I’m looking for a Mid Ranged priced laptop for running DJ Equipment and software off.
Im running a setup using the machine and tracktor software and hardware, S4,X1 AND MACHINE MIKRO ( not the pioneer like in the video)
The Laptop in the video (Studio XPS) seems and sounds decent enough to run everything so what i am looking for is something similar or better for around £600 I haven’t been up-to to date with the latest computer tech since windows xp ,I want something to run all the above with ease , im currently experiencing lots of audio drop outs, crashing software and over heating with my laptop at the moments.
Its a compaq presario CQ61 Intel Pentium Dual Core T4400 2.2GHz Memory: 4GB HD Capacity: 320GB Display: 15.6" Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD Optical Drive: DVD-SM Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Macs are obviously the major player in the DJ industry but that’s out of your price range I assume. I’m not big on specs of computers but I know you want them to be reliable and I’d say Sony VAIO is the peg down from a Mac. Love mine.
If I could get any laptop for ~$1K USD, I’d look for a used Dell Precision M4600. I’ve experimented with a lot of laptops and have always been really impressed with the Precisions, and would pick them over the MacBook Pros any day. The i-series processors are all rock-solid with Traktor, and the Precisions have better screens, better build quality, more features, and way better graphics.
I will not touch a mac , no matter how much everyone else uses them, i like to be able to go into the settings and change everything hardware and software i dont want ot do that with a mac.
The guy in the film is using a dell xps studio
I have been looking at some acer’s in my local pc world , the guy said one of the latest should run it quite good. But which one ?
Asus do the job perfectly for me since awhile. Their cheaper serie (K) is still pretty decent (K53E-QS52 by example). You want an I5 (or higher) 4Gig of ram (or more) and a big storage HDD.
First you want to make sure you can deal with 1366x768 resolution (which is the most popular resolution on cheaper models).
Exactly what I like about the Precisions. They come with WUXGA and are extremely bright. The matte screen is also much nicer than the more popular glossy screens.
The high resolution lets you display all 4 decks, the full global section, the playlist shortcuts, the track info bar, and the browsing section all at the same time.
I have the 17" version of the Asus G53 and it’s a beast. Price/performance ratio is very high and the screens are nice… but unfortunately glossy. Its build quality isn’t quite on par with the Precisions, but it’s no worse than a Mac’s
Another nice thing about these models is that they run VERY cool due to the large exhausts in the back.
still rocking my Z series vaio from 2009 until now…fantastic machine, the price tag is hefty for the latest 2012 series but damn it’s a sexy ass laptop, almost like the ultimate ultrabook of my dream!
My bad… I guess I was totally unaware of the exchange rate… lol
In that case, check out the older Precision series. The Dell Precision M4400’s and 4500’s are basically the same laptops, just usually with the older Core 2 Duo processors - nevertheless nice, reliable, and sturdy laptops.
You can also take a look at spec’ed out Lenovo T61’s. They also have the high res screens and have a great reputation for durability. My T61’s have always had zero issues running Traktor out of the box.
i have a bottom of the range acer 5534. its served me well for the last couple of years. no issues with multiple midi devices plugged in and it gets a thrashing.
Thats the way to go also get a solid state drive for your progs… strip down the o.s of all the excess windows crap you don’t need…and you will then have a wonderful music machine. Its what I did and its fucking sweet!
Its cost me all in all with the mods 727 Euros.
For a simular spec Mac over here in Germany that would be double… and I don’t like macs. Sorry… we cannot all like the same thing.
It is a music only machine never been anywhere near the internet… so no virus … no problems at all.
I think most of the current laptops above 500$ range will be enough for your needs in terms of traktor/s4/maschine etc. My current laptop which is an Acer, Core2Duo 2ghz, 4gb Ram etc still runs traktor without hiccups. I did gigs with it, and it never crashed on me. If you take good care of your laptop, I think it won’t cause you any problem.
From what I’ve experienced I would recommend more CPU power (25Ghz upward) and maybe 8 GB Ram if this is still affordable. Building in some SSD, at least for booting is also enhancing your system a lot but I assume this will not be possible with your budget.
This. I have a T61, and its a tank. They have a magnesium roll cage built into the case, so they are strong. I dropped mine from waist height onto the floor, and nothing bad happened.
Has anyone used a macbook 4.1 with TSP2 or 2.5? You can get those relatively cheap as well.
What do the sales gimps in PC world know about music production, honestly last time I was there they’d spec a toaster to run Traktor if they thought they could sell you one ? …so thats a first
Back OT though For a Windows laptop for music personally i’d only consider a Lenovo possibly Asus depending on the model, The Lenovo’s are Not the prettiest of machines but they chug on for years and years.
