DJing is now more accessible and easier than ever before. There has been a significant increase in the popularity of the art, with more people of all age groups trying to turn up the party. With the right hardware, anyone can learn to be a DJ. Laptops are some of the best platforms where you can learn DJing. They run modern DJ applications, and with the right software, you can quickly become a DJ with just a keyboard and mouse.
Some applications are also available for Chromebooks and iPads, on which DJing is possible through a touchscreen. This is more than enough for simple cross-fade transitions. Below, we will review the best DJ laptops in the market and highlight what makes each stand out. That way, you can make the best purchasing decision based on your needs, preferences, and budget as a DJ. Without further ado, let’s get to it!
Comparison Chart
Best DJ Laptop Reviews
Apple MacBook Pro
With this 2022 Apple MacBook Pro Laptop, you can easily accomplish all your DJing jobs. It features an 8-core CPU with which you can easily take on coding, photography, music, or video editing tasks. Therefore, if you are searching for a laptop to use for more than just DJing, look no further than this Apple MacBook Pro. Its 8-core GPU facilitates extremely smooth graphics making the laptop’s performance even smoother.
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This DJing laptop features a 10th generation i5 Quad-Core 2.0 GHz processor with 16 GB of RAM, allowing it to run high-intensity DJ or DAW software. For storage, the laptop has an SSD with a 1 TB capacity to ensure faster reading of your MP3 files and tracks. The SSD also makes the laptop more reliable compared to conventional hard drives.
The battery life of this model is the longest among all Apple notebooks up to date and can see you through 20 hours of usage on a single charge. Therefore, you can work continuously with minimal to no interruptions. In addition, its memory is super fast, adding to the smooth performance of the laptop. With it, you can save numerous files one after the other without worries about storage space. Its 13.2-inch retina display is sufficiently large to accommodate all projects. An Apple warranty is also available with the model that ensures you remain insured for one year and grants you access to 90 days worth of technical support.
The resolution of the laptop is much superior (native resolution of 2560 x 1600 at 227 pixels for every inch) than what is typically found on the majority of mainstream laptops in the market. This allows you to link more interfaces, VSTs, and windows. It also has an excellent battery life meaning you will not have to worry about the battery abruptly running out.
One standout feature of this DJing laptop is its backlit keyboard that comes in handy as you perform in dark setups, which tend to happen more often than not at parties. In addition, there are numerous connection ports for your various external devices. These are ports like the charging port, up to 40Gbps, USB-Type C ports, and the display port. This makes it ideal for connecting DJ microphones and all types of USB audio interfaces.
This MacBook is arguably the most popular and best music production and DJing laptop currently available. You can get it in two color variants – space gray or classic Mac Silver, as per your style.
Pros
- Extended battery life
- Fast and stable
- Powerful performance
- Excellent screen
- Superior 16-core Neural Engine
- Lightweight and stylish
Cons
- It is costly
Microsoft Surface Pro X
Microsoft Surface Pro X is a DJ laptop that stands out from the rest of the market. It has three modes to accommodate your varying working needs. To go conventional, you only need to switch to the laptop mode. You can switch to studio and tablet modes by removing the keyboard completely, which allows you to position the screen at the best angle.
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This laptop is particularly awesome for DJs who move setups more often than not. The lightweight and super-slim design allow you to take it wherever you go. And in the absence of Wi-Fi access, there is LTE Advanced Pro connectivity to guarantee a continued connection.
Though some experts and professionals may opt to forego this Surface Pro X laptop for others, like the MacBook Pro above, it remains one of the best available DJ laptops. Apple has continued being great, but this powerful and ultra-thin laptop from Microsoft is your answer if you want a touchscreen-enabled DJ laptop.
Its new 13-inch touchscreen display has a sleek matte black finish that perfectly complements the Surface Pro X while still maintaining a weight of 1.7 pounds and it is only 7.3mm in width. The screen comes with a kickstand that can hold it at various angles allowing you to see and control it better.
The laptop comes with an impressive RAM of 16 GB, meaning it can run even heavy DJ software easily without lag. You’ll also find the 512 GB ROM enough for music storage.
It has a touchscreen edge-to-edge PixelSense Display perfect for large workspaces. In addition, the devices come with free updates meaning you get to remain updated with the latest software.
You can use this device in laptop, studio, and tablet modes. The surface slim pen (which is sold separately) makes it easy for writing and drawing. If you want to hold the laptop in your hands, simply detach the keyboard and set it in tablet mode.
Pros
- Signature cover type
- Battery life of up to 13 ½ hours
- The screen can be positioned at various angles
- 12.3 inches PixelSense Display
- Lightweight
Cons
- The surface slim pen is sold separately
Dell XPS 9310
Dell has established itself as one of the go-to models when looking for DJ laptops with the Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop. The laptop packs 16 GB RAM with an 11th-generation Core i7 processor. It has 512 GB SSD storage space and comes with Windows 11 Pro.
It has been professionally assembled from fine components, giving it a sturdy build even with its compact design. The laptop is 13.3 inches with a touchscreen adding to the convenience of use. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this laptop is its dual USB3 ports, a thunderbolt port, and a USB 3.1 port. With these, you have greater versatility in your choice of output and input.
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The design of this Dell XPS 13 (9310) laptop utilizes the 11th generation Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor along with Intel Iris Xe Graphics. Its touchscreen display guarantees precise accuracy in your various computing needs.
One of the things we like the most is the eye protection features. The Eyesafe feature intelligently manages light energy at its source – selectively reducing the harmful blue light and dispersing it over the light spectrum. The special solution combines RGB software and hardware adjustments for more effective protection against blue light. It does this while still maintaining clear color integrity.
The 90% DCI P3 and 100% sRGB color gamut featured in the device ensures that you get saturated colors, whereas the contrast ratio of 1500:1 makes even the darkest darks and brightest brights visible. With 500-nit brightness, you get better clarity in bright conditions, such as in outdoor settings, while the 0.65% anti-reflective coating shields glossy screen glare.
Thanks to the 11th-generation Intel Core mobile processor, you will experience amazingly immersive entertainment on an incredibly light and thin touchscreen laptop. The Killer AX1650 features Wi-Fi 6 tech that prioritizes video streaming, game traffic, and communication for a smooth and fast online experience. Furthermore, Dolby Vision content delivers highlights up to 40 times brighter and up to 10 times darker blacks.
Pros
- Sturdy and compact
- Adaptive engine tech for enhanced performance
- Robust build quality and design
- Fast processor
- Features a fingerprint sensor
Cons
- It has only Type-C USB ports
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED UX582 Laptop
This Asus Zenbook Pro Duo laptop is among the top-rated laptops for DJing. The laptop features a 4K 15.6-inch display that outputs a 3840 x 2160 pixels screen resolution, with its PPI being higher than most in the market. Aside from its high-resolution screen, the display is touchscreen-enabled, facilitating the use of software such as Virtual DJ and DJ Pro. There is also another touchscreen pad that gives you more screen space to run multiple applications simultaneously.
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Powering this Asus Zenbook Pro Duo laptop is a 10th-generation Intel Core i7-10870H processor. The processor is 8-core and high-performance with a 2.6GHz base clock speed. The 6 GB NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU is paired with the CPU to enable you to play higher-end games such as GTA V in native 4K resolution.
Getting to the storage aspect of the laptop, it has an SSD of 1 TB. Thanks to the SSD, you can store all the tracks you will need for your DJing practice and many other pro DJ software.
The weight of the DJ laptop is 5.5 pounds making it rather heavy and bulky. Nonetheless, bearing in mind the specifications sheet, it ranks among average-weight laptops and also comes with a superior quality of six to seven hours of battery life on a single charge.
The touchscreen display lets you control aspects such as treble and bass and directly mix songs through the touchscreen. In comparison to non-touchscreen laptops, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo provides you with greater practicality, more so as a professional DJ.
Pros
- Touch screen support
- 4K UHD display
- RTX 2060 GPU
- Large SSD storage of 1TB
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Reduced battery life
Lenovo Yoga Book – FHD 10.1” Android Tablet
If you are a DJ in need of a thin and lightweight unit, you will appreciate the Lenovo Yoga Book. It’s the thinnest unit and the laptop that weighs the least. In addition, it is also the cheapest, making it an excellent choice for those needing something pocket-friendly.
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Usually, the option of a tablet has reduced storage space though this device hides 64 GB and makes for an ideal increased storage capacity model. Another impressive aspect of the device is its battery life of up to 15 hours between charging. It also features a 360 degrees hinge that makes it flexible and quite handy when seeking portability in a DJ laptop.
The Lenovo Yoga Book is one of the market’s most affordable two-in-one android tablets and weighs less than 2 pounds. The computer is highly portable and features a 64 GB SSD hard drive with a RAM of 4 GB LPDDR3 to provide you with outstanding performance. However, the storage may feel insufficient for those who like storing lots of music and multiple applications and programs.
The device’s battery life on a single charge is 15 hours, meaning you can practice your craft in any setup and easily carry it anywhere without recharging it.
Getting on to the creative aspect of the gadget, it has a Create Pad that also includes a Real Pen capable of detecting 2040 pressure levels, thereby allowing you to draw using either hand. In addition, the computer readily digitizes your notes thanks to its Real Pen stylus or converts your gadget into a notebook computer with its Halo keyboard only appearing when you need it.
This Lenovo Yoga Book is your go-to if you are searching for a laptop that allows a high degree of portability. In addition, it allows you to multitask with its various handy features making it well-suited for DJing thanks to the modern chipset and robust structure.
Pros
- Enhanced performance
- Ability to effortlessly multitask
- Cinema-level video and sound
- Thin and lightweight
Cons
- Reboots itself randomly
- Reduced storage
Final Verdict
A DJ laptop should be portable, have sufficient storage, and have a powerful processor to run various DJing software. Identifying a laptop with ideal specs can be challenging, but this guide simplifies all this information to help you choose the best laptop to DJ with. The Apple MacBook Pro is the most powerful DJ laptop on our list, swiftly followed by the Microsoft Surface Pro X. If you need a bigger screen to work with, we recommend the Asus Zenbook, although it’s a bit bulky. For those on a budget, try the Lenovo yoga book, although you’ll compromise on storage and processing power.
