Mac Computer For Djing 2015
We all know that when it comes to computers Mac is the superior machine in terms of basic performance, but is it the best DJ laptop? There are many factors that make a laptop a solid piece of DJ equipment, and the brand name isn’t always it. But for the sake of argument let’s say Mac makes the best laptop for DJs; what particular Mac laptop is the best?
- The Apple MacBook Retina Display makes for one of the best Mac Laptops for DJing, it operates with pretty fast performance and has sufficient storage. Input/output could be an issue as it only has the one so depending on your requirements you may have to get a USB port hub of some kind.
- By Dan WhiteOn Mar 9, 2015 2 Apple has unveiled a new set of Macbooks that are incredibly thin, come in three different metallic colors, but also only sport a single USB-C port that acts as a dual conduit for data and charging.
- The DJ controller that will get you where you want to go! Specially designed to help you get started DJing, refine your skills and perform live, DJControl Inpulse 500 is a great companion for all your needs.
- For dedicated Apple customers like those in the music production/DJ performance community, these updates all but negate the shiny new additions to the computer’s display and battery life.
Before we talk about which is the best laptop it is important that you consider what your needs are as a DJ. Do you require a monster screen? Superfast processor? Loads of memory? No matter which laptop you think is the best, it must be the best for you.
I’m such a fan of computer-based DJing that I recommend having an identical backup laptop, should your computer crash (and don’t believe the hype, Macs crash, too). Sure, you could lug CDs around for backup, but you’ve lost the convenience that most of us made the switch for in the first place. Let’s say you decide on a Mac.
MacBook Pro
MacBooks, in general, do a very good job of running most DJ software so you need to look more closely at the specs to decide which one you want to be your DJ laptop.
The Pro offers between 8 and 16GB of onboard memory and as much as 512GB of additional storage. But with cloud access you don’t have to worry too much about storing everything you need. However you do want to make sure you have enough memory to run basic computer functions as well as enough to allow the DJ software to run at optimal speed.
Next you want to make sure you have all the connections you need. The MacBook Pro laptop offers several different connections including microphone, HDMI, USB ports and a SDXC card slot.
MacBook Air
Ah, the MacBook Air has DJs all aflutter because it is a dream for DJs looking to travel from gig to gig without a big load. Whether you choose the 11 or the 13-inch display you’re looking at less than 3 pounds worth of laptop. That alone gives the MacBook Air the edge among Mac laptops for DJs.
Even though the MacBook Pro does offer a slightly faster processor than the 1.7 and 1.8GHz dual-core processor, it isn’t a significant improvement to forget just how light the aptly named Air is. While you may not enjoy the small screen size on the Air, it does give you more than enough space to see what your DJ software is doing.
This particular Mac laptop offers DJs several USB ports, which is pretty much all you need these days as a laptop DJ, but it also comes with several other inputs and outputs if you need them, but alas, no Ethernet so if you need it, forget the MacBook Air.
iPad
Ok so the iPad doesn’t fit the strict definition of a laptop, but it does fill a gap in the DJ world for the superlight DJ on the go. With new software made specifically for Apple’s operating system, iOS, this tablet is quickly becoming the new alternative to the traditional laptop. Of course there are still issues, such as the relatively small screen but with 128GB of storage many mobile DJs find the tiny display a small price to pay.
There are no DJ controllers, DJ software and even apps to accommodate DJing from a mobile device so whether you have a big to prep for or just a house party, the iPad can get the job done with a USB.
So, which is better…
Unfortunately that is not a question I can answer for you. Personally I prefer the MacBook Air for my DJing but that’s just me. If you’re still learning and want to make sure you don’t miss anything, you’ll probably lean toward a larger screen with the MacBook Pro. And because of the security (Kensington lock compatibility) offered on the Pro you may feel safer leaving your expensive equipment among hundreds of inebriated partygoers to go fetch a drink.
While many DJs don’t feel comfortable with the lightness and slimness of the Air, the Pro isn’t so much larger that you’ll pull a hamstring lifting it. If you’re liking for lightweight but not Air light, consider the iPad. It’s small enough to fit in a backpack but substantial enough you don’t have to treat it like crystal goblets.
If you’ve never used a Mac laptop before for DJing or anything else you should definitely take a trip to your nearest Apple store to make sure you have a full grasp of the new machine. It’s easy to use—I promise—but if you’ve been a Windows person all your life, there will be an adjustment period that shouldn’t take place during a gig.
One final word on Mac laptops for a DJ is that these machines are pricier than your average laptop…by a lot. If you have a very strict budget there are other laptops that can get the job done so you can get everything you need as a DJ. Get what you can and when the paid gigs start rolling in…upgrade!
I hope I helped you figure out which Mac laptop will help you as a DJ. Email in the box below to get access to Free video DJ lessons that will answer all of your questions on how to become a disk jockey!
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How to buy a laptop for DJing
How to buy a laptop for DJing:
This is a topic that comes up regularly on forums and Facebook groups, and the conversations sometimes turn heated, as there is a lot of information (and misinformation) about brands and types of computers. It’s good to be a fan of something you like, but if your affinity makes you blindly biased, you’re not helping people by spreading your bias, you’re simply stroking your own ego.
So, how do you get help, and how do you know what to buy?
Certainly, you should talk to as many credible people as you can, both online and better still offline. People you might meet in person could SHOW you what they use, and the hows and whys. DJ conferences and other local meetings are GREAT for this as well, as you can get “hands on” with systems you’re considering. Youtube channels are also helpful, as long as you’re mindful that some youtube videos are DJs like yourself, while others are working FOR a specific company, which could bias their recommendations. However, at the end of this all, it’s YOUR decision.
How to narrow it down, and wade through TOO MANY choices!
If you’re DJing (or going to DJ) using software, START WITH THE SOFTWARE. If you’re reading this article, this is the reason you’re BUYING a (new) computer. Does your software work best on a Windows PC or a Mac? Check the software’s website for minimum specifications (specs), and be sure you meet or (better yet) BEAT them. Ask around about which softwares work best on which platforms. Example: While both claim to be (and offer) Mac or PC versions, Serato Scratch Live is said to work best on Macs, while Virtual DJ is said to work best on PCs. How true is this? Depends on who you ask, which version of the software you’re using, the usual considerations (ie. which processor), whether you’re doing strictly audio, or video as well, and several other factors. To make matters worse, it’s always a moving target. By the time you read this, new versions of the software could be in release making my preceeding statement obsolete!
PC or Mac?
Even if you’re not using a computer for DJing, you’re probably using one to read this article. What kind is it? What kind are you most comfortable with? Are you willing to switch platforms, in order to DJ? I’m such a fan of computer-based DJing that I recommend having an identical backup laptop, should your computer crash (and don’t believe the hype, Macs crash, too). Sure, you could lug CDs around for backup, but you’ve lost the convenience that most of us made the switch for in the first place. Let’s say you decide on a Mac. While they’re significantly more expensive than PCs (they’re made by ONE company, Apple, while PCs are made by several, who have to compete with each other as well as with Apple), they’re excellent machines. And, you can partition via BootCamp, or run a program called Parallels, and install Windows on your Mac, if you want, and have the best of both worlds. The main reason this is possible is because Apple now uses Intel processors, which are the same ones used in most PCs. On one hand, this is great, on the other hand it’s now very easy to compare a Mac to a PC in processing power, storage space and memory… and once you do that, you’ll find that Macs are a lot more expensive for the same specifications. With Macs, the choices are limited – there are usually less than 6 models of Mac laptops available at any given time. With Windows PCs, there are HUNDREDS of different choices. But Macs are cool, easier to shop for, and more expensive compared to Windows PCs. If, like me, you’re going to want TWO identical machines, Mac’s appeal begins to take a backseat to the more practical appeal that I can buy two (sometimes more) quality PCs for what I’d be paying for one Macbook Pro.
How to determine which PC to buy:
Again, start with the specifications from the software’s webite, and meet or EXCEED them. The good news: audio DJing isn’t processor intensive by today’s standards, and most new laptops will do a pretty good job for you, right off the shelf. If you have a brand loyalty, fine. I like HP, while others hate HP. Intel processors tend to work better than AMD processors, so I stick with them, even though going AMD might save you money. Hard drive space isn’t especially expensive, and I recommend going at least 500 Gig and storing your music collection on the internal hard drive. While you could store your music library on external hard drives, or even “the cloud”, I find having it locally, internally, is a convenience and level of security I don’t want to do without. If you’re planning to VJ (music video mixing), take another look and realize you’ll need a more powerful computer for this, and specifications you might not care about for just audio, you’ll need to care about for the best results in video mixing, such as: having a dedicated video memory card. As of this writing, you may still be able to get a Windows laptop with a 32 bit processor, which will work fine for audio, but video works MUCH better with a 64 bit processor. I recommend 512 Meg or better dedicated video card (1 Gig isn’t hard to find), and I prefer ATI over NVIDIA, but others may differ. Oddly enough, I prefer the Intel i3 processor over the i5 or i7 (both of which are supposed to be better). I’ve had better results with Virtual D.J. with the i3.
Mac Computer For Djing 2015 Download
The Bottom Line:
1) Do your research and determine, as best you can, what you want – driven by software and your preferences.
2) Find the deal you’re looking for. With more competition on the PC side, you’re much more likely to find deals on PC laptops, but Mac deals pop up, as well. I recommend keeping an eye on dealnews.com<http://dealnews.com>, or dealmac.com<http://dealmac.com>, as well as the Sunday ads, and simply visiting local computer retailers.
Now, the controversial suggestion:
Macbook For Djs
3) [and this is important] BEFORE you buy, find out what the return policy is where you’re planning to buy. Let’s say you have 14 days, with no restocking fee (which is a good policy – watch out for restocking fees). BUY that machine, take it home, set it up, install your DJ software, and then… BEAT THAT MACHINE UP! I don’t mean physically, but functionally, via your software. Load up as many tracks as you can, scratch, beat juggle, go NUTS! TRY to crash it! Doing video? Load up videos and see what your CPU usage is like. Is your picture and sound quality good, or does it start to break up, when you hit it this hard? And do this WITHOUT changing anything, or deleting anything, or turning off anything… see how well it works OUT OF THE BOX. It won’t take long to realize either a) this machine does what you need it to do (and if you’re like me, you’ll order another one), or b) you’re not happy with it. TAKE IT BACK, and try another machine. THIS is how I wound up sending back an i5 that gave me audio glitching, in favor of an i3 (a step DOWN) that works flawlessly to this very day. I cannot explain why this is true, but it is. This is why I make this recommendation.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people post about how they bought this machine or that machine for a great sale price, and it isn’t working well for them, but they’re going to MAKE IT WORK. Then, out comes the list of things to try (turn off networking, etc.) simply to get audio that doesn’t glitch. If the average laptop lasts 3 to 5 years, don’t you want something that works right from day one, instead of “workarounds” and “fixes” for all that time?
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