Stefan.
heres what i recommend.
if you have a big budget of several thousand dollars, look at what a lot of big rich recording studios purchase. ie custom computers specifically built for the rigors of daily recording studio work. eg
https://pcaudiolabs.com/ https://www.adkproaudio.com/https://silentpc.com/and here is a custom builder that seems to be favored also by lots of studios.
(read the impressive references on the site.)
https://studiocat.com/opencart2/index.php?route=common/homethere are many others. research user references on google,
and also on gearslutz.com is a good site for user feedback.
make sure you do due diligence before sending money etc etc.
also on gearslutz are many threads regarding suitable systems for music production work. eg
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/the advantage is you literally get a "turn key" solution.
also reaper.fm has lots of info from users useing laptops includeing high end.
if i ever win the lottery lol i will probably get a company like
one of the above to build me a pc "beast" based on an amd threadripper cpu. stuffed with ram and ssd's.
HOWEVER if your a cheapskate like me and have not won a lottery lol.
here is my cheapie recommendation. FOR 700 dollars.
get TWO REFURBISHED COMPUTERS.
1. COMPUTER 1. a refurb intel i5 laptop with ssd for " trying out song ideas in biab etc" while your away from home eg on holiday or travelling. and also for useing on the net.
2. COMPUTER 2. a static at home "beast of a pc " like this, which never sees the net stuffed with ram and ssd's.
the advantage over laptop being EXPANDABILITY.
eg this beast A HP Z REFURB WORKSTATION. (450 dollars !!)
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/hp-z440-workstation-xeon-e5-1620v3-3-5ghz-4-cores-8gb-ddr4-256gb-ssd-nvs-510-2gb-quad-monitor-support-win10-pro-refurbished/14666686lenovo is another good brand.
BE AWARE THEY SELL FAST. cos a user is getting powerfull performance without spending a lot.
notice loads of usb ports. AND pci if you wanna use a pci sound card unlike a laptop.
make sure you get a 1 year warranty.
total cost for 2 refurbs above about 700 dollars.
cant be beat imho. another advantage is, at worst , if one system goes kaput you can still get work done.
best
oldmuso.
ps.stefan. something to be aware of.
a friend of my wife and i was recently shopping for a new computer.
(i urged her to consider a refurb, as no bloat.)
long story short she bought a new pc from a typical computer store. she has had problems due to bloat on it. and "now" wishes she had bought a refurb pc like i always do.