7 Best Laptops For FL Studio in 2023

Are you looking for recommendations about the best laptops for FL Studio but can’t decide which one to choose? Strangely, this happened to us too, even though we know a thing or two about laptops. 

The existing “guides” and hundreds of options were simply too confusing.

So, we decided to put together this article to serve as a comprehensive guide to the best laptops for FL Studio, so you can find the right one for your specific needs. 

Whether you’re a music producer creating masterpieces, a hobbyist vibing just for fun, or a DJ creating loops – there’s something for everyone.

Did we spark your curiosity? Then, let’s dive right in.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

Before going over the top laptops for FL Studio, let’s check out the specs you need in order to run the software without lags or system crashes. 

Note that the minimum and recommended system requirements may differ from the ones on the official FL Studio page. This is because we do recommendations based on our standard testing criteria. Simply picking a laptop with the base requirements may not be enough for real-life scenarios. 

So, let’s check them out.

Top 7 Laptops for FL Studio

Ready to get your groove on? Let’s look at our top picks for FL Studio.

1. Best Performance: ASUS ROG Strix G16

ASUS ROG Strix G16

• CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-13650HX
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 16-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
• Battery: Up to 8 hours

$1,247.64

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If you want a laptop for FL Studio that can do it all, look no further than ASUS ROG Strix. Not only does it offer beastly performance, but this machine also packs a beautiful display and nice upgradability.

The audiophile in me totally geeked out at Strix’s specs. A 13th Gen. i7 and the latest RTX 4060 sure sound like a bop.

And the tests I conducted confirm this: FL Studio ran really well, without the all-too-common crashes from overloading the CPU. 

Of course, you still rely on autosave at your own peril, although the 16GB RAM is pretty good for FL. Better yet — this is a DDR5 which is faaast, and you can upgrade it to 64GB RAM for super complex projects and loads of plugins.

Like most high-end gaming laptops, Strix has a top-notch display. I love the deep contrast and high brightness because those put me in the zone when working, and ROG Strix’s large, fast and color-accurate panel is definitely an appealing workspace.

Now, I happen to love the little RGB disco ball that is Strix’s chassis, but do bear in mind that this is a relatively heavy laptop at 5.5 lbs.

Plus, the fans do get a little loud from time to time, so put your headphones to good use. On the bright side, the cooling is pretty good.

Overall, this FL Studio laptop has a lot going for it. It’s one of the pricier options, but oh so worth it.

2. Best MacBook for FL Studio: MacBook Pro M2 16

MacBook Pro M2 16

• CPU: 3.5GHz Apple M2 12-Core
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 16.2-inch XDR (3456 x 2234)
• GPU: Integrated Apple 19-Core
• Battery: Up to 15 hours

$2,199.99

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Any talk of laptops for FL Studio, Ableton and DAWs has to include a MacBook. A MacBook is like an evergreen beat that keeps getting better — and currently, Pro M2 16” is the best.

The latest MacBook lineup runs on Apple’s own M2 chip, which surpasses the remarkable M1. Sure enough, I have a MacBook Pro M2, and FL Studio boots up in a second, there are no crashes, and the exporting is super fast.

But the real treat, at least for me, is listening to tracks on a Pro M2 — it has some of the best speakers on the market. Of course, I’d always take the AirPods Max, but with MacBook, you’ll still get a good feel of the timbre and those precious gates.

I do appreciate the good keyboard and display, and Macs are known for these. Typing on a MacBook is very tactile and comfy, while the Liquid Retina display is one of the rare ones which allow me to work for hours on end.

The potential problem I see is the amount of RAM and storage. 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are great for most FL studio users — but if you’re working on large projects, I’d go for more.

However, once you get that figured out, investing in a MacBook Pro M2 will give you one of the best picks for FL Studio and music production overall.

Downloading FL Studio on my MacBook Pro, and indulge in the Magic with my Beloved AirPods Max

3. Best for Studio Producers: ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo

ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i9-12900H
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch OLED (3840 x 2160) + 14-inch OLED (3840 x 1100)
• GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
• Battery: Up to 6 hours

$2,099.98

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ZenBook Pro Duo is a category unto itself among laptops for FL Studio. It’s a great choice for music producers who appreciate good performance and workflow optimization.

The first thing that draws attention when you get a Pro Duo is the dual touchscreen — a larger, 15.6” panel and a smaller panel combined with a keyboard. They are both hi-res, 4K, responsive and gorgeous to look at.

What I like to do is customize the smaller panel, and add stuff like EQ sliders, mixers and the like — so I’m effectively getting a DJ mixer within the laptop. It makes the work that much easier.

Plus, the CPU/GPU combo is a beast, not just for audio production, but also content creation and gaming. There’s also 32GB RAM, so in my tests, there were minimal lags and stutter.

And the whole thing just looks classy and premium. The sleek aluminum chassis fits right into any studio.

Carrying ZenBook can be a little tiresome since it weighs around 5 lbs. And I can’t say I was happy with the battery life — 4-6 hours unplugged is ok-ish, though no match for MacBook Pro’s 15 hours of juice.

But, if you want productivity and power, ZenBook Pro Duo is one FL Studio laptop to check out, since its dual screen is unlike any other out there.

4. Amazing Screen: Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-1360P
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch AMOLED (2880 x 1800)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 15 hours

$1,191.28

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A beautiful screen, powerful CPU and ample RAM make Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro one of the better FL Studio laptops. If you want a “MacBook-inspired” Windows laptop, this one just might be it.

Even the MacBook Air can’t compete with a gorgeous 14” 3K AMOLED display on Samsung. I found the panel to be soothing, pleasant to look at, crisp and vivid, with great contrast.

Add to that a very familiar design of clean-cut edges, a thin profile, large trackpad and compact keyboard, and you’ve got one classy-looking machine. Samsung definitely took inspiration from the MacBook Air series, but what surprised me is how light this thing is at only 2.58 lbs.

But the laptop isn’t just a looker — it houses a 13th Gen. i7 which flies through FL Studio workload, plugins, DAWs and large projects. Coupled with 16GB RAM, I was able to do all of my work in FL Studio without any hiccups or lags.

Now, granted, Intel Iris is an integrated GPU, but when it comes to visualizations in FL Studio, it doesn’t show as much. However, if you’re into heavy gaming and demanding editing tasks, I’d go for a dedicated GPU.

Unlike MacBook Air or Pro, however, I found speakers to be average at best.

Plus, the laptop did get a little hot under heavy load.

Nevertheless, at this price range, I’d definitely consider this Samsung laptop for FL Studio — it beats many competitors across lots of features.

5. Mid-Range Performance: Acer Nitro 5

Acer Nitro 5

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 6 Hours

$693.00

Check on Amazon

So maybe you want a good mid-range laptop for FL Studio and care most about performance. Acer Nitro 5 could be a good option in this case.

Nitro 5 is a mid-range gaming laptop that runs on the 12th Gen. i5 and a dedicated RTX 3050. I wouldn’t say that 8GB RAM are ideal for tons of plugins, but you can upgrade the RAM if you need more.

Having tested it, I can say that Nitro 5 shines with light-to-medium FL Studio usage. This is mostly due to a powerful CPU.

The GPU, however, contributes a lot to the workspace in FL Studio if, like me, you use multiple monitors for DAWs. Moreover, if you work with visualization plugins, like ZGameEditor, a dedicated GPU is a must.

Nitro 5’s display isn’t the most hi-res panel out there, but it is a fast and precise display. I like how it’s slightly elevated from the deck, similar to HP Victus, because it helps me focus on the tracks.

I also like the chassis and the keyboard on Nitro. It’s sturdy, feels very high-quality, and the signature red keycaps have a nice layout.

Acer Nitro 5 has a great track record of performance for budget gaming laptops. If you upgrade the RAM, this laptop for FL Studio can serve you well for many years to come.

Watch our Acer Nitro 5 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

6. Best Budget Laptop: MSI Thin

MSI Thin

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 8GB ARC A370M
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

$829.99

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When it comes to budget laptops for FL studio, MSI usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, MSI Thin GF63 packs strong performance, a good display and a solid portability — and doesn’t cost an arm and leg.

In and of itself, the CPU will do most of the job in FL Studio really well, just like in the Acer Nitro 5 above.

What caught my eye was the Intel Arc GPU — it’s a newer GPU lineup intended for content creators. Supposedly it falls somewhere between NVIDIA RTX 3050 and 3060, so I had to check it out. And it didn’t disappoint: the visualizations and workspace worked quite well.

While we’re on the subject of performance, I have to say I’m not thrilled with 8GB RAM. Luckily, you can upgrade this.

The display is fast and great for documents and general overviews. It’s also good for gaming, although like most budget gaming laptops, it lacks saturation and contrast.

I was surprised to measure MSI Thin at 4 lbs — it’s really no trouble carrying it around. And the battery’s not bad — it’s close to 6 hours, which beats Nitro 5.

The keyboard wasn’t really to my liking, but that’s personal preference. To me, it felt a little flat, although you get used to it.

Overall, for this price, you get a capable, portable gaming laptop for FL Studio which will blast through mid-tier workload, so that’s a sweet deal you got right there.

7. Slim Design and Performance: HP Victus

HP Victus

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SDD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$699.00

Check on Amazon

HP Victus is another affordable FL Studio laptop that packs good performance, a very classy design, and ample RAM.

The CPU is precisely the same as MSI Thin, and therefore capable of running FL Studio well. However, unlike Thin GF63, with Victus you get 16GB RAM straight off the bat which is important for plugins and multiple tracks.

GPU selection is what makes a difference — Victus’ GTX 1650 is hardly a match to MSI’s Intel Arc. So if you’re mainly focused on FL Studio and maybe light gaming, and don’t want upgrades, I’d go for Victus. But if you also want to game and don’t mind spending extra 50 bucks to upgrade the RAM, go for MSI.

I do like Victus’ display — it’s contrasty, rich in color, with a high refresh rate. And when you’re working, the elevated panel makes it easier to focus, at least for me.

Plus, HP’s design makes Victus one of the more refined laptops in this price range. I love the compact, minimalist chassis with the very comfy keyboard. 

Based on my tests, the battery was pretty good, too. You can expect around 5-7 hours of work in FL Studio, depending on the workload.

HP Victus is a great laptop if you mostly do the mid-heavy work in FL Studio and occasionally indulge in light-to-mid gaming.

Buying Guide for Laptops for FL Studio

We know you’re eager to skip over to the laptops buying guide, but bear with us. There are a few key considerations we must discuss that will help you choose your next laptop for FL Studio.

1. The CPU Is the Most Important Piece of the Puzzle

Audio production can get way more intricate and CPU-intensive as compared to even 3D modeling. So look for a laptop that packs a powerful CPU with higher clock speed and multiple cores (6-8), preferably from Intel Core i7 series or AMD Ryzen 7. These will help your machine handle even demanding software like FL Studio and run it without issues.

If laptops with the above-mentioned processors are over your budget, go for at least a later generation of i5 from Intel or a Ryzen 5 processor from AMD.

However, there are a host of other specifications that you need to consider to get the best possible output. 

2. Get Enough RAM and Storage

FL Studio, like other digital audio workstation apps, is pretty RAM intensive. If you are into entry-level music production, an 8GB RAM laptop would be sufficient. However, 16GB RAM laptops might come in handy for larger orchestral libraries and plugins.

But for professionals who work on complex projects and multiple tracks, opting for 32GB or more is a good idea. 

Storage isn’t the most important aspect, but consider ditching the traditional HDD and reap the benefits of a solid state drive (SSD) for faster loading times and better overall performance. As for the size, it pretty much depends on your needs and preferences, but we recommend getting at least 512GB SSD. 

3. Get a Good Display

FL Studio involves using a rich interface with a vast toolbar, playlists, mixer channels, browser menu, and so on, so a larger and high-resolution display is useful. Look for laptops with 15.6-inch displays and an FHD resolution or higher. Moreover, picking something with an IPS panel for better viewing angles and visual clarity is recommended.  

4. You Don’t Need to Overdo it With the Graphics Card 

The GPU doesn’t play a critical role in the overall performance of FL Studio, so you don’t need to spend the extra cash on a high-end GPU. Although, having a powerful GPU is good if you also plan to work on graphically intensive tasks like photo and video editing. 

Finally, let’s not forget about gaming. If besides music production, you want to blow off steam with video games, there are some great gaming laptops for just under $2000 featuring a powerful GPU. 

5. Think about Connectivity Ports 

Connectivity ports are super useful for connecting your laptop to various peripherals like a MIDI controller, headphones, external monitors, storage mics etc… So make sure you pick a laptop with enough USB ports, HDMI, and display ports. 

6. Consider Portability and Battery Life

If you intend to work in FL Studio on the go, an easily portable laptop with decent battery life is super-important. Granted, high-end laptops packed with powerful components are usually larger and with poor battery life, but there are some great lightweight options with exceptional battery life and performance. 

On that note, the MacBook Pro M2 is an ideal pick if you want a relatively portable laptop with enough battery juice that will make you forget about your charger. 

FAQs about Laptops for FL Studio

Verdict

Picking the best laptop for FL Studio is not as straightforward as it might seem since there are a lot of things to consider before making a purchase. So the ultimate decision about the best-suited laptop for your needs falls on you. 

That is why we made our list considering various types of users and different price ranges.

The laptop must be in line with your expertise, skills as an artist, and even the nature of the task at hand. For instance, if you are a hardcore professional who earns his bread through music, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is the perfect model to invest in.

For aesthetics and long battery life, consider getting the MacBook Pro M2 16.

Finally, if you’re searching for value-for-money options, the HP Victus is an underrated yet quite powerful machine. 

Did we help you find your perfect match or do you have a few more things keeping you puzzled? Hit us up in the comment section below.