Best Laptops for Djing 2023

Choosing the best laptops for DJing is not an easy task as one needs to consider various. 

You are probably an upcoming DJ or an experienced one who is looking for the best laptop that will get you through your gigs without any glitches.

In this guide, am going to take you through the process from a DJ’s perspective with over 7 years’ experience in DJing and Music Production.

Do you need a MacBook Pro laptop to be the best DJ? You will know shortly. We are going to reveal the best for you despite your budget. 

Factors to Consider when choosing the Best Laptops for DJing

The DJ Software to be used

Different Djing software has different system requirements. This is something you need to consider when choosing best laptops for djing.

If you are not familiar with DJ Software, they include: Serato, Virtual DJ, Traktor Pro, djay Pro, Mixxx, Deckadance, Mixvibes Cross and Ableton Live among others.

Depending on the software you are proficient at, you can choose an appropriate laptop. For example, Serato computer requirements are as follows:

64-bit Operating System (macOS Catalina 10.15 or macOS Mojave 10.14 or macOS High Sierra 10.13 or Windows 10), Processor (i3 or i5 or i7 ori9 at least 1.07GHz),Screen Resolution (at least 1280 x 720),

RAM (at least 4 GB), Available USB 2.0, Free Disk Memory (5GB), Video Memory (384 MB minimum, 1GB recommended for best performance). The following system will be discussed further below.

Processor

To run a digital audio workstation (DAW), a fast computer processor is required.

If you are not familiar with this term, a processor or central processing unit or microprocessor is a tiny chip that is put in computers to receive an input and produce an output.

This may happen in the range of trillions of calculations per second and thus it is highly recommended to go for a laptop with a fast processor for DJing.

Most DJ software recommends the Intel Process with a clock speed of at 1.07GHz for best djing laptops.

The higher the speed the better, the processor should also be at least a core i3 and above for best performance. 

Random-Access Memory (RAM) 

It is also called Primary Memory or System Memory and measured in Gigabytes. It is a piece of hardware that allows the storage and retrieval of information randomly rather than sequentially like a hard drive.

This makes it faster and thus suitable for running programs on the computer when turned on. Thus, the DJ Software and other programs running during the show will be managed by RAM.

Most music production software requires at least 4GB of RAM but to run multiple programs at the same time and for the best experience go for a Laptop having at least 8GB of RAM. 

Operating System

The two main types of operating systems in the world are Windows and OS X. The type of OS you chose depends on your personal preference and budget.

Some people prefer the Apple environment (OSX or Mac) while others prefer windows (usually budget-friendly).

However, it is very important to ensure the OS in the laptop comes in 64 bit and not 32 bit as most DJ software requires the former.

The OSX should be at least the macOS High Sierra 10.13 and Windows should be at least Windows 10 version. 

Disk Memory

This is the hardware that stores and retrieves data such as music files. Most DJ software takes up to 5 GB of storage upon installation.

However, a 500 GB laptop can do the work but it is highly advisable to have a laptop that has at least 1000 GB of storage to store music files, sound effects, and other items such as videos.

Solid State Disk (SSD) is the new disk storage technology that is faster than the older Hard Disk Drive (HDD) technology. SSD laptops can be expensive.

However, for best performance but at a good price you can go for a laptop that has both SSD and HDD (dual storage) for both OS and storage files. 

Screen Size and Resolution

Based on personal experience, it is highly recommended for a laptop with a screen at least 14 inches in size with a resolution of at least 1280 x 720 for a best djing laptops.

These will enable you to view more songs in your playlist as well as see clearly. 

Build Quality

As a DJ, one is usually on the road and at different stages. It is thus a good idea to go for a rugged laptop that can withstand a rough environment.

 It should also be portable to save on space when moving around, an Ultrabook does well in that area. 

Those are the main factors to consider when choosing the best laptop for DJing. We have tried various types of laptops from the common MacBook Pro to top Windows laptops to determine the ultimate best. 

Best Laptops for DJing that Will Handle any Gig!

After hours and hours of testing and analysis plus my years of experience as a DJ, HP Spectre emerged as the best laptop for DJing this year. 

This is one of the top laptops from HP and comes with 11th Generation Intel Processors which are lightning-fast. Believe it or not, HP Spectre is so well such that it is Evo certified. 

As an Intel Evo laptop, it has the future laptop revolutionary design and meets specific requirements set by Intel. 

This laptop comes with a massive Intel Core i7-8565U Processor running at an astounding 4.6GHz which makes it run applications pretty fast.

 If you thought a Windows device can’t compete with a Mac at the fraction of the cost, I dare you to try the Spectre x360.

It is also loaded with a 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD which improves the bootup as well as data transfer.

It has a massive 16GB DDR4 RAM which makes running multiple programs, including DJ software and web pages, a walk in the park. 

Features

Apart from the impeccable performance, one of the best features that I like about the HP Spectre x360 is the elegant design with the styled golden edges with the icon Spectre logo at the back. 

When it comes to storage, it has the sleek Solid State Disk (SSD) and is offered in three options; 512 GB or 1TB or 2 TB with all the other specs held constant.

For a DJing with a moderate number of files, I would recommend the 1TB variant (which am using now). It goes for around 1599 USD. For a person who has loads and loads of music files and videos, you can go with the 2 TB version.  

It is a 15.6-inch laptop but doesn’t worry about portability because it weighs just 4.5 pounds (2.01 kg). This is not heavy for a 15.6-inch laptop. For comparison, the 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.3 pounds. This 15.6 inch is very useful for multitasking. 

If you are worried about battery life on a Windows laptop, you have to spend a day with the Spectre which we found to last up to 10 hours on moderate use. This gives Mac computers a run for their juice. 

It works very well with most music production applications, and without a doubt, this is the best laptop for SeratoDj software which I mostly use.

The only shortcoming noted with this laptop is some slight hum from the cooling fan. 

If you prefer a smaller and more portable but fast laptop for your gigs, we would highly recommend the new M1 MacBook Pro 13 inches.

If you are behind the tech news, the M1 is the new processor that was announced by Apple to be used on their MacBook Pro notebooks instead of Intel. The new chips are more efficient and faster.

M1 MacBook Pro also comes in a 16 inch for those people who want to remain in the Apple ecosystem.

If you own an iPhone, I would highly recommend you go with a MacBook since you are already familiar with the Apple architecture. 

In this review, we are recommending the 13 inch model for the best portability. It is one of the best laptops for djing.

M1 MacBook Pro 13 Features

This laptop delivers a very good performance, good battery life, and sharp display ideal for any DJing task.

The M1 is the first System on Chip (SoC) by Apple for Mac laptops and it integrates the CPU, RAM, and GPU.

The CPU in the new M1 is about 2.8 times faster as compared to the former generation. This makes this Mac the second-best laptop for Djing due to its impressive boot and loading speed. 

This laptop comes with a massive 58.2WHr battery which we found to last about 17 hours on moderate usage including Djing and even more time when watching movies. 

If you are still wondering which is the MacBook for Djing, the M1 MacBook Pro 13 is the machine to go for. The M1 MacBook Pro 13 price is about 1399 USD for the 512 GB variant.

The major shortcoming is that it comes with a storage of either 256GB or 512GB and if one wants more storage, they have to order an upgrade. 

This is the upgrade to the 8th Generation Dell XPS 13 9360 and the revelation of Dell’s top-notch innovation.

One of the major redesign features is the use of a 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 and the removal of the last bezel on Dell’s iconic Infinity Edge display.

This results in a fast and elegant computer suitable for any DJing gig.

Dell XPS 13 9300 ultrabook is also one of the thinnest and lightest laptops in the world at 7.82 in and 2.8 lbs. Making it even better for carrying around at only 13.4 inches. 

Dell XPS 13 9300 Features

This laptop comes in about 4 options which include a 16 GB RAM + 512 GB SSD or 32 GB RAM + 2TB SSD versions. There is also 13.4 inch or 13.4 2 -in-1 (Lapton/Tablet) laptop.

The base price is about 1500 USD for this model and you get a laptop with a bigger display, carbon fiber on the keyboard, and a smaller chassis than the competitors. 

The battery life of Dell XPS 13 9300 was found to be impressive at 12 hours for a Windows Device.

If you are a gamer and DJ at the same time, this is the laptop to go for. It does very well in both areas due to its fast-gaming processors and great build. 

Alienware is a subsidiary of Dell that specializes in the manufacture of high-performance gaming laptops. This is the ultimate Alienware DJ laptop. 

Alienware m15 R3 Features

This is the ultimate workhorse for your DJ gigs due to its impeccable performance build quality. Its screen refresh rate is as quick as 300Hz and the processor isIntel’s 10th-generation Core i7 which does a good job at the gigs. 

The performance is improved even further by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070. But being a gaming laptop, don’t start panicking about the price because this rig is very affordable starting at about 1400 USD. High-performance gaming machines are becoming cheaper every day.

It is a real value for money as similar systems usually cost more than 2000 bucks. The above reasons are why it emerged 4th position in our unbiased listing of best laptops for Djing. 

The only shortcoming noted with the machine is the shorter battery life at 5 hours as compared to the competitors. However, this can be attributed to all the hardware that comes with this machine.

Wrapping up!

From our analysis, it is evident that the HP Spectre x360 15 is the best laptop for DJing this year. 

This is due to its impeccable performance, speed (Intel Core i7-8565U Processor), multitasking (16GB DDR4 RAM), and sufficient storage (1TB). It also looks elegant for the stage with gold edges and styling. Its price point is worth every bit. 

The other laptops featured here such as the MacBook Pro 13, Dell XPS 13 9300, and Alienware m15 R13 are also great choices and each of them has its strength. 

The MacBook is ideal for people who want to remain in the Apple ecosystem, Dell XPS is for those who want something slim and portable, while the Alienware is for people who want to multitask between gaming and Djing and also stand out. 

Whichever laptop you go for (based on your taste and preferences), we are sure it will serve you well because we have tried and tested all of them. Have a great time as DJ. Be the best!

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