EVENT TECH ON A BUDGET: TOP SECOND-HAND LAPTOPS OF 2025!


Event production often demands a costly technical arsenal, so making smart choices about your setup is essential. Listed below are our top picks for 2025, carefully selected based on a balance of price, ruggedness, performance and battery life.

$200-$400:

$400-$800:

$800-$1500:

 

To keep your device safe and maximize its lifespan, remember to pair it with a rugged protective case.

Pro Tip: Combine any of these with a MIDI controller and the free software Pure Data for a remarkably powerful and adaptable system. This setup can often achieve more, with greater reliability and multi-platform coverage, than much more expensive options.