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Buying A Laptop For DJ'ing

Forde_1

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping to start DJ'ing soon and I'm going to buy a new laptop. I've asked a few people and they have said to go for a MAC but with my budget I cant afford one. Just looking for some advice on what laptops people would recommend I have a max budget of €800.

Hope ye can help me out!

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Stab*City

SmallBalls wrote: »

Thanks for the reply ironclaw.

I should of said in the post I'm using a TTM 57SL so its USB 1.1 for me.
Moneys tight, maybe 500 - 600 max, so defo wont get
a Macbook with iSeries for that.

It's such a shame that Microsoft are being dicks with Serato
about the USB 1.1 thing. It'd make life easier if I could get
a laptop with an iSeries processor.

Laptop or Macbook will purely be used for DJing, nothing else.
Mostly bedroom stuff and a few house parties, but obviously
want something thats reliable, no dropouts.

Any thoughts on the Lenovo's in the link or keep searching for
a Macbook. I think I would of bought that Macbook if the seller
hadn't bailed early :cool:

Looking at this one now Macbook

Its like this if your serious about making tunes or djing then you need a good laptop. windows is grand for beginers and win based laptops are alot cheaper but if your really serious and plan on giving djing or production a real good run then your only delaying the inevitable. macbooks just work better when it comes to music.

i changed to mac last october after using win based machines since day one. i for one will never go back to windows.

and as for the guy who is using windows for the last 14 years and never had a crash that i find real hard to believe!

ironclaw

Appreciate its not my money, but I cannot argue the case strongly enough for Mac. And for the record, I used both Windows and Mac daily. But Mac is built for Audio and Video. Theres a reason their used in development scenarios. A Dolby equipped studio with a pair of these (http://www.apple.com/ie/macpro/) is quite something to behold in terms of video / audio.

Keep an eye on the Refurb site: http://store.apple.com/ie-business/browse/home/specialdeals/mac and CompuB occasionally have "End of Line (EOL)" or Shop Demo models which are pretty much the same (http://www.compub.com/)

2tek

MacBook pro all the way.

My current setup is the MacBook Pro I7 2.0 8gig Ram running on Lion, serato sl 2.3, video sl, sl3, DJM 700 (midi connected via USB) and two turntables (st 150). Never had a problem because it just works.

When I'm getting gigs at bars with its own Serato set up, I leave all my gear at home except my mac,headphones, time codes +/- cartridges.

I have plugged every Rane interface except the 68 Ito my mac and they all worked.

The issue with the USB with the sL1 and ttm57sl was addressed a few updates back.

If you are going to get a windows pc for djing I will advise you keep it 100% for djing. No illegal software, no porn, no isohunting, no lime wiring, no emails, no random USB sticks, wifi permanently off, you also need to delete all the bloat ware that came installed with it.

Djing itself is not that demanding on the computer but bare minimum is the way to go with windows. If you go out to gig make sure you ask for the interface and install the necessary drivers. Carry back up of all the drivers and software too. You should be fine if you take heed.

leggo

Just to add a bit of balance here (as a guy who was pimping Macbooks initially), had my first issue last night at the start of a gig while doing soundcheck. The software was running horribly, just not the performance I've come to expect and more like what I was used to with Windows, and had to do a reboot. I've plenty of memory and was only running one other programme in the background (iTunes). It ran as normal after the reboot.

First time I've had any kind of hiccups with the Mac since I got it last August, but just so you know you aren't getting a completely invincible piece of hardware with it.

2tek

leggo wrote: »

Just to add a bit of balance here (as a guy who was pimping Macbooks initially), had my first issue last night at the start of a gig while doing soundcheck. The software was running horribly, just not the performance I've come to expect and more like what I was used to with Windows, and had to do a reboot. I've plenty of memory and was only running one other programme in the background (iTunes). It ran as normal after the reboot.

First time I've had any kind of hiccups with the Mac since I got it last August, but just so you know you aren't getting a completely invincible piece of hardware with it.

Yup. The MacBook Pro crashes too. Its just the relative stability of Apple MBP compared to Windows

ironclaw

leggo wrote: »

Just to add a bit of balance here (as a guy who was pimping Macbooks initially), had my first issue last night at the start of a gig while doing soundcheck. The software was running horribly, just not the performance I've come to expect and more like what I was used to with Windows, and had to do a reboot. I've plenty of memory and was only running one other programme in the background (iTunes). It ran as normal after the reboot.

First time I've had any kind of hiccups with the Mac since I got it last August, but just so you know you aren't getting a completely invincible piece of hardware with it.

You shouldn't really have iTunes open in conjunction with other software e.g. Traktor, Serato as they are both accessing the same file system, which could cause a conflict. I know for a fact that iTunes if opened first can take precedent over other software and cause all sorts of hassle for accessing the iTunes database etc.

However I have noticed that iTunes is very resource hungry since it got that Sync over Wifi function for iOS devices. As a matter of course I always have iTunes closed and Wifi off when gigging live.

leggo

ironclaw wrote: »

You shouldn't really have iTunes open in conjunction with other software e.g. Traktor, Serato as they are both accessing the same file system, which could cause a conflict. I know for a fact that iTunes if opened first can take precedent over other software and cause all sorts of hassle for accessing the iTunes database etc.

However I have noticed that iTunes is very resource hungry since it got that Sync over Wifi function for iOS devices. As a matter of course I always have iTunes closed and Wifi off when gigging live.

Interesting, I didn't know that so cheers (not a big techie: just know what I need to know well!). I like to keep it open in the background so I can download if I get any requests on the night that I don't have already...but may just open and close it as necessary now.

SmallBalls

Lads, if anyone has a minute to look at this ebay page ebay

At the moment he has 6 Macbooks under 600 euro for sale,
which is around about my budget.
Some have bigger HDD, some bigger RAM, other than that they look pretty much the same.
Is there anything else between them?
Would one be more suited to my needs(SSL with a TTM 57-SL) than another?.....I'm not big
on the tech stuff so just wanna get whats best for my few quid.
Any opinions welcomed

ironclaw

SmallBalls wrote: »

Lads, if anyone has a minute to look at this ebay page ebay

At the moment he has 6 Macbooks under 600 euro for sale,
which is around about my budget.
Some have bigger HDD, some bigger RAM, other than that they look pretty much the same.
Is there anything else between them?
Would one be more suited to my needs(SSL with a TTM 57-SL) than another?.....I'm not big
on the tech stuff so just wanna get whats best for my few quid.
Any opinions welcomed

Basically you want the best / fastest CPU you can get. They are all old, so you buy more RAM fairly cheaply. However, new they are not and you will reach a limit. I think the max ram could be 4GB for those models. The Black MacBook was discontinued quite some time ago by now.

SmallBalls

ironclaw wrote: »

The Black MacBook was discontinued quite some time ago by now.

They ceased in October 2008, these are February 2008.
Wish I could go for a higher spec, but it just ain't gonna
happen

A V A

you'll get a great i5 core proccessor mac with 4 gig ram blah blah for around your budget on adverts.ie . . .thats where i bought mine

ironclaw

SmallBalls wrote: »

They ceased in October 2008, these are February 2008.
Wish I could go for a higher spec, but it just ain't gonna
happen

I would very much advise against buying a 4 year old machine. Laptop components have a lifetime of, at best in my experience, of 5 to 8 years. After that, they just degrade and finding parts would be nigh impossible.

Buy on Adverts, there are some very good machines there at the moment.

partyatmygaff

elvis jones wrote: »

Here is one.

6 years using a mac daily.............never crashed.

Use a PC ( dell ) in work daily...........crashes at least once a week.

I need to know when i turn on my computer that 4 hrs later it will still be going, using a Mac gives me that confidence.

How much more did the Mac cost than the Dell? Probably at least twice as much if not more.

If you buy a Dell for circa €3000 then you're going to get a good machine.

For the OP, the most powerful and dependable laptop you could get would be a Dell Precision M4600. It costs around the same as a Macbook Pro but instead of getting underpowered nonsense and comparatively poor service you get a top class workstation with world class service.

The whole "Get a Mac for Audio/Video" thing is nonsense that's peddled by people buying Windows computers and then buying extremely expensive Apple computers that are in a higher product bracket who then disingenuously compare the two.

ironclaw

It costs around the same as a Macbook Pro but instead of getting underpowered nonsense and comparatively poor service you get a top class workstation with world class service.

Underpowered? Thats absolute hog. On a base level the OS for MacBook is above and beyond anything Windows every produced. Its absolutely solid as an architecture goes. This quickly equates to why Apple build the hardware and software together. So you get maximum performance from each.

As for service, you've obviously never heard of AppleCare. Their service is unbelievable. I had an iPhone and MacBook replaced with 72 hours. I heard nothing but bad reports from Dell etc.

The whole "Get a Mac for Audio/Video" thing is nonsense that's peddled by people buying Windows computers and then buying extremely expensive Apple computers that are in a higher product bracket who then disingenuously compare the two.

Again, absolute hog. Why do design studios and the print industry nearly 100% run on Mac? Why do photographers nearly 100% use Mac? Because they enjoy paying a little extra? And why do most sound studios and international producers use Mac?

You get what you pay for in this world. Granted there is a slight percentage added to Mac for the whole hipster angle, but if your serious about computing and have a knowledge of its base architecture, then you'll understand why Mac is so powerful.

partyatmygaff

ironclaw wrote: »

Underpowered? Thats absolute hog.

No it isn't. Look at the top spec you can get with a Precision M6600 and the best you can get from a MBP 17. There's a world of a difference between the two.

On a base level the OS for MacBook is above and beyond anything Windows every produced. Its absolutely solid as an architecture goes.

How? There's nothing more "solid" about OS X Lion than Windows 7 and you simply saying that it is isn't enough to prove the point.

This quickly equates to why Apple build the hardware and software together. So you get maximum performance from each.

Funny. You would have thought that such a perfectly engineered computer would be ISV certified. Oddly enough they're not whereas Dell's Precision line is.

As for service, you've obviously never heard of AppleCare. Their service is unbelievable. I had an iPhone and MacBook replaced with 72 hours. I heard nothing but bad reports from Dell etc.

And obviously you've never heard of Dell's business support. I had a laptop replaced within 18 hours with them. Others have had design engineers flown to their residence to examine issues as seemingly trivial as light leaking through the corners of their screen. "Applecare" doesn't have a scratch on Dell's business support. That's not even taking in to account the fact Applecare is an extra whereas Dell's business support is offered inclusive of the price.

Again, absolute hog. Why do design studios and the print industry nearly 100% run on Mac? Why do photographers nearly 100% use Mac? Because they enjoy paying a little extra? And why do most sound studios and international producers use Mac?

For the same reason you think Macs are better than Windows computers. They start off on mid range Windows machines and then buy far more expensive Mac hardware and then put the blame on Windows for the difference in quality.

You get what you pay for in this world. Granted there is a slight percentage added to Mac for the whole hipster angle, but if your serious about computing and have a knowledge of its base architecture, then you'll understand why Mac is so powerful.

To use your own word... Biggest load of "hog" that i've read so far in this thread.

A V A

im with iron claw!!!!!

How much more did the Mac cost than the Dell? Probably at least twice as much if not more.

yeah but atleast you wont be wasting time in getting it fixed or repaired or getting a new one which is what happens most of the time with windows!!! in the long run your saving your self alot of bother and hassle if you get a mac!!
iv had both mac and windows, i switched to mac because windows was utter muck. shut down half of the time and ran real slow.i am having none of those problems with my mac,it ups and runs straight away with no glitches etc .
i use mine for music production and dj'ing and have never ever had a problem with it , again thats why most people use mac in most of the industries around and not windows because of the lack of power in them.my mate uses a windows laptop and its in bit cosmetically let alone crashing !!mac is so durable with their frame etc ,yes i know it can get dented but its not easily scratched or marked like a windows laptop !! so my ten cents , mac for dj'ing !! and defo for production

like i said , go to adverts and check out the macs up there!! you can get 2011 models for decent prices , theres one and i5 13"mac with 4 gb ram 5400 rpm

partyatmygaff

A V A wrote: »

im with iron claw!!!!!

yeah but atleast you wont be wasting time in getting it fixed or repaired or getting a new one which is what happens most of the time with windows!!! in the long run your saving your self alot of bother and hassle if you get a mac!!
iv had both mac and windows, i switched to mac because windows was utter muck. shut down half of the time and ran real slow.i am having none of those problems with my mac,it ups and runs straight away with no glitches etc .
i use mine for music production and dj'ing and have never ever had a problem with it , again thats why most people use mac in most of the industries around and not windows because of the lack of power in them.my mate uses a windows laptop and its in bit cosmetically let alone crashing !!mac is so durable with their frame etc ,yes i know it can get dented but its not easily scratched or marked like a windows laptop !! so my ten cents , mac for dj'ing !! and defo for production

like i said , go to adverts and check out the macs up there!! you can get 2011 models for decent prices , theres one and i5 13"mac with 4 gb ram 5400 rpm

*facepalm*
This is exactly what i'm talking about. The entry level Macbook Pro STARTS at €1000. Very few Windows laptops start at €1000 and those that do (Such as the Precision M4600) absolutely destroy any Macbook in terms of power, durability and manufacturer service.

A V A

he can look at adverts , my brother just bought a late 2011 13"macbook pro for 820 .
those window laptops that are under 1000 or even 800 are muck for dj'ing they are terrible and run horribly and gather problems over time , iv had my 17" i5 for about a year and a half and havent had one problem, my best mate has a decent dell laptop which he got about 2 months ago and its in taters!!!! its crashing and slowing down etc !!! they are terrible, i would rather save and get a mac ,because they are known to be good fro dj'ing and production!!! why do you think so many people have them !!

partyatmygaff

A V A wrote: »

he can look at adverts , my brother just bought a late 2011 13"macbook pro for 820 .
those window laptops that are under 1000 or even 800 are muck for dj'ing they are terrible and run horribly and gather problems over time , iv had my 17" i5 for about a year and a half and havent had one problem, my best mate has a decent dell laptop which he got about 2 months ago and its in taters!!!!

What's "decent" to you? An Inspiron 17R? An XPS 17? They're both decent laptops but neither are in the same price bracket as a Macbook 17. The only one that is in the same price segment is the Precision M6600 which i'm fairly certain almost cannot fall apart.

its crashing and slowing down etc !!! they are terrible, i would rather save and get a mac ,because they are known to be good fro dj'ing and production!!! why do you think so many people have them !!

Probably because they, like you, are disingenuous in how they compare the two platforms *sigh* Oh, and they're shiny and have a glowing Apple on the back of them.

A V A

here right you can fcuk right off , i never insulted you or made little digs ,i just gave my input , im out of this thread !!

partyatmygaff

Where did I insult you or make any digs?

brianc27

you're not a real dj unless you use a mac

SmallBalls

brianc27 wrote: »

you're not a real dj unless you use a mac

I hope there was drink taken when making the stupidest
statement in this thread :rolleyes:

PremierDJ

brianc27 wrote: »

you're not a real dj unless you use a mac

LOL, can't believe people are getting so worked up about this. Been using a midrange windows machine for a few years now, it's totally clean, just used for DJ work with no junk installed etc, and it has been bulletproof, never crashed once, that is running Video as well as Audio. Need a new lappie shortly and looking at higher end ASUS, DELL etc, more bang for your buck IMO. Yes Mac were far superior for many years, but Win 7 has closed the gap and there are some superb notebooks in the MBP price range. Of course I don't expect the hardcore Mac user to agree with this, each to their own.

DrGreenthumb

best of both worlds, hackintosh,
get all the benfits of a mac at less then half the cost,

DubDJ

This will always come down to a matter of opinion. But after using both Mac (Macbook Pro) and Windows (Dell) my opinion would be the Mac OS is more aimed at a more professional market. The hardware is better and the OS is solid. The fact that OSX is made especially for Macbook Pro's also helps.

Argue it all you want most designers/artists/producers do run Mac's in their studio's. There are some major ones out there who use Windows systems but the Majority do use Mac.

brianc27

SmallBalls wrote: »

I hope there was drink taken when making the stupidest
statement in this thread :rolleyes:

your obviously not a dj and nothing beats seeing the glow of the apple logo on stage while seeing your fav superstar dj do his thing.

partyatmygaff

Again, another disingenuous comparison. For one you're comparing a Macbook Pro to a "Dell" (Whose only comparable product is the Precision M4600/M6600).

I can safely say that there is nothing "better" about a Macbook Pro compared to comparable Windows systems. Neither in hardware, build quality nor service and definitely not in OS.

mordeith

brianc27 wrote: »

your obviously not a dj and nothing beats seeing the glow of the apple logo on stage while seeing your fav superstar dj do his thing.

Real DJs don't use laptops . . . now focus all your misplaced ire on that statement (that's general, not person specific). There's a million Mac Vs PC threads on the net for various purposes and they always descend into the same tired old arguments. Use whatever you want :rolleyes:

A V A

i know this is off topic but the reason why i use a laptop now for dj'ing is because iv had my cd case taken on me twice with over 2oo discs in each one :mad: and iv had vinyl taken . . . thats just taken the pish, i