More choice is of course a great thing, but it also adds tons more factors to the decision-making process, some of which can easily be overlooked, leaving you with a laptop that simply doesn’t cut it for Pro Tools or music production in general.
Not to worry, though, music maker. After weeks of research, I’ve managed to make a five laptop-long shortlist of your best options when it comes to producing with Pro Tools.
Reviews of Laptops for Pro Tools
Premium Pick – 2019 Apple MacBook Pro
Arriving with 16GB RAM, the 2019 MacBook Pro is capable of running the latest iterations of Pro Tools in an efficient and seamless manner.
With an ultra-fast 1TB SSD, it also facilitates split-second load times, so you’re not waiting around when inspiration strikes.
At the heart of this music production masterpiece, we have a hyperthreaded, octa-core Intel processor, ensuring all applications run in a buttery smooth manner.
The I/O includes a thunderbolt 3 port, enabling low-latency, precision recording, reducing time spent in post fixing inaccuracies.
And finally, the screen…it’s a 16”, 3072 x 1920 beauty that displays all Pro Tools details with clarity.
Pros
- 16GB RAM – Enough for latest Pro Tools.
- 1TB SSD – Fast and spacious storage.
- Octa-Core i9 CPU – Highly efficient processor.
- 16” Display – Reduces eye strain.
- Thunderbolt 3 – Low latency recording.
Cons
- Price – You may have to remortgage your house.
- Ninth-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- AMD Radeon Pro 5500M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
Best Windows Pick – Asus ROG Strix G17
Gaming computers are, shall we say…accidentally optimized for programs like Pro Tools. Just look at the ROG G17’s specs…
We have 64GB RAM (4 times the amount we need to run the latest Pro Tools software), 2TB NVMe SSD storage for light speed file acquisition, a multithreaded octa-core Ryzen 5900HX CPU ensuring you can run multiple plugins simultaneously, and the 17.3” 1080p display takes the strain off our eyes during those long stints behind the desk.
And all of this could be yours for less than the 2019 MacBook Pro — pretty sweet, huh?
Pros
- 64GB RAM – More than enough for optimal performance.
- 2TB NVMe SSD – Lightning-fast storage.
- Ryzen 5900HX CPU – 8 cores, 16 threads = pristine multitasking.
- 17.3” Display – Easy on the eyes.
- Price – Amazing value for money.
Cons
- No Thunderbolt – USB exhibits slightly more latency.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Eight Core Processor (16MB Cache, 3.3GHz-4.6GHz) 45W
- RAM: 2X8GB DDR4 3200MHz | Hard Drive:512GB NVMe Solid State Drive
- Keyboard: Backlit Chiclet 4-Zone RGB Keyboard | Operating System: Windows 10 Home x64
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 | Display: 17.3" 144Hz IPS-Level Full HD Anti-Glare (45% NTSC) Display (1920 x 1080)
- 16GB RAM Upgrade | 3-Year CUK Limited Warranty (View warranty section below for more details.)
Best Budget Pick – ASUS VivoBook 15
With only 8GB of RAM, the Asus VivoBook isn’t suitable for the very latest versions of Pro Tools, but it’s an incredibly capable and affordable way of getting the most out of an older variant.
The 512GB SSD storage is efficient and sizable enough to store all your music files as well as any sample libraries you feel like downloading.
An Intel i5-1035G1 takes care of the heavy lifting with four cores and 8 threads, just enough to support multiple plugins and music files at once, and the 15.6” display ensures all Pro Tools menus are clear and digestible, although it’s a little dull for my tastes.
Pros
- Price – Won’t break the bank.
- 512GB NVMe SSD – Crazy big and fast storage for the price tag.
- 15.6” Screen – Good size for Pro Tools, yet portable.
Cons
- Brightness – Display’s a little dull.
- 8GB RAM – Not enough for recent Pro Tools Software.
- 15.6 inch Full HD (1920x1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with a stunning 88% screen-to-body ratio
- Latest 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU (6M Cache, up to 3.6 GHz)
- 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello
- Exclusive Ergolift design for an improved typing position
Best Display – MSI Creator 15 Professional
The screen may only measure 15.6 inches across, but that just means the condensed 4K UHD display is even more exquisite. You can stare at it for hours without picking up eye fatigue, and the ultra-thin bezels offer more screen real estate for your money.
Arriving with 32GB of RAM, it’s capable of running the latest Pro Tools at the full potential with no latency whatsoever, which means uninhibited workflows and greater productivity.
It also has 1TB of NVMe storage for snappy file retrieval and saving, a huge time saver if you’re tackling multiple projects a day.
Putting the cherry on the Pro Tools Cake, it supports Thunderbolt connectivity, so you can record music without any perceivable input lag — woo!
Pros
- 4K Display – A thing of beauty.
- Thunderbolt – Zero-latency recording.
- Hyperthreaded, Octa-Core CPU – A multitasking genius.
- 32GB RAM – Facilitates efficient Pro Tools performance.
- 1TB NVMe SSD – Speed and space for days.
Cons
- 15” Screen – Could have gone bigger considering the 4K res.
- Striking Visuals: The 15.6" 4K UHD True Pixel Display delivers true-to-life images with 100% AdobeRGB color gamut out of the box.
- Exceed Your Imagination: The 10th Gen. Intel Core i7 processor, delivers high performance with 8 cores boosting up to 5.1 GHz. Whether it's graphic design, video editing or 3D rendering, the Creator 15 brings your imagination into life.
- Purpose Built: The MSI Creator 15 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is a RTX Studio high-performance laptop that contains the world's most powerful GPU, precision engineered into an ultra-thin profile laptop.
- Creativity On the Go: With a 99.9 WHr battery, the Creator 15 supports non-stop creativity and keeps you focused on your creative workflow.
- Uncompromised Productivity: MSI's exclusive Cooler Boost Technology ensures optimal thermal dissipation. Featuring 3 fans, get up to 15% increased airflow with the new Cooler Boost Trinity+..Versatile Connections: The Creator 15 features a wide range of I/O ports, sporting a Matrix Display function for you to expand visions across multiple displays via HDMI and Thunderbolt 3.
Most Portable – LG Gram 17Z90P
If you like to hit the road with your laptop to record at friend’s houses or just do some tinkering on a train journey or flight, the LG Gram is the one for you. Weighing just under 3 lbs, it’s exceedingly light, not to mention super thin.
But that’s not to say it shirks on the essentials. On the contrary, it boasts 16GB RAM – the current Pro Tools standard – 1TB of SSD storage, Thunderbolt 4 compatibility, and the battery lasts for a whopping 19.5 hours on a single charge!
Pros
- 2.98lbs – Super portable.
- 16GB RAM – All you need for latest Pro Tools.
- 1TB SSD – Fast long-term memory.
- Thunderbolt 4 – Zero-latency peripheral communication.
- 19.5-Hour Battery – You can get things DONE in that time!
Cons
- Thermals – Gets a little hot at times.
- 17" WQXGA (2560x1600) IPS LCD, with DCI-P3 99% color expression
- Intel Evo Platform Powered by 11th generation Intel core i7-1165G7 Processor with Intel Xe Graphics delivers performance for high-resolution content creation and editing
- 16GB LPDDR4X 4266mhz RAM delivers a high level of performance for memory-intensive content creation, designing, editing, and multitasking
- Improve productivity with 1TB PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD for dependable storage accessible in a flash
- Connect with Confidence: Two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, two USB-A 3.2 ports, a full-size HDMI port, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack
Best Laptops for Pro Tools – Buyer’s Guide
There is so much other expensive gear involved in making music, it can be difficult to hone in on exactly what the computer itself needs to be capable of, which is why I’ve made this brief yet informative buyer’s guide.
Key Features for Pro Tools
RAM
RAM is a computer’s fast-access memory, and it’s essential for seamless computing, especially for media editing software such as Pro Tools or Photoshop.
When you don’t have enough RAM, your computer will be sluggish and unresponsive, which, needless to say, is not conducive to a good workflow.
CPU
The CPU is the brains of your computer. It’s made up of multiple cores that are sometimes split into sets of two threads.
There’s no need to worry too much about how they work; it’s far too complicated to cover here. All you need to know is that generally speaking, more cores and threads make for a quicker CPU.
SSD Storage
You can think of storage as your laptop’s long-term memory, while RAM is its short-term memory.
You’re better off with large capacity storage to hold all your music files, but capacity isn’t strictly what’s important in this scenario.
What is important is the speed at which your DAW can access the storage to load and save music files. As such, you should be looking for a laptop with SSD storage rather than HDD storage.
Display
Graphics aren’t at all important when it comes to music production software, but a large screen and crisp lines absolutely are.
Music production completely devours time, most of which you’ll spend staring into your laptop’s display, so anything a screen can do to make things easier on your eyes is well worth the price hike.
I’d suggest the following specs as minimum display requirements:
- Resolution – 1080p (1920 x 1080), or 1440p if you can stretch your budget.
- Brightness – 400 nits, but once again, more is better.
- Dimensions – 15” (13 is doable, but your eyes will suffer).
Pro Tools Main System Requirements
Now let’s check out the required specs a laptop needs in order to run Pro Tools.
Mac
Operating System
The latest iterations of Pro Tools require a Mac to have either Catalina or Big Sur OS.
Processor
The new M1 processors from Apple are amazing, so any of those will be fine, but if a laptop has an Intel CPU, it needs to be an i5 or better.
RAM
You can get by on the latest Pro Tools with 16GB of RAM, but ideally, for a really smooth ride, you should go for something to the tune of 32GB or more.
Disk Space
Okay, so Avid says you need a minimum of 15GB disk space to install Pro Tools, but when it comes to storage, the more the merrier, especially as Mac OS updates usually hog a lot of your memory.
Ports
You don’t necessarily need ports to run Pro Tools, but you will need a USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt port to connect up your mixer or recording interface to the laptop.
Windows
Operating System
The latest versions of Pro Tools needs Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise to run.
Processor
Anything i5 or above is ideal for running Pro Tools, but I say that with emphasis on “above”. The faster your processor is, the more fluidly Pro Tools will run.
If you want to use Pro Tools Ultimate, you’ll need an i9 or Xeon CPU, or better yet, something from AMD.
RAM
You’ll need a minimum of 16GB of RAM for the latest Pro Tools software, but if you can afford more, I highly recommend it — we’re talking 32GB +.
Disk Space
Same as the Mac, you’ll need at least 15GB of storage space, but as you’re going to be stacking up music files left and right, you’ll appreciate a larger storage capacity.
Ports
Ditto on this count too. Some sort of peripheral port is essential for hooking up your recording and mixing equipment to your laptop.
Apple vs Windows
Macs are incredibly expensive, and Apple makes them difficult to fix and upgrade, so they’re not exactly futureproof. However, they are hardy machines. I’ve had mine for about 7 years now, and besides a few small problems with storage space, it’s still going strong.
I’d recommend a Mac if you’re…
- Looking for a dedicated music production system.
- After top-notch cybersecurity and privacy.
- The owner of a healthy bank account.
Laptops that run Windows OS are typically more affordable than Macs while offering more in terms of RAM and storage space. They’re also easier to fix and upgrade, but they’re not always built quite as well as Macs.
I’d recommend a Windows laptop if you’re…
- Looking for an all-rounder that can act as a music, work, and game station.
- Not that fussed about cybersecurity (you can always purchase aftermarket security software).
- Looking for the best bang for your buck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we go our separate ways and you begin or continue your production career, let’s run over some FAQs, just to make sure you get all the info you need.
What should I look for in a laptop for Pro Tools?
The main things you should be looking for in a laptop to optimize Pro Tools are high RAM capacity and speed, a powerful CPU with fast single and multi-core performance, fast SSD storage, and a big, beautiful display.
Can you use Pro Tools on an HP laptop?
Yes, as long as it covers the system requirements, you can absolutely run Pro Tools on an HP laptop.
Is Pro Tools better on Mac or Windows?
Pro Tools doesn’t have a native OS, so it doesn’t prefer one operating system over another. The things that do affect Pro Tools are the RAM, storage type, and CPU of a computer.
Which is better, Pro Tools or Logic?
Pro Tools is considered the Industry DAW of choice for its deep features, while Logic is beloved for its user-friendly interface and single-fee price. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.
Is 16GB RAM enough for Pro Tools?
16GB RAM is the minimum requirement for the latest few versions of Pro Tools, so I’m happy to report that, yes, it’s enough.
Final Thoughts
If I had the money to pick out a new laptop for my studio right here, right now, I’d definitely choose the 2019 Apple MacBook Pro; however, the Asus ROG Strix G17 is a lot more computer for slightly less money, which is tempting to say the least.
Due to budgetary restrictions, I know those two aren’t a realistic option for everyone, which is why I wanted to shine a light on the wonderful ASUS VivoBook 15.
Alternatively, if you’re something of a wandering soul, the LG Gram 17Z90P won’t weigh you down, and if you have sensitive eyes, let the MSI Creator 15 ease their burden and improve your productivity.
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