Best audio PC in 2021: Digital Audio Workstations and audiophile machines
Date:
Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:21:20 +0000
Description:
Looking for the best audio PCs and laptops? We list the top Digital Audio Workstations money can buy.
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The best audio PCs boast more than sheer power to run Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. As essential tools for music producers and musicians, these computers can be rather demanding when it comes to specs. So its true that every audio PCs has to have enough power to run DAW software like Image-Line FL Studio, PreSonus Studio One and Cubase without a hitch -
no matter how many tracks you're working on.
Still, the best audio PCs and laptops need to have more than just cutting
edge components. They should also be able to allow you to plug in multiple musical instruments, have a large enough hard drive to store your projects
and uncompressed audio files, and have top-notch onboard audio quality not
to mention the ability to plug into external speakers and monitors.
If you're looking for the best audio PCs, then you've come to the right
place. We've listed the top machines that are ideal for music production, taking everything above into consideration. Its quite a demanding checklist
so many of these PCs are expensive. Just know that they are well worth the money. Plus, included is our built-in price comparison tool, which scours the internet to bring you the best prices for these devices. (Image credit:
Apple) 1. iMac 24-inch (M1, 2021)
The best audio PC overall CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8core CPU | Graphics: Integrated 7-core 8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB 16GB unified memory | Screen: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display | Storage: up to 2TB Excellent screen Striking
new design Fantastic webcam Lack of ports remains Mac mini may offer better value for some
The new iMacs are not just an improvement over their 21.5-inch predecessor externally, touting a fresh new face that comes in several different colors. They also come with fresh new specs, rocking Apples new M1 chip that makes it much more powerful than the previous Intel iMacs. In fact, wed go as far as
to say that the new iMac (24-inch, 2021) is the best and most efficient all-in-one PC weve ever tested, making it the best audio PC right now. Its
not the most affordable, but youll be happy to know that you are getting
great value here, as youre getting the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse
included in matching colors, we might add.
Read the full review: iMac (24-inch, 2021) (Image credit: Apple) 2. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)
Apples little MacBook Pro gets a big refresh CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8core
CPU | Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB 16GB unified memory | Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit Retina display | Storage: 256GB
2TB SSD | Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cm Huge battery life Great performance Can run iOS apps Still lacks ports
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) may not have gotten a massive design overhaul, but what it lacks in that department, it makes up for in
performance and battery life. Thanks to Apples groundbreaking M1 chip, the
new MacBook Pro 13-inch delivers excellent performance and exceptional
battery life. Its performance is so impressive, in fact, that it can easily handle 4K - and even 8K - videos let alone music production. If youre
looking for a powerful yet portable PC for making music, this is the best audio PC money can buy.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) (Image credit: Apple)
3. Mac mini (m1, 2020)
Small, but with big ambitions CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU | Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB 64GB unified memory | Storage: 256GB 2TB SSD | Dimensions (W x D x H): 19.7 x 19.7 x 3.6 cm Same lovely design Very good performance New M1 hardware has potential Can't use eGPUs
One of Apples biggest surprises of the year is the update to its smallest
Mac. The brand-new Mac mini now touts Apples M1 chip, while keeping things
the same in its much-loved design. Its more powerful than ever with performance powerful enough for music production and even 8K video editing, thanks to this new chip. Thats while still keeping its title as the cheapest Mac ever terrific news for budget-minded musicians and music producers.
Read the full review: Mac mini (M1, 2020) (Image credit: Razer) 4. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition (2020)
Powerful laptop for music production CPU: : : : 10th-gen Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Up to Quadro RTX 5000 | RAM: up to 64GB Extremely powerful Premium design Stunning display Very expensive
Not that you need one of the most powerful laptops in existence for making music, but if you do want it, the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition will no doubt take your breath away thanks to its sheer power and stunning display. This is a mobile workstation that can compete with even the most powerful desktop PCs and is worthy of the most complex tasks like 3D animation and video editing, let alone music production. The steep price is just as breathtaking, however, so only invest if you really want that much firepower and can afford it.
Read the full review: Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition (2020) (Image credit: Microsoft) 5. Microsoft Surface Studio 2
A great alternative to the iMac CPU: Intel Core i7-7820HQ | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 1070 | RAM: 16GB or 32GB | Storage: 1TB or 2TB SSD Brighter display PCIe SSDs Very expensive
The Surface Studio 2 is a great alternative to Apple's iMacs, and if you'd rather use Windows 10 over macOS, then this all-in-one from Microsoft is an excellent choice. Sleek, stylish and capable of handling DAW software with ease, along with a bright and vibrant built-in display, this is an excellent audio PC that would look great in anyone's studio.
It's not quite as powerful as the latest iMac, however, so if you want pure power, go for Apple's all-in-one. Still, this is an excellent performer, that's ideal for creatives.
Read the full review: Surface Studio 2 (Image credit: Acer) 6. Acer ConceptD 7
A mobile workstation for creatives CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 2080 | RAM: 16GB 32GB | Screen: 15.6" 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 16:9 IPS | Storage: 1TB Very powerful Cheaper than MacBook Pro Good selection of ports Expensive Plain design Not as thin and light as MacBook Pro
The formidable Acer ConceptD 7 is capable of handling complex and demanding tasks such as audio production. Clearly designed specifically with creative professionals in mind, it boasts that sheer power youll only find in workstations and gaming laptops.
Beyond that excellent performance it delivers, it also offers decent port selection, a minimalist solid white design and that stunning
Pantone-validated 4K IPS display. Obviously, its still pretty pricey, but no professionals tool comes cheap. If youre looking for a Windows-powered
MacBook alternative for audio production, this is a fantastic choice.
Read the full review: Acer ConceptD 7 (Image credit: Future) 7. Lenovo Yoga A940
An iMac alternative CPU: 9th-gen Intel Core i7 i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 560 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD | Display: 27" 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Multi-touch Good price Stylus included Older components Screen not great in direct light
Lenovos latest all-in-one offering isnt as powerful as Apples premium AIO,
the iMac Pro, or even the recently updated iMac, which now offers a 9th-generation Intel Core configuration. After all, the 8th-generation chips and Radeon RX 560 graphics are aging at this point.
However, it is still plenty powerful to meet the needs of creative professionals out there who are not entirely impressed by Apples pricey machines. On top of that, the Lenovo Yoga A940 has a few aces up its sleeves, including 100% Adobe RGB support and Dolby Vision, a set of Dolby Atmos speakers, a port offering thats more generous than Apples all-in-one, and a stylus included in the box.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga A940 (Image credit: Apple) 8. iMac Pro
Raw power CPU: 8 to 18-core Intel Xeon W | Graphics: Radeon Pro Vega 56 - Radeon Pro Vega 64 | RAM: 32GB 256GB DDR4 ECC | Screen: 27-inch 5K (5,120 x 2,880) Retina display (P3 wide color) | Storage: 1TB 4TB PCIe 3.0 SSD | Dimensions (H x W x D): 65 x 20.3 x 51.6cm Most powerful Mac you can buy Gorgeous, color-accurate display Very expensive
Professionals and creatives need something that can handle any workload they can possibly throw at it. If youre one such user, the iMac Pro isnt just one of the best Macs for you; its the only Mac to consider.
Not only does it have a vibrant 27-inch 5K display with a P3 wide color
gamut, but it also boasts some of the most powerful hardware Apple could get its hands on. Its extremely expensive though, so its really only meant for folks who have deep pockets and need that unbridled power to get through
their daily workloads.
Read the full review: iMac Pro These are the best laptops for DJs
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https://www.techradar.com/news/best-audio-pc/
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