Need Help Choosing A Laptop For Mobile DJ Work

I put out the same help request a few weeks ago, check out the older topics in DJ Gear section. I’m still to buy but am down to a couple of choices. Basically a lot of guys on here are big Mac fans and by all accounts have good reason to be so. I took all that onboard but decided I still wanted a Windows machine. I’ve looked at the 15.4″ HP Envy series, I defintely don’t want to carry around a 17″ machine as it’s too big and more liable to be knocked, IMHO. I’ve discounted the Envy as I can’t pick up the exact spec I want and to me, although it looks good it’s still a bit plasticky. I want an SSD for speed of bootup, and a larger HHD for better storage. I’m down to 2 choices, both allowing me a custom build. http://www.scan.uk/3xs They have a pro Audio model that you can then up-spec with yr own Processor selection, ram and hard-drive capabilities. The other option I’m looking at is http://www.pc.co.uk and either the ComsosII or Optimus IV range with similiar customisation options. I’ve decided on an I 5(Although still may opt for an I 7 even though it’s not required), 8 gig ram, 250 SSD and a bigger HHD and will go with Windows 7 Professional. This will be a clean copy of Windows without the manufacturers Bloatware, therefore no need to strip down.

I’m looking firward to the other comments as much you.

Good luck

As it stands I’m leaning towards the Scan option.

I agree with Terry on choosing a professional model, and my IT man at work recommended the HP Elitebook. The reason I’m looking at the 2 Custom builders I’ve listed above is the quality of components they use and the ruggedness of the cases. Again taking the advice of the IT man, he considers the components these guys use to be the top end and better than used in a consumer laptop. I’ve run with consumer laptops for about 3 years now. My 1st was underpowered but lasted about 18 months. My current is an I 3 and still going well. I don’t use it for anything other than music and it’s fairly well stripped of all the crap that comes with these type of machines. I’ll keep this as a backup and for running my broadcasting software when doing my internet radio show. To date it’s not given me any problems and I play out min once a week, often twice and mainly in busy pubs and busy private parties in function rooms. So in my experience a consumer laptop is not all doom and gloom but I do agree with all the techy’s on here that it’s not ideal.

Terry_42. I’ve given serious consideration to a Mac and the reasons I’m not going for one are (I write this in case you can convince me). I need a 15″ and the MacBook Pro has a max of 512 storage. Now I know you guys say that’s plenty but I do mobile work and radio shows so need a lot of music available and 512 doesn’t work for me, a lot of my radio music I wouldn’t play out but still need it available. I’m not going to consider running off a portable hard-drive, I use ITunes so every time I want to do any work on my music I need to have that connected, a pain. It doesn’t have an optical drive, not a major problem, but still a minus point. It has only 2 USB’s ports, another problem if trying to run off a portable hard drive. I do love the build quality and minimal keyboard. As I’ll be maintaining a copy of my library on a back-up Windows machine the workflow required for compatibility issues is really off putting. i.e. having a back up hard-drive that is compatible with both Windows and Mac.
I know these issues are all surmountable but I’m creating extra hassle to get a Mac, that will cost double a very good Windows laptop whilst creating more work for myself. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I’ve not had a crash mid set so am not so biaised for a Mac as those that have. As I said I’m happy to be convinced….

I am sorry but if 512 is not enough… you do something wrong.

What I have experienced when doing radio shows:
I have my own collection on my internal flashdrive (actually I only have the 256 and it is more than sufficient for the music I have to play out… if I ever run over 100gig music I cut down, because it becomes unmanageable).

All radio tunes or “seldom used mobile tunes” go onto an external HD that I have organised in folders.
To get that folders into Serato I DO NOT USE iTunes.
iTunes I use for my standard DJing music.
For the external harddrive I use Serato Smart Crates.
Works like a charm, if the external HD is not connected, the smart crates are simply empty.

Only thing you need to mention is you do have to quit Serato before connecting the external HD and start it again when it is connected so all the smart crates sync correctly.

As for backup: when at home I connect to a timecapsule…

As for USB: I have a powered USB hub on my Crane Stand, as there are so many things that can go wrong with USB power fluctuations. Yes on Macs this is not such a huge problem as all USB ports are power ports, but still gives me more peace of mind.

Latin DJ, Terry was responding to my last comments. Thanks for taking the time to do so Terry. The reason I read and enjoy DDJT is to find out how people far more experienced than I do their thing, take it all on board and then decide what works for me.