Hello, I decided to leave the world of hardware and I am looking for a laptop to run ableton. I know that the simple answer is macbook but… I have a Mac mini that works perfectly for my graphics work and ableton, buying new for less than 1000€ so it bothers me psychologically to put more than 1000€ in a computer only to use ableton outside my home. And Macbooks are overpriced. Do you have a recommendation for a PC? 13 inch; and I am ok with used Apple; but not sure that I will find a good used Mac under 1000€, if so I will take your advice. Thank you!
Any reasonable spec gaming laptop will be just fine for running Ableton, I’m still running live 12 on an msi gaming rig powered by a 7th gen i5, unless you’re running insanely spec hungry vst you could probs get away with spending about 500/600 on something used that has beefy enough specs… personally I like msi gear but hp and Lenovo at decent too…
2 Likes
^ This, been using a Lenovo Legion 5 as a stationary laptop for around 3 years. Runs many instances of Omnisphere without a flinch
If you’re already used to Apple how about a MacBook Air or 2nd hand Pro from Amazon so you’re covered a bit more. If your budget is £1000 then they’re still within that.
Sorry rereading your first post you’re just looking for something way under £1000.
2 Likes
M1 air 8/256. About 600 bucks.
4 Likes
Apple’s refurbed MacBooks are around 15-20% cheaper and come with full warranty etc. And you can get older models, like the M1 @proskynesis mentions, for even less.
3 Likes
I have a Max Book Air M2 running Ableton flawlessly. I’ve heard M1 chip is a bit better for music stuff, but I wanted to have more inputs for power and USB.
Refurb MBA. You will regret not buying a Mac unless you get something pretty spendy.
In my experience, Apple Refurbs (from Apple, not a third party) are better than “new.” Probably due to better QC.
False. They aren’t cheap, but you get what you pay for.
11 Likes
I’d probably echo getting a used/refurb Mac but if you want to spend significantly less you’ll generally struggle to get better price to quality ratios when talking ‘productivity’ than refurbished business ThinkPads.
I guess to prioritise portability X13 for 13" or T14 for 14" is where you’d be looking and how far back it makes sense to go would depend entirely on your plugins and how heavy they are.
Just waiting for the inevitable slide in into platform tribalism now…
4 Likes
Macs are overpriced fashion baiting wank.
Really good for making music on though, and the M series processors are incredible.
Get a Mac.
You can get excellent 2nd hand and referbed macs in and around your budget.
14 Likes
Refurbished M1 MacBook Air
2 Likes
Macbook Air M!
2 Likes
I’d recommend a MacBook. If you plan to share DAW projects between a desktop and a laptop, keeping the same OS would be better.
2 Likes
A used macbook pro m1 16", I got one last year for a little less than 1000 € so you should be able to as well.
Literally any laptop.
2 Likes
I just got a new MacBook Air M2 16gb from B&H Photo for 800.
Used Mac M1 16 gb
2 Likes
If you are already on Mac, love the OS and UI it might be a good idea to stay with Apple.
IMO important for the price will be how you plan to use Ableton musically and how long you want to work mobile.
Examples:
- Running virtual synths and some FX like reverb in real time requires CPU power. In the world of PCs I would recommend processors as good or better as modern Intel i5 series CPUs (Intel or AMD)
- Working with many sample based instruments needs RAM and I would recommend to have at least 16 Gb - better more.
- Fast storage media also supports fluent work, a SSD having at least 512 Gb - best 1 TB would be my choise.
- Battery capacity for 8 or more hours of use can be expensive.
AFAIK prices of i5 based systems could be in the 1000$ limit. But I would carfully cross-check use cases vs hardware solutions.