Always been a PC guy, switching to Mac for a couple reasons. I don't know much about them. Any suggestions on models, screen sizes, OS..all that. All I will be running on it is Serato and Virtual DJ.
Which Mac to DJ with?
- Thread starter knardini
- Start date
I'm partial to Double Quarter Pounders with cheese if there's no Burger King around 
I have no idea about Mac's
I have no idea about Mac's
PCs seem to have the better dj programs around.
I use Mac..but I think I have to prefer the PCs for the dj program route.
But I dont miss the 500 pop ups and the shut downs that happen frequently with PCs.
Its a win lose battle.
Serato seems to the be the way to go for Mac DJing. VDJ also has a Mac version too. I cannot vouch for either though.
You'll probably want a laptop so your only real choice is the Mac Book Pro. Just choose your screen size. Aside from that your other options are RAM and processor. The more RAM the better of course but your better off buying it yourself from a third party and installing it, the Apple upcharge is enormous on factory installed RAM. The processor is up to you, even the lowest end one should be fine for music.
As for the OS the only one currently available is Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) which will come preinstalled.
You'll probably want a laptop so your only real choice is the Mac Book Pro. Just choose your screen size. Aside from that your other options are RAM and processor. The more RAM the better of course but your better off buying it yourself from a third party and installing it, the Apple upcharge is enormous on factory installed RAM. The processor is up to you, even the lowest end one should be fine for music.
As for the OS the only one currently available is Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) which will come preinstalled.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
Ok this is a valid question
why switch to a Mac if you dont know anything about it and are normally a PC guy ??
why switch to a Mac if you dont know anything about it and are normally a PC guy ??
Hi Kris,
I made the switch to a Mac Book Pro about a year ago and I love it. I use Serato only on mine. Itunes manages all of my music and the machine is simply incredible. If I were in the market for one, the one below is what I would get. You will love it. VDJ will run good on it as well. I believe they had some prior issues but VDJ made some updates.
Also mention that you are a teacher and I believe Apple will knock off 10-20%.
15-inch: 2.4GHz
Intel Core i5
4GB Memory
320GB hard drive
SD card slot
Built-in battery (8-9 hour)
Intel HD graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB
I made the switch to a Mac Book Pro about a year ago and I love it. I use Serato only on mine. Itunes manages all of my music and the machine is simply incredible. If I were in the market for one, the one below is what I would get. You will love it. VDJ will run good on it as well. I believe they had some prior issues but VDJ made some updates.
Also mention that you are a teacher and I believe Apple will knock off 10-20%.
15-inch: 2.4GHz
Intel Core i5
4GB Memory
320GB hard drive
SD card slot
Built-in battery (8-9 hour)
Intel HD graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256MB
I'll let you in on my lil secret....
I have (2) BUSINESS MACHINES....They only get used for DJ work, And are not allowed on-line.
They have no anti-virus, No bloat ware, No nothing! Just what i need for DJ work and that's it. Guess what?? No Pop-ups, no shut downs, They run nice and stable......
Yep, gig machines are stripped down and never see the internet. I've never had one shut down or have something pop up on screen.
I've had issue in the past with freezing and have run my same Dell for about 4 years now so it's time to upgrade. Fellow DJ's and others online talk about the stability of the Mac's.
Mine is also stripped down and isn't connected to the internet and has had very little issues since doing that a couple years ago...just time to buy a new one and hear great things about the Mac in our industry.
Won't try to change your mind either way Kris, but a couple points to consider on your journey...
Learning Curve: Macs are not PC's -- they work different. I have a Mac and I seldom use it, because I know PCs well, and they just don't work in the same way -- two different mindsets. If you've been using a PC for ages, it takes time to come to know, and adjust to the Mac paradigm.
Software: There are far more choices for a PC, then there are for a Mac -- across the board. The software available, has been debugged by millions on PCs -- not so many on Macs.
Stability: Based upon my experience, Windows is more stable as an OS, given the platforms it must work on. The stability problems you hear about, are due to third party software, and just the fact that millions more people use Windows, on many varying machines. OS X runs on Macs -- they dictate both the hardware and software platforms. Even with that, it still crashes.
So, think in the long term, and try to get hold of one to try for awhile, before you make a flying leap based on faith alone...
Learning Curve: Macs are not PC's -- they work different. I have a Mac and I seldom use it, because I know PCs well, and they just don't work in the same way -- two different mindsets. If you've been using a PC for ages, it takes time to come to know, and adjust to the Mac paradigm.
Software: There are far more choices for a PC, then there are for a Mac -- across the board. The software available, has been debugged by millions on PCs -- not so many on Macs.
Stability: Based upon my experience, Windows is more stable as an OS, given the platforms it must work on. The stability problems you hear about, are due to third party software, and just the fact that millions more people use Windows, on many varying machines. OS X runs on Macs -- they dictate both the hardware and software platforms. Even with that, it still crashes.
So, think in the long term, and try to get hold of one to try for awhile, before you make a flying leap based on faith alone...
I'd build myself a Overbuilt rackmount PC...
I'm really glad i did! It runs video on VDJ without even breaking a sweat..
And i can also multi task while running video...
Yes...It's heavy...But it has these nice giant fans to keep it super cool, Holds many TB worth of drives...(I have Barracuda, and W-D Black drives)
Many people don't even know that i have a computer..(They don't see a lappy or tower) So they don't think about stealing it..
Oh yeah...This cost me less than a Grand! Less than HALF of what a MAC would cost me with the same spec's....
I'm really glad i did! It runs video on VDJ without even breaking a sweat..
And i can also multi task while running video...
Yes...It's heavy...But it has these nice giant fans to keep it super cool, Holds many TB worth of drives...(I have Barracuda, and W-D Black drives)
Many people don't even know that i have a computer..(They don't see a lappy or tower) So they don't think about stealing it..
Oh yeah...This cost me less than a Grand! Less than HALF of what a MAC would cost me with the same spec's....
G
Guest
Guest
I wouldn't mind DJing with J Mac. I think he, Ducky, and I could make a hell of a team.
Oh, you're talking about computers... Never mind...
Oh, you're talking about computers... Never mind...
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
the thing is now days what isnt using intel chips
what isnt using a nvida card or gforce card
what isnt 99.9% the same between a pc and a mac
its the SOFTWARE
so whats so different = Not a thing
what isnt using a nvida card or gforce card
what isnt 99.9% the same between a pc and a mac
its the SOFTWARE
so whats so different = Not a thing