If you’re looking to purchase best laptops for DJing, we’ve got some tips for you. DJing is a complex art form that requires the perfect combination of hardware, software, and musical knowledge to make it work properly. We’ve done the reading for you and we found five laptops that are great for DJing. Keep reading below to learn about each one.
Apple MacBook Air M2
PROS
- Great performance
- Apple M2 chip upgrade
- Amazing battery life
CONS
- Fewer ports
- Fanless design
Specs:
- CPU: Apple M2
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256 GB – 512 GB SSD
- GPU: Apple M2
- Display: 13.6″
- OS: Mac OS
One of the best options for music performers, the MacBook Air M2 takes the crown for the overall best laptop for DJing. With a great retina display, a comfortable keyboard, and a trackpad, the MacBook Air M2 is one of the most optimal laptops to work on. It’s fast and reliable, too—with the new Apple M2 chip promising more processing power than the M1 chip. This new GPU works on most DJ applications; and with it comes a promised longer battery life, estimated to reach up to 22 hours depending on usage. The only downsides? It has fewer ports, so better check out which ports you need before purchasing the MacBook Air.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
PROS
- Excellent specs
- Great performance
- Affordable mid-range selection
CONS
- Few ports
- Not upgradeable after purchase
Specs:
- CPU: Intel® Evo Platform Core™ i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
- RAM: 8 GB – 32 GB
- Storage: 512 GB – 1 TB SSD
- GPU: Iris™ Plus graphics 950
- Display: 13.5″ or 15″
- OS: Windows 10 Home
Microsoft laptops have come a long way when it comes to dependability and durability. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 makes the list of great laptops for DJing, and one that you can be sure will do the job for years to come.
The laptop has an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen, depending on what you get upon purchase, at least 8GB of RAM, and at least 512GB SSD storage, changeable before purchasing. And with at least a 13.5″ touchscreen with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, this laptop can keep the party going all night long.
You won’t find many other laptops out there that come close to matching these specs at this price point. The Surface Laptop 4 is a perfect mid-range option if you want something reliable but don’t want to spend big bucks on something overpriced. The only downside? It offers a few ports, only 1 USB-C and 1 USB-A, which may not sit well with some DJs.
Apple MacBook Pro 13
PROS
- Apple M2 chip
- Great retina display
- Excellent performance
- Dedicated ports
CONS
- Expensive
Specs:
- CPU: Apple M2
- RAM: 8 GB – 16 GB
- Storage: 256 GB – 1 TB SSD
- GPU: Apple M2
- Display: 13.3″
- OS: Mac OS
If you’re looking for a premium laptop with ease of use and durability, the Apple MacBook Pro is the best option. It has a very good battery life, and the 13-inch version makes it very portable. A MacBook Pro 13 comes with at least 8GB RAM and 256GB hard drive space and a Retina display that’s very bright and clear, perfect for working the dimly lit rooms. It has USB ports that can act as a dedicated connection for your DJ equipment. And with the M2 chip our early this year, this laptop will surely bring the performance you need for your professional DJ gigs.
Dell XPS 17 9710
PROS
- Great specs and performance
- Excellent display
- Decent battery life
CONS
- May get hot with demanding applications
- Expensive
Specs:
- CPU: 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-11800H/ i9-11900H
- RAM: 16 GB – 32 GB
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- GPU: RTX 3050/RTX 3060
- Display: 17″
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
Another premium option, the Dell XPS 17 makes for a great choice if you’re looking for the best Windows laptop. The CPU itself, which can be either i7 or i9, is enough to run every program you want it to run. It also has one of the best displays on the market, which you may need when working in low lights. The battery life is good enough, lasting up to 10 hours. The only downside to this machine is that it can get hot when running demanding applications but that’s nothing DJs should worry about. Overall, this laptop is one of the best in the market and is definitely worth the price.
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
PROS
- Touchscreen displays
- Touch bar feature
- Amazing performance
- Fast processor
CONS
- Battery life can be better
- Expensive
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10870H
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Display: 15.6″
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
There’s so much to love about the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15. The dual-OLED touchscreen displays on the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 UX582L help you keep your tools close by while freeing up your workspace to keep you concentrated on the task at hand. This makes it about as functional a creative workstation as you’re going to find anywhere. The touch bar may be of use to some DJs, as this feature can be used as a miniature controller. It’s also fast and powerful, although it lacks the most recent 11th-generation Intel Core processors.
Still, the Core i7 and Core i9 are more than capable of handling almost any work you throw at them, including live audio mixing and studio recording. This ASUS laptop only lacked good battery life, so make sure you have access to a power outlet while working on the project.
These are some of the best laptops for DJing
To summarize, if you’re on a budget, the MacBook Air M2 is your best bet. However, the other options offer more features like portability or ports or touch bars that may suit your lifestyle more. If you plan on DJing with laptops, we recommend adding more RAM to allow for smooth transitions between songs. In the end, it’s up to you to decide how you want to keep the music flowing. We hope this guide served you well in finding the right option.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much RAM do I need for DJing?
The recommended minimum RAM is 8 GB. Getting more RAM ensures fast processing speed. -
Is 512GB enough for DJing?
A recommended minimum of 64 GB of storage is enough to run DJ programs. But you can go higher to ensure excellent performance.