to trip over the power cable.
You can still use traditional USB2.0 & USB3.0 devices with USB-C
I don't know what type of musician or producer you are, but you're bound to have some controller or audio device that connects to your computer via USB. How to connect your USB devices like audio interfaces and controllers to the Macbook Pro then?
The good news is you can buy a USB-C to USB 3.0 cable, which would work with USB2.0 devices as well. But this means changing all the cables you have in your studio, which can get pretty costly.
Another alternative is to buy a dongle like the USB-C Hub to USB-A, for all your connection needs.
It does not end there. Those dongles are needed to connect your audio devices. What if you take pictures as well or have an audio recorder like the Zoom H6 that uses SD cards? Well, another SD card USB-C card reader dongle for you.
You plan to connect your Macbook Pro to an external monitor in your studio? Yup, another USB-C to VGA adapter for you unless you're waiting for the said new LG monitors that will be built with Macbook Pros in mind.
This might not be a deal breaker for many music producers, but I don't like the idea of carrying so many different dongles. They get broken quickly and worse, you're bound to forget a dongle and mistakenly leave it behind when you travel.
What about the new 'Touch Bar' for music production? 
Since Apple developed Logic Pro X, we would think some kind of Touch Bar feature will be built for it. But it seems like while every creative app, like Final Cut X, Numbers & Pages got updated with Touchbar support, Logic Pro X did not.
I must say, the Touchbar feature looks amazing and cool. There are so many features that I could think off, would be really cool on the Touchbar. For example, imagine using the Touchbar as a transport bar, MIDI controller or a mixing control surface to mute/solo or perhaps tweak some pan pots.
Touchbar seems like a nice feature for the music producer, but do you really need it? I figured using a touch screen to control the knobs and faders on a DAW would be much more intuitive than trying to fiddle on a thin Touchbar strip.
The new Macbook Pro can only have max 16GB RAM
Only max of 16GB RAM on the new MacBook Pro 2016. Good enough for music production?As a music producer, producing with lots of VSTs and effects through the years, you probably know how important RAM is for your setup. Mac photos adobe premiere.
Before you throw hate on Apple, understand that the Macbook Pro is a laptop. It is designed to be small and portable. If you're looking for super serious production work, it's best to get a desktop unit or something like the iMac 27.
The reason why the Macbook Pro only limits up to max 16GB of RAM is possibly to make up for its higher battery life. Free editing software no watermark pc. Some users also noted that the MacBook Pro is using an LPDDR3 RAM which uses more power as compared to DDR4, in which surprisingly Apple did not put in.
Movist pro 2 2 1 2. However that being said, it's still possible to do serious production work on a Macbook Pro. The SSD speeds on the MacBook Pro will aid with any heavy audio recording or processing in the studio or on the roads.
It also has a bumped up battery life to 10 hours between charges, so producing music on the road will be a breeze.
 How to update safari on macbook air. Isn't the MacBook Pro a little expensive? 
MacBook Pro are expensive for starters in music productionThe standard 13-inch MacBook Pro (without the Touchbar) starts at $1499 instead of the previous pricing of $1299. And this model is without the TouchBar, which in my opinion, kind of defeats the purpose of upgrading to the new MacBook Pro. Besides, the entry Macbook Pro also comes with only 2 USB-C ports which is quite a deal breaker for music producers.
I used to recommend fellow music producers who wanted a Macbook Pro, to go for the base 15-inch model as it comes with higher disk space and also with a maxed out 16GB RAM. It wouldn't be worth the price difference if you were to get the 13-inch model and upgrade the disk space and RAM.
However, the new MacBook Pro 15-inch model now starts at $2300 and even higher for people in Europe at €2799 (which is reported to be a 50% increase in price from the last pricing).
Even though Apple is a company that prides on their higher priced products, the price increase this round has caused lots of grumbles. Many users are talking about going back to run on a refurbished 2015 unit instead of getting the new Macbook Pro 2016.
Switch To Windows For Music Production?Mac used to be the computer you want to get if you are into music production. But that isn't the case anymore these days. There is no reason why you can't produce great music on a Windows based computer system.
In fact, I'm using both the Mac and Windows for music production. The ONLY complaint I probably have for a Windows machine is the absence of a robust audio driver like CoreAudio on a Mac.
There is also a few great reasons why you would consider the switch to a Windows machine. Again, I'm not biased and this is not a Windows to Mac debate, but it's cheaper to start off your music production journey on a Windows machine. You get more power for the price you pay for in most Windows based machine.
Some MacBook Pro alternatives for music production
Here are some great laptops you can consider if you're in for the switch to Windows. The laptops recommended here are near the Macbook Pro in terms of portability and battery life.
1 – Dell XPS 13″ (Kaby Lake)
Coming with a new 7th generation processor, this is one of the best MacBook Pro alternatives you can find for music production. The Dell XPS is super portable, and it also comes with an excellent battery life, said to last up to 14 hours on web browsing – better than a Macbook Pro.
The laptop also comes with touch display, which can be used to control your DAW. For $1399, the highest model, you get an i7 CPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a beautiful 3200 x 1800 touch display.
2 – Microsoft Surface Book i7
If you're into full portability, consider the Surface Book i7. The Surface is easily mistaken as a tablet PC with touch display but is in fact pretty powerful for music production.
The Surface more towards a mid-range to a high-end computer but you get lots of performance while it being extremely portable as well with 12 hours of battery life. At $2699, you get an i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and also a NVIDIA graphic card.
The Surface wouldn't be a great choice if you're into high graphic work, but for music production, the touch display and the performance it comes pack with are superb.
3 – ASUS GL552VW
This laptop packs lots of power at the expense of having less battery life. It's a gaming laptop but a good choice for music production as well.
It comes packed with an i7 processor and RAM upgradable up to 32GB, and this laptop is a powerhouse when it comes to processing and recording audio. Another thing to note is that it comes with an SSD and also a 1TB mechanical hard disk. This means you can put your system files on the SSD and your samples on the mechanical hard disk.
The cons to the ASUS GL552VW ROG is sadly that ASUS shipped many laptops that had graphic driver issues. I suspect it's a hardware issue, but there is no solid answer. Just make sure you test the laptop thoroughly to check for any fault when you receive it.
4 – Microsoft Surface Studio
Not a portable computer but it definitely caught the eye of many creative professionals. It looks near to an iMac, but it's more than just a regular computer.
The Surface comes with 28″ touch display, giving you lots of display screen real estate. The 4500 x 3000 Pixelsense display also gives you true colors, which would be amazing for design – showing you the actual colors. Upgradable up to 32GB RAM and has plenty of ports of all your audio hardware, it also comes pack with lots of CPU power with a
What really makes the Surface studio shine, is the Surface dial. It's a new accessory that works with the Surface studio by just placing it on the display.
Imagine the things you could do with the Surface dial, from drawing in automations, using it as a fader and more. We don't know the possibilities that it can do for now, but pretty sure more support for it will be launched soon.
Your Turn – Thoughts For The New MacBook Pro for Music Production?What do you think about the new MacBook Pro and how will it fit into your studio?
Let us know in the comment section below. Will you stick to Apple and buy the MacBook Pro or is it time to look for an alternative?
Drop Your Comments Here
Your computer is one of the most important pieces of hardware you'll need if you want to get into music production. Desktop computers are great investments for your home recording studio, but laptops provide more portability if you ever need to hit the road while working on a project or if you constantly perform live.
It goes without saying that if you're going to get a laptop, you'll need to go all out and get a reliable one that comes with all the necessary specs that meet your workflow requirements. After all, its quality will affect your performance and efficiency as a music producer.
To help all you budding music producers or sound engineers with your buying decisions, we've compiled a list of the best laptops for music production—read on to see which ones made the cut.
8 Best Laptops for Music ProductionApple Macbook Pro 15.4' (Mid 2015)Adorama Price:
When it comes to music production, Macbooks have been known to dominate the market—and this laptop is no exception. From memory to storage, the Macbook Pro 15 provides everything you need to produce music. It's virtually a plug-and-play laptop that works with almost any audio interface, MIDI controller, and digital audio workstation (DAW). And speaking of DAW, it already has the beginner-friendly Garageband preinstalled to help you get started on producing music or podcasts right away.
This most basic version already comes with a 2.2GHz quad core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage, which is good enough for most music production applications. If you have the money to upgrade, you can go with models that have a faster processor (either the 2.5GHz or 2.8GHz) or bigger storage space (512GB or 1TB). Of course, if you want the biggest and fastest, you can get the Macbook Pro 15 () with the 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 and 1TB SSD storage.
You can of course opt for the more recent models like the MacBook Pro 15.4' with Touch Bar () that came out in late 2016, which has roughly the same specs. However, it may not be the most convenient choice due to the fact that it has fewer ports—and when working with music production equipment, you're definitely going to need a few of those.
 Key Specs: Processor: 2.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (up to 3.4GHz Turbo Boost)
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 256GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Pro
Display: 15.4in LED-Backlit with IPS (Retina Display)
Native Resolution: 2880 x 1800
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 2 / 2x USB 3.0 (up to 5Gbps) / 1x HDMI
Operating System: MacOS High Sierra
Battery Life: Up to 8 Hours
Apple Macbook Pro 13' with Touch Bar (2017)Adorama Price:
As we've already established, Macbooks are widely considered to be standard laptops for music production. This Macbook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar is somewhat more expensive, mainly because of the added touch bar feature. However, if your top requirements for a laptop are portability and convenience, this may be a better option than the first MacBook we mentioned.
Music producers who are constantly on the go will usually need something a bit lighter (not everyone needs 15 inches of screen) and thinner, and this model is less than 1 centimeter thick and weighs just a little over three pounds—1.5 pounds lighter than its 15-inch, touch bar-less counterpart. It has a dual-core Intel Core i7 3.5GHz processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, which should give you more than enough space and just the right processing power for producing and storing music.
This Macbook Pro also comes with Garageband, so you're also killing two birds with one stone. If your budget is a bit more flexible, you can get the Macbook Pro 13' with Touch Bar () to enjoy 1TB storage capacity for all your music.
 Key Specs: Processor: 3.5GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 (Up to 4GHz Turbo Boost)
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
Display: 13.3in LED-Backlit with IPS (Retina Display)
Native Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2
Ports: 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C)
Operating System: MacOS Sierra
Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
Dell Alienware 15 R3Adorama Price:
Laptops from Dell's Alienware series are designed for hardcore gaming, but for music production, its specs list definitely fits the bill. The Alienware 15 R3 in particular offers 16GB of RAM (with a maximum capacity of up to 32GB) and at least 1TB HDD of storage, giving you more than enough extra space for your sample libraries and tracks. As a Dell laptop, it also features a superior cooling system to greatly reduce the operating temperature when using intense applications.
Moreover, the Alienware 15 provides all the ports you need for connecting your external hardware. You can also choose to go with the Dell Alienware 15 with 1.5TB () to enjoy a slightly faster processing speed of 2.9GHz and additional 512GB SSD storage.
 Key Specs: Processor: 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7-7700HQ (up to 3.8GHz Max Turbo)
Memory: 16GB RAM (32GB Max. Upgrade)
Storage: 1TB Drive
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
Display: 15.6in LCD with IPS
Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Wi-Fi: Dual-Band 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1
Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 3 / 1x USB 3.0 Type-C / 2x USB 3.0 Type-A / 1x Docking Port
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Lenovo Ideapad Y700 17.3'Adorama Price:
The Lenovo Ideapad Y700 is much more affordably priced, but it doesn't fall short in terms functionality and performance. It's equipped with a pretty decent 8GB RAM for standard music production and a large 1TB HDD storage that can accommodate your heavier samples and tracks.
If you're looking for a laptop with a bigger display (compared to the 15-inch model), the Lenovo Ideapad Y700 has a 17-inch full HD screen for better viewing. Despite being less than $1000, this budget-friendly laptop definitely delivers optimal performance for your basic music production needs.
 Key Specs: Processor: i5 Intel Core Skylake 14nm 6th Gen (up to 3.2GHz Max Turbo)
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 1TB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
Display: 17.3in IPS LCD with LED Backlight (Anti-Glare)
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC (Wireless LAN)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 2x USB 3.0 / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x HDMI
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Battery Life: Up to 4.5 Hours
Microsoft Surface Pro 4Youtube Music For Macbook ProAdorama Price:
Touchscreen computers are becoming a popular option for on-the-go music production. The Surface Pro is possibly the best, most versatile laptop-tablet hybrid that you can use on stage, as its 12.3-inch PixelTouch display provides more dynamic use of the computer, compared to a laptop with a trackpad and keyboard.
The all-touch capability enables you to access your apps during live sets quickly and easily, making it a great alternative to analog DJ stations. One more thing we love about the Surface Pro 4 is that its bright and sharp display is great for low light situations, such as clubs and enclosed concert spaces. It also has an impressive battery life (it can last up to 9 hours while watching videos) despite its thin and lightweight body.
 Key Specs: Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core m3
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 128GB SSD
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
Display: 12.3in PixelTouch (with 10-point Multi-Touch)
Resolution: 2736 x 1824
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: 4.0
Ports: 1x USB 3.0 / 1x Mini DisplayPort
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Battery Life: Up to 9 Hours
Apple Macbook Air 13.3' (2017)Adorama Price:
Macbook Air For Music ProductionThe 2017 13.3-inch Macbook Air is ideal for music producers who want a reliable computer but prefer an even thinner and lighter device to work with. Fortunately, the lack of bulk means the Air comes at a slightly lower price than the Pro.
It's the perfect mix of sophistication, performance, and portability. It has the latest dual-core i5 processor with Turbo Boost of up to 2.9GHz, as well as 8GB RAM, which are just enough for you to start making tunes. Surprisingly, it also includes enough ports for at least your audio interface, MIDI controller, and monitor—a definite plus for those who are worried about the Mac not having enough ports.
If you have a bit more cash to spare, you can get the same Macbook Air 13.3' () model with the more powerful 2.2GHz i7 Dual-Core processor.
 Key Specs: Processor: 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 (up to 2.9GHz Turbo Boost)
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: Intel HD 6000
Display: 13.3in LED-Backlit
Native Resolution: 1440 x 900
Wi-Fi: 802.11AC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: 2x USB 3.0 / 1x Thunderbolt 2.0 USB
Operating System: MacOS Sierra
Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5'Adorama Price:
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is perfect for big, high-resource recording productions. Its powerful quad-core Intel Core i7 processor has a maximum turbo boost of 4.2GHz and 16GB memory enable music producers to run intensive audio recording operations smoothly.
Best Macbook Pro For Music Production 2012 FreeIts SD card slot and three USB ports are perfectly compatible with most audio interfaces, plus it has a detachable touchscreen monitor that can provide convenience for audio recording applications and other activities that don't require the use of the bulky keyboard bottom.
https://truepfil328.weebly.com/2014-macbook-pro-fortnite.html. Should you need the extra space for all your tracks, you can upgrade to the Microsoft Surface Book 2 15' ($3,195) with 1TB storage.
 Key Specs: Processor: 8th Gen Quad-Core Intel Core i7-8650U (up to 4.2GHz Max Turbo)
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
Display: 13.5in PixelSense (with 10-point Multi-Touch)
Resolution: 3000 x 2000
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC Compatible
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1
Ports: 2x USB 3.1 Type-A / 1x USB 3.1 Type-C / 2x Surface Connect Ports
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro Creators Update
Battery Life: Up to 17 Hours
5 Important Laptop Specs for Music ProductionThere's no point in spending money on the most expensive laptops if they don't even have the specifications and features you need to be able to efficiently use them for your desired applications. Computer specifications may seem confusing, especially if you've never purchased a laptop for intensive applications, but you'll only really have to check the following:
ProcessorThe computer's processor is one of the most important specs to consider for any user who needs a workhorse that can run smoothly and fast even while using several heavy applications at once. When choosing a laptop for music production, check the number of cores its processor has. Four cores are pretty standard with laptops, but if you want something lighter and more compact, you may have to settle for a dual-core processor.
Another thing to consider is clock speed. For music production, it's best to go with something within the 2.4 to 4.2GHz range. Again, you may have to go a little slower than that if you want a light and portable machine.
RAMNobody wants to deal with slow and glitchy programs—it can disrupt your workflow and may even affect the quality of your final product. To ensure that this doesn't happen, make sure to get a laptop that has enough Random-Access Memory or RAM. Music production requires at least 8GB of RAM to enable you to work smoothly without any issues, but 16GB would be ideal.
Storage CapacityWorking with audio files will require you to have a lot of storage space. Before purchasing your laptop, decide whether you want one that has plenty of built-in storage space, or if you want to simply use an external hard drive to store all your files. Apple macbook ios versions.
If you do want to store most of your files on the laptop itself, go for at least 1TB of storage. https://herejfiles887.weebly.com/vu-software-free-download.html.
You may also want to consider SSD vs. HDD when it comes to your laptop's built-in storage. SSD reads and writes data much faster, but it's definitely more expensive (per GB) than HDD. You can also go with a combination of both, similar to the storage setup on the Dell Alienware 15 R3.
PortsMusic production involves the use of several equipment, including microphones, instruments, control surfaces, audio interfaces, and more. With that in mind, one of the most important things to consider is whether a laptop has enough ports to create a seamless and efficient music production setup.
Of course, you can always purchase a USB hub—if you have one, the number of ports on your laptop may not matter as much. However, if you require a more portable setup, keep in mind that this is another added item to your gear list.
Screen SizeFinally, consider the screen size of the laptop you want to get. If you're monitoring more than 10 tracks, then you're obviously going to want a bigger screen. This specification is mostly a matter of preference or convenience, as anyone can easily work with whatever screen size they feel comfortable with.
Keep in mind that the more complex your productions are, the better, faster, and bigger these specifications have to be. There are many choices out there that may not have been mentioned here, but hopefully our list can help narrow down your choices.