Best laptop for DJing – expert explains – updated: May 2024
I’ve been DJing for the biggest part of my life, but I’m also a software engineer by trade and worked at a computer store for years.
I’ve consulted my former boss before writing this article for the latest and greatest.
Table of Contents
- Difference producer & DJ laptops
- Top 5 best laptops for DJing
- Best DJ laptop on a budget – under $500
- Macs for DJing
- Short buying guide
- Related guides
Difference producer & DJ laptops
Music producers and DJs need vastly different laptops, because the software is different.
If you are not sure about the difference, check out my article on the difference between DJ and producer.
A music producer needs a faster computer than a DJ.
All music producer laptops can cope with DJ software, but not all DJ laptops with Music Production software, because they might be too slow.
Top 5 best laptops for DJing
I have assembled a list of 5 laptops that inspired by my recommended specs from by DJ laptop buying guide.
The specs of the laptops below are recommended for the 4 most popular DJ software: Rekordbox, Serato, Virtual DJ and Traktor.
The links to webshops are affiliate links.
#1
A lot of bang for your buck.
Plenty of storage for your whole music library and then some.
Also with 32GB you’ll have plenty of memory for the future.
The only thing that I’m less enthousiastic about is the processor: i3 11th gen.
This will suffice for DJing, but not for video or for heavy apps like video editing and music production.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | TPN-Q222 |
| Screen size | 15.6″ |
| Screen resolution | 1366×768 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| CPU model | i3 11th gen, 3 Ghz, 2 cores |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics card | integrated, Intel UHD |
| USB | |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
#2
A HP laptop that has everything you need: a decent processor, enough memory for Serato and video.
2x USB-A and 1x USB-C port.
Overall a good laptop.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | 6M0Z7UA |
| Screen size | 15.6″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| CPU model | i5 11th gen, 4.2 Ghz, 4 cores |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics card | integrated, Intel Xe |
| USB | 2x USB-A and 1x USB-C port. |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
#3
Great laptop under $600, it has everything you need!
A i5 Intel processor, so you can use video with your DJ app.
It has a metal chassis, so the laptop is more durable than your average laptop.
It has a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint sensor.
I would recommend an upgrade to Windows 11.
| Brand | Asus Vivobook s15 |
| Model | S533EA-DH51-WH |
| Screen size | 15.6″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| CPU model | i5 11th gen, 4.7 Ghz, 4 cores |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| OS | Windows 10 Home |
| Graphics card | integrated, Intel Xe |
| USB | USB-A and USB-C port (4 ports in total) |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Best DJ laptop on a budget – under $500
#1
Great laptop with a 15″ monitor for well under $400.
Asus has always great products.
Backlit keyboard , so you can see what you are doing.
It even has a fingerprint reader.
The laptop has Windows 10 (not 11) in S-mode.
In order to install your DJ app, you have to disable S-Mode.
I would recommend an upgrade to Windows 11.
| Brand | Asus (vivobook 15) |
| Model | F512JA-AS34 |
| Screen size | 15.6″ |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| CPU model | i3 10th gen, 3.4 Ghz |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| OS | Windows 10 S |
| Graphics card | integrated, Intel Xe |
| USB | USB A + USB C |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Macs for DJing
If you are looking for a Mac, read my article on the best Macbook.
Short buying guide
A couple of things important:
1. The processor
It determines how fast your computer is.
A Core 3 processor will do.
A Core 5 processor is recommended.
Apple M1 is recommended.
More information and performance comparison for different DJ software: see my article on choosing a CPU for DJing.
2. The memory
The memory determines how big the chunks are your program can process at once.
Too little memory may result in slowdowns, or your DJ software won’t start at all.
4GB of memory will do.
8GB is recommended.
16GB is recommeded for Serato.
More information and performance comparison for different DJ software: see my article on memory for DJing.
3. The storage, graphics card, cooling, keyboard & display
Especially cooling, keyboard and connectivity are very important for a DJ laptop.
My recommend specs for these in my complete buying guide for DJ laptops.
Related guides
- How much RAM you need for DJing + performance tests
- Best Processor for DJing + performance tests
- DJ laptop buying guide
- Best DJ software (voted by DJs)
- Optimize your computer for DJing
