Mac or PC for DJing? – A Pro DJ explains + poll results!
Generally speaking, both platforms can do the same thing.
You won’t be limited by either one or the other when it comes to functionality.
Mac OS operating system is generally speaking easier to operate for the technologically challenged.
Simply because there are less knobs and switches to operate (you can be more in control with Windows).
Audio
When you are performing a song live with Studio One or Ableton Live etc., CPU performance and sound-card latency can become in issue.
Generally audio on Macs just works.
On Windows you need so called ASIO drivers to reduce latency, which not every soundcard supports yada, yada, yada….
When you are spinning with DJ software (Rekordbox, Traktor, Serato etc), latency is less of an issue.
Also for some sound cards you don’t need to install drivers on a Mac, it just works.
That is generally not the case for Windows.
Upgrades and repair-ability
But there obvious downsides that the Windows side doesn’t have.
Expand-ability is the most obvious one.
When you are short on computer memory for example, you can’t buy extra on a Mac.
The other thing is repair-ability.
Macs are notoriously hard to repair (if you can even repair them at all).
SSD
SSD storage for example needs to be replaced sooner or later in a computer’s history.
With Apple, you can’t replace the SSD because it is soldered to the motherboard.
Computer stores now have graveyards of Macs that are perfectly fine, but the SSD is dead, so the whole computer is regarded dead.
Cleaning
Dust and crap builds up in a laptop over time (in keyboards, fans etc).
Every once in a while you need to clean it, otherwise the device might overheat and break.
Especially Apple computers are prone to overheat.
But you can’t open up an Apple computer to blow it out with a compressor.
Battery
I recently had to replace the battery in my Windows laptop after 3 years.
That is also normal wear and tear for a laptop.
40 euro and 1 day later I had a new battery which was installed by opening and closing 3 latches.
It took in 30 seconds!
In many Apple devices you can’t change your battery.
If you can change the battery at all, you can’t do it yourself, you need the Apple store to do it for you.
The Apple store will charge you more than a new device!
Imagine: you’ve lost the gas tank cap of your car.
A replacement costs realistically $10, but because it is a Ferrari, you need to buy a new Ferrari.
This is daily reality for Apple users: a fine for your stupidity to buy Apple.
And Apple users love it!
All too often I hear Apple users say they need a new laptop because their storage is full or they choose too little memory when buying the computer.
Cooling
Cooling is a pretty “hot” topic (yes, pun intended) for DJs.
If you use your laptop on a DJ gig it needs to be properly cooled.
Clubs are often warm an damp places.
This means that your CPU is prone to overheat.
Especially Apple (MacBook Air, iPad) has the tendency to make passively cooled laptops.
Even actively cooled laptops often under perform, due bad thermal design and bad fan configuration (kick in too late or at a too low speed).
Which results in warped and sometimes fried motherboards (see Google).
The reason to do this is, to have less fan noise.
But it comes at the expense of longevity.
Some Windows laptops have equally bad thermal design as Apple.
But Apple is notoriously bad at it.
Reliability
In terms is reliability the two can be a tie.
There are badly-built PCs and badly-built Macbooks (the butterfly-key fiasco comes to mind).
On the pc side of things, some brands don’t take quality as seriously.
Therefore, go for brands like Asus, HP or Microsoft, some will outperform Apple in this regard.
I will go in more detail in my article on: Computer for DJing buying guide.
My experience
I haven’t had good experiences with Apple products.
In 2010 I switched to Apple:
– I bought 3 iPhones
– A 13″ MacBook Pro
– A 27″ Mac Pro
– and 2 iPads.
Every single one of them had issues in some shape or form.
I think you shouldn’t buy Apple products.
Apple iMacs
Mac Pros
- Operating system is easier
- Sound drivers are less of a hassle (only important when performing live)
Mac Cons
- Expandability of components of Macs is bad.
- Macs cost up to twice as much as their PC equivalent
- Apple’s closed ecosystem
- Repairability
- Overheating can be an issue on passively cooled MacBooks, like the MacBook Air.
- Anti consumer behavior
Windows PC’s
PC Pros
- Easier to repair
- Upgrade-able
- Can be cheaper with the same or better quality
PC Cons
- Audio drivers can be a bit of a hassle
Do DJ’s use Mac or PC?
On my YouTube channel I did a poll, here are the results:
Conclusion
I came from Windows, switched to Mac and running back screaming to Windows.
I can’t recommend Apple with a straight face.
The lack of flexibility, lack of quality and the absurd prices should be an absolute dealbreaker for you.
And no, Windows is not great either.
Pick your poison.
Related reads
- Best Mac laptop for DJing
- Best PC laptop for DJing
- How to optimize your computer for DJing
- DJ laptop buying guide
