Lappies - advantages/disadvantages

[Dj Diddy Davies]

Hi Chaps,

I've been considering for a while going over to Lappy DJ'ing (currently use 2 x Denon DNS1200's so use MP3's).

What advantages (and disadvantages) are there to using a Lappy as opposed to the Denon's?

The ones i see are:

Smaller, lighter package
greater detail for searching tracks due to bigger screen.
PC's crash


Also, what size screen can you get away with? would a 13" do the job or not really?
Anyone using a MAC? how do you get on with it?

Thanks for your help

Steve.

[Jiggles]

Every thought about a Hard Drive controller? Like the Cortex, Numark D2, Denon HDC 4500 etc.

Practically never crashes and fit for purpose.

[CRAZY K]

Every thought about a Hard Drive controller? Like the Cortex, Numark D2, Denon HDC 4500 etc.

Practically never crashes and fit for purpose.

The only way to freeze or crash Cortex is to try and use a corrupted file.

I have only managed that twice in 2.5 years.:D

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Every thought about a Hard Drive controller? Like the Cortex, Numark D2, Denon HDC 4500 etc.

Practically never crashes and fit for purpose.

:agree:

I've not yet had a freeze or crash with my D2, and I've been using it for a year.

It's worth remembering that laptops are not designed for DJing with, so in order to get the best quality & minimize the risk of problems you may need to replace the soundcard as well as removing all the stuff that's nothing to do with music playback.

[Adam_F]

Every thought about a Hard Drive controller? Like the Cortex, Numark D2, Denon HDC 4500 etc.

Practically never crashes and fit for purpose.

The Denon HDC 4500 isn't a HDD controller, its a software controller.
Its the DN HD 2500 which is the HDD media player, like the Cortex, Numark etc..

[Jiggles]

Sorry got them mixed up :o Woops!

[Charlie Brown]

It's worth remembering that laptops are not designed for DJing with, so in order to get the best quality & minimize the risk of problems you may need to replace the soundcard as well as removing all the stuff that's nothing to do with music playback.

I disagree. I DJ with my laptop that I use 24/7. I live on my laptop and it goes pretty much everywhere I do!

Nearly any decent laptop with DJ'ing software will do the job. If you buy a decent laptop too, that normally means the soundcard is "decent" too. I run my output from the headphones jack in my laptop. Sounds superb.

[DJWilson]

Get a decent laptop, remove all the stuff on it that you dont need/want. Then get a XXGB Hard Drive, which doesnt cost this much these days, and plug in and your away :)

[rob1963]

It's worth remembering that laptops are not designed for DJing with, so in order to get the best quality & minimize the risk of problems you may need to replace the soundcard as well as removing all the stuff that's nothing to do with music playback.


I disagree.

Which part of my post do you disagree with, Charlie?


I DJ with my laptop that I use 24/7. I live on my laptop and it goes pretty much everywhere I do!

Nearly any decent laptop with DJ'ing software will do the job. If you buy a decent laptop too, that normally means the soundcard is "decent" too. I run my output from the headphones jack in my laptop. Sounds superb.

That's all fine, which is why I said "in order to get the best quality & minimize the risk of problems you may need to replace the soundcard as well as removing all the stuff that's nothing to do with music playback"

I stand by what I posted, and think it was good advice for the OP.

:)

[Charlie Brown]

That's all fine, which is why I said "in order to get the best quality & minimize the risk of problems you may need to replace the soundcard as well as removing all the stuff that's nothing to do with music playback"

I stand by what I posted, and think it was good advice for the OP.

:)

Yet you don't need to replace anything if you buy a good laptop from the word go. :)

[Javlingames]

:agree:

I've not yet had a freeze or crash with my D2, and I've been using it for a year.

It's worth remembering that laptops are not designed for DJing with, so in order to get the best quality & minimize the risk of problems you may need to replace the soundcard as well as removing all the stuff that's nothing to do with music playback.

Deja vu anyone?

[Mark Wild]

Deja vu anyone?

Indeed

[rob1963]

Deja vu anyone?


Indeed

:confused:

Unless I'm missing something, those posts are completely pointless & irrelevant.

[CRAZY K]

[QUOTE=charlie brown;355613]I disagree. I DJ with my laptop that I use 24/7. I live on my laptop and it goes pretty much everywhere I do!

QUOTE]

All the more reason its going to break down.:D

Some of us just think there is less to go wrong with a dedicated playout system thats used two or three times a week for the only job it was built to do.

Waits for posts about dedicated laptops.;)

Some experiences I have had with laptops and PCs generally have put me off the idea of ever using them as a troublefree playout system.

Yes you can get a reasonable sound from an onboard sound card.

CRAZY K

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Disadvantage.....PRODUB! :D

Personally ive not got my head around the units like the Cortex. I use Serato, as the whole nature of the set up means you have your CD "back-up" on hand permenantly :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yet you don't need to replace anything if you buy a good laptop from the word go. :)

Try an external soundcard and you will notice the difference. The ones built in to lappies are notoriously crap.

[Charlie Brown]

I just thought that because my laptop was on the higher end of the market it would be fine. It sounds fine, but I might try a new one out. :)

[Javlingames]

:confused:

Unless I'm missing something, those posts are completely pointless & irrelevant.

Im sure you have mentioned before that laptops are not designed for dj'ing? Hence the deja vu

[rob1963]

Im sure you have mentioned before that laptops are not designed for dj'ing? Hence the deja vu

I have indeed, and when you've done around 18,000 posts I'm sure you'll find you ALSO repeat things you've posted before!

I noticed that despite being a member for over a year, the OP has only averaged one or two posts a month. This suggests to me that he doesn't spend much time on the forum, in which case he's unlikely to have seen my previous post on this subject, which is why I posted my opinion again. I was trying to be helpful.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I was trying to be helpful.

Well don't do it again. :p

[rob1963]

Well don't do it again. :p

:sofa:

[Steve the DJ]

Some of us just think there is less to go wrong with a dedicated playout system thats used two or three times a week for the only job it was built to do.

Waits for posts about dedicated laptops.;)

And here it is... :D

There is nothing wrong with using a laptop or PC for DJing but it must be treated as a dedicated machine.

99.9% of the time a new laptop will work perfectly until it is connected to the net and gets introduced to Microsoft update, from then on it's a slippery slope!

[Excalibur]

Try an external soundcard and you will notice the difference. The ones built in to lappies are notoriously crap.
There are soome kicking about now with a Harman Kardon soundcard, so reckon that'd be ok. Even a Soundblaster is a big improvement from built in believe me. ;)


And here it is... :D

There is nothing wrong with using a laptop or PC for DJing but it must be treated as a dedicated machine.

99.9% of the time a new laptop will work perfectly until it is connected to the net and gets introduced to Microsoft update, from then on it's a slippery slope!

Agreed. As a sceptic of the highest order, I would be very wary of using a laptop as primary playout, and refuse to use one as sole playout.

[Dj Diddy Davies]

Thanks for the replies...

As you pointed out Rob i've posted very little, but have read and learnt a lot. So thanks. Nothing wrong with repeating yourself.

What i can't quite follow is the reasoning behind having something like a Denon HD2500, and saying it's built for the job, as opposed to a laptop. They both use MP3's? OK i follow the idea that hooking up to internet can generate problems as can anti virus software. But, plenty of people seem to run completely from a laptop.

I was expecting to have to buy an external soundcard, something like a gigaport. I also assume you've got to hook the PC up to mixer, so is there really an advantage?

Keep the ideas and thoughts coming...

Steve.

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the replies...

As you pointed out Rob i've posted very little, but have read and learnt a lot. So thanks. Nothing wrong with repeating yourself.

What i can't quite follow is the reasoning behind having something like a Denon HD2500, and saying it's built for the job, as opposed to a laptop. They both use MP3's? OK i follow the idea that hooking up to internet can generate problems as can anti virus software. But, plenty of people seem to run completely from a laptop.

I was expecting to have to buy an external soundcard, something like a gigaport. I also assume you've got to hook the PC up to mixer, so is there really an advantage?

Keep the ideas and thoughts coming...

Steve.
A Hard Drive Controller does one job only. It plays mp3's from a Hard Drive.

A laptop connects to the internet, shows photos, writes documents, creates spreadsheets, can run your DMX lights, and loads of other tricks. I've never seen a multi purpose tool which beat a dedicated one. ;)

[CRAZY K]

A Hard Drive Controller does one job only. It plays mp3's from a Hard Drive.

A laptop connects to the internet, shows photos, writes documents, creates spreadsheets, can run your DMX lights, and loads of other tricks. I've never seen a multi purpose tool which beat a dedicated one. ;)

Makes sense to me;)

CRAZY K

[Steve the DJ]

As a sceptic of the highest order, I would be very wary of using a laptop as primary playout, and refuse to use one as sole playout.

Agreed.

Even though I will happily extol the rock solid virtues of OtsAV to anyone that will listen I think having just one playout device of any description is asking for trouble.


A Hard Drive Controller does one job only. It plays mp3's from a Hard Drive.

Not strictly true in the case of the Denon DN-HD2500 as it will play MP3's from a HDD (inetrnal or external), control a set of CD drawers such as the DN-D4000 or DN-D4500 and has MIDI so it can control various DJ Software packages whilst acting as a high quality Asio Soundcard, killing two birds with one stone.

[Excalibur]

Agreed.

Even though I will happily extol the rock solid virtues of OtsAV to anyone that will listen I think having just one playout device of any description is asking for trouble.

In the opinion of one who has had the benefit of months of experience with these devices ( it's been a very steep learning curve, and made easier by good advice given on here! ;) ) The only sensible way of operating mp3's is HDC plus Lappy, or HDC plus HDC plus Lappy as an adjunct. Both can operate from the same media, thus building in interchangeability/backup.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

A Hard Drive Controller does one job only. It plays mp3's from a Hard Drive.

A laptop connects to the internet, shows photos, writes documents, creates spreadsheets, can run your DMX lights, and loads of other tricks. I've never seen a multi purpose tool which beat a dedicated one. ;)

Unless, as has been said, your lappy is a dedicated playout machine.

Mine has all software stripped out except for the OS (XP) and SSL. Its never been used for anything else and has the inability to do anything else. Its as stable as Microsoft can get, so i would put it on par as a dedicated controller.

I did toy with the idea of adding Daslight to it, but changed my mind and went for a netbook....also stripped out completely bar the OS and Daslight. :)

[Steve the DJ]

In the opinion of one who has had the benefit of months of experience with these devices ( it's been a very steep learning curve, and made easier by good advice given on here! ;) ) The only sensible way of operating mp3's is HDC plus Lappy, or HDC plus HDC plus Lappy as an adjunct. Both can operate from the same media, thus building in interchangeability/backup.

Again agreed!

From next week my playout case will house a Denon DN-HC4500 controlling OtsAV and a Denon DN-HD2500, which will have a range of my most requested tracks on board and will also control a set of DN-D4000 CD decks.

So I can play from the laptop, the laptop via the HC4500, the HD2500 or the CD decks via the HD2500 and should either the HC4500 or the HD2500 fail I can swap them around as they both have built in soundcards and both can control the CD decks.

If the laptop fails I still have plenty of cover, all in one box. :D

[CRAZY K]

In the opinion of one who has had the benefit of months of experience with these devices ( it's been a very steep learning curve, and made easier by good advice given on here! ;) ) The only sensible way of operating mp3's is HDC plus Lappy, or HDC plus HDC plus Lappy as an adjunct. Both can operate from the same media, thus building in interchangeability/backup.

Some of us have such blind faith in our product that we just use the HD controller with a HD and keep the spares close by, with a Mini disc ready in the extremely unlikely event of failure.:D

Modern technology certainly has benefits:D

CRAZY K

[DJMaxG]

I've been considering for a while going over to Lappy DJ'ing (currently use 2 x Denon DNS1200's so use MP3's).

Did you use CDs, or connect a flash drive or HDD up ?



What advantages (and disadvantages) are there to using a Lappy as opposed to the Denon's?

Realisticly, you will still need something to control the PC Software with, if you want to mix properly :) , something like the DNS1200's in MIDI Mode, rack mount unit, or a desktop control such as the Hercules RMX.



The ones i see are:

Smaller, lighter package - What about control hardware?
greater detail for searching tracks due to bigger screen. depends on size
PC's crash - Yes, that's why you should get a decent processor (Core duo 2 or above), and carry backup sources




Also, what size screen can you get away with? would a 13" do the job or not really?

That depends on your eyesight, and what you are comfortable with. Remember the screen is only really for monitering purposes, and native support should provide track information on the MIDI Controller's screen ... depending on which one you choose to get. (Denon HC4500 does)



Anyone using a MAC? how do you get on with it?

I have heard that loads of DJs now prefer MACs, but it is easily possible to get such results by using identical components in a PC.

You are paying for the 'Apple' name, rather than the components.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Again agreed!

From next week my playout case will house a Denon DN-HC4500 controlling OtsAV and a Denon DN-HD2500, which will have a range of my most requested tracks on board and will also control a set of DN-D4000 CD decks.

So I can play from the laptop, the laptop via the HC4500, the HD2500 or the CD decks via the HD2500 and should either the HC4500 or the HD2500 fail I can swap them around as they both have built in soundcards and both can control the CD decks.

If the laptop fails I still have plenty of cover, all in one box. :D

And if the mixer fails? :p

[Excalibur]

And if the mixer fails? :p

http://kurtatdisney.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/megaphone-5-11.jpg:confused: :D :D

[rob1963]

As a sceptic of the highest order, I would be very wary of using a laptop as primary playout, and refuse to use one as sole playout.

Same here.


As you pointed out Rob i've posted very little, but have read and learnt a lot. So thanks. Nothing wrong with repeating yourself.

My pleasure.

:)


Some of us have such blind faith in our product that we just use the HD controller with a HD and keep the spares close by

That also describes me.


And if the mixer fails? :p

Then Steve will get out his back up console which he bought from a very nice guy in Worcester Park.

:D :D :D

[DazzyD]

Try an external soundcard and you will notice the difference. The ones built in to lappies are notoriously crap.

Except the new Toshibas and Dells that have onboard sound by Harman Kardon (got to be really careful you don't get those names mixed up!). I've used the new Toshibas and they deliver absolutely fantastic sound. It's the future!




There are soome kicking about now with a Harman Kardon soundcard, so reckon that'd be ok. Even a Soundblaster is a big improvement from built in believe me. ;)


Darn! Beat me to it!



I have indeed, and when you've done around 18,000 posts I'm sure you'll find you ALSO repeat things you've posted before!

I noticed that despite being a member for over a year, the OP has only averaged one or two posts a month. This suggests to me that he doesn't spend much time on the forum, in which case he's unlikely to have seen my previous post on this subject, which is why I posted my opinion again. I was trying to be helpful.

I would disagree with that comment, Rob.

When I first joined the forum, I used to view the posts and learn a lot from the good folk on here long before I started getting more involved in the community and adding my own posts and comments.

Just because someone doesn't have a high post rate doesn't mean that they don't regularly visit the forum and read the posts.

[rob1963]

I would disagree with that comment, Rob.

When I first joined the forum, I used to view the posts and learn a lot from the good folk on here long before I started getting more involved in the community and adding my own posts and comments.

Just because someone doesn't have a high post rate doesn't mean that they don't regularly visit the forum and read the posts.

Fair enough, but the OP has posted again, thanked me for my post & said there's nothing wrong with me repeating myself...which suggests that he didn't see my previous post where I said the same thing a while back.

I'm sure most of the regulars have repeated themselves at some point anyway, and I agree with the OP that there's nothing wrong with that. After all, members are coming & going on a daily basis, and I'm sure not all members read every post...even I don't, and I probably spend more time here than most!

:)

[pdarnett]

I've just bought an sdj2 as a backup. but will probably end up using it as the primary as its bomb proof !! And then use my macbook using megaseg as a backup, with the griffin external sound card.

[Steve the DJ]

And if the mixer fails? :p



Then Steve will get out his back up console which he bought from a very nice guy in Worcester Park.

:D

Or I can use the mixer within OtsAV or the spare Behringer UB802 I carry...

You've just got to have critical back up and audio is the most critical in my book.

As an old DJ I used to know often told me, "people don't dance to lights".

[DeckstarDeluxe]

i think its good to take a laptop as the primary or back up playout system because they are so easy to carry. As for the laptops not being designed for that purpose....... as long as they have the spec required to run smoothly the djing/dmx software that you want to run then it doesnt really matter.

[Charlie Brown]

Same here.


Have you ever used DJ software before Rob? In fact, have you ever used a laptop as a main playout? You knock them too much.

[rob1963]

You've just got to have critical back up and audio is the most critical in my book.

Indeed. A disco without music is about as much use as a solar powered torch.


Have you ever used DJ software before Rob?

Not out on the road, no.


In fact, have you ever used a laptop as a main playout?

Nope...and I wouldn't.

I know a few people who use laptops & they've all had them crash at least once.


You knock them too much.

I disagree.

I have nothing against laptops, I just wouldn't feel confident using one for DJing, and I'm not the only person here who has said that.

In order to get the best quality you probably have to replace the sound card (as Darren said, the built in ones are notoriously crappy).

You also need to minimize the risk of problems by stripping out all the stuff which has nothing to do with music playout (as several people have mentioned in this thread).

For me, it makes much more sense to just buy something that's designed for the job in question in the first place rather than adapting something ELSE so it can do the job I want.

In other words, if I wanted a small strong knife, there would be no point in buying a swiss army knife, replacing the blade with a stronger one & then removing all the other tools because I didn't need them. I'd just buy the single knife I wanted in the first place!

[Vectis]

Indeed. A disco without music is about as much use as a solar powered torch.

Crappy analogy alert! :D

http://www.thesolarcentre.co.uk/products/Solar_Powered_Torch-1-2.html

[rob1963]

Crappy analogy alert! :D

http://www.thesolarcentre.co.uk/products/Solar_Powered_Torch-1-2.html

Whoaaaaa...thanks for the info, vectis!

Re-think time...

A disco without music is as much use as an underwater hair dryer.

:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

For me, it makes much more sense to just buy something that's designed for the job in question in the first place rather than adapting something ELSE so it can do the job I want.



Like using an Ipod instead of a proper hard drive...:sj:

[rob1963]

Like using an Ipod instead of a proper hard drive...:sj:

No comparison, Darren, as I don't use an ipod as such, I merely use the hard drive inside it to store my music on...and as far as I'm aware, that IS a "proper hard drive"!

Therefore, unlike the laptop scenario, I've had no need to replace anything or strip out anything in order to make it better quality or less likely to pack up on me.

A hard drive is a hard drive, regardless of whether it happens to be inside a PC, a laptop or an ipod.

:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Doesn't an Ipod have software on it that you don't use when using it as a hard drive? I'm not sure that is much different really.

[Excalibur]

Like using an Ipod instead of a proper hard drive...:sj:

Ooooooooooooh! :eek: :eek:

With one expensive notable exception, a laptop's main aim in life isn't playing MP3's. An HDC's is ( with due deference and acknowledgement to Steve who reminded us of the extra bits on a Denon ;) )

I can break concrete with an Sds drill set to hammer only. I can break it faster with a breaker, which only does one thing.

[rob1963]

Doesn't an Ipod have software on it that you don't use when using it as a hard drive? I'm not sure that is much different really.

I honestly have no idea, as I'm not very technical.

I've certainly never heard anyone say anything about removing or replacing bits of an ipod when using it's hard drive to store music in order to make it more reliable.

:shrug:

[Excalibur]

I honestly have no idea, as I'm not very technical.

I've certainly never heard anyone say anything about removing or replacing bits of an ipod when using it's hard drive to store music in order to make it more reliable.

:shrug:

We'd noticed that! :D Rob, what Darren means is an Ipod can play music solo, an HD can't, it needs a controller, thus there's software surplus to requirements on the Ipod, capable of getting in the way ( though in this case I accept HDC's are designed to work happily with Ipods )

[Mark Wild]

For me, it makes much more sense to just buy something that's designed for the job in question in the first place rather than adapting something ELSE so it can do the job I want.


Yet you use an Ipod solely as a HDD, it's not designed just for that purpose.

[rob1963]

Yet you use an Ipod solely as a HDD, it's not designed just for that purpose.

My music is stored on a hard drive.

That hard drive just happens to be inside an ipod casing. It could just as easily be in a PC, a laptop or an external hard drive box...except the hard drive itself is ALL I'm using.

As far as I know, the hard drive which my music is stored on IS designed for storing things on, including music...so I don't see the problem.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yet you use an Ipod solely as a HDD, it's not designed just for that purpose.

Which was my point....

[Excalibur]

My music is stored on a hard drive.

That hard drive just happens to be inside an ipod casing. It could just as easily be in a PC, a laptop or an external hard drive box...except the hard drive itself is ALL I'm using.

As far as I know, the hard drive which my music is stored on IS designed for storing things on, including music...so I don't see the problem.

There are none so blind as those who will not see. ;) Admit it mate, you're as guilkty as the Laptop DJ's. :(

[rob1963]

This is my last post in this thread, as things seem to be starting to go round in circles now.

I know three people who use laptops to DJ with. They have all had them crash on at LEAST one occasion.

I also know 3 people (including myself & one other person on this forum) who use an ipod plugged into a media player (Cortex or D2), and none of them have had any crashes at all.

Coincidence?

I know what I think!

:D

[Mark Wild]

Which was my point....

Indeed :D


There are none so blind as those who will not see. ;) Admit it mate, you're as guilty as the Laptop DJ's. :(

:lol: I doubt that's going to happen.


This is my last post in this thread, as things seem to be starting to go round in circles now.

Rough translation "I'm taking my ball and I'm going home" lol

[Excalibur]

Indeed :D



:lol: I doubt that's going to happen.



Rough translation "I'm taking my ball and I'm going home" lol

Rob, we love you really, it's just you've shot yourself in the foot. :(
I'm off to a Nursery Disco. I might get more adult conversation there. :D :D

[yourdj]

Also, what size screen can you get away with? would a 13" do the job or not really?
Anyone using a MAC? how do you get on with it?

Steve.

Get one!! Although pc's are pretty good these days macs are very durable, stable and if looked after will last you for far longer.

i got mine off ebay for £600! Its black and has 2.5 duo core intel. Go for 13 inch they are just right for the road. several of us use them and have no problem. i would highly recommend serato itch and the vestax controller/mixer.

I use my mac for itunes as background (8 sec mix between tracks) and serato as well as a denon dnhd2500:

If you need any help let me know.


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_044PTfUkGaA/SeIBw5T3TVI/AAAAAAAABlQ/e3enfEYR3DE/s320/100_0699.jpg

[DazzyD]

Fair enough, but the OP has posted again, thanked me for my post & said there's nothing wrong with me repeating myself...which suggests that he didn't see my previous post where I said the same thing a while back.

I'm sure most of the regulars have repeated themselves at some point anyway, and I agree with the OP that there's nothing wrong with that. After all, members are coming & going on a daily basis, and I'm sure not all members read every post...even I don't, and I probably spend more time here than most!

:)

I wasn't saying there's anything wrong with repeating yourself, Rob. For people with a memory like mine repeated information can be a godsend.

I was just saying that your assumption that the O/P'er mustn't spend so much time on the forum because of his post-to-time as a member ratio isn't necessarily accurate. Looking through the members list there are others who have been members a long time and are still active but don't have a high post-count. For the length of time I've been here I should be up to several thousand now but sometimes I prefer to just sit back and read threads and not post on them (usually because I have nothing relevant or new to offer on the subjects being discussed).

:)

[DJ Jules]

The only way to freeze or crash Cortex is to try and use a corrupted file.

I'd agree with that, but sometimes the effects of a corrupted file aren't seen for a few tracks - the downside of using the Cortex vs two decks is that if you load a dodgy MP3 on the non-playing side, the playing side goes down with it.


I have only managed that twice in 2.5 years.:D

Despite using only MP3's from reputable sources (e.g. Rip'd myself or purchased through Play.com/Amazon/etc) I think my average is probably closer to one crash per 2.5 gigs.

Julian

[Dj Diddy Davies]

Get one!! Although pc's are pretty good these days macs are very durable, stable and if looked after will last you for far longer.

i got mine off ebay for £600! Its black and has 2.5 duo core intel. Go for 13 inch they are just right for the road. several of us use them and have no problem. i would highly recommend serato itch and the vestax controller/mixer.

I use my mac for itunes as background (8 sec mix between tracks) and serato as well as a denon dnhd2500:

If you need any help let me know.


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_044PTfUkGaA/SeIBw5T3TVI/AAAAAAAABlQ/e3enfEYR3DE/s320/100_0699.jpg

I understand you can use bootcamp and install XP to enable a Mac to funstion as a PC, but have been told that that is not always the case and that some programmes won't run properly.
Can you do the updates from Denon using a Mac? (in your experience).

I was looking to run OTs with a lappy as it reports to be pretty stable.

Thanks

Steve.

[yourdj]

I understand you can use bootcamp and install XP to enable a Mac to funstion as a PC, but have been told that that is not always the case and that some programmes won't run properly.
Can you do the updates from Denon using a Mac? (in your experience).

I was looking to run OTs with a lappy as it reports to be pretty stable.

Thanks

Steve.

Yes you can use music manager etc and load all sorts of stuff on to the Denon.

You can use both at the same time (xp and mac) on parallels i think. my technical bloke has done it but have not got round to sorting it yet.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I have to say Rob I shared your fears about laptop crashes however I have taken my laptop to gigs as a backup and now its overtaking the denons as the main play out. Its never crashed and I use this for everyday use as well as gigs and never crashed unless Im doing something (i.e install or playing with drivers for new software etc..) You can get files straight away and some packages have add ons or plug ins for fancy effects if thats your bag. I think you would be daft to ONLY take a laptop to a gig but nothing wrong with using it as a the main playout......

[Vectis]

I ran OTS on a Windoze laptop (dedicated) for over 3 years without so much as a blip.

I now carry a macbook with DJ1800 in my backup arsenal but I use hardware controllers not because I'm worried about stability/crashes but because I prefer that mode of working. I found that by using laptop I got lazy and gigs got a bit monotonous (for me) and I lost some of my spontaneity.