Windows Laptop Suggestions

My Dell G15 is apparently not handling traktor very well. While it is an i5 processor with 32GB of RAM, it has been sluggish for some time and now is crashing.

Any suggestions on a laptop that works with a LARGE library (Traktor stores the library in an XML file so that is something to consider as well).

I know this has been asked before, however the last reference I could find was from 2023 and much has changed since then, especially windows 11 and its obsessive need to access the internet. Thus I thought I would see if anyone here has purchased and successfully used a windows laptop recently (and with any luck has a very large XML file as well)

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Windows 11

Traktor Pro 4

Comments

Fotis Leon

Oh my god. Where to start…
I'm running Traktor and Windows, for more than 10 years.
With a lot of research, i found some stuff that we can do, to improve things.
(not sure i can remember all of them right now, but i'll try)

-LatencyMon is a tool that can give you some results finding your problems.

-When im running Traktor, and playing live, i got the S4Mk3 panel on the back, to check the drop out detection tool. Audio setting at 512 and 3ms for many years now.

-Everything should be fully updated. (Windows, Traktor, apps)

-Windows update should be turned off, when playing live.

-In my current Asus, Ethernet and Bluetooth hardware conflicts and gives spikes, so i got them turned off.

-Asus also had and original App (cant remember the name), something like Asus Control Center, that conflict everywhere. I found G-Helper instead. Easier and way better.

-Logitech G Hub, also doesnt work great. When its trying to update, Traktor spikes until shut down.

-Big problem with Nvidia drivers, we have to find the proper ones everytime, and bigger problem with Nvidia control panel, ive got it unistalled.

-Run on power everytime, and not in battery, in full performance modes.

-On power settings, in the old Control Panel turn off Quick Startup. Put Do Nothing everywhere. In advanced settings, set hardrive shutdown to never. Sleep Mode, to never also.

-On startup, disable as many apps as possible.

p.s.1 (My windows are in Greek, so some translations maybe arent the best, but you get the point)
p.s.2 Google and YouTube, are your best friends, in this kind of situations. SEARCH EVERYTHING!
p.s.3 If anything else comes in my mind, i'll come back to add it.

Stevan

PC's are too much work, and each time when there is an update to the OS, everything is reset back to it's original settings. I only use Windows for gaming and athat's about it.

Fotis Leon

@Stevan
That's true. There is A LOT OF WORK, to make it stable.
My first pc was at 8y.o., now im 35, im willing to spend the time to find a way to make it work, than change it.
But it's it isnt worth it for everyone.
If anyone has to choose between PC and MAC, go for MAC young djs!

Kubrak

I have had no problems on Win. Two notebooks one on Win7, other on Win10.

Stevan

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/239947#Comment_239947

Yeah, there are much more issues with Windows. The fact that there are numerious posts about PC issues and windows optimization guides tells a lot about how badly it is optimized (USB and driver issues are the most common).

Windows 7 was awesome. 10 and 11, not so much.

lord-carlos

I like using ThinkPads. What type depends on your needs. I have a T14 Gen1. Currently gen5 is up to date.

They integrate well into Windows, the normal MS Windows updater delivers driver and bios updates and more small utilites. No need to have specific programs from the manufacturer installed.

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/239954#Comment_239954

Well there is also quite a few 4.2 crashes and blurry waveform threads ;-)

Gudlite

Thank you for the tips, especially Fotis Leon… While I already did most of your suggestions, there were a couple I had not done. We shall see …

While I get everyone liking MAC, and MAC does have its good points, It has a LOT of issues as well (I work in IT and have to deal with them lol)

I wish they would make a Traktor version that would work on Linux (and given that MAC OS is just Linux with Apple things added…..)

Isotoxin

I have used 5 different Windows computers (AMD and Intel of very different generations ) with Traktor (and not only Traktor, but other music software like Maschine, Bitwig). There was some issues with one of them. It was AMD Ryzen Lenovo Ideapad 16. My problems was with the Nvidia VGA and Ryzen TPM module. But I have found the fixes for these problems (just disabled both devices 😅). Other computers I have used, they there even without any shaman dancing or special magic settings adjusted. Just installed windows, updated everything to max (windows update and drivers) and that's it. Simply used them with default settings.

It's weird to hear what Your Dell G15 is sluggish. What are other specs of Your laptop?

BTW, If You want to use the computer for music, You should use it only for the music. Many times I have heard many whining about Windows OS problems and it was like:
OMG my, PC is so bad, my kid is playing RoBlox, Fortnite and Minecraft on it every day, my grandma is using Facebook for her Farmille every evening, and I'm playing some triple A games on Steam and why the hell Traktor somehow randomly stutters!?!
So, Yes, you need to dedicate Your laptop to the music only. No other things like pirated games, Steam running in background or any cracked things on it.

Patch

I've never had any significant issues with Windows that can't be fixed just by learning how. HY HP Envy (2 of 'em) have been rock solid for over 12 years. Still going strong.

I'm just about to upgrade to Win11 though (gotta hack it a bit 'cos of an older chip), so hold your breath and cross your fingers, folks!!!

Stevan

@PK The DJ I can see your downvotes haha. You don't like a mac stability?

Electrons

I'm on a Legion Lenovo Slim 5 I upgraded to 32gb of RAM and Traktor runs pretty smoothly on it

This is the most recent model after the one I've got, with a RTX 5000-series

Tenth Generation Legion 5 (AMD) | Rugged 15" Laptop for Gaming & Streaming | Lenovo United Kingdom

PK The DJ

@Stevan I've got nothing against Macs, but I disagree with your comments that PCs are too much work, things always reset when there's an update, there are "much more issues" with Windows, it's badly optimized etc.

You're entitled to your opinion, but none of what you claim has ever been an issue here, since the MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 days to currently, using Windows 11. Others here have said likewise.

Kubrak

If I exclude Win11, there is not real problem with audio on Win. There may be problems with HW parts of computer and/or drivers for these HWs and lots of bloatware installed by notebook manufacturers and so on….

And Intel´s big-little.

Traktor runs just fine on ordinary MS Surface 7 Pro (i5 CPU 4C/8T). It is passively cooled 2in1. I made no tweaking, tuning and so on.

Stevan

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/241026#Comment_241026

I wish there wasn't additonal wor involved but that is simply not true in 99% cases.

PK The DJ

Also, considering that OP was asking about Windows laptops, for you (a mod no less) to be making negative posts about PCs is IMO out of place.

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