When should I upgrade my Ram and HDD? (serato)

[Suprarick]

Hello,

So I have a 2011 Macbook Pro and it has the stock HDD and Memory (4gig) in there. I'm using Serato Scratch Live and play every weekend. My biggest worry is ever experiencing audio drop outs due to memory issues (which hasn't happen yet knock on wood). I currently have about 180gigs of space left on my HDD (the rest of the drive is just full of songs). I have a question for DJs that perform professionally weekly. At what point do you upgrade your ram? At what point to you change out the stock HDD for something bigger?

Thank you,
-Rick

[KLH]

When you're practicing, look at how many compute resources are being used (CPU, memory, and additional hard drive space). If you're at 80% or more on any one resource consistently, I'd recommend upgrading that resource. For example, if 80% of RAM is being used, add more. Same with hdd space. If, however, you're at 90% on your CPU for 2+ minutes straight, then you're in the market for a new laptop.

-KLH

[nolimitz]

4gb has pretty much been standard for a while now. I would upgrade to either 6 or 8gb of RAM. You can find 8gb ram for Mac's for under $50. Here's one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820139083

and another
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233179


If you can spare an extra USB slot or have a USB hub (a good one) then you can buy an External HDD.

[borrow]

I think above 4ram would be a overkill right now. Ram is something for when your running a lot of programs at the same time and your computer needs to calculate a lot. When you are just running serato 4gb is enough! more then 4 gb is for when your editing

[borrow]

Just make sure no background programs are running just too be sure!

[Suprarick]

Thank you! <3 life savers!

[DJ craphouse]

I wouldn't recommend using an external usb-drive though, as internal HDD's aren't that expensive anymore, a lot faster and a lot more reliable. Hook yourself up with a 1Tb internal or if you have a free slot, an extra drive. I have room for 3 HDD's, now i have 1 500gb for all my normal stuff and the other 500gb one dualbooted just for traktor+music. I think about getting a solid-state later because it is a lot faster, more reliable, and are very shock-resistant.
If your CPU is under lots of stress, I would also recommend a new laptop as stated above.