Hi everyone! I want to start producing music and I'm asking for your help... is a PC or a laptop better? Also, what components do I need to have a good machine without spending a fortune? Thanks so much.
Desktop is better option for sure, but prices are so high for some components right now, so it's really hard to recommend building one. Instead if you are starting out, look for something like second hand/refurbished HP ProDesk or Dell Precision with i7 8700 and at least 16GB of RAM, that's quite capable machine that should cost you around 200 bucks.
Few years ago we got the same for my buddy, amazing machine, same specs, payed about the same amount.
You asked the exact same question in 2024, where you got all the relevant answers, including the remark that nobody knows what is best for you, other than you. Components, everyone will tell you a different story. The more you pay, the more power you have, simple. Desktop or Laptop. C'mon, you're just trolling now. Desktops are superior to laptops and cheaper in every way imaginable, but laptops are portable, and that's the primary reason one would get a laptop. If your hardware knowledge is that flimsy, you're better off simply buying a pre-built computer within your budget, or else you have A LOT of studying to do.
I would go for a very powerful am4 and 32gigs of ram but I would wait till the ram prices drops...The RAM prices right now are absolutely horrendous... If you can afford it and really want something that will last you for the next few years, I would go for a high-end AM5 processor.
Buy a used desktop PC on eBay; if you find one within your budget, post the link here and we'll all take a look to see if it's sufficient for music production.
If you really must buy a new computer, CPU, Motherboard, Power Supply, Hard Disks, Peripherals, and Chassis still cost around the same. Still. You could buy those parts and worry/investigate how to get RAM and SSD at better prices, later (but rather sooner than later ). You could work with a small SSD and a big hard disk, like we used to years ago, but RAM is the problem. It's tricky to get good quality RAM second hand. I wouldn't... Really great and affordable option is to buy second-hand, once/still powerful workstation computer with some Intel i7 or AMD 57xx/58xx and 16/32GB of DDR4 RAM. Last edited: Jan 21, 2026 at 4:24 PM
With the cost of computer components so out of control, please answer the following to help steer you in the right direction. What is you Budget? Are you open to macOS or strictly Windows? What DAW(s) are you planning to use? What kind of music/production are you into/planning? Thanks!
Per vari motivi personali molto seri, ho perso ogni entusiasmo e voglia di farlo. Non ricordavo di aver già fatto domanda.
€400 for a bottom end PC w/ 16 GB RAM. Might as well get a new M4 Mac Mini for €570 from a 3rd party shop then.
With The RAM and SSD price gouge going on right now get a good used PC or laptop, but for a PC make sure they don't rip you off if it says 16 GB RAM and all 4 slots are filled with 4GB RAM strips , leaving you with no option but to replace them all if you need to upgrade, happened to me last year I placed my order, wanted and asked for 2x16 GB RAM, they sent all 4 slots filled with 8GB strips, when I complained and told them why, their dumbass reply why do you need more than 32 GB everyone else only needs 32 GB, "Don't trust any seller without everything fully explained and acknowledged in writing and/or email by them". Prices right now on RAM and SSD Drives is ridiculous if everyone can be intelligent enough to complain and to completely stop buying the prices will drop, it hurts the manufacturers more than us if they can't sell their products and have their warehouses full. Buyer Beware , never trust online sellers even on Amazon if they aren't Amazon guaranteed. Last edited: Jan 20, 2026 at 8:34 PM
AS most have said here, get at least 32GB ram as a good starting point with expansion up to 64-128GB. I9 (or equivalent AMD) is the way to go as well as getting a decent GPU. You can get/find lesser specs everywhere but it will only keep you looking to the market to upgrade again after you start hitting the thresholds of lesser hardware when your projects become more complex. Personally I would get the best hardware you can afford now, and you'll have something that will have some staying power. Otherwise as your audio needs progress you'll end up looking at hardware again in not too long. Last edited: Jan 20, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I definitely agree I spent 300 euro on an i7 8700 with 32 g ram. It was a big upgrade for me but as I move ahead I realize the I keep hit the wall and have to render tracks to stems too soon. It's either paly and record or mix. I can't have 20 midi trax and try to play at the same time. too much lag!!
Congratulations! Great timing. Last year's prices were really nice all the way up to November. I at least bought a nice 2TB NVMe for 190€ which is now 350€. A conspirator in me tells me that big AI companies don't like normal people to be able to run LLMs at home... You really need a hefty GPU with lots of RAM and at least 64GB, but better 128GB of RAM to be able to do that.
