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The best laptops for FL studio
FL Studio crashing again?
Don’t worry, it’s a common problem for a lot of users. While FL Studio is considered one of the best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) on the market today, it is a fairly heavy program.
This doesn’t mean you necessarily need the most powerful computers on the market to run the program. However, it having a good laptop that can fulfill the needs of the FL Studio program can make the process much more efficient.
Unexpected pauses and breaks can hinder the creative process. So, waiting for samples to import, plugins to load, or dealing with latency may make it harder for musicians to create the music they want.
And since there are so many laptops on the market today, finding the right option for FL Studio production can be pretty tough. But we’re here to help you out.
In this list, we’ll be going through some of the best laptops on the market that can handle FL Studio and provide you with the user experience you need to create beats and songs that snap.
Best overall
Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip
Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip
If you have experience with Apple computers and want to try out FL Studio, this Macbook is the best option for you. While it may be on the costly side of things, it still offers some of the best functionality on the market.
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We kick off our list with our favorite model on the market. When it comes to music production many producers in the industry use Macbooks. This is because they are lightweight, offer a very smooth workflow, and have high-quality displays.
This 2020 Macbook Pro may be more than a year old, but it does offer great functionality. It comes with the Apple M1 Chip, which is one of the strongest processors in the Apple collection. Additionally, it’s lightweight and portable, making it ideal for producers on the go.
With that said, it’s important to note that the functionality of FL Studio on a Macbook can vary. The jury is mixed on this as there are some producers who say FL Studio works best on a Mac while others say that the program works best on Windows.
But if you’re already used to Apple computers and the way their interface works, then this is the best option if you plan on getting into FL Studio. It’s fast, lightweight, and offers some of the most premium features on the market today.
Best affordable
Acer Aspire 5 Ryzen 3 3350U W11 Laptop
Acer Aspire 5 Ryzen 3 3350U W11 Laptop
This laptop offers the best bang for the buck on the market today. While it’s very affordable, it comes with just the right specs and features to allow you to run FL Studio as smoothly as possible without busting the bank.
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You don’t have to bust the bank for a laptop that can handle FL Studio. The beauty of this program is that you don’t need the best laptops to run them. But if you’re shopping on a tight budget, this Acer Aspire 5 could just be the right model for you.
The Acer Aspire series has been one of the most reliable and affordable laptop collections in recent years. So, while you won’t have to spend too much on this laptop, you still get premium features like a Ryzen 3 Processor and 4GB of RAM.
These aren’t necessarily the best specs on the market. However, for the price, they offer a lot of value. And if you only plan on using synth-based plugins and don’t need to record live instruments, this laptop will work just fine.
On top of that, it comes with a clear display and a backlit keyboard that can make the laptop much easier for you to use. And if security is a major concern of yours, this laptop has a fingerprint scanner to ensure that only you can open the laptop.
Best lightweight
ASUS VivoBook 15 Laptop
ASUS VivoBook 15 Laptop
If you plan on moving around with your laptop, this option is a great pick. This laptop is lightweight, offers great specs, and even has a beautiful screen that makes it much easier to produce music using FL Studio.
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Not all producers work at a studio. Some people may want to head outside with their headphones and start the process in a new environment. Additionally, there are some musicians who use FL Studio during live performances.
If this is how you use the program, then you need a lightweight laptop. Considering the fact that you’re probably going to bring additional music gear with you along with the laptop, you don’t want to weight that much.
That’s why we chose to feature the ASUS Vivobook 15. This is part of the new ultra-book archetype of laptops that offer top-tier specs in a lightweight and efficient package.
With this model, you get an Intel i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a fairly large screen to view the program. Again, you may not be able to record that many live instruments at a time with this model. However, the 8GB of RAM should be enough for single-instrument recordings.
Additionally, it features the ergo-lift design to put your hands in just the right position for typing and using the keyboard. That way, you don’t stress out your wrists while typing or using the keyboard shortcuts on FL Studio.
Best anti-glare
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
This laptop is best for people who plan on producing their music outside. Because of the anti-glare technology on the screen, you will be able to see your program regardless of the lighting conditions, making it easier to put yourself in just the right creative space.
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If you plan on producing music in different spaces, you need a good screen. For example, if you don’t have a good screen and decide to do a production session outdoors, you might find that the sun barres you from viewing the screen.
But with this laptop, the screen has built-in anti-glare technology. So, whether you’re outside or inside during your production session, you can clearly see the screen and all your parameters. This gives you much more flexibility, which is what some people need to kick off the creative process.
This laptop comes with Intel i3 processors and 8GB of RAM. So, underneath the hood, the laptop has just about all the specs you’ll need from a high-quality computer for music production.
Granted, you may not be able to play multiple instruments at a time without experiencing some latency, but the laptop will still get the job done. And considering its price point, it’s about expected that this laptop might not be as strong as some of teh premium options on the market.
Best premium
ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 Laptop
ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 Laptop
This laptop is best for serious music producers looking to invest in a high-quality laptop. It has a bunch of cool features along with top-of-the-line specs which will last you a very long time coming.
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Investing in fancy equipment isn’t a sure-fire way of garnering success as an artist. However, there’s no arguing that top-quality equipment does make it easier for musicians to utilize the full extent of their talent. So, if you’re ready to invest in yourself as a producer, you may want to consider this ASUS ZenBook.
While ASUS is largely known as a great brand for budget laptops, their products pack an intense punch. To start, this laptop has a touchscreen. And If you’ve ever used FL Studio before, you know that it would be much easier if you could set the parameters with a touchscreen.
Additionally, this laptop features the ScreenPad Plus. This is a technology designed to enhance users’ ability to multitask. That way, you can easily have FL Studio open along with a bunch of relevant programs or tabs to make the process easier.
On top of that, this laptop runs on Intel’s i7 CPU and features 8GB of RAM. So, when it comes to handling the computing tasks required of FL Studio, this computer can do the job exceptionally well.
With this model, you won’t have to worry about lag or latency. And while it may be one of the more expensive models on the market, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Best under $1000
HP 15 Pavilion Laptop
HP 15 Pavilion Laptop
We found that this laptop performs the best compared to other models under $1,000. It was a huge surprise to find that these laptops had all these premium specs, and this is one of the main reasons we chose them for this list.
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A lot of the time, customers have to shop in the sub-$2,000 range to find a top-of-the-line laptop. However, there are tons of laptops you can find under $1,000 that can compete with more expensive models. A great example of this is the HP Pavilion 15, which we found to be the best FL Studio laptop for under $1,000.
Let’s take a look under the hood before anything else. This model features an 11th gen Intel i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM. For FL Studio, these are some of the most important specs to consider, and the HP Pavilion 15 offers specs that can compete with much more expensive models on the market.
On top of that, this laptop also comes with a 512GB SSD. This gives you a fair amount of storage. However, the main perk of this feature is that FL Studio will run much faster when paired with an SSD.
Additionally, this laptop has a long battery life and can last up to 8 hours. So, if you’re a producer on the go, this laptop can do more than enough to handle the task.
And if you plan on playing some games here and there, this laptop comes with a great graphics processor. That way, you get to do a whole lot more than just produce music when using this laptop.
Best multi-purpose
MSI GF63 Thin Gaming Laptop
MSI GF63 Thin Gaming Laptop
If you want an all-around workhorse that’s lightweight, this laptop is a great option. This MSI computer is ultra-thin but packs a punch with some of the best specs in its price range.
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Not all producers are just music producers. And when investing in a laptop, you may as well invest in a gadget that can handle multiple tasks. That way, you can edit videos, photos, do word processing, and even play your favorite games all on one device.
If this is the type of laptop you need for your studio, then this MSI model is the right one for you. Don’t be fooled by its size, this laptop is a fully-powered gaming laptop. So, you can expect it to handle just about any task with relative ease.
For example, with its i5 Processor and 8GB of RAM, you have more than enough power to run FL Studio and just about any game out there.
It would have been better to see an i7 or at least a Ryzen 7 processor on this computer considering the price tag. But since it’s such a thin laptop that’s easy to carry around and lightweight, this is a very small sacrifice to make.
All in all, we couldn’t find much to complain about with this laptop. When it came down to FL Studio, it did the job exceptionally well and we were also able to use it for a bunch of other heavy tasks.
Best under $500
HP 14-inch Touchscreen Laptop
HP 14-inch Touchscreen Laptop
This is our most-recommended pick for anyone shopping on a budget. This is because while it’s available at a very affordable price, this is without a doubt a powerful laptop. So, you will be able to handle FL Studio just fine without worrying about busting the bank.
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If you’re on an even tighter budget, there are still tons of laptops on the market you can use for FL Studio. And one of our favorites under $500 today is this HP Touchscreen Laptop.
Unlike other laptop/tablet hybrids, this HP laptop is 14’’, so you have a fairly large screen to view the FL Studio playlist or mixer. On top of that, this laptop has the Ryzen 3 Processor and 8GB of RAM, which is more than enough to handle FL.
With that said, you might not be able to handle some of the heavier VSTs on the market. But if you plan on just using Fl Studio’s built-in plugins, then this laptop should handle the task just fine.
Another thing to note is that you might experience a bit of latency when recording live instruments. While this is a strong laptop, it may not be on par with some of the heavier-duty models today.
Best for gaming & FL studio
ASUS ROG Strix G15 Gaming Laptop
ASUS ROG Strix G15 Gaming Laptop
This laptop is an all-around workhorse. While this is one of the more expensive models on the market, you get all your money’s worth when you choose to get one of these for yourself.
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One thing you may have noticed about FL Studio’s interface is that it’s very similar to some game designs. That’s why FL Studio is also an attractive DAW for people with gaming experience. And if you want a laptop for gaming and to produce music, this is the ideal pick for you.
This comes from the lauded ASUS ROG Series, so you know it handles the task very well. It has a Ryzen 9 processor and 16 GB of RAM. That means running FL Studio with zero latency even when recording live instruments will be a breeze with this computer.
In fact, this computer has more than enough power to handle some of the heaviest games on the market today. And since this is a modern laptop, it’s also very lightweight for its specs, so portability shouldn’t be a problem.
Another cool feature of this laptop is how it keeps itself cool. Since it uses an advanced ASUS Cooling System, you don’t have to worry about overheating, even when running multiple plugins or programs.
Best fast laptop
Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop
Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop
If you want a speedy and modern laptop, this is the right option for you. The Dell Inspiron 15 is a very fast laptop with all the specs you need to effectively run FL Studio with no latency or crashing. If you’re a musician looking to produce your own music, this could be just the right pick for you.
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If you have heavy workloads and need to meet deadlines with your music, you need a fast laptop. That way, you can load project files, record sounds, import files, and export your tracks faster. You also won’t have to worry about losing inspiration or the feeling you were aiming for because a plugin or program took too long to load.
The reason this Dell Laptop works so well is it’s Ryzen 5 Processor and 16 GB RAM. While it uses a standard HDD, you get a terabyte of storage, which is more than enough to handle scores of FL project files.
Additionally, the large 15.6’’ screen is a touchscreen. This can make it much easier to dial in exact parameters in your compression, EQ, and other effects. On top of that, this is a very thin and functional laptop, which offers one of the best user experiences on the market.
What to look for in a good laptop for FL studio
FL Studio is currently one of the most popular DAWs for new and professional producers alike. The smooth user interface and wide range of built-in plugins make it a favorite for a lot of producers and the program itself offers a lot of versatility.
FL Studio has been around since 1997, and in that time, the team has introduced scores of major upgrades to improve the user experience. But with these upgrades came higher minimum requirements for laptops to be able to run the program.
So, when you’re shopping for a laptop for music production, you have to make sure it has the right specs to meet the needs of the DAW.
In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the key features that any laptop for FL Studio absolutely needs.
Processor & RAM
The brain of your computer is the processor. And since FL Studio requires computers to process a lot of data in a short amount of time, you need a strong processor.
With that said, FL Studio isn’t as demanding as programs like Blender or AutoDesk. However, you still need a fair amount of power if you want to run the program with as little latency as possible.
So, if you’re getting a laptop for FL Studio, we recommend getting one with at least an Intel i5 or i7 processor. FL Studio runs fine on Intel i3, but you may face some significant latency issues.
Another alternative is looking at AMD’s Ryzen series. If you choose this option, we recommend a Ryzen 5 laptop or higher.
In the same line of thinking, you need a lot of RAM to reduce latency. For FL Studio, we recommend getting a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM. But if possible, you can upgrade to a model with 8GB of RAM for an even smoother workflow.
Hard drives
Another thing to consider is the size of your hard drive. When you use FL Studio for recording live instruments, each of the samples you record is saved as a .wav file. Additionally, the FL Studio project files can also take up a fair amount of space, which is why it’s recommended to get laptops with a large hard drive.
Or, at the very least, have an external hard drive that you can use to save your files if ever you end up running out of space on your laptop.
With that said, you don’t necessarily need an SSD for FL Studio. But if you have an SSD, you’ll find that the program will run and load much faster. This can increase your work rate, which is a huge plus for many producers.
Screen size
FL Studio requires you to jump between different screens. You can view the playlist, patterns, piano roll, mixers, and even the parameters of specific plugins. So, you need a fairly large screen for you to be able to view all of these things clearly.
So, with that in mind, we recommend larger screens for FL Studio. This makes it easier to jump between different functions and screens, which can drastically improve your workflow. You can even opt to purchase a secondary monitor to allow even more flexibility.
Operating system
Lastly, you need to consider the operating system. FL Studio runs well on both Windows and Apple Operating Systems. With that said, most people recommend using Windows if you plan on producing with FL Studio.
This is because Windows allows a more flexible workflow, especially with FL Studio.
With that said, there are also many people who prefer producing with Mac computers. However, regardless of your choice, make sure to choose laptops with operating systems that can handle FL Studio, that way, you won’t run into any functionality issues.
FAQ
Do I need a good laptop for FL Studio?
You don’t need a top-of-the-line laptop for FL Studio. However, if you use entry-level laptops, you might find the program runs slowly with a lot of latency. For this reason, most producers recommend investing in a decent laptop with a good processor and a lot of RAM for FL Studio to run as smoothly as possible. With that said, some producers had their starts on slower computers, as you can still produce music with them, it’s just that the process won’t be as smooth and seamless.
Does FL Studio use a lot of power?
FL Studio requires a fair amount of computing power. With that said, most DAWs use less power than other programs such as 3D Graphics Processing Software. So, while you may need a decent laptop to get FL Studio to run smoothly, FL Studio isn’t as heavy as some other applications for creators on the market today.
Is 4GB of RAM enough for FL Studio?
Yes, 4GB of RAM is more than enough for FL Studio. This is best if you plan on using synths and MIDI controllers. However, if you plan on recording live instruments, you may want to consider switching to a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM for less latency and a smoother overall process.
Final verdict
If you’re on the hunt for a laptop to run FL Studio, any one of these picks will do the job. But regardless of the option you choose, make sure to take your own needs and musical goals into account. That way, you can figure out what kind of features and specs you need to make it easier for you to reach your goals.
Remember, it’s not about the gear, it’s about the musician. So, while it might be easier to run FL Studio when you have a computer with the right specs, don’t forget to take your time to learn the concepts and fundamentals. That way you, really utilize your laptop’s full potential.
