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?
If you are a die-hard fan of Apple MacBook, the Apple MacBook Air MLH72LL/A is an ultimate laptop for DJing as well as for photo editors, developers, and graphics designers. Not only in sleek in design but it comes with a powerful hardware configurations. It is powered by Fifth-Generation 2300 MHz Intel Core i5 processor and runs on Mac OS X. Microsoft Pro 6 – 2-in-1 Laptop For DJs. Microsoft Pro 6. This is a flexible system.
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.
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. Lego star wars 3 for mac.
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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Any MacBook Pro in the last 5 years should be good enough for DJing, only because playing back audio takes very little power. All MacBook Pros should far exceed the needs of a DJ. You just need to make sure that you get internal storage big enough for all of your music and DJ applications while leaving about 10% disk space free, and enough RAM to run all the DJ apps you want to run simultaneously. You could probably DJ just fine on a MacBook Air, but you might prefer the larger screen on a MacBook Pro so that there's more room on screen to spread out your decks and playlists.
Best Mac For Djing
Macbook Air For Djing
The Retina is the latest, in many ways the fastest and most powerful MacBook Pro ever made..with a MacBook Pro Retina, no DJ on Earth will have a better Apple laptop than you, seriously. And if those other DJs really have PowerBook G4s (which have not been manufactured for almost 10 years), the MacBook Pro is many MANY times more powerful than those old G4.s