I use an i7 with 16 Gig RAM and 512gig SSD. But I only use it on stage to play backing tracks.

What you need really depends on what you intend to do with it. A lot of top end instruments and plugins require (or recommend) at least an i5 with 8gig RAM. A top end orchestra could easily have requirements for well over 100Gig storage and often state SSD storage. BB uses a lot of storage once again over 100 gig for the UltraPak assuming you’re storing it on the laptop (but it does not require SSD).

Of course you can store stuff on external drives but you then really need good USB (USB 3) in most cases.

As well as RAM and Storage consideration needs to be given to IO ports. What do you need to connect: a USB Audio device maybe a MIDI device external hard drives a slot for eLicense or similar if you are using some types of software.

First consider your needs in terms of how you intend to use the laptop. Then search on current requirements for what you want. Then look at what you’d really like and add a bit of future proofing.

That would be my advice. For example if you add up your storage and it comes to 400 gig then get at least 1000 gig. (If you went to 512 you’d soon be out of storage.). I mention earlier a lot of high end plugins recommend a minimum of i5 a few years ago the same plugins probably required only a duel core processor.

My thoughts
Tony

HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1