I know there is a thread on laptops right now but I'm looking for a inexpensive one, preferably around $300 or so if possible. Don't mind spending a little more if I have to though. I'd also like at least a 15" screen. I just need it to build a music library with and to use with rekordbox while playing music for my own house parties. I don't know much about them so not sure what I should be looking for when shopping around for one. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Budget Laptop
- Thread starter PearlWhiteGT
- Start date
This probably is NOT the best forum for the budget minded.[emoji1] Rule #1, as previously posted means; “You get what you pay for”. That said, sometimes you can find good used gear (and computers) at budget prices. With computers, it’s often hard to tell how hard of a life a used one has had, and laptops are more difficult to repair if you buy one that needs a little fixin’. If you buy a refurbished laptop from a good reseller, though, your chances of getting a good one are pretty good. This one is from NewEgg...
Lenovo Laptop IdeaPad 110 (80UD001RUS) Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6200U (2.30 GHz) 8 GB Memory 1 TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 520 15.6" Windows 10 Home 64-Bit
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... It’s close to your $300 budget, but has a lot of good features for the price. While I prefer the ThinkPad (I own one) over the IdeaPad (consumer grade), I find Lenovo’s to be well engineered and very reliable. If you want a quad core i5 CPU, you’re probably gonna have to pay closer to $400.
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If it's just for your own parties buy a $40 tablet off Wish and expand the memory...
if you really feel the need to get the laptop go look for a used one it's not mission critical
if you really feel the need to get the laptop go look for a used one it's not mission critical
Thanks fellas and I completely agree with the “You get what you pay for”. If I need to spend more money for a laptop to use with rekordbox and my controller to play and mix music then I will. I'm a newbie who is just trying to learn the skills of becoming a DJ, not a paid DJ though. My goal is to learn enough to DJ my own parties and parties for friends and family. I recently purchased a DDJ 400 with rekordbox and now I'm trying to build a decent music library but my current old MacBook Air is shared by my wife, daughter and I so need something else to use. I greatly appreciate the help and advice from all of you. Thanks.
As a newbie (we've all been there), if you have a desire to take it further, then try not to skimp now - otherwise you'll be rebuying it. I know this can be hard, especially with the variety of options.
We'll do the best we can to give you the best information we can.
It's up to you to make the final decision.
We'll do the best we can to give you the best information we can.
It's up to you to make the final decision. 
This is a great thread! I understand you being new to Djing and not looking to spend a lot on a laptop because you don't know how far you will go with it. I got a great deal. I got one for less than $50. Just had to travel a good ways to get it. I would suggest you find someone selling a used laptop to start. Just make sure it works and you're not spending too much money for it.
My reason for this suggestion is because if you decide that this business is not for you then you haven't invested much. Some see what we do as being super easy. They think all there is to it is playing music. How hard could that be? If you stick with it you will find out there's much more to it. Don't want to spook you, just want to warn you.
My reason for this suggestion is because if you decide that this business is not for you then you haven't invested much. Some see what we do as being super easy. They think all there is to it is playing music. How hard could that be? If you stick with it you will find out there's much more to it. Don't want to spook you, just want to warn you.
If you're suggesting he pick up a laptop for $50.00 or less, then this is not good advice - at all. I can't imagine what your advice is for people not in your industry.
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No I didn't mean it that way. I suggested getting a used one not spending a lot of money because he really doesn't know how long he will want to do this. Myself I had been doing this a long time when I decided to become a computer DJ. It's not about just what he pays for one, he should look to get a decent laptop to get used to at Djing.
I didn't spend a lot on my laptop.
But I only use mine for running a playlist during cocktails/dinner...
and for storing my song charts.
I don't use mine with a controller as my main source of music.
I am also of the mindset that your laptop will probably be outdated (old operating system)
before it takes a dump, anyway.
But I only use mine for running a playlist during cocktails/dinner...
and for storing my song charts.
I don't use mine with a controller as my main source of music.
I am also of the mindset that your laptop will probably be outdated (old operating system)
before it takes a dump, anyway.
If I buy a used laptop (and I have), it needs to be relatively new .. even if it looks clean and is powerful enough, time takes its toll on hardrives and some internal components .. and guaranteed the unit has sucked in enough dust to clog something inside, so it generally needs to be completely serviced .. and you won't find one for $50.
Depending on the use and the system load .. this may or may not be true.
It wasn't a technical answer by any means.
I was thinking more about MY luck with things like this.
(like the warranty running out the day before things start breaking)
i think that a good low price dell laptop is the way to go. You can find a reliable one with Wave Audio for about $350 on sale., and will be touch screen too. Just make sure you have 8 gb ram. i5 is preferable , but i3 late model chips are good too