On the tipping point of future proofing myself? - Very open question...

[Chris Wood]

Hi all, the faithful laptop that has been going for 5 years is failing me - cost to repair outweighs cost of new model... Main use is browsing, basic documents and Traktor Pro on a Reloop Controller - also about 5 yrs old now but going strong (apart from some dodgy buttons).

I'm torn between a straight replacement laptop to continue and an upgrade to Traktor 2, or going for something different and using a tablet with a new controller as I've read that tablets can't support the power required for the controller over a long period - 5+ hrs...

My DJing style is fairly straightforward - I prefer the let the music speak for itself, if a change to the controller comes it will require basic effects and 4 channels (as I've found 2 channel controllers just irritating using the C/D decks)... I do however prefer jogwheels as I don't use sync - old fashioned I know

Is there something out there that is the future (and doesn't look like a toy) or is going down the reliable laptop route and sticking with the reloop the best idea for the time being?

Cheers

[Scalage]

There are several controllers that will charge your tablet. You can go Traktor S4, but you don't need anything that fancy. You can get a Kontrol Z1, Numark iDJ Pro or a Vestax Spin2. Most if not all will charge the tablet.

[Chris Wood]

Is there a way of powering the controller and an external harddrive? Going down the tablet route would mean limiting the storage...

[Scalage]

I don't own a tablet so I don't know what connections it has, but you have to make sure you can connect both the controller and the harddrive to the tablet at the same time. Powering the external harddrive is either done via usb (not sure if that works on tablets) or via a power socket. In any cast it's not done via the controller. But this way you'll only need two power sockets, so that's managable.

[SlvrDragon50]

There's no such thing as future proofing for computers. They always get better and the software always consumes more power.

I wouldn't get a tablet just because it's such a small field at the moment.

[Chris Wood]

I realise consumer technology advances at a fantastic rate, I guess I was meaning that I've had both my laptop and controller for 5 years so far, I'd like to make sure i'm not missing out on some radical way of controlling audio that is out or due out soon!

Looks like a straight laptop replacement it is...

[Scalage]

I wouldn't get a tablet myself either. Laptops have much better value for money, certainly. But if you're not going to use one for uses other than dj-ing, it might still be better to get a tablet. Our position towards tablets is irrelevant. Only the facts and the situation of the person in question matter.