The MacBook Pro is a perfect combination of power and portability, as it is slightly heavier than the MacBook Air, but its slim body compensates for the weight as it fits easily in all kinds of bags. It may not be as high-performing as the 16-inch MacBook Pro. MacBook Pro 13-inch has the ability to handle as many tasks as the 16-inch variant. Rekordbox Keyboard Cover for MacBook Pro Retina and MacBook Pro with Touchbar 13' and 15'. Instantly convert your MacBook Pro into the ultimate DJ Tool. The keyboard cover features: Will help you edit faster by showing you all the shortcuts Protect your MacBook Pro. MacBook Air Late 2018: 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core: 13.3″ 2560 x 1600 Retina IPS Display: 16GB of Onboard RAM 512GB SSD: PRICING: 2018 Apple 15.4″ MacBook Pro: 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 Six-Core: 15.4' 2880 x 1800 Retina Display: 16GB of 2400 MHz RAM 512GB SSD: PRICING: Apple 13.3″ MacBook Air (Mid 2017, Silver) 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 Dual-Core.
Hi, I'm looking at getting my own mobile dj setup to use for gigs. I don't want to spend a lot of money and happy to buy second hand. I've always used Mac platform since the iBook/PowerBook/Powermac days and most of my old software is Mac anyway. I just wanted to know what would be a sufficient machine spec to run Pioneer Rekordbox software. Which year MacBook Pro would be enough? Processor/Ram/Hard Drive space etc?
I've seen some of these MacBook Pro's from around 2011 year which look sufficient to me and can be picked up somewhere between £300-400.
I will probably look at dj controllers at some point also but wanted to get the laptop first.
Many thanks,
Nick
- This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 9 months ago by .
Hello DJs out there!
My question is directed more towards the professional DJs out there. I am a newbie to DJing. And my questions are –
1) What are professional DJs out there using and what do they prefer? – The new macbook or macbook pro or macbook air?
2) Reasons for doing so?
3) Are there professional DJs out there using the new macbook and is it easy to use? Are all these concerns over 1 port really something to panic about or can you make do without issues? (usability of just 1 port for charging and USB….which means I have to use an adapter and then a USB hub – to be able to charge, connect controller and what have you a the same time)
4) If I replace my new macbook for another – should I replace it with macbook pro or macbook air? What would you recommend?
Your advice is greatly appreciated. I actually already bought the new macbook and set it up. When I was transferring all my data (serato crates, music, etc.) from my friends mac to new macbook to my horror it dawned on me for the first time the issue with having only 1 port! My gut is telling me I made a big mistake. I am scared of only 1 port….if that 1 port ever fails no matter what adapter and usb hub I connect – I am dead. I have another 5 days to exchange the new macbook for a macbook pro or macbook air. But before I do that I need some advice from a professional usability standpoint. Macs are not cheap and since I am going to keep it for years I might as well buy the right one for DJing.
Thank you!
DJ XTant 🙂
I looked in to the new Macbook to replace my recently sold 17″mbp but I really struggled to see its attraction.
its £1049 in its most basic guise with 128gb of flash storage, a 12″ retina display and an intel core M 1.1ghz processor and that one USB-c port (factor in another 80 quid to get ONE more usb slot if you buy apples crap-adapter)
for £50 less , you get a pro, same flash storage (or £150 more for 256gb flash) larger 13″ retina display and an intel i5 2.7ghz processor – bung in an extre 2 USB3 slots and 2 Thunderbolt ports…..
its a no brainer!
the macbook is just apple being flashy with ultra thin casing and some clever marketing to make it look like its sh!t doesn’t stink
get it swapped lad 🙂
1) What are professional DJs out there using and what do they prefer? – The new macbook or macbook pro or macbook air?
Most DJs I see use either a 15” Macbook Pro or a 13” Macbook Air.
Both should have a 256G SSD at least.
I think it totally depends how much screen real-estate you want vs. how portable you want to be.
Phil loves his Air, I love my 15” Pro.
The difference is not much, you should however opt for the better Processor and 8G option on the Air.2) Reasons for doing so?
Both have 2 USB slots which usually is enough or you have a hub anyways.
Both are active cooled, which is important in some very hot environments that you will work in.
The air is lighter, does not cover you up as much and is easy to store and place anywhere.
The 15” Pro has more screen size (obviously) and even more power, so running multiple apps (Serato + Ableton,…) is much easier on the processor.
Now of course you can say both can run that: Again hot environments, the less your processor has to do, the better.3) Are there professional DJs out there using the new macbook and is it easy to use? Are all these concerns over 1 port really something to panic about or can you make do without issues? (usability of just 1 port for charging and USB….which means I have to use an adapter and then a USB hub – to be able to charge, connect controller and what have you a the same time)
I have not seen any. I personally would not use it as it has 1 more thing that can go wrong. If on my book a USB dies I have another, if the one on the MB dies you cannot even charge it. Too many things that can go wrong.
Also it has no active cooling, same problem that I saw with iPads. Direct sunlight during a gig or a really hot light -> you are dead.4) If I replace my new macbook for another – should I replace it with macbook pro or macbook air? What would you recommend?
Totally depends how much screen you want and for what else (production?) you want to use it.
As far as I have been able to find out, as a DJ you want to stay away from the new MacBook. The Pro and Air are still feasible options (see Terry’s comments).
I think the old model 13″ MacBook Pro is a great deal. It doesn’t have the Retina display, but it’s perfect for DJing. It has a 500 GB hard drive and a CD/DVD drive and costs £900 in the UK, $1100 in the US. Even less if you can get an education discount.
I personally think 13″ is too small (but I am old and my eyes need glasses). Retina you can live without – but get it if your budget allows, because it REALLY looks good 🙂 . Getting an SSD upgrade (you can DIY it easily) is really the only thing you need to do to whatever MBP you are getting. And clearly go for 4 or 8GB RAM memory.
Macbook Air Rekordbox Dj
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