# Mac Advise **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear\ **Created:** [May 16, 2014, 10:28am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079 "2014-05-16T10:28:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nirian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@nirian](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/nirian)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 10:28am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/1 "2014-05-16T10:28:34Z")
**Mac Advise** Hey, this is a question for Mac users please. I’m having issues with my laptop so I’m thinking of investing and was just looking for your advise from a djing perspective. I use traktor pro 2, audio 8 soundard and two kontrol midi controllers. I am customising a new 13 inch macbook pro.Thinking of upgrading processor from 1.4ghz dual core is to 1.7ghz dual core i7 for 150 euro? Upgrading the ram from 4gb to 8gb for 100 euro? Should I include thunderbolt fire wire adapter for 29 euro and thunderbolt cable for 39 euro?.Like are these benifitial from a dj perspective? Finally as there is only 2 us ports and I’d need 3 presumably the use hubs work ok for you guys? The total is 1, 347 euro. Would appreciate the thoughts on the above by mac users.Many Thanks ---
**Author:** ![astromech](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/astromech/32/37_2.png) [@astromech](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/astromech)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 10:36am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/2 "2014-05-16T10:36:38Z")
If you run your controllers through a hub and the soundcard through the primary USB port you’ll be fine. On my MBP (7,1) it’s the back one. If it’s a newer MBP you can’t upgrade RAM after you’ve bought the laptop, so get whatever you can. Same with the HDD. Don’t bother with the FW adapter unless you need it. You can always buy later. Get the fastest processor you can afford as you’ll be stuck with it for a good few years! ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/patch/32/118_2.png) [@Patch](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 10:52am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/3 "2014-05-16T10:52:01Z")
Dual Core 1.7ghz seems kinda slow for 2014??? Maybe I’m wrong… Definitely get the RAM upgrade, though. That’s a no brainer. ---
**Author:** ![nirian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@nirian](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/nirian)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/4 "2014-05-16T12:24:51Z")
It does say turbo boost of 3.3ghz, I wonder would that help.I don’t want to spend that type of money and it not being enough. Be intersted to heat anyone’s thoughts.Thanks again ---
**Author:** ![makar1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/fbc32d/32.png) [@makar1](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/makar1)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/5 "2014-05-16T13:31:43Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > Dual Core 1.7ghz seems kinda slow for 2014??? Maybe I’m wrong… The new Macbook Airs are the ones with 1.4/1.7 GHz processors (not the Pro). Clock speeds are pretty irrelevant as a measurement of processing power, and they certainly do not go up each year. The Air’s CPUs have a low base clock so they can save power while idling. Haswell increased the processing power per clock vs Ivy, so Apple lowered the clock speed to gain the 12 hour battery life. Any new Mac has way more power than you need for Traktor. Including the 1.4GHz one. You don’t need an i7 for any DJ applications or general day-to-day use. ---
**Author:** ![TonyRome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@TonyRome](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/TonyRome)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/6 "2014-05-16T13:56:59Z")
^this. The i5 is fine for Traktor. Agreed with all of above… max the ram out and get as big a HD you can afford. I found putting a small library of tracks on the internal HD has prevented any problems while playing out. (had a few glitches on my external at a gig a few weeks back). Don’t think Thunderbolt is necessary for DJ apps… USB and a good hub for your controllers would be fine. ---
**Author:** ![tekki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/tekki/32/12829_2.png) [@tekki](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/tekki)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/7 "2014-05-16T20:34:51Z")
Gear Question; Gear Forum. ---
**Author:** ![nirian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@nirian](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/nirian)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2014, 7:12am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-advise/66079/8 "2014-05-17T07:12:45Z")
Thanks a million everyone. Very helpful. Cheers