Best laptops for DJing?

Hey! Some clearings about different brands because the answers you got from your friends are typical. Besides being a DJ for many years, I’ve worked with computers in +20 years. I’m not that experienced with the use of DJ software yet, but there’s no different using DJ software than any other software like CAD, Games or any production software that will put stress on your computer. Some important stuff to know and consider:

1. Every brand has models that are/were shit. Usually some common problems are the same in every model that use the any third party hardware that’s of bad quality. All brands use the same CPU’s (AMD, Intel), Graphics (AMD, Nvidia, built-in-cpu), HDD’s (Many brands, very few controller manufacturers), the same goes for memory chipsets etc.. this hardware are nowadays the same for Apple computers, but they tend to stick to the higher spec’d parts. When sometimes a third party chipset doesn’t meet the set requirements, all brands suffer from it in all their models using it.

2. Always add 50% to the recommended specs. Updates and upgraded software tend to require more resources. It’s the only way to ensure that you can use your laptop for 5-6 years hassel free.

3. Dedicated use. Stick to using the new computer for one purpose. As soon the computer is used for more, you’re getting closer to a failure that’s avoidable and unnecessary.

4. Keep your system clean from rubbish. Get some good software, like Ccleaner, and use on regular basis.

5. Use Antivirus and Malware protection but make sure you can turn them off when you’re performing.

6. Optimize your system. Windows has a monumental number of programs and processes started automatically with your boot up and login. Close as many as you can and stop them from autostart. Get help if you’re not familiar with this or it could go quite wrong. At least, don’t do this in a hurry. It’s a bit of a trial and error because every user has different needs.

7. This is a very important part if you use Windows 10. Close down windows update!!!! To do this you will also have to close down the Windows update service and doing that make sure it doesn’t restart when it’s closed down. or it will start again. With Windows 10, Microsoft has taken control over the update process in a absolutely stupid way.

The update service will install updates in the background and by default restart your computer to finish installing them. There used to be a postpone choice, but know you’ll get a 5 min. warning and a countdown. The worst part is that you don’t know how long the restart will be. It could be as long as 45 min with several restarts. This happened to me with a computer running a software controller for steering the lights not long ago. The whole club went completely black for more than 20 minutes and I got the ”Windows Update is completing… Don’t close your computer…) screen. GAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Another way to avoid this to happen is to close down all your network connections, which is recommended anyway. Problem is that sometimes the Windows update service will spin out of control and will draw 50% of your CPU’s capacity doing so.

In return for doing this, you’ll have a system running flawless for years. B.t.w, everything DJ Vintage said I agree with too. Good luck!

While it’s true that Mac are targeted less than Windows PCs, doesn’t mean they are “invulnerable”. As I use my Mac only for DJ-ing/Music purposes I hardly ever go online with it. Still I have a free version of Avira for Mac running.

The Windows 10 update thing is a pain indeed. As Peter said killing the network connection will sort of solve that in the moment. And you could also (have someone) make your system dual-boot with a separate install of Windows 7 for example that you use only for DJ-ing.

CCleaner (formerly known as CrapCleaner, hence the two Cs) is a free download for private use. Windows has a thing called Registry where all kinds (10s of thousands of them) of settings are saved for all the programs you use as well as Windows itself. Also Windows will store tons of temporary files. While they are intended to help you work faster, after time both Register deterioration (too much entries that are no longer correct) and loads of temporary files start to slow down the overall performance. Something like CCleaner (I use it in combination with Wise Disk and Wise Registry cleaners) will clean your disk and registry and provide a noticeable performance increase or keep your performance high if used on a regular basis.

On Windows I would use the dual-boot option I mentioned earlier to have a DJ-only mode for your laptop and a regular use mode. At startup you pick which one you want. You can make both share a part of the hard-drive where you share your music so it can be accessed from the general use option (downloading, preparing, etx) and from the DJ side, without the need to ever go online with the DJ side. This way, if something goes wrong with the general use side, you can still DJ and even reinstall the other mode without “hurting” your DJ mode.

For Mac this is not really an option or necessary (although there are some multi-boot options, typically used to add a Windows option to your Mac next to the original Mac OS), I’d always opt to have two different users setup. One for DJ-ing, the other for general use stuff. On a Mac user separation in the Operating System seems better than on Windows, but that might just be my perception.

As for getting used gear, I understand your problem. I have had two now and are happy with both. Not saying there is no risk and obviously only buy after you saw it working, looked it over closely, tried out all connections (USB, video port). If you don’t feel comfortable invite a computer-savvy friend along when you go inspect the goods.

Refurb is often an option as they will have been professionally tested and cleaned, often with a clean install of the OS with the latest updates and even come with some warranty on it. Clearly you will pay more, so that’s a decision you’d have to make.

Macs are expensive, no two ways about it. People that spend that kind of money on a laptop tend to take good care of their stuff. Unless you are very rich, you don’t generally throw around your 2.500 dollar laptop like it’s an old blanket. If you are buying from the original owner, there is a more than fair chance that you will get a well-cared for Mac. Things like the sturdiness of them help keeping them in good condition as well.
So, is it risk-free? No. But I feel far more comfortable buying used Macs than I would be buying other brands.

The choice between Air/Pro is a personal one. If you want a bigger screen than 13″ (and I personally can’t use that small a screen with age-deteriorating eyes), the choice is pretty much made for you as that is the biggest screen you can get on an Air I think. That said, it’s nice and compact and I know of plenty of DJs who use one of them. Things like no DVD player are no longer an issue as the more recent Pro’s don’t have those anymore either. Also, who uses DVD players anymore. For CD ripping purposes you can get a simple USB attached CD/DVD player.

Not much to add, but this is a great thread. I can also vouch for CCleaner. Store bought laptops also come with loads of bloatware you’ll need to uninstall.

As a general rule, I wouldn’t buy a laptop for business use that doesn’t come with a 3 year warranty as standard. There are exceptions, like I believe Macbook Pro’s have a pretty good service record.

That second Inspiron is pretty good spec wise, except that it has a discrete GPU, which is adding unnecessary cost and possibly battery drain. You don’t need a discrete GPU for anything else but gaming anymore these days. Also warranty only 1 year on it.

If you have a ton of songs, I’d try to get a 500gb SSD, they aren’t that expensive.

I’m running a MacBook Air 128Gb And this hasn’t let me down at all, the sound quality is better than the older Macbook pros, and the speed, reaction time, efficiency and quality Has blown all my previous computers away!

Then again this could be biased as ive wanted a Macintosh since i was 5! xD

Sure, HDD will work too. It’s just that if you have the option SSD is a) the thing that gives most upgrade for the money currently (especially as swapping processors in laptops isn’t possible or too expensive and b) since it has no moving parts, an SSD is not prone to movement issues when “spinning” or – worse – falling or being bumped.

But hey, it’s a good laptop either way and the specs seems ok, as does the price.