Whether you do it professionally or are just an enthusiast, if you like editing music then I am sure Image-Line’s FL studio is one of the software you work with, right?
It is one of the most popular DAW software used by music producers, composers, and DJs all over the world and when you combine its amazing mixing features with a powerful laptop, you get portability like never before.
But with so many brands and laptops in the market, how do you find the best laptop for FL Studio? You do not have to spend $2000 and we get it, you don’t have to either.
This is why we put together this extensive post where we trim it down to 5 laptops that are worth the money for all FL Studio users.
In-Deph Reviews of Laptops for FL Studio
1: ASUS ROG Zephyrus M
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 4lbs
- Processor: 9th Gen, 6-core, i7
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M (6GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 16″ (3072×1920)
- OS: iOS
- Battery Life: 6-7hrs
Looking for a speedy and lag-free laptop to help you master complex mixing together? Well, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus is the absolute beast to take on heavy tracks together on FL Studio without complaining.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M is fueled by the Intel Core i7-9750H, which is likely the best 9th Gen processor for producing music. It also packs NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2070 GPU with 8GB memory.
This CPU- GPU combo crushes its competition with its multithreading support, enabling this laptop to process complicated audio processing chunky projects efficiently. The RTX 2070 has one DVI and two DisplayPort ports, allowing you to connect external screens easily.
This laptop comes with 16GB of RAM, allowing you to run multiple ROMpler Plugins efficiently. The 1TB SSD storage is swift and speedy and lets you work with heavy plugins even when on video calls for a second opinion on your mixing.
Any music producer will crave the 15.6-inch Full HD screen on this bad boy, which allows you to place MIDIs, plugins, patterns, instruments and beats, metronomes, and channel racks on a single screen for easy reference. The Pantone-certified panel ensures that you do not miss any display detail when dealing with soundtracks in real-time.
For added convenience, this notebook includes a user-friendly RGB keyboard, a sensitive trackpad, remarkable speakers, and dependable built-in mics to complete the package for your mixing all in one place.
Apart from this, Intelligent Mode Switching is a fantastic feature that minimizes heat and allows you to reduce fan noise based on your activities. Weighing just 4.39 pounds and promising a battery backup of 6 hours, the portable and powerful ROG Zephyrus M Thin is a futuristic choice for music producers.
- An ideal laptop for professionals
- The processor has a clock speed of 4.5GHz
- Portable and light, easy to carry
- 6-7hrs of battery life with FL studio
- Brilliant display with external display support
- 1TB SSD storage
- No Thunderbolt 3 port
- Expensive
2: ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10750H
- CPU Speed: Up to 5GHz
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
- Display: 15.6″ (3072×1920)
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
- Battery Life: 4-5 hrs
The Zenbook Pro Duo is one of the best models produced by the company. It executes precision, speed, and power while featuring a ravishing architecture to meet all your mixing and mastering ambitions perfectly.
An Intel Core i7-10750H processor powers the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo with six cores and a turbo clock speed of up to 4.5GHz. Due to the sheer clock speed, the ZenBook Pro Duo can flawlessly collaborate with FL Studio for faster beat slicing, pitch scalability, and other CPU-intensive tasks.
It also integrates the powerful GeForce RTX 2060 GPU that allows you to connect up to four high-end monitors to configure the preferred and enhanced audio processing workflow. This laptop packs 16GB RAM, enabling you to work with all 125 parallel audio recordings supported by FL Studio without breaking a sweat.
This bad boy boasts a 1TB PCIe SSD module that is extremely fast and can easily handle audio files going up to hours. This helps load your DAW projects and render large audios in even WAV format faster than an HDD. Not only that, the operating system also allows you to install the ASIO professional audio drivers effortlessly.
The 15.6-inch 4K dual-touch display is just what makes this laptop the most popular among FL Studio users. The attractive FL Studio UI feels more fun to work with on this display with the animated and touch-support-based navigation.
The responsive stylus pen is the icing on the cake that is super comfortable for quickly moving your way through tracks and using EDISON for noise samples and workflows. The keyboard on this laptop is greatly responsive, and there is also a detachable palm rest to keep you comfortable when working long hours.
The laptop’s speakers are fantastic, and the thermals are entirely silent to let you focus on your sound editing. The battery offers a 5-hour runtime despite packing in two 4K displays. This laptop is a no-brainer when choosing the ideal choice for your music production.
- Dual display for easy presets
- Keyboard with a detachable palm rest
- ErgoLift design for better cooling
- Processor with a higher turbo clock frequency
- Stylus Pen
- Bulky chassis
- No additional storage slot
3: HP Spectre x360
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 4.81lbs
- Processor: Intel 9th Gen Intel i7 9750H
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16″ (3072×1920)
- OS: iOS
- Battery Life: 6-7hrs
Music producers, editors, and mixers desire a laptop that you can use for multiple demanding projects and be carried anywhere effortlessly. This is where the powerful yet user-friendly HP Spectre x360 comes into play.
As an audiophile, you will appreciate the Intel Core i7-9750H processor with a turbo clock speed of up to 4.5GHz. This makes this one of the excellent CPUs for DAWs, allowing the device to handle complex audio squeezing and slicing logic with minimal effort. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU with 4GB VRAM on this sleek machine lets you conveniently connect additional high-resolution screens with your workstation.
You also get 16GB of RAM, which can manage audio files and make them accessible to the chipset for faster processing. When it comes to storage, HP promises a 1TB NVMe solid-state drive that lets you store and work with more than just the Fruity Parametric plug-ins on the FL Studio application.
The 4K display resolution on the 15.6-inch AMOLED IPS display is enhanced even more by multi-touch support. The FL Studio interface is highly interactive and offers visual automation, best justified by this incorporated screen.
This laptop is one of the top options for running FL Studio, thanks to its quad-speakers. The HP audio boost technology amplifies the Bang & Olufsen speakers even more. The Spectre weighs only 4.81 pounds and is light enough to accompany you anywhere. With a reliable battery backup of up to 9 hours, this laptop is a performance benchmark for your FL Studio needs.
- Ultra-fast storage
- Long-lasting Battery Life
- Brilliant and responsive display
- USB-A with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Exceptional quality quad-speakers
- No HDMI port
- Fingerprint reader replaces Ctrl key
4: MSI GF63 Thin
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 4.81lbs
- Processor: Intel 9th Gen Intel i7 9750H
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16″ (3072×1920)
- OS: iOS
- Battery Life: 6-7hrs
The MSI GF63 is indeed a sleek beast that will soar your music production experiences to new heights with its spectacular combo of a brilliant high-quality display and a powerful mix of specs.
Powered by an Quad-core Intel i5-9300H with a turbo clock speed of up to 4.1GHz, the processor on this laptop is quite impressive for the price. This chipset can easily handle complex music presentations, MIDI, third-party plugins, and up to 25 audio tracks for hassle-free editing.
The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU in this machine with 4GB VRAM comes with a Max-Q GPU design that saves power, decreases TDP, and extends battery performance.
This laptop packs an 8GB Single-Channel RAM, which allows you to easily sync audio tracks, synthesizers, and melody roll samples simultaneously. This device also boosts your music mixing and mastering productivity by including a decent set of speakers on the panel.
The 1920×1080 15.6-inch display with a aesthetically lively IPS panel display is large enough to let you keep the tracks, piano roll, VTS sequencers, plug-ins, etc., open simultaneously. The upgraded Cooler Boost 5 tech, which significantly enhances thermal dissipation while reducing noise, is ideal for soundtrack fillers and editors.
The 256GB is standard in capacity when it comes to storage, but this NVMe solid-state drive is lightning fast and loads the Windows 10 operating system and FL Studio 20 in the blink of an eye. The battery provides a consistent backup of up to 8 hours on regular use. Overall, the MSI GF63 Thin is an excellent choice if you want to run FL Studio but don’t want to go all commercial with the setup.
- Slim design and lightweight build
- Extremely Portable
- The smooth and wide touchpad
- Crisp and detailed display
- Unmatched performance
- Unaesthetic build
- Standard Battery life
5. Lenovo Legion Y540
The Legion Y540 is not all looks for you get a ravishing blend of speedy performance and convenient handling in the package with this laptop.
- Powered by latest 9th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750H Processor @ 2. 60GHz(6 Cores, 12M Cache, up to 4. 50 GHz), Powerful 6-core, twelve-way processing performance.
- 15. 6” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS anti-glare display: The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient LED backlight. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics
- 24GB DDR4 2400 SDRAM Memory for full-power multitasking; 1TB HDD + 512GB PCIE SSD offer enough storage for your files. Pci-e SSDs are great for major gaming applications, multiple servers, daily backups, and more.
- 802. 11 AC (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 4. 1; 3 x USB 3. 1 Gen 1, Mini DisplayPort 1. 4, HDMI 2. 0, RJ45 Ethernet, Kensington Wedge Lock slot, 1 x USB 3. 1 Gen 2 Type-C, 3. 5mm microphone/headphone combo, NOVO hole
- Windows 10 Home; White-backlit Keyboard; Up to 5 hours of battery life
If you’re looking to use heavy VST plugins on your projects in FL Studio, your search for the perfect laptop ends here.
The Intel Core i7-9750H blended into this laptop is more than capable of handling the immense pressure from heavy plug-ins in FL Studio.
The maximum turbo clock speed of up to 4.5GHz ensures that you can easily dice and edit complex percussion or produce a drum machine melody without lag.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU in this laptop performs splendidly and can help you improve the audio processing workflow by letting you add external displays.
In addition to this, this laptop bags 16GB of RAM, which smoothly handles multitasking and helps the CPU to use the piano roll more optimally by making patterns and slabs accessible quicker than the storage drive.
The Lenovo Legion Y540 wins the competition by featuring a 512GB SSD and a 1TB HDD module duo when it comes to storage. This lets you store large projects and hundreds of professional plug-ins like Ozone, Harmor, etc.
1920 by 1080 pixel 15.6-inch anti-glare screen showcases wider viewing angles that guarantee that no UI-related detail is overlooked. This laptop also includes a sleek touchpad, and a sound webcam-microphone duo to boost the Legion Y540’s utility for a music producer.
The Harman speakers on this device are of the highest quality and support Dolby Atmos audio, making sure you don’t always need a headset to get the panning right.
With a decent battery backup of up to 5 hours, this laptop is a wholesome choice promising all the good features you need for music production.
Pros
- Very light and slim body
- 144 Hz panel with fast response times
- Comes with multiple configuration options
- Sturdy and Aesthetic design
- Extremely fast performance
Cons
- No Thunderbolt 3
- No Wi-Fi 6
6: Apple MacBook Pro
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 4lbs
- Processor: 9th Gen, 6-core, i7
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M (6GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 16″ (3072×1920)
- OS: iOS
- Battery Life: 6-7hrs
With portability, power, and great design at the forefront, the New Apple MacBook Pro, is one of the best choices for professional DJs, Music editors, composers, etc, and here’s why.
Excellent processing speed and power
As a professional using FL studio, you will likely be using many of its plugins and libraries to give you the edge.
And considering that some of these plugins require higher specs than FL Studio itself, you must have a powerful laptop. And the MacBook Pro is just that with the latest 9th Gen, 6-core, i7 processor with an ability to turbo boost to 4.5GHz, which btw, is one of the most important processor specs.
Wondering why we choose clock speed over cores for once? The reason being that from the instrument, effects to the mixer track, everything needs to be processed in sequence on the same core especially if the mixer tracks are linked as they now become dependant on each other and thus cannot be processed separately.
In case you feel this processing power isn’t enough for you, there is also an 8-core i9 processor variant available that clocks at a whopping 4.8GHz.
Another feature to watch out for is an SSD as with an SSD, you’ll be able to load samples/VSTs much faster (because who wants to wait 5 minutes just for those to load, right?).
Not to forget, SSDs have lesser parts thus improving durability as well. Apart from that, there is a 16GB RAM is in tandem with a dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5300M Graphics with GDDR6 memory to further boost performance.
An immersive display
You’ll be stuck at your laptop for hours, may even have to pull an all-nighter to meet the deadline, and having a good display can make all the difference.
I am thinking something like Retina display should be good enough, right? The large and crystal clear 16-Inch Retina display comes with True Tone Technology and 400+nits of brightness to give you an immersive display with excellent colors whether you are indoors or outdoor even on bright sunny days.
Plus, the display is easy on the eyes (no more will all that glare during an all-nighter result in red, tired eyes ). Oh, and did I tell you that it isn’t your average Full-HD display. The Pro comes with a 3072×1920 resolution so you can view every detail on the screen whether you are working or watching a movie.
Furthermore, you can also expand your working area by connecting to a larger screen or multiple screens using the DisplayPorts or even AirPlay.
Data transfer at super-fast speed
Since we are on the topic of ports, the laptop also features multiple thunderbolt ports. As a music editor, composer, you probably have tons of data that need to be backup up or copied to your laptop. With these ports, this is going to be lightning-fast as they give speeds of about 40GBPS.
A touch of magic on the keyboard
One of the biggest improvements that Apple has made to all its latest laptops is switching to the Magic keyboard from the Butterfly keyboard which was, in simple words, cumbersome to use. Since editors and composers rely heavily on shortcuts keys to get the work done quickly the keys should have ideal travel between them.
With a travel of 1mm, the MacBook delivers just that. Plus, the keys are more silent and in tandem with the backlight allowing you to work in peace even during the night. As for the trackpad, it is smooth as ever.
Also, further enhancing your productivity is the TouchBar which gives you custom options based on the software and the functions you use often so you can perform them again in seconds with a simple touch.
Excellent Sound
The sound quality of the Pro is again very immersive all thanks to the 6-speaker system with noise-canceling woofers (feels like MacBook Pro has a miniaturized version of an Apple HomePod).
There’s ample sound to fill up a room while the bass and treble produced are crisp and sharp (if you don’t have a headphone yet, this will save you a few bucks on it).
Portability and Battery
Was portability the main reason you want to switch to a laptop from your workstation? The MacBook gives you just that. For a powerful laptop, it is quite amazing that it weighs just 4lbs and is pretty compact (from handbags to backpacks, this bad boy will fit in anywhere).
And yes, working from beaches, hilltops, hotel rooms or even airports and trains is now a whole lot easier as you do not have to worry about power points, the laptop will give you 5-6hrs of run-time even with FL Studio.
Drawbacks
Well, this MacBook Pro will set you back by $2000 which means they are suited only for professional FL studio users that need a lot of processing power.
Also, my biggest complaint about MacBooks has always been that they lack an HDMI port. Though thankfully, there are other ways to connect your laptop to monitors, even your TV as shown in the video above.
- An ideal laptop for professionals
- The processor has a clock speed of 4.5GHz
- Portable and light, easy to carry
- 6-7hrs of battery life with FL studio
- Crisp and clear bass and treble
- Crystal clear and large Retina display with True Tone Technology
- The display is easy on the eyes
- Magic keyboard for batter typing experience
- SSD helps load samples/VSTs faster
- Transfer data at 40GBPS with Thunderbolt ports
- TouchBar increases productivity
- No HDMI Port
- On the expensive side
7: Dell XPS 15
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 5.50lbs
- Processor: 9th Gen, 6-core, i7-9750h
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ 4K UHD
- OS: Windows 10
- Battery Life: 3-4hrs
Need a Windows laptop that can deliver processor performance and display like the MacBook Pro? Then Dell XPS 15 is exactly what the laptop doctor ordered for and here’s why.
Best Features
First and foremost, the XPS 15 also features a 9th Gen, an i7-9750H processor that comes with 6-cores and more importantly, with a 4.5GHz clock speed which allows it to process all your effects and music tracks faster.
Supporting the processor is a 16GB RAM and if you feel like that isn’t enough, you even the option of upgrading it to a whopping 32GB (it barely gets any higher than that).
Also, while you do not need a lot of graphical power to run FL Studio (even professionally), the dedicated 4GB, GeForce GTX 1650 does add to the utility, especially if you love gaming (from Fortnite to Overwatch, it will run all your multiplayer games smoothly).
The one big advantage the XPS has over the MacBook is that you get 2x space. Yes, the 1TB SSD makes it the ideal combination of speed and storage for professional FL Studio users that have a lot of stock music and files stored on the laptop.
But the laptop is more than just its powerful specs
But Dell XPS 15’s USP isn’t the powerful components but its mesmerizing, jaw-dropping display (no I am not kidding, it is that freaking good). Firstly it is a larger 15.6″ 4K UHD display and with that resolution comes details that you have never experienced before (now see every pixel at every corner without having to zoom in).
Add to that the 100% Adobe RGB color that produces over 16millions colors you get lifelike gradients and crisper colors and contrast. Plus, 500nits brightness ensures that from movies, work to games, everything is crystal clear even if you were sitting and working at a beach and working in bright sunlight.
Further improving the viewing experience is an excellent wide-angle view. And to top it all, it has one of the smallest bezels you’ll find in a laptop giving it a 93% screen-to-body ratio.
The keypad, trackpad, and ports
Compared to the previous XPS, the XPS 15 comes with a keyboard with better key travel and softer feedback so using it for hours during edits should be easy peasy and quiet.
It is also backlit so you can continue to be productive even when there is no light. As for the trackpad, it remains the same good old self, though a few gesture controls would have come in handy.
When it comes to ports, the XPS 15 has got them all which gives the edge over the MacBook. From Thunderbolt ports for data transfer at speeds of 40GBPS, USB-C ports that allow you to charge smartphones or connect a dock to HDMI ports that let you expand your display by connecting it to a TV or external monitor, XPS leaves little room to complain.
Other Features
Another standout feature of the XPS 15 is the Killer 1650 features that automatically prioritizes bandwidth for the software or browser window that you are using. In case you are looking at tutorials or want to download a library/template, this is just what you need to enjoy a high-speed connection.
It also comes with a fingerprint scanner so you can unlock your laptop within seconds without having to remember your password each time (and if you are as forgetful as me, phew, that comes as such a relief).
The laptop can also take a few bumps thanks to its all-around aluminum build. Even the screen is as durable as it is a Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 which makes it highly resistant to dust and scratches (this baby will last you for years to come).
If you are eco-conscious (and I believe everyone should be), Dell XPS gives you the power to run FL Studio while playing your part in protecting the environment as it is made using 90% recyclable parts.
Drawbacks
The laptop weighs around 5lbs and isn’t the most compact compared to others on the list and thus won’t be as easy to carry around as the MacBook or the ultralight Microsoft Surface Pro 7. Also, it only gives you 3-4 hours with FL Studio running which is a tad low and reduces its portability.
Further hampering portability is the fact that it weighs around 5.5lbs. Speakers are also pretty bad as the sound tends to crackle. Though you can improve it to a large extent with the Waves MaxxAudio Pro app but getting headphones would be ideal.
- Clocks at 4.5GHz, ideal for FL Studio
- Supporting online multiplayer games like PUBG and Fortnite
- SSD lowers load time for libraries and VSTs
- Comes with HDMI port, Thunderbolt port, and USB-C Port
- Large 15.6″ 4K UHD display
- 93% body to screen ratio
- 100% sRGB colors for life-like display quality
- New and improved keyboard
- Fingerprint scanner for quick unlocking
- 90% of the parts are recyclable
- Adjust bandwidth for programs in use with Killer Wireless Tech
- An aluminum build makes it very durable
- Low battery life
- Costs you $1500+
- On the heavier side
- Poor speakers
Dell XPS 15’s speed, display, portability make it one of the most recommended laptops for music production. That means not just FL studio, the XPS 15 has you covered irrespective of the software.
8: Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Best Convertible Laptop for FL Studio)
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 1.7lbs
- Processor: 10th-Gen, i7-1065G7
- CPU Speed: Up to 3.5GHz
- Graphics: Iris Plus Graphics
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 12.3″ (2736 x 1824)
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: 7-8hrs
If you are an FL Studio enthusiast and mostly edit songs for small DJ gigs or composing your tunes, then Microsoft 7 is worth the consideration. Here’s what you need to know about it.
Unmatched portability
Most DJs live life on the go and that is where portability of your peripherals becomes so much more important, right? Well, you’ll be happy to know that the Surface Pro 7 is one of the most portable laptops you’ll find on the market (its what we call the portability king).
If this were a boxing match, the Surface Pro wouldn’t even fit in the featherweight category (yup, it is that light ). It weighs a mere 1.7lbs (carry it in your handbag or your hands, you’ll barely feel its weight).
Plus, it is a 2 in 1 laptop. Use it as a tablet, in studio-mode, or as a standard laptop, the Surface Pro gives you the freedom to edit audio from anywhere anytime like no other laptop can.
But don’t take all that portability and compactness for granted, this one can pack a strong hook in the speed and power department.
- Weighs just 1.7lbs
- 2 in 1 convertible laptop for FL studio users
- Powerful enough to run FL studio without hassles
- Crystal clear 2k display perfect for indoor use
- 8-9hrs of battery life
- Intuitive touchscreen for easy navigation when in tablet mode
- Multiple accessories available that increase productivity
- The keyboard is sold separately
- No thunderbolt ports
9: Acer Spin 3
- RAM: 8GB
- Weight: 3.70lbs
- Processor:i5-1035G4
- CPU Speed: Up to 3.7GHz
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14″ (1920 x 1080)
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: 7-8hrs
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for an extremely portable yet powerful laptop? Then the Acer Spin 3 is the answer to your prayers. Here’s what makes the Spin 3 a great choice.
Portability
One of the best features of this laptop is its portability and the reason it is so portable is its compact and lightweight build. The laptop weighs just 3.7 lbs and easily fits into any handbag or backpack so your work never stops whether you are on the beach or on the mountains.
And using it in cramped spaces like when you are on a flight or in the subway is also pretty easy. Yes, you can’t edit music but you can always watch a tutorial, or enjoy a movie. The reason it is so easy to use is that is it a convertible laptop.
The durable hinge allows you to change it from a traditional laptop to a tablet or use it in tent mode within seconds.
Other Features
For its cost, the i5-1035G4 processor that clocks at an amazing 3.7GHz and the 8GB DDR4 RAM are a pleasant surprise. As long as you are running FL Studio along with a few browser tabs and a couple of background programs, you should have no trouble. But if you feel you need more power, consider upgrading the RAM.
The 512GB SSD further adds to the speed as it ensures the laptop boots in seconds and all your apps open in seconds as well. Furthermore, it is plenty of space for you to store all your files without the need to back them up every couple of days.
Another thing you’ll love about the laptop is the rechargeable stylus as it makes navigating around the laptop in tent or tablet mode hassle-free. Plus, it costs you nothing. And if you don’t need it, the Stylus conveniently fits into the laptop so you never lose it as well.
Its display is also pretty good as it is Full-HD. A tad smaller at 14-inches but expect good colors and brightness allowing you to look into the finer details without much trouble.
The speakers are also good though I wouldn’t recommend you use them for music editing on FL studio. And if you need multiple displays, the laptop also supports docking stations.
Drawbacks
Also, it has an integrated graphics card which means any graphics-intensive tasks aren’t possible on the laptop. Thankfully, music editing on FL studio doesn’t need a high-end GPU but if you were to edit videos, you’ll have a harder time.
- Use it as a tablet or in tent mode based on your convenience
- Carrying it is easy peasy as its compact and light
- The 512GB SSD boosts laptops speed
- Speakers are good
- The rechargeable stylus won’t cost you a penny
- Clock speed of 4.6GHz is pretty good for the cost
- Not suitable for graphic-intensive tasks
- 16GB RAM would be better for FL Studio
10: Acer Swift 3
Last but not least comes another solid yet pocket-friendly laptop, the Acer Swift 3, and here’s why we recommend it for FL Studio users.
- RAM: 8GB
- Weight: 2.65 lbs
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.1GHz
- Graphics: Radeon Graphics
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14″ (1920 x 1080)
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: 7-8hrs
One of the main differences between Swift 3 and Spin 3 is that the Swift 3 isn’t convertible. But what it lacks there, it makes up better specs which means it easily matches the minimum requirements for FL Studio.
Firstly, it has a more powerful processor as it is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U which delivers a better clock speed of 4.1GHz. This makes up for the 8GB RAM and allows you more freedom to multitask.
And if you want something better, there’s a 16GB variant available as well eliminating the hassle of going and getting an upgrade done.
The 14″ Full-HD display and the 512GB SSD are similar and good enough for people starting out with FL Studio who do not want to edit large files. The slight advantage of the display is the lesser bezels and make it a tad more immersive.
While the laptop isn’t as easy to use as the Spin 3, its 2.65 lbs weight does make it lighter so carrying it around shouldn’t be a problem. It is pretty compact as well and fits into any bag you would want.
Adding to the ease of using the laptop is the fingerprint scanner that allows you to access the laptop in seconds and eliminates the hassle of remembering passwords all the time. It is also better for privacy as hacking into your laptop is tougher.
The battery life is also pretty good for the price and will easily give you 3-4 hours with continuous FL Studio usage and 7-8 hours otherwise.
Drawbacks
Well, there’s not much to complain about the laptop except that you cannot strain it much as it heats up. It is great for beginners that are learning FL studio but professionals should go with one of the top 2 picks.
- Lightweight and compact for easy carrying
- Get both speed and space with the 512GB SSD
- it has a faster processor than the Acer Spin 3
- Access the laptop in seconds with the fingerprint scanner
- Good display for sound editing and watching movies
- Not suitable for professional sound editors
What To Consider When Buying A Laptop For FL Studio
If you plan to start using the FL Studio or any similar program for music production, you would need to make sure your laptop has the right specifications and that it can support and run many different features of the program. Music production is considered one of the most exhausting activities for a laptop, as it puts a strain on most of its main components so you have to be careful when you are looking to buy a new one. The things to take into consideration include the CPU, the RAM, the storage, the display, the GPU, as well as others.
| Minimum System Requirements | Recommended System Requirements | |
| CPU | 9th Gen Intel Core i5 | 9th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Display | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) |
| Graphics | 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX250 | 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| Battery | Up to 3 hours | Up to 6 hours |
CPU
If you are working with large complex projects in the FL Studio, the CPU is the main factor in your ability to do so. According to the FL Studio developers, the minimum requirement for the CPU is for it to be at least the 9th Gen Intel Core i5, but the recommended is anyone above the 9th Gen Intel Core i7. Intel’s i7 processors (11700K) are the best option, but AMD Ryzen ( 9 5950X and 9 5900X) and Apple Silicon (M1, M1 Pro and, M1 Max) ones are also going to work without a problem. You should look for a CPU with the fastest single-core performance, which has 8 to 12 cores because as long as the main one doesn’t get overloaded, you won’t have any audio glitches or similar problems. The CPU should be as fast as possible as it will allow more multitasking and faster loading times, so aim for one with at least a 4GHz max boost clock.
RAM
The minimum requirement is 8GB of RAM and in most cases, it’s more than enough to get the job done. Although 16GB is recommended it will probably be more than you need. Having 32GB of RAM is only needed if you are working with a lot of sample-based instruments, with each one running Multi-GB orchestral libraries. So if you’re not at that level yet, 8GB or 16GB RAM is all you need.
Storage
The amount of storage needed heavily depends on the types of projects you’ll be working on. If you are a professional or someone who wants to use the laptop for years to come, you will need more storage capacity. The minimum required is 256GB SSD, while the recommended amount is 512GB SSD, but there is a better solution. SSD’s allow for faster boot times and initial program loading but are also fairly expensive at the moment. The best solution is to have a 1 TB SSD, which would hold your OS as well as the FL Studio, and a 2 to 4 TB HDD to hold your project data. Of course, if you are just starting out you probably won’t need this much storage, but as you progress and work on more complex projects, it will surely come in handy.
Display
If you intend to do a lot of multitasking, paying attention to screen size is important. Simply put, the bigger your display is, the more actions you can perform simultaneously and you can have a better overview of different processes. For most people, any display over 15 inches should be enough, but as always, if you’re a professional having a bigger display can further improve your productivity. The panel type should exclusively be IPS as it gives you the best viewing experience and is a staple in the music production industry. Other things to consider about the display are its resolution and refresh rate. Higher resolution and higher refresh rate provide a more pleasant viewing experience and you can notice details that you would not be able to otherwise. An FHD 240Hz display is a perfect option, as it is found in many high-end laptops.
GPU
The GPU is also important, but not as much as the CPU. If you are looking for the best GPU options, it is best to go with Nvidia GeForce GTX or RTX GPU as they are the best GPUs on the market at the moment, with no real competition. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, any other Nvidia graphics card like the Nvidia GeForce MX250 will do the trick.
Other
Battery life is as important as the previously mentioned things. Having in mind that music production puts a lot of strain on the battery, choosing a laptop with one that can last at least 5 to 6 hours is a must. It allows you to work outside the studio and without any electricity, without worrying about the laptop turning off in the middle of your work.
The other thing to look for is a good set of speakers. As you’ll constantly be using either headphones or speakers while working, it’s good to make sure that the ones on the laptop are good, and that you don’t have to spend more money buying extra equipment.
The final thing to take into consideration is the connectivity features, the number of ports, and the ability to wirelessly connect to other devices. Having multiple USB ports as well as an HDMI port is a must, as you’ll be able to plug in all MIDI controllers and soundcards with no problem. Wireless connectivity like having Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi adapters will only further make your life easier and reduce the number of cables on your desk.
FAQs
Does FL Studio use GPU?
It doesn’t matter much what kind of GPU your laptop has if FL itself doesn’t make use of it.
How much RAM do I need for FL Studio?
FL Studio requires 4GB of RAM but more is recommended. And as always, more RAM is always better. So with a laptop with 4GB, you will be somewhat limited in what you have running alongside FL Studio.
Does FL Studio use multiple cores?
Yes, FL Studio can use multiple cores as long as you have a multi-core CPU. It’s important to note that FL Studio’s parallel audio processing capabilities determine the number of cores it will use in your project.
