Apple laptops have long been the go to choice for musicians, DJs and producers. Their stability, audio performance, and integration with popular DAWs make them ideal for music creation. But choosing which MacBook is best for music production can be daunting with Apple Silicon chips, different screen sizes, and confusing memory and storage options.
This guide will help you cut through the noise so you can pick the perfect MacBook and focus on what matters most: making music.
Consider Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Not all DAWs demand the same resources. Before buying, think about what software you use now and what you might upgrade to. Below you will find the minimum system requirements for the most popular DAWs.
DAW Minimum system Requirements
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Logic Pro – macOS 14.4 or later , 72GB storage
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Ableton Live 12 – Big Sur or later, Apple Silicon or Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 76GB storage
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Pro Tools – Ventura 13.7 or higher, Apple Silicon or Intel i5, 16GB RAM
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GarageBand – Apple Silicon or Intel dual-core, 8GB RAM
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Cubase – Ventura/Sonoma/Sequoia, Apple Silicon or Intel i5 (2018 or newer), 8GB RAM, 80GB storage (full list)
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Adobe Audition – Ventura/Monterey, 8GB RAM, 8GB storage
From left to right: Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Garage Band, Abobe Audition and Cubase
OUR REAL-WORLD HARDWARE RECOMMENDATIONS
You might be thinking: “Great, I can run my DAW on almost any Mac.” And that’s true most DAWs will run on the minimum specs. But if you want a smooth workflow, consistent reliability, and a frustration free experience every time you open a project, you will need a MacBook with more power. The minimum specifications should be used as a guide for what you should avoid. Running Ableton Live 12 on a 13-inch MacBook Air with a 1.8 GHz i5, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of storage technically meets the minimum requirements, but the performance may be less than ideal. Here’s what we recommend for a better experience:
Minimum (Entry-Level Setup)
Chip: Apple Silicon M1 Pro (10-core)
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB
Why these recommended specs?
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16GB RAM is enough for most users and will keep everything running smoothly.
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512GB storage is enough for your DAW, plugins and samples. If you need any more space you can use an external storage drive, for them larger projects.
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Apple’s M1 Pro chip has good performance and will be suitable for most users. This will have far better performance compared to the Intel series chips and the base M1 found in the Macbook Air M1 and MacBook Pro 13-inch M1.
Recommended (Sweet Spot for Producers)
Chip: Apple Silicon M2 Pro or M3 Pro
Memory: 32GB RAM (or higher)
Storage: 1TB (sample libraries, plug-ins, project backups)
Why these recommended specs?
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32GB RAM keeps large sessions running smoothly without dropouts.
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1TB storage ensures you won’t run out of space quickly after installing plug-ins and sound packs.
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Apple’s M2 Pro chip has great performance for the cost.
High usage (high level user)
Chip: Apple Silicon M3 Pro or M4 Pro
Memory: 64GB RAM (or higher)
Storage: 2TB (or higher)
Why these recommended specs?
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64GB RAM or higher will keep you projects running smoothly, you will be about to throw anything at this and it will keep on going.
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2TB or higher is for the high level producers, you will have ample amounts of storage for your vast music library.
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Apple’s M3 and M4 Pro chips stand out as upgrades on the M1 and M2 Pro chips with better overall performance.
If you would like to read more into performance and compare processor scores then check out our MacBook Pro buyers guide, here.
MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air for Music Production
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Can you run DAWs on a MacBook Air with Apple Silicon?”
The short answer is yes, but with some caveats.
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MacBook Air 13-inch or 15-inch (M2 / M3 / M4): Perfect for beginners, hobbyists, with light GarageBand sessions. It handles simple projects well, but its limited ports and weaker cooling system can cause performance throttling once you start running larger sessions with lots of plug-ins and instruments.
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MacBook Pro 14-inch or 16-inch (M2 / M3 / M4): The better choice for serious music production. You’ll get more ports (HDMI, Thunderbolt, SD card slot), faster sustained performance and superior cooling, making it reliable for long recording or mixing sessions. You also have the upgraded Pro processors as standard which are better suited for music production.
If you’re just starting out, a MacBook Air can work. If you’re producing professionally or working on complex projects, the MacBook Pro is the way to go.
Other Things to Consider
External Display Connectivity
One often-overlooked but important factor is external display support. Many music producers prefer the MacBook Pro because it combines portability with the ability to connect to multiple displays in a home studio making it far easier to produce music across larger screens.
By comparison, the MacBook Air (M2 and M3 models) is limited to just one external display, while the MacBook Air M4 supports up to two external displays.
MacBook Pro external display support:
14-inch and 16-inch M1 Pro – Up to 2 external displays (6016 × 3384 @ 60Hz)
14-inch and 16-inch M2 Pro – Up to 2 external displays (6K @ 60Hz over Thunderbolt) or 1 display (4K @ 240Hz via HDMI)
14-inch and 16-inch M3 Pro – Up to 2 external displays (6K @ 60Hz over Thunderbolt) or 1 display (8K @ 60Hz)
14-inch and 16-inch M4 Pro – Up to 2 external displays (6K @ 60Hz over Thunderbolt) or 1 display (8K @ 60Hz)
If you require more than two displays, the Max chips provide expanded external display support. If you would like to read more into performance and compare processor scores then check out our MacBook Pro buyers guide, here.
Screen Size
Screen size is another key factor for music production. A larger display allows you to view more channels and arrange your project more comfortably. A 14-inch MacBook Pro is portable, but if you need more workspace, the 16-inch model is often the better choice for large projects that need that extra screen size.
The Best MacBook Pro Models for Music Production
Based on value, performance and future-proofing here are our top picks for you to consider:
(Skip the Max chips unless you are an extreme user that need the highest levels of performance or will utilise the improved graphical performance)
Now that you have a clearer idea of which MacBook suits your level of music production, why not explore our range of refurbished MacBooks? All of our models are refurbished to the highest standard and include a 1-year hardware warranty for added peace of mind.
If you have any questions, or would like help choosing the best option for your setup, feel free to call us on 0208 819 3244 or email info@hoxtonmacs.co.uk we’re always happy to help.
FAQ
How much storage do I need for DAWs, plug-ins, and sample libraries?
At least 512GB is recommended. Serious producers should choose 1TB or 2TB, especially if they use large sample packs, orchestral libraries, or multi-track projects. You can also store your data on a external drive if you need more storage in the future.
Do I need a lot of ports for music production?
Most producers use audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, external drives, and displays. MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models include more Thunderbolt ports and a HDMI port this makes them a better choice for professional studio setups.
Is 8GB RAM enough for music production?
Only for very basic use. 8GB can run a DAW, but you will quickly run into performance bottlenecks, especially with plug-ins, muliple virtual instruments or larger sessions.
