Podcasting is a great way to introduce your voice to thousands of people around the world. However, just using a microphone is not sufficient to create highly engaged podcasts, you need to have the proper types of equipment to make it effective. This equipment includes a microphone, headphones, and the best laptop for podcasting to get your voice heard by lots of people.
If you’re seriously involved in podcasting and looking for a laptop, then you should not compromise the quality of your podcasting. Here, we have listed some of the good laptops for recording and podcasting available in the market right now.
Basically, a laptop is not compulsory for podcasting but to edit your recordings, you need to have a laptop. All the laptops listed below are suitable to run popular podcasting software such as Garageband, Audacity, WavePad Audio Editor, and Adobe Audition.
Minimum Requirements for Buying a laptop for Podcasting
- Processor – The laptop should have a minimum 2.4GHz processor.
- RAM – minimum 8GB RAM (a greater RAM size is recommended to provide better speed)
- Storage – A minimum of 128GB of SSD space (additional storage required for storing the data and different files)
- Display – The laptop must have a display of a minimum of 1920 x 1080 resolution.
- Connectivity – Should have all the essential connectivity ports including Wi-Fi / Ethernet to use the internet.
Based on these requirements, we have listed some of the best laptops for editing your podcasts. For now, let’s start with the cheapest laptop for podcasting followed by the premium laptops for audio production.
Top 7 Best Laptops for Podcasting
1. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Affordable laptop
If you’re running on a tight budget and looking for a reliable and high-end laptop for podcasting then you must consider Acer Aspire 5 in your choice list. This laptop is powered by the 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor with a 1.6GHz clock frequency which performs 2x times better than the old processor. It comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of fast solid-state drive which can be useful if you are into multitasking while doing podcasting.
If we discuss its display, the laptop offers a 15-inch full HD display with vibrant colors and wide viewing angles which is ideal for watching HD movies and images. Apart from that, the laptop is featured with Intel Iris Xe graphics, which is adequate for playing casual gaming.
The laptop has a full-size backlit keyboard which allows you to work in a low-light environment. The Aspire 5 doesn’t let down when connectivity is concerned. It offers Type-C, USB 3.1, USB 2.0, Ethernet, and HDMI slots, followed by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for a fast, reliable connection. Overall, Acer Aspire 5 is the best budget laptop for podcasting you can buy right now.
| Hardware Specifications of Acer Aspire 5 11th Gen Notebook | |
| Processor | 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (Up to 4.2GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 15.6″ FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) WLED-backlit Display |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 8.5 hours |
| Weight | 3.64 lbs |
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2. Apple MacBook Pro 13 – Best Choice
Apple MacBook Pro is an ideal notebook for performing most of the most demanding tasks such as video recording, music production, and podcasting. If you have a sufficient budget, we’d highly recommend you go for MacBook Pro. This 13-inch model is the latest release from Apple with a powerful M1 chip that performs several times better than the older versions.
The laptop runs on a System on Chip (SoC) Apple’s M1 chip paired with 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 256GB of the solid-state drive which makes it sufficient for podcasting to run multiple programs simultaneously.
The laptop offered a powerful 8-core GPU integrated on Apple’s M1 chip with up to 5x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games. MacBook Pro 13 comes with a brilliant finish and lightweight design that can be carried easily anywhere you like.
For connectivity, you’ll get two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports that may not be ideal for some people. You can use a USB hub if you want to use some ports other than Type-C ports. The laptop has a 13.3-inch full HD IPS Retina display which is ideal for recording and editing podcasts. All in all, if you have a large budget, then the Apple MacBook Pro 13 would be the best for your podcasting work.
| Hardware Specifications of Apple 13″ MacBook Pro – M1 Chip | |
| Processor | System on Chip (SoC) Apple M1 chip; 8-core CPU |
| RAM | 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Display | 13.3″ FHD LED-backlit Retina (2560×1600) Display |
| Graphics | Apple 8-core GPU |
| Operating System | macOS BigSur |
| Battery Life | Up to 17-hours |
| Weight | 3.0 lbs |
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3. HP Spectre x360 15t – Best Convertible
HP Spectre is a great companion for Windows users and offers high-end configurations like Apple’s MacBook Pro. Though the laptop is expensive still it is cheaper than MacBook Pro and powerful enough to handle those performance-hungry applications.
This 15-inch notebook is powered by the latest 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor paired with 16GB of RAM and a massive 1TB of solid-state drive that ensures your podcasting software runs smoothly. The laptop comes with brushed aluminum chassis which gives it a premium feel and features an ultra-portable design.
With its 15-inch 4K display, you can enjoy high-resolution movies and videos with impressive color and clarity. The laptop offers a full-size backlit keyboard that allows you to type in dim or dark locations easily. You’ll get one USB Type-C, one USB 3.1 port, and a Thunderbolt port for connecting external drives.
The laptop has a 180-degree hinge feature making it more convenient to use in different modes while podcasting. Overall, the HP Spectre x360 is one of the best laptops for podcasting that meet all types of needs to run the software for audio production.
| Hardware Specifications of HP Spectre x360 15t 2-in-1 Laptop | |
| Processor | 10th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-10750H Processor (Up to 5.0GHz) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1TB PCI NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Display | 15.6″ 4K UHD WLED-backlit (3840 x 2160) Touchscreen Display |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti with Q-Max Graphics 4GB GDDR5 |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home 64 |
| Battery Life | Up to 13-hours |
| Weight | 4.83 lbs |
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4. ASUS VivoBook K571GT
Asus Vivobook K571 is another affordable yet powerful laptop for podcasting that can fulfill all your recording needs. This premium and portable laptop feature a dual-fan cooling system that ensures you stay comfortable even after long hours of use. It sports a brushed aluminum framework with black chassis and weighs only 4.3 lbs which makes it perfectly suitable for travelers. The laptop comes with a 15-inch full HD display that provides richer, deeper, and more accurate colors for all types of content.
If we talk about its performance, the laptop features the powerful Intel Core i7 10th generation processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of solid-state drive with 1TB of hard disk, making it suitable for effortless multitasking. The laptop has a full-size backlit keyboard to help you stay productive even in a dark environment.
With Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, this laptop is capable to deliver flawless visuals while gaming and watching videos. The connectivity ports include one USB 3.0 port, two standard USB 2.0 ports, and HDMI for connecting to various peripherals and devices.
| Hardware Specifications of ASUS VivoBook K571 Ultrabook | |
| Processor | 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H Processor (Turbo up to 4.5GHz) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD |
| Display | 15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS Display |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs |
Pros
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Also read: Top 10 Best Laptops Under $700
5. HP Pavilion 15-dy2021nr – Cheapest Option
HP Pavilion 15-dy2021nr is the best cheap laptop for podcasting that offers many powerful configurations at an affordable price. The laptop comes with a 15-inch full HD display, an aluminum body, and a sleek finish that works perfectly for audio production. The laptop is powered by the Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage which makes it powerful enough to run most of the podcasting software without stalling or giving any issues.
Apart from that, the laptop boasts Intel Integrated graphics that gives outstanding performance for podcasting work as well as for casual gaming. The laptop weighs only 3.7 pounds and features a superb battery with a life span of 7.5-hours considering all the apps and software you’ll be running for an entire day.
Furthermore, the laptop offers incredible ports including USB Type-C, two USB Type-A, HDMI, a media card reader, audio in, etc. The overall performance of HP Pavilion 15-dy2021nr is quite impressive at an affordable price.
| Hardware Specifications of HP 15-dy2021nr Notebook | |
| Processor | 11th Generation Qual-Core Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 3.6GHz |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 15.6” Full HD WLED-backlit (1920 x 1080) anti-glare Display |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours and 15 minutes |
| Weight | 3.75 lbs |
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6. Asus ZenBook 14 UX435E – Best Ultraportable
The Asus Zenbook UX435E is another premium notebook from Asus in our list of best podcasting laptops. This 14-inch laptop offers a little bit of everything and high-end hardware specifications that one needs to make the best out of podcasting. The laptop is featured with an Intel Core i7 11th gen processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of solid-state drive to keep your files and programs running smoothly.
As far as graphics are concerned, the laptop is backed by Nvidia GeForce MX450 graphics – powerful enough to handle most of the demanding tasks efficiently. Besides, the laptop comes with a 63Wh lithium-polymer battery to deliver up to 16 hours of life and it can charge up to 60% in just 49 minutes. Furthermore, the ZenBook 14 features a 5.65-inch interactive touchscreen trackpad to fulfill the need for multitasking.
ZenBook 14 features a full complement of I/O ports, with two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that support fast charging, a USB 3.2 port, a full-size HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headset jack. This ultrabook includes a 14-inch full HD nano-edge display with a resolution of 1920×1080 to offer wide-viewing angles and 100% sRGB color gamut. The bottom line, the Asus ZenBook UX435E is the best mid-range laptop for podcasting and audio production.
| Hardware Specifications of Asus ZenBook 14 UX435E | |
| Processor | 11th-generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor, Up to 5.0GHz |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Display | 14″ FHD LED-backlit (1920 x 1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel Display |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce MX450 2GB graphics |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 16-hours |
| Weight | 2.62 lbs |
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You may like to read: Top 10 Best Laptops Under $600
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best Portable Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the latest release of the Surface Pro series notebooks and it is a true competitor of MacBook Pro in terms of performance. With just 1.7 pounds weight, this notebook is ultraportable and powerful that perfectly fit for recording and podcasting work. The Surface Pro is the most versatile notebook that lets you work in different modes at your convenience. On this laptop, you’ll get a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 2736×1824 pixels.
The Surface Pro 7 is powered by the latest 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with a standard speed of 1.3GHz for effortless multitasking. Apart from it, the laptop comes with 8GB of RAM and a fast 256GB SSD storage which is great for smoother multitasking.
Thanks to its long-lasting battery life, you can stay productive for 10.5 hours without worrying about its charging. Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the perfect balance of power, speed, and aesthetics, therefore, ideal for podcasting and other demanding works.
| Hardware Specifications for Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | |
| Processor | 10th generation Intel Core i5 Processor 1.3 GHz |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Display | 12.3″ PixelSense touchscreen display (2736×1824) Display |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Professional |
| Battery Life | Up to 10.5-hours |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a podcast on my laptop?
Of course, yes. You can record, edit or upload your podcast on any Windows or Mac laptop. Also, make sure that you have the right podcast recording equipment and audio software to get your job done.
How much RAM do I need for podcasting?
For an average user, 8GB RAM is enough to meet the system requirements and can run most of the editing software seamlessly. However, if you run high-end graphics software or games on your laptop, then 16GB of RAM would be better.
Is a Chromebook good for podcasting?
No, we don’t recommend buying a Chromebook for podcasting. They may come with an affordable price range but lack good audio editing software and other support. However, there is some significant podcasting app such as Spreaker Studio which is fully compatible and designed specifically to work with Chrome OS.
Which laptop brand is best?
There are many popular brands such as Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, Microsoft, etc. that offer many high-end laptops to work on podcasting. Well, our topmost choice is the new Apple MacBook Pro which is great from almost all perspectives. The above-mentioned list consists of high-performing machines that are also great for your budget.
Conclusion
So these are the best laptops for podcasting you can choose based on your requirements and budget. If you’re into a professional podcasting business, we would suggest you invest in a good laptop so you get the best value for your money.
We hope this guide will help you find the right laptop for your work. If you have any queries or suggestions about this buying guide, let us know in the comment section below.
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