Choosing a good laptop for DJing is not just about hardware requirements, brand, or which software to use. One of the most important things to consider on a DJ laptop is being reliable and stable for your live performances.
Nobody wants dropouts, “clicks”, or even a complete computer crash and close in the middle of your DJ gig. This is probably every laptop DJ’s worst nightmare. Here is an interview with DJ Sasha speaking about having a brand new laptop crash right before the live gig. Sh*t happens, so you need to be prepared.
How can you avoid this situation, you might ask..?
Since there are no computers specifically designed for DJs yet, you’ll have to go through countless websites and do all the research yourself. It will be necessary to read reviews and check many comments or reports about dropouts, crashes, driver’s stability, etc. So we did most of the job for you to create a list of the eight best DJ laptops in the market.
In 2024 the choices for a beginner DJ laptop are countless. Most modern computers out there offer more than enough without spending much. Cheap laptops are now built to last and stand hardship. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it makes it hard to “fail” on your choice as many laptops have characteristics for a specific job. For example, gaming, design, office work, etc.
All our options for the best computer for DJing are compatible with Rekordbox, Serato DJ, Traktor Pro, Virtual DJ, and all major mixing softwares. Check out the best DJ software in the market, or start with a free mixing app.
Top 8 Best Laptop for DJing in 2024 – Reviews
1. Apple MacBook Pro 13
Key Specs:
- 13-inch Retina Display
- 10th-generation Quad Core i5 processor
- 16GB RAM
- Up to 1TB SSD Storage
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
There are many reasons why you see a lot of DJs using MacBooks at their live performances. The main reason is reliability. This model doesn’t have the highest specifications you can get from a MacBook Pro, but as for DJing goes, it will cover you for many years.
If budget isn’t a problem for you and you’re starting your career as a DJ, you can play it safe with any of the Apple MacBooks. Everything from the software, operating system, the motherboard, and the sound card are all built and designed by the same company. This is reliability at its finest. All that together makes everything work flawlessly and with almost no chances of crashing or dropouts during a live event.
The 10th generation i5 quad-core 2.0GHz processor and 16GB RAM is plenty to run the most intensive DAW or DJ software out there. You can have up to 1TB SSD, to make sure to read your mp3s and tracks faster, plus they are more reliable than regular HD Drives.
Its resolution is far higher than what you will find on many mainstream laptops out there (2560×1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch), which will allow you to fit in more VSTs, Interfaces, Windows, etc. The battery life is excellent as well; you won’t have any issue with that.
A big plus is a backlit keyboard for the countless times you’ll be performing in dark settings. Also, you’ll get plenty of connectivity for all your external devices: A charging, DisplayPort, and four Thunderbolt USB-C ports (up to 40 Gbps). Ideal to connect every type of USB audio interface, and DJ microphones.
MacBook Pro is probably the best and most popular laptop for DJing and music production in the market right now. It is also available in two colors. The classic Mac Silver or the new Space Gray to match your style.
2. Dell Inspiron 15 5000
Key Specs:
- 15.6-inch FHD Display
- 10th-generation Quad Core i5 processor
- 16GB RAM
- Up to 1TB SSD Storage
- Three USB 3.1 ports
- Up to 9 hours of battery life
Another gem for DJing. Dell offers quite reliable and solid laptops with its Inspiron, XPS, and Precision series. It’s a windows laptop you can also count on for DJing in general.
It might not be as powerful as the DELL XPS 15, but it is three times cheaper. The best part is that for a small budget, you get a sufficient laptop for DJing and performing live with a 1.8GHz Quad-core processor and 8GB RAM (upgradeable to 16GB).
If you think you need a bigger RAM, it will be a bit more expensive for you to upgrade it yourself. But there is no need to worry because RAM is one of the easiest things to update on a laptop.
On the plus side, it comes with a Solid-State Driver (SSD) of 128GB. This is a storage device with plenty of capacity for your samples, tracks, and mixes. Along with the advantage of the superb reading speeds this offers, it’s an ideal option for any DJ. Plus 1TB of HDD to store more data, music, and softwares.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 also comes with a backlit keyboard to easily see your keys in your dark home recording studio. As well as plenty of ports for all your external connections (1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0 and HDMI for displays). This is probably the best laptop to DJ with on a tight budget. Here you will find the best DJ controller for beginners to connect to your laptop and start mixing from day one.
Its display size is bigger than the MacBook Pro shown above. So, if you have problems with setups far from an optimal viewing distance might be a better option for this 15.6″ Full HD screen.
3. Alienware m15 R3
Key Specs:
- 15.6-inch FHD Display
- 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
- Three USB 3.1 ports
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
The Alienware laptops are definitely gaming series machines. Nevertheless, they come with all the features and specs you will want on your DJ laptop.
The m15 R3 is built with high-end materials such as magnesium alloy, copper, and steel to give you tan ultimate secure cover. It is still lightweight for easy transportation, and compact to fit in most DJ backpacks. The 10th Generation Intel Core i7 is one of the best processors for DJing you can get on the market. Along with the 16 RAM present the fastest laptop to run every DJ software and app n a blink of an eye.
A bonus of the new Alienware m15 is the Cryo-Tech cooling component, which keeps your laptop cool, and maximizes the overall performance. The ultra-bright and color-balanced screen and keyboard will drop your need for an external laptop light.
Gaming laptops are good for DJ purposes as well, and the Alienware m15 R3 will handle more stuff than most conventional laptops out there. The only disadvantage is that you will probably want to hide the “gaming” design with a DJ laptop skin. Nevertheless, this is probably one of the best laptops for Serato DJ, Traktor Pro 3, and all major DJ softwares.
4. ACER ASPIRE 5
Key Specs:
- 15.6-inch FHD IPS Display
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Intel Dual Core processor
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB SSD Storage
- One USB 3.1 port, Two USB 2.0 ports
- Up to 6 hours of battery life
A last-minute addition is the very affordable ACER Aspire 5. It comes with an 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor (Up to 3.4GHz). Plus, an 8GB DDR4 Dual Channel Memory RAM will guarantee a great performance on your DJ performances. The 256GB SSD hard drive will store and run all your music and DJ apps fast.
The 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics card offers promising capabilities to the laptop when it comes to watching videos, but is not very useful for DJing or music production. The 15.6-inch LED-lit IPS Display shows explicit and natural content. This full-HD screen makes it absolutely perfect for DJing while using the software of your preference.
If you want a good and affordable DJ laptop with extensive connectivity, Acer Aspire 5 is the choice.
The Aspire 5 has an SD card reader, Bluetooth 4.1, one USB 3.0, and two USB 2.0 along with an HDMI port. All the components of the laptop are power efficient, and they can run without any limitations for 6 hours. One more plus on this laptop is its weight. It is a bit over 5 pounds, which makes it easy to transfer everywhere you go.
5. Microsoft Surface Pro X
Key Specs:
- 13-inch Touch-Screen Display
- Microsoft SQ2 (co-developed with Qualcomm)
- Up to 16GB RAM
- Up to 512GB SSD Storage
- Two USB 3.0 ports
- Up to 15 hours battery life
Even if most professionals and experts will pick the Macbook Pro or Air for DJ use, Surface Pro X is a great alternative. However, in most cases like the above, for a powerful, light, and good laptop, you can’t be cheap.
Microsoft is always considered a big competitor of Apple, and this ultra-thin yet powerful notebook is the answer if you are looking to DJ with a touchscreen. The new 13″ touchscreen display with a sleek matte black finish sits perfectly on the Surface Pro X and it is still 1.7 pounds and just 7.3mm thin. Remember to look for a good laptop stand to keep it safe and stable during your DJ set.
The 128 GB hard size is not ideal, so an external hard drive might be necessary after a couple of months of downloading. However, you can get one of the upgraded laptops/tablets with 8 GB RAM and a 256 hard drive, or 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB for sufficient music storage.
6. MacBook Air 13.3
Key Specs:
- CPU: Intel Dual-Core Core i5 1.6 GHz
- RAM: 8GB 2133MHz DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 13.3” LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560×1600
Back to Apple products and this “thin” Macbook Air 13.3 is perfect for your live gigs. A combination of reliable laptops and great characteristics – not to forget the design. It’s not the fact that Windows is unstable, or PC laptops are bad but the fact that their parts are made from a variety of different manufacturers, making them less efficient and more likely to not deliver the job.
The Air notebook by Apple, on the other hand, is entirely different from the Pro, it’s far more portable and has probably the most extended battery life as far as ultrabooks and laptops go. It’s the only 2.91b, and with +13 hours of battery life, it will deliver the job for any DJ on the road.
In case you are wondering if you can DJ with MacBook Air, it is probably the best laptop for mobile DJs.
The latest models have more than enough power to match the 13” MacBook Pro. The 8th generation 1.6GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor is a good enough choice for DJing. While 8GB RAM is also sufficient, keep in mind that it can also be upgraded to 16GB.
An important thing for a DJ is a large and fast hard drive disc. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air cannot deliver the best possible. The 128GB SSD storage (from 2017 – PCIe flash storage) it will probably not fill your needs. The backlit keyboard is not missing from this model. Also, the Air has the fastest bootup times on this list, mainly due to its hard drive technology.
Regardless of the connectivity and ports of this laptop: It has two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, which is pretty cool for a skinny laptop.
Note: This is one of the most affordable Apple laptops in the market!
7. Lenovo ThinkPad T460
Key Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core I5-6300U up to 3.0 GHz
- RAM: 16GB 2133MHz DDR3
- Storage: 500GB
- Display: 14” LED-backlit Widescreen Display, Full HD Matte Finish.
In the last couple of years, Lenovo has proved that reliability and durability are two of their biggest targets. Out of all of their models, you will see the Thinkpads almost everywhere. Users’ reviews say it is one of the most durable laptops they had. With exquisite and robust design and build, a massive bonus for every DJ who travels a lot.
This model is one of the best beginner DJ laptops at under $500 in the market. It is not a gaming laptop, nor does it have any unnecessary features (no dedicated graphics card). T460 has excellent characteristics in every function as far as DJing is concerned. Excellent power up to 3.0GHz core processor along with 16 GB RAM that will handle multiple apps and tasks simultaneously. Along with a 500GB hard disc to increase readout times and boost your overall performance.
Its display size is 14″, which is neither too small for those far from eyesight sets ups, nor too big for portability. One more thing to remember is the full HD resolution display will give you space for a plethora of interfaces, tools without the need to switch back and forth between views when you are performing. It also comes with a matte finish to prevent reflections from disturbing you when DJing.
Out of this list, it has the highest number of ports: It has 3 USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, Ethernet, mini-DisplayPort, and HDMI, and guess what? It also comes with a backlit keyboard. Plus, the keyboard itself is also spill-resistant for any accidents that may happen whenever you are performing. One of the best laptops for DJing comes from a Windows machine; nothing is missing from this one.
ThinkPad T460 is a very cheap laptop for DJing and ideal for beginners that cannot afford any of the above.
8. ASUS ROG GL552VW
Key Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 3.5Ghz Quad Core
- RAM: 16GB 2133MHz DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD & 1TB HDD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB
- Display: 15.6″ Matte IPS HD (1920×1080)
ASUS gaming laptops are quite popular among DJs looking for non-apple laptops.
The ASUS ROG GL552VW has too much power for DJing: i7 Quad Core 3.5Ghz and 16GB RAM that will cover your needs for many years. It will be able to run multiple DJ or production softwares at the same time. Best of all, it comes at a great price.
This model offers a combination of storage, a 1TB HDD for all your tracks, and mixes, and an 128GB SSD for your most used samples, mixes, OS, and software. You won’t need an external hard drive for a long time. On the other hand, you will probably find the GPU a bit unnecessary unless you have gaming in mind, which I wouldn’t recommend for a couple of reasons.
A display screen of 15.6″ is a must-have if you have your set up quite far from your view. Also, the Matte Display is perfect for those instances where bright reflections are unavoidable (working outside or when the sun is playing against you).
Plus, you get way too many ports to play around with, probably far more than you’ll ever need: x3 USB 3.0 ports, xl USB 3.1 port, HDMI, SD Card Reader, and a backlit keyboard too. If you don’t mind the considerable gaming tag on it, this laptop has everything you may need for DJing while remaining affordable at the same time.
Buyers Guide – DJ Computer
What is the best laptop for DJing?
- MacBook Pro
- Dell Inspiron 15
- Alienware m15 R3
- MacBook Air
- Microsoft Surface Pro X
- Lenovo ThinkPad T460
- ASUS ROG GL552VW
- Acer Aspire 5
- Dell XPS 13
How to DJ with a laptop?
Playing and mixing songs with a laptop is the most popular way to DJ today. To DJ with a laptop, you will need a DJ software such as the Serato or Virtual DJ. Import or sync your music library into the software and add a song on each desc. There is an auto-cue function so you won’t need to manually beat-match the tracks at first. Use the mixer interface to manipulate EQ (lows, mids, high) and add FX filters to achieve a smoother transition between tracks.
Later on, you can invest in a good DJ controller for a more natural way of mixing by using headphones, knobs, faders, jog-wheels, etc.
Here are five tips for DJing with just a laptop and start mixing before your DJ controller arrives.
Video: How to DJ with a Laptop?
What to look for before buying a laptop for mixing
There are a few basic things to check, but for a budget of around $1000, you can get a powerful laptop with proper specifications of Processor, RAM, Hard drive, and the rest. Connectivity and battery life are also two things to consider. However, for a decent amount of money, those two characteristics won’t differ a lot from other contestants. So, a roundup on what to consider before choosing your next DJ laptop.
- Processor – Your laptop’s performance depends on it. Suitable processing power is a 2.3GHz dual Intel Core i5, which along with a good RAM size, will allow your laptop to handle heavy applications and multitasking without a problem.
- RAM – You should pick a laptop with 8GB RAM or more.
- SSD Hard drive – Well, here it mostly depends on your needs. An external hard drive will eventually become a necessity, so go for an SSD of 250GB or more.
- Screen Display – The same as the above, it depends on your needs and wants. DJing on a small 13-inch laptop screen can be quite challenging. The safest option would be a 15-inch notebook that it’s big enough to check your mixing and small enough to transfer it around easily.
Minimum Specs For DJ Laptop:
Laptop requirements for Serato DJ Pro:
- CPU: i3 2GHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 5GB
Laptop requirements for Virtual DJ:
- CPU: i3 2GHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 30MB
Laptop requirements for Traktor Pro:
- CPU: i5 2GHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 1GB
DJ Laptop design and durability:
Most manufacturers today do not pay much attention to design. Consumers usually look at the specifications, such as CPU and GPU. Therefore there is less attention to the design part. There are, however, exceptions, such as the beautiful MacBook Pro and Air by Apple or the Alienware series. Most famous DJs out there, you will see them use an Apple laptop (sometimes totally covered with stickers).
We have busted the myth of laptop DJs, so get ready and build the best DJ setup for beginners to perform like pros.
The main issue, however, is not that your laptop may not look cool on stage, but most laptops end up having a weak cooling system. That may cause your laptop to skip or even completely blackout. A nightmare for every DJ, once again. So, make sure your laptop is appropriately ventilating, and all the openings are dust-free.
What to remember before finding a cheap laptop for DJing?
You can search and find the best laptops for DJing by yourself, but those above are the most reliable, and popular laptops used by DJs all around the world.
All the above are top laptops on the market that haven’t reported issues in forums, social media, or reviews. You can feel safe about having issues when performing live with any of the models below. These also have more than enough hardware requirements for you to comfortably run your favorite DJ software and DAW applications.
FAQs:
- What is the best laptop for Serato DJ Software?
Most computers out there will work ideally with every DJ software. Serato DJ, Traktor Pro, Virtual DJ, and Rekordbox are the most popular, and they will run sufficient if you take care of the DJ Laptop specs listed above. - Are gaming laptops good for DJing?
Yes, in most cases, gaming laptops carrying the same specifications that DJs want. - What is the best MacBook for DJing?
Every MacBook Pro and Air Model released from 2018 till today, are a great choice for every beginner DJ. - Do I need a laptop for my DJ controller? You will most likely need a laptop for your DJ controller unless you buy a standalone unit such as the new Denon DJ Prime 4.
- Can you DJ with a desktop? A Desktop for DJing might not be the best option, but since they produce lighter and more compact all-in-one computers you can consider it.
Final Thoughts
MacBook Pro and Air laptops are an excellent choice for DJs and music producers if you can afford them. They have the reputation of expensive products, but quality, reliability, and design come with a cost. There are, however, some great cheap DJ computers by Dell, HP, Asus, and Lenovo that are worth your attention. Plus, you can add some really lovely DJ laptop skins to match your style.
Remember to make sure the laptop you buy is offering well built and has a solid design. A laptop for DJ purposes will take more physical damage than a laptop from a regular consumer, which is just simply standing on a desk as opposed to being always on the move.
Even if you find a laptop with all the specifications listed above for a lower price, look at the design and built because that’s where manufacturers try to cut the cost down.
Another good tip is to aim for business class laptops as opposed to regular consumer laptops; they are built with durability and reliability in mind.
DJing without headphones is impossible. Find now The best DJ headphones on the market, including the no.1 choice of professional DJs, the Sennheiser HD25.
You can leave your comment and let us know what do you believe. Any suggestions for beginner DJs? Drop them below.
I really like the look of the Asus Rog, I am more or less finish with computers and I’m serious is starting to consider getting a McIntosh: so you know how it has got good specs won’t run smoothly just as a mac would?
Asus Rog is a great Laptop that will run smoothly your DAW and digital instruments. Mac might run faster but is not necessarily a better option that WIN. If you decide to go for MAC, you can’t go back afterward.
Thx for your article. I decided I couldn’t afford a Mac so I purchased a Dell G7 15 i7 16 Ram thinking it would be awesome with TRAKTOR pro 3. Hopefully you can pass this along but the G7 has huge latency issues and horrible for TRAKTOR software. I really wanted this pc to work but after doing my own exhaustive trouble shooting it doesn’t matter what the specs are, some pc will not work with DJ software. I am exchanging it for a Mac book pro. Disappointed about the 13 “ screen but the rest is gonna give me peace of mind. Horrible experience and wish I had purchased one of your suggestions. Thx
Thats impossible! Did you check for audio optimations and asio driver? I have Dell Inspiron I5 5th gen, dual core, 2.6ghz, 8gb ram, 256gb ssd and smooth run over Traktor Pro 3! Cpu on 4 decks about 40% and less, and latency is very low with my Audio 8 DJ sound card. I’m playing about 3 years on that laptop and didn’t have any problem with reliability. Check power options and midi controllers also always chose asio driver for the audio setup!
Are these laptops good for karaoke dj??
Yes, all laptops in our list will work great for karaoke DJs!!
Hello. I’m looking for a macbook that would support Video Mixing from Serato DJ. I was told by forums to go for the Macbook Pro 15″. However, I’m having a hard time googling any type of article to suggest what type of macbook pro 15 I should go for for Serato Videos. Do you have anything in mind of what specific macbook 15 I should go for? Do I need to look into a certain graphics card as well?
Hello.
We also believe that the Macbook Pro is the best option for DJs out there. And will work perfectly with Serato DJ.
The newest Macbook Pro 15 comes with a 9Th-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor. Along with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and up to 10 hours of battery life. The ultimate DJ laptop, but comes with a price. A big price indeed!
If you cannot afford this monster-laptop, I suggest you go for the slightest smaller model with the 9Th-generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor, and 256GB SSD, but for a big reduction of price.
The graphics card is not something to consider in your DJ laptop.
Cheers!
I have a Lenovo Ideapad 330. It has all the specific configuration mentioned in this article. I think it can do all the tasks. Thank you.
Hi, am thinking of buying a laptop for my DJing but looking at other brand as apple might be too expensive for me now. Please can I get suggestion on the best specs and brands to go for
Lenovo and HP laptops are great value-for-money options and will handle your DJ software and other apps. Acer computers are also pretty stable and reliable if you can afford a bit more. For specs, I would suggest a minimum of 8GB RAM (16GB IDEAL) and a new generation i5 or i7 Processor. Also, keep in mind for a big SSD hard drive for your music library.
What computer would you suggest for a teenager just starting out. Easy for him to earn and hook up things, affordable, and not easy to break? Thank you as I am still confused about this list as a mom that doesn’t know much about djaying
Lenovo, Toshiba, and HP laptops are stable, robust and great value-for-money options for beginners. They will handle abuse and have all the necessary connections for all the equipment needed to start DJing and mixing.
Can you not have 4 gb of ram if you have an ssd? Will the ssd not help in the operating speed. I’m building one on a budget and have the choice of 8gb of ram ,without the ssd and 500gb. Or 4gb of ram and 250gb ssd. What would be best if I can only have one option?
Hi,
If you open the DJ software and load the tracks from your music library before you perform live, then an SSD hard drive is not essential. If I was building a laptop on a budget, I would probably go for an 8GB RAM and a simple HDD hard drive.