Latest Top 9 Best Mini PC For Music Production 2023 Reviews

This post will explain some of the Best Mini PC For Music Production and guide what to consider before purchasing. At the end of this article, you’ll get a complete purchase guide. A complete tower PC isn’t necessarily required for everyday use or music creation.

Technology has extended to the point where a micro PC with the newest specifications can be purchased and fit inside a compact chassis. If you’d told someone 21 years ago that you could carry a music studio on the phone or that some of the greatest recordings of this era were recorded using simple software, they would have laughed.

The finest affordable desktop and mini PCs for music production provide enough power and performance to let anyone start making music. Even inexpensive computers are powerful as tech improves. Finding recording, mastering, mixing, and production equipment is easy. Processing, memory, and storage are important.

Multiple-core processors improve multitasking. RAM helps run more plugins and virtual instruments. Make sure there’s enough space for your DAW, virtual instrument libraries, plugins, and session files on a fast solid-state drive.

Mac vs. PC? Mac is the industry standard for music production because of its stability and reliability. You shouldn’t have software or hardware compatibility difficulties, and you can run Mac-exclusive Logic Pro X.

Many software and hardware products are Mac or Windows-compatible. Cakewalk by BandLab is a Windows-exclusive DAW with exclusive features, and it’s free. PCs are upgradeable more than Apple.

Although it was created for business customers, the Asus ExpertCenter PN52 can serve as a tiny PC for music production. It sports a powerful mobile H-series Ryzen CPU (Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7) and a port-rich architecture that makes connecting numerous devices simple.

Moreover, the PN52’s storage slots and bays are easy to access, making upgrading or replacing components simple. You can choose your SSD and RAM if you choose the barebones option.

Our Recommendation

Image	Product Name	Global Rating	Price
	Intel 2022 Newest NUC 12 Extreme	4.2 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	Apple Mac Mini M1 Chip Z12N000G0	4.8 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	VCI Lenovo ThinkCentre	4.4 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer	4.8 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	MINIX NEO J50C-8SE	4.3 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	Bmax Mini PC 4-Core J4105	4.2 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	Beelink GTI Mini PC	4.4 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	Beelink SER3 Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 7 3750H Processor	4.4 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
	Beelink New 11th Intel 4 core	4.0 Out Of 5 Stars	Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

Top 9 Best Mini PC For Music Production 2023

Following are the Top 9 Best Mini PC For Music Production 2023:

Our Top Pick Audio Recording Computer – Intel 2022 Newest NUC 12 Extreme

Small and potent, the Intel NUC 12 Enthusiast Mini PC is a device made for media consumption and gaming. It can perform well in the music studio because of its Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Arc-A graphics. The NUC 12 is an excellent choice for demanding tasks like video and music creation because its laptop CPU performs on par with desktop CPUs.

Personal Review

The NUC 12 is a fantastic option for a recording studio because it is reasonably tiny and quiet in size and noise. The NUC 12 provides a variety of connectivity choices, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4. The NUC 12’s price, which is on the upper end for a tiny PC, is one potential drawback. It also includes a big, bulky power brick that might only suit some users.

Best Computers For Audio Recording – Apple Mac Mini M1 Chip Z12N000G0

 A small desktop computer called the Apple Mac Mini M1 runs on Apple’s M1 chip, an ARM-based processor explicitly developed for the company. It is intended to be a healthy and reasonably priced option for music production, especially for those seeking a small and portable solution.

The Mac Mini M1’s strong processor, which enables it to manage numerous audio processing jobs concurrently, is one of its key benefits for music production. Because of the M1 chip’s outstanding efficiency, it can execute complicated software without getting too hot or having performance problems.

A wide range of peripherals, such as MIDI keyboards, audio interfaces, and external hard drives, can be connected to the Mac Mini M1 via its numerous connectivity options, which include USB-C ports, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 3.

Software-wise, the Mac Mini M1 features macOS Mojave, which has several music-making programs like Logic Pro X and GarageBand. These tools let you create and arrange music using virtual instruments and effects and record, edit, and mix audio.

The Apple Mac Mini M1 is a potent and adaptable alternative for music production. It is especially well-suited for individuals who require a small and portable solution for making music on the road. If you plan to purchase an Apple product, you should wait until the upcoming Mac Mini with an M2 chip, predicted to go on sale in Q1 2023.

Personal Review

I love my M1 Mac Mini, to sum it up. Because I do a lot of video editing, I chose the 16GB configuration because it operates quickly and smoothly. It is peaceful and meets all of my needs. I’ve owned multiple MACs going back to the Macintosh Classic. The best Mac I’ve ever owned is this one. It is streamlined, portable, and only occupies a little desk space.

Top Mini PC : VCI Lenovo ThinkCentre

We now have this desktop computer by Lenovo, which is a departure from laptops. Anyone who prefers a permanent location to complete all of their production would love it. You can use it because of its small size and abundance of ports. You will still need a screen, which can cost significantly more even though you are paying a lot.

While this model is attractive and functional, you occasionally need a high-quality screen to attach, which might cost far more than you expect. Although the ThinkCentre model is compact and suited for tiny businesses, it isn’t the best option for everyone.

Lenovo is a fantastic company with a ton of promise. It is well worth investing in their brand and purchasing fresh-new music created by a computer because they only make some of the top technological products available.

Personal Review

It has a small package, good performance, and enough features to meet most business deployment needs. This device lacks a VGA port, although an adaptor solves the problem. It works well for making music.

Best Computer For Music Production : Apple BTO Mac Mini Computer

The smallest desktop computer made by Apple was the one that most needed an update. Furthermore, the business raised the bar for upcoming iterations with the Mac mini (M1, 2020), especially in light of Apple’s claims that its CPU performance is three times quicker and its GPU performance is six times faster than the previous Mini.

The advent of Apple’s proprietary M1 system on a chip (SoC), which also debuted with the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) and MacBook Air (M1, 2020) notebooks, is what distinguishes this version from others.

This Mac mini may be as thin as its forerunner, but it is a powerful machine that can render Final Cut Pro projects, compile Xcode up to three times faster than the forerunner, and even handle demanding games.

The Mac mini has a devoted fanbase. Thus the M1 chip’s introduction in this edition has undoubtedly delighted those users. We’re delighted with the additional power the M1 model boasts, especially considering how much performance has been squeezed out of such a compact computer since its inception. It remains one of Apple’s computing line’s most adaptable possibilities.

Personal Review

I’ve bought many Macintoshes since 1991, but this is the most recent one. The M1 CPU in this MacMini makes it exceptionally quick. Amazing graphics! I love it.

Editor Choice Music Production Mini PC : MINIX NEO J50C-8SE

The Neo J50C features a functional yet cutting-edge design. It is primarily made of plastic, and other than the company name inscribed on the top, little is known about it. Four rubber feet hidden in their base can be removed to reveal four screws. There is also a holographic sticker for Windows 10 that is uncommon enough to mention.

The J50C has perforations on two of its sides that let air flow into and out of the device. There are three USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet connector, an audio/SPDIF plug, a DisplayPort plug, an HDMI plug, a Type-C plug, and a proprietary power port reset button and power and reset buttons. However, there is no card reader.

The status light indicates the presence or absence of the device. The device can operate with as little as 1A without external drives connected, even if the power supply unit is a modest 36W model (12V3A). There is also a VESA mount bracket available.

We were startled to see a Pentium Processor in Minix. The J5005 is a 2017-released Gemini Lake part that is a Silver edition. It is a popular part with four cores and four threads, runs at 1.5GHz, has a 4MB cache, and has a faster GPU with 50% more execution units than the Celeron N4100.

The drawback is that at 10W, it produces more heat by more than 50%. (Compared to 6W for its smaller sibling). That explains why the J5005 produces a lot of heat, which is dissipated via a very large heatsink fan.

The storage subsystem is where things start to get a little weird. The gadget has a 32GB Samsung 5.1/MLC soldered eMMC and a secondary Minix-branded 128 GB SSD. Technically savvy users will be able to boot to this SSD, but everyone else will have to make do with a slower, less-capable boot disk.

The performance gap is also apparent: The drive’s read/write speeds were far higher than the eMMC memory, at 544.7 and 377.7Mbps, respectively. One of the memory slots is occupied by a 4GB TIGO-branded SODIMM, leaving the other one empty. The CPU supports dual channels and up to 8GB of RAM.

Personal Review

Superb quality, excellent value, and upgradeability of RAM and SSD. Strongly advised for Libreelec, or used as is. This computer is fantastic. Quick to start.

Best Seller Mini PC For Audio Recording : Bmax Mini PC 4-Core J4105

Bmax is an ambitious newcomer to the competitive Chinese PC industry with portable monitors, laptops, ebook readers, and tiny PCs. Still, it wants to make itself recognized through a combination of astute pricing and clever design. The first member of the Bmax family to receive a review place in our test lab is the B1, a small thin client mini PC that fits into the first category.

The Bmax B1’s design is understated, to say the least; it is proudly made of plastic and has a black color scheme. There is a dotted Bmax logotype with what appears to be a logo from the well-known robot franchise Transformers.

It is surprisingly small and light (around 240g) at 12 × 12 cm and a little over 30 mm in height, partly because the chassis has dozens of cooling channels to keep the whole thing cool. There are many other ways to connect; our first surprise is discovering a VGA port, an older optical connector still widely used in business setups.

Along with a Gigabit Ethernet LAN connector, an HDMI I/O, a microSD card reader, and a reset CMOS button, there are four full-size USB ports (two of which are USB 3.0).

The B1’s major problem, and perhaps the reason it is so inexpensive, is that it uses an Intel Celeron N3060 processor. This processor may be the slowest one we’ve tasted in a while, which brings back terrifying memories of Atom-based CPUs.

This CPU has two cores and two threads, a TDP of 6W, a 2MB cache, and a base frequency of 1.6GHz. It was released four years ago. It includes an active heatsink fan to cool it down despite its modest power dissipation.

Personal Review

This was precisely what I needed. I use it while hooked up to the TV in the living room. It works perfectly for downloading TV and movies and using streaming apps. Small enough to conceal itself next to my game console. They are highly suggested.

Customer Pick Mini PC For Music Producers : Beelink GTI Mini PC

The GTi11 is Beelink’s most potent Intel-based tiny PC. Still, it struggles to tilt the scale in its favor regarding value for money, especially as it lacks Thunderbolt 4, the sole significant benefit an Intel platform can now offer. While costing a little more, Beelink’s AMD-based workstations give considerably greater value for the money.

It boasts a powerful quad-core mobile processor from Intel, plenty of memory and storage, and fantastic features like dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, support for 8K video, a fingerprint reader, dual microphones, and more.

The problem is that Beelink, for a tiny extra, sells the identical computer with an AMD Ryzen 9 4900H CPU, which performs utterly inferior to the Core i5 in the GTi 11 and is nearly twice as powerful. Unless you’re committed to utilizing Intel, this is unlikely to appear on any best workstation lists.

Except for the processor, Beelink used the same reference system for the GTi as it did for the GTR4 and GTR5. When margins are tight at this end of the market, economies of scale do matter.

Not that we care. This chassis was carefully designed; it features many holes for efficient airflow, a blue metal finish to help heat dissipation, and chamfered edges to give the product a more expensive look.

Personal Review

Excellent small computer! It was easy to install Windows Server 2019 on it, and I’m using it as a remote office domain controller. Reboot time is incredibly fast. It is completely silent when running normally, but when fully loaded, there is some fan noise.

Despite this, it is still far quieter than a server and is much smaller and less expensive. Additionally, the graphics much outperform those of most servers.

Best Mini PC For Music Production : Beelink SER3 Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 7 3750H Processor

The Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing), which has been available for about ten years, cleared the way for a flood of compact and potent computers, such as the MacBook Air and the Asus EEE PC901(opens in new tab). With 16 GB RAM and 512GB inbuilt storage, the Beelink SER Ryzen 7 3750H is most likely the most potent model in its price range.

It offers outstanding value for the money, given that Dell and the other major manufacturers won’t sell you a 16GB desktop without charging you a whopping 50% premium in light of the current worldwide chip shortage.

Though disregard internal expandability (except for memory and storage). The only additional features are the ability to upgrade to 64GB RAM and drive three 4K displays. The main drawback is that WiFi 5 technology is used, even though Wi-Fi 6 or 6e would probably make more sense.

A reset pinhole, a red power button, two USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5-inch audio port, and a Type-C USB connection are all located on the front of the tiny PC. A Gigabit Ethernet port, Two HDMI ports, two additional USB 3.0 ports, and barrel-style power input are located at the back. Sadly, there is no memory card reader visible.

Personal Review

Admire this computer. It is small, yet it has a powerful punch. It starts up incredibly quickly, runs quietly, and all you need for sound is a Bluetooth speaker. It is highly recommended.

Best Mini Computer For Music Production : Beelink New 11th Intel 4 core

The Beelink GTR5 successfully argues in favor of small PCs. It boasts plenty of horsepower, more storage space, and support for a lot of RAM in a compact chassis. The GTR5’s Ryzen 9 5900HX processor allows it to complete practically any work with ease. You can even experiment with some emulation or light 720p/1080p gaming thanks to the inbuilt Vega 8 GPU.

The GTR5, which costs hundreds less than a comparable NUC, neatly encapsulates everything I love about small PCs. It occupies extremely little space and performs all the functions you could ask for on a desktop.

If you utilize wireless peripherals, you can even mount them to the wall or the back of your display using the provided bracket, providing an incredibly simple desk configuration.

The GTR5 doesn’t explicitly attempt to stand apart. It’s a rectangular, dark cuboid with good ventilation on the sides and much of the lid, along with the fingerprint sensor; the top sports a red Beelink emblem and some backlit AMD branding.

Both sides have “GR9” emblems, but since the model line is GTR, I’m not completely sure what they imply. Nevertheless, the excessive use of iconography spoils the usually restrained style.

Personal Review

The red power and green clear CMOS buttons, which further ruin the GTR5’s sleek appearance, don’t exactly win me over either. I’m not sure why Beelink chose such vividly colored alternatives in this situation. Even with the other logos and branding, they don’t fit in.

Product Comparison

You’ll see a trend away from the oblong, mega-sized desktops of the past, as with the other items on the list. Manufacturers have reduced their offerings as technology has advanced so that you may have the power you require in a box large enough to serve as a stand for your monitor. One example is the Acer Revo RN96, which fits adequate storage and RAM (with room for additional) into a relatively compact desktop computer.

Although the Intel i3 CPU isn’t exactly a speed merchant, it will be adequate to handle most of your chores. We had high hopes for the Huawei MateStation because some people saw Huawei’s Matebook notebooks as a more affordable alternative to the MacBook. Thanks to enough RAM, a decent Processor, and various networking choices, it lives up to its claim as a reliable entry-level PC for music creation, despite the ridiculous moniker.

In contrast to some desktop Computers, it is also attractively constructed and tiny, so it will only take up a little room in a tiny studio. Although it would be wonderful to have the option of user-upgradable RAM, anyone starting in production will be OK with the 8GB on offer.

Another time-honored favorite, the Acer Aspire line of desktop PCs, is mass-produced, yes, but has long supported the production antics of nascent makers. The Aspire is a good option for most people because it is straightforward but powerful enough to handle most jobs in a production scenario.

The standard model has 8GB DDR4 RAM but can be expanded by the user up to 32GB, so you could theoretically give it a significant boost if you find it sluggish. The Lenovo IdeaCentre is a good choice if your new computer is intended to serve various purposes, such as home working, internet surfing, or video calls.

Still, it also needs to be capable of a secret Maschine session. It has an affordable price, promising specs, and a beautiful, tidy style so that it will look good in a home office setup. Although it’s not the most powerful creature, it’s a fantastic choice if you’re just getting started with music production.

How Do We Test Mini PCs?

To get the most precise image of how well each micro PC performs, what applications it is best suited for, and what kind of capability you receive for the money, we subject each one to various benchmark tests and real-world uses. The Geekbench processor test assesses a system’s total processing power in terms of performance.

We run customized spreadsheets to determine how long it takes to process massive data sets and perform number-crunching operations. To determine how quickly a system copies multimedia files, documents, and other stuff, we also evaluate the file transfer speeds by copying huge files.

We run several benchmark tests from 3DMark to evaluate the graphics performance. When a system is capable, we’ll also conduct the SteamVR performance and individual game tests to determine how well it can handle the rigors of current gaming.

Most significantly, we use each tiny PC for daily tasks for a significant amount of time. We watch movies, work, play games, and blast music on the speakers to determine which are worth your money.

Best Mini PC For Music Production Buyer’s Guide

Small projects PCs that cost under $50 and portable desktops that can cost $1,000 or more are all types of mini PCs. Stick PCs are the most adaptable; they typically range in price from $100 to $200 and are compatible with most TVs and monitors. Depending on the hardware, mini PC pricing can vary greatly.

Recognize What You Want

Knowing what you’re looking for is the first step in locating the ideal tiny PC for you. Are you searching for anything with gaming capabilities or something small enough to hide behind a TV as a dedicated streaming box?

Do you need powerful processing and graphics capabilities, or do you just want a basic web browser? The use cases that various systems are most suitable for are nicely illustrated in our top recommendations above.

Choose The Proper Size

The issue of the form factor is another. Although all mini PCs are small, various options are available, from stick PCs that can fit in your pocket to desktop towers that are still small enough to store out of sight. Even if you’re looking for gaming or workstation performance, you can still get a powerful desktop compact enough to carry in a backpack without sacrificing power.

Verify That Your Configuration And Upgrade Options Are Satisfactory

The last thing you should consider is the setup options and upgradeability. There are frequently two or three configuration options available for small PCs, which can alter anything from the quantity of integrated storage to the availability of powerful processors and discrete graphics cards. The issue of upgrades is another.

Some of the smallest mini PCs have no capacity for future hardware upgrades. Still, others have ports that enable you to add RAM or storage or even an external GPU for increased functionality. When in doubt, read our reviews, which explain the possibility of future upgrades and contain configuration information.

Should I Go For Mac Or Windows?

Both Mac and Windows are capable of producing music at high levels. Your decision will depend on the DAW you select because some only support Windows and some just Mac. The DAW determines the operating system you intend to use. For instance, Logic Pro, one of the most widely used DAWs, is Mac-only. Thus, whether to use Mac or Windows depends greatly on personal preference.

Conclusion

A reliable computer is essential for music production tasks, and many musicians prefer desktop computers since they are more inexpensive than laptops and can be upgraded for future needs. Every price range and skill level can find a superb machine on the market, from entry-level music production computers that are inexpensive to high-end workhorses.

The Apple iMac Retina 5K Display model is the Best Mini PC For Music Production. I often suggest it is quite powerful and adaptable for most creative needs. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly computer, I advise you to look at the Apple Mac Mini M1 Chip, which comes equipped with Apple’s most recent M1 Chip technology and offers high-end performance at an affordable price.

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