Just my 2 cents. 16 gigs ram is a minimum, separate graphic card, I7 CPU. I have always preferred business class laptops. They are usually more hardy, have more USB ports and better specs overall without the premium GAMER price tag. If you can find a laptop with 2 drives that will be a plus. There are models out there that allow for an M.2 and SSD. Put the OS/Software on the M.2 and everything else on the SSD. I have had good luck with Lenovo and HP. The audio interface is an important factor and you didn’t mention that.
Good luck