Gonna bite the bullet and get a laptop for live performance

Thinking about how nice it would be to use my Kontakt instruments and other high quality samples in a live performance, so a laptop would be a nice addition to my performance rig. Currently I use my iPad pro, Cubasis, and iReal Pro to playback, and I ahve a lot of Virtual instruments, but the samples are not nearly as good as what I could use via a computer.
I'm wondering what others have done for this purpose--did you get something off the shelf or a custom, professional audio workstation (My studio has a PC Audio Labs custom built computer, and many others (Jim Roseberry, ADK, make wonderful machines). My thinking is custom config might be overkill for what I'm doing live, but then again, who knows, you don't want glitches while performing. I use a PC for my studio, as I mentioned, but also own a Mac Mini, but would love to have Sonar on my laptop, thus I think a PC makes sense in many ways. But VST's could be installed on either platform, and there are MAC compatible sequencers I could surely learn and use if needed-- since I am not really composing on this, just using playback. What makes sense to folks?  I didn't mention my budget, but certainly want to be reasonable (your interpretations are fine, I am flexible). I am willing to spend a bit to get something that works well, but don't want to buy more than I need. Thanks.

I don't do MIDI but I recently bought a laptop for on-site recordings.  It is a Dell Inspiron 15, 5577 model, which is sold as a "gaming" laptop.  It has a 7th generation i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM (upgradeable) and a 256GB M.2 SSD.  Visually the laptop boots and loads (and runs) programs as fast as my DAW desktop that has an i7 6700K CPU. 
 
I had to do some "customizing" and the "picky" Resplendence Latency Mon reports no problems. 
 
The 5577 has space for a laptop hard drive or full size SSD for expansion.  I recently did an on-site recording with it (3 hour show) and used a USB attached hard drive to save the Sonar projects.

I like the idea of a custom, audio only machine, it has served me well for my studio/desktop machine for the past 5 years. So many Windows machines seem to have bloatware and settings that then have to be changed to reduce system overload, etc. I may just look into a base-level Macbook, anyway, put my VST's on them, and if I need a sequencer use a mac-compatible DAW (Logic, Cubase, Reaper?), in a scaled down version, for just when I need it.

Tru enuf that the MAC is costly without the flexibility to upgrade. Custom PC latptops have multiple hard drives built in, with the Macbook it is likely I'd have to get a very large SSD on it and partition it--not ideal. Not that this is an imminent purchase, but I did see some nice custom builds and they weren't bank-breakers, either.

OP , since you already have a Mac Mini you may want to put MainStage on it first and give that a go just to get a feel .
MainStage comes with every synth , plug and instrument that comes included with Logic .
MainStage only costs around 30 dollars and it is geared totally for live performances ...
If you add what you already have in 3 rd party plugs and synths to MainStage you may find this type of set up to be  pretty versatile ...I have
Full disclosure , I have an i Mac , but more importantly I have a older MacBook that I literally picked up for very low money ...the parent of a college student bought a new MacBook and wanted to get something back to cut the edge of the new purchase price of the students lap top upgrade ..
I use my MacBook w  MainStage all the time as a front end and as hardware into SONAR and my other PC DAW's all the time ...
Imagine what it would be like to get every plug and every synth that comes with SPlat but on the Mac / Logic side of the food chain and only getting it for 30 bucks , then you will know what I'm talking about ..
 
all the best,
 
Kenny
   

bitflipper
I used a generic off-the-shelf i7 laptop with 8 GB of RAM. It's just what I already had, and it started out as just an experiment. I didn't know if I'd need an external interface or if the integrated audio would be OK.

That’s a problem with Windows laptops, you can never be certain that any particular one will give low latency figures. At least, not unless it comes from someone who understands DAWs and can certify it will work. Even with a good external interface PCI bus interrupts or BIOS settings you can’t get at or change can cause problems.

Which is one reason why MacBooks turn up on stages far more often than Windows laptops. Another is Apple’s control over the components and operating system plus stuff like built-in native MIDI networking over wi-fi, which you can use without it causing dpc issues. And, as has been said, Mainstage is another reason.

When I grow up, I'm gonna get a surface pro.

I just keep using my USB ssd with Ubuntu studio on it.

I'd love to have touch and sonar on a laptop at a performance. I think I'm waiting for the rapture threading magic that will make it safe for stage use for a guitarist.

Right now, it is fun at home, but not solid enough for the stage imho.

Specifically, when I play, I have to watch the processor and when it gets hot, back off.

A touch screen lappy may make it easier too. Sort of gives you that iPad flexibility with the power of a laptop. I remember the times I went out to play with a lap top which were few and far in between. If using midi though I guess it doesn't matter as much. Can you tell I wouldn't mind having  touch screen laptop? 

Save time, money and grief. I leave my studio stuff at home and mix all my tracks to audio files. That way just about anything will work for playback. I use an iPad and my phone is my backup. Mix them through one of your PA speakers and they will sound great.