Podcasting has been proven as a means of communicating your audiences, according to statistics, around 55% of US consumers listen to podcasts and are more likely to buy a product/ services after listening about them on a podcast. So either you are a content creator or podcaster, a great laptop would definitely help you in your endeavor. That’s why we made this guide about the best laptop for podcasts to help you.
If you think podcasting only requires a microphone, mic stand, pop filter, and so on, one thing that is often overlooked is the laptop. Though a laptop is not mandatory to start hosting a podcast, an effective podcast will require you to record and edit multiple tracks, also if you want to use Digital Audio Workstation or editing software to further polish your podcasts, a laptop is a great investment in podcasting.
Those are the reasons why a laptop could help you in your podcasts, aside from that there are many platforms like Skype that lets you host a remotely-located speaker or other applications that let you connect to people that are involved in your podcasts and you need a laptop for that. So let’s take a look at our top laptops for podcasting.
Recommendations for June 2023
- Apple MacBook Pro – Best Pick For Podcasting
- Dell XPS 15 – All-around Editor
- HP Envy 13 – Thin & Light Option
- Acer Aspire 5 – For Beginners
- MacBook Air – Best Choice Best Choice For Under $1000
- HP Spectre x360 – Powerful 2-in-1 For Podcasting
- Asus TUF FX505DT – Gaming & Podcasting Needs
- Lenovo IdeaPad S340 – Cheap Laptop For Podcasting
- Asus ZenBook 15 – With ScreenPad 2.0
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Ultraportable Choice
Best Laptops For Podcasting In 2023
Apple MacBook Pro – Best Pick For Podcasting
Depending on your budget and preference, MacBook Pro has 13 and 16 inches. If you like to squeeze some editing while on the move then the 13 inches is perfect for you. For a home studio, the latest 16 inches is highly recommendable.
The impressive display of MacBook Pro is one of its edge in terms of overall quality, aside from the powerful processor that is fitted.
The MacBook Pro featured a 13.3-inch Retina display and Core i5 processor to take your podcast editing to a next level, any plug-ins or additional software you may use is easily handled by MacBook Pro.
It has a 256GB SSD storage capacity, but you can opt for a 512GB variant if you want. The impressive 10-hour battery life will save you from tight deadlines because you can use it even when in commute or in coffee shops.
Overall, the MacBook Pro is the best choice in terms of editing and mixing. Podcasts editors may find this laptop very convenient.
Recommended Configuration For Apple MacBook Pro
CPU: Intel Core i5-8th Gen | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch 2560×1600 Retina with True Tone display | Storage: 256GB SSD | Operating System: Mac OS | Battery Life: up to 10 hours | Weight: 5.99 lbs
Dell XPS 15 – All-around Editor
Dell XPS is one of the best choices in terms of multiple usages and various purposes, its raw power can deal with any heavy tasks.
The latest Core i7 processor is backed by 16GB of RAM, so you won’t really have to worry about lagging or any compromise. The 4GB dedicated GPU allows you to take on multimedia content creation without delays and in full high-quality.
If you need massive storage space then this laptop is for you, fitted with 1TB SSD. this laptop can take on large files with speed, it also ensures that the laptop boots up fast.
In terms of design, this laptop has a superb finish and weights only 5.5lbs which is great considering the hardware configuration. The bezel on the 4K display can hardly be seen giving you wide viewing angles, the amazing and comfortable keyboard has a backlit feature so you can still work in dim environments.
For a powerful laptop, the Dell XPS has a decent battery life that can last for up to 8 hours depending on usage. You can go on for an entire day of working without charging, also all the necessary port you need for podcasting is equipped on this laptop.
Recommended Configuration For Dell XPS 15
CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch 3850×2160 4K UHD InfinityEdge Touch display | Storage: 1TB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 8 hours | Weight: 5.50 lbs
HP Envy 13 – Thin & Light Option
HP Envy 13 is a masterpiece in terms of build and power, it is one of the most compact lightweight built machines that offers powerful hardware configuration.
Inside a thin and lightweight laptop is a powerful Core i7 processor that is accompanied by 16GB of RAM, ensuring you can do any heavy tasks without lags and to do multitasking with ease and efficiency.
The 13.3-inch 4K IPS touch display offers an immersive viewing experience, the touchscreen allows you to easily pinch, zoom, select, and perform a lot faster. The 512GB SSD ensures you have room for every podcast file you may need to store on your laptop.
HP Envy is very suitable to carry around as it only weighs 2.6lbs and has a 12 hours battery life, making it best for people who are always on the go. You’ll never have a problem carrying it with you as it would last an entire day without charging.
In terms of connectivity, it is equipped with all the necessary ports you need. Also, the dedicated graphics card adds a lot more to visuals.
Recommended Configuration For HP Envy 13
CPU: Intel Core i7-8565U | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX250 (2GB) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch 3850×2160 4K UHD IPS Touch display | Storage: 512GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 12 hours | Weight: 2.6 lbs
Acer Aspire 5 – For Beginners
Podcasting doesn’t need an expensive laptop so if you are just a beginner or on a tight budget, Acer Aspire 5 got you covered.
This budget-friendly podcasting laptop is laced with Core i5 processor together with 8GB of RAM, this hardware configuration is more than enough to edit audio and host a podcast.
Even at a budget-friendly price, Acer Aspire 5 features a 15.6-inch IPS display with a narrow bezel that lets you work for long hours without straining your eyes. This 3.9lbs laptop is easily portable and you can take it with you anywhere, the average 5-hour battery life is more than enough if you just want to squeeze editing in commutes.
It also offers a wide range of connecting ports, like the USB3.1 Type-C, USB 3.1, USB 2.0, HDMI with HDCP support, which is necessary for podcast external peripherals.
Recommended Configuration For Acer Aspire 5
CPU: Intel Core i5-8265U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch 1920×1080 UHD IPS display | Storage: 256GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 5 hours | Weight: 3.97 lbs
Apple MacBook Air – Best Choice For Under $1000
The new MacBook Air is a product of customer feedback and suggestions, so you can expect a more capable MacBook Air.
Even though it is only fitted with a Core i3 processor, the efficiency in computing makes it a powerful laptop that could suffice podcasting without a problem. The 8GB RAM is there to help you in multitasking, ensuring you can do multiple tasks without a problem.
The display is Retina display so you can expect some immersive visual experience, perfect for editing audio for long hours, and if you need to do some graphics the Intel Iris Plus graphics works wonders. It also supports Thunderbolt 3 port for the enabled graphics processor.
The 11-hour battery life can last for an entire day, making it perfect for people who works even in subways or in commute.
Definitely a good choice for mac lovers who find MacBook Pro too pricey.
Recommended Configuration For Acer Aspire 5
CPU: Intel Core i3-10th Gen | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch Retina with True Tone display | Storage: 256GB SSD | Operating System: macOS | Battery Life: up to 11 hours | Weight: 5.24 lbs
HP Spectre x360 – Powerful 2-in-1 For Podcasting
HP’s other excellent laptop on the list is the HP Spectre x360 that you can use as a tablet and still packed with power.
This laptop with a 15.6-inch backlit touchscreen display offers 4K resolution that is Pen supported, aside from immersive viewing experience you can use the pen as a productivity booster.
The powerful Core i7 processor that is backed by 16 GB of RAM can easily handle your podcasting needs and more. If you happen to do some graphical content then this laptop is perfect for you too, the 4GB dedicated GPU can render graphics efficiently without a problem.
In terms of design, this laptop has a great aesthetic. It has a golden finish in its border that looks premium. This laptop is very thin and lightweight, a perfect laptop for podcasters who are always on the move.
The 15-hour battery life can suffice your all-day computing needs with just a single charge, allowing you to do more even without electricity. Definitely a productivity booster laptop.
Recommended Configuration For HP Spectre x360
CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch 3840×2160 4K IPS Touch display | Storage: 512GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 15 hours | Weight: 4.81 lbs
Asus TUF FX505DT – Gaming & Podcasting Needs
Gaming laptops are equipped with powerful hardware to handle gaming and other heavy tasks, so a podcaster’s computing needs are easily handled by gaming laptops like Asus TUF FX505DT.
Asus TUF gaming laptop is equipped with a powerful Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of RAM to ensure you can play games or edit audios for your podcasts without lags and freezes. If you like to upgrade the RAM, there is an empty slot where you can put another 8GB to make it 16 if you really need to.
The dedicated GPU is a must for gaming but not for podcasting, even so, there are times that you need to do graphical work and that’s where the dedicated GPU comes in handy.
This laptop is equipped with all the necessary ports you may need, it also features an RGB keyboard which is aesthetically pleasing and useful in dim lights.
This is also one of the best specs to price ratio laptop you can find, for just under $800 you get this powerful machine.
Recommended Configuration For Asus TUF FX505DT
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 R5-3550H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB) | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch 1920×1080 120Hz FHD IPS display | Storage: 256GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 5 hours | Weight: 4.85 lbs
Lenovo IdeaPad S340 – Cheap Laptop For Podcasting
Although there are more powerful laptops in the IdeaPad series, this laptop is perfect for those in the budget. It can suffice your podcasting general use, podcast editing, and creation that can be done with this affordable laptop.
This affordable laptop is powered by the Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, so you can expect a decent speed while you work on multiple applications and browsers simultaneously.
Although 128GB SSD is not that much, it can hold enough for your podcasting needs. It also ensures that your laptop boots up fast. It has a very portable design, it weighs 4 pounds which you can easily carry anywhere.
This laptop has a very narrow and thin bezel so you can get the most out of the display, alongside with the Integrated graphics card you can have a good boost to the processing speed. The backlit keyboard enables you to work even in incredibly low light environments.
One good thing about this affordable laptop is that it has an 8 hours battery life, perfect for sneaky edits and polishes.
Recommended Configuration For Lenovo IdeaPad S340
CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch 1366×768 HD Anti-glare display | Storage: 128GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 8 hours | Weight: 4 lbs
Asus ZenBook 15 – With ScreenPad 2.0
What does screen pad 2.0 do? It lets you easily move docked Windows between your main display and screen pad display. Giving you a fast and easy multitasking method.
For podcasting, you can edit audio while still polishing your podcasts. So in terms of productivity, this laptop is one of the best.
Powered by a powerful Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM to ensure you can do any heavy tasks and you can maximize the usage of smart screen pad.
For graphical computing needs, the 4GB dedicated GPU can boost any renders and produces quality graphics. The 512GB storage is there so you have room for every podcasting file you may need to store.
In terms of battery life, this laptop does not compromise, fitted with a 71Wh 8-cell lithium-polymer battery that could last for up to 14.9 hours in a single charge.
Portability, productivity, and power are what you’ll get with the Asus ZenBook 15, one of our productivity booster picks.
Recommended Configuration For Asus ZenBook 15
CPU: Intel Core i7-8565U | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch 1920×1080 FHD NanoEdge Bezel display | Storage: 1TB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 14 hours | Weight: 3.68 lbs
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Ultraportable Choice
If you want a tablet-like-laptop that you can use for your podcasting, then Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the ultimate choice.
This very lightweight laptop is powered by Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM which can take on your podcasting needs with ease. Also in terms of connectivity, it is equipped with all necessary ports that you may need.
This laptop has a stylus pen so you make the best use of the screen for all your work, you may need to buy it separately though. You can use this laptop whatever you want as you can use its studio mode where you can type, draw, write, work, and play.
The laptop has an 11 hours battery life which makes the portability more convenient as you can work anywhere and everywhere you go without the worry of getting out of juice.
Recommended Configuration For Microsoft Surface Pro 7
CPU: Intel Core i5-1035G | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.3-inch 2736×1824 FHD LCD display | Storage: 256GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: up to 11 hours | Weight: 1.7 lbs
Picking The Best Laptop For Podcasting In 2023
RAM Size
The amount of data your laptop can hold is a big factor especially in podcasting, so you need to be aware of the capable RAM size a laptop should have to be able to suffice your podcasting needs.
While podcasting itself doesn’t require too much RAM, the process of polishing your podcasts and the software that you may use requires RAM to work properly. That’s why it is crucial ta take RAM in to account when buying a laptop for podcasting.
The higher the RAM the better so you can handle multiple software to edit your audio tracks, plugins, and editing software. For a beginner in podcasting, an 8GB RAM is decent enough, to begin with. But if you intend to become a professional podcaster or sound designer in the future then it is smart to invest in a laptop with 16GB RAM and up.
Processor
The processing speed of your laptop is responsible for how fast a process can take place or how quickly you can carry out a task. So with that said, the processor that is embedded in your laptop greatly affects your podcasting efficiency.
Aside from speed, you need to look for the number of cores in the CPU. So for you to have peace of mind, every laptop on this list is capable of using high-end plugins and DAW. this also means that every laptop on the list can handle multiple audio tracks at a much faster speed.
There are instances that the number of chores is a requirement for a certain application like the Avid Pro tools that requires a quad-core processor so you need to take note of that. Other than that the laptops on the list are the latest models so you can rely on its compatibility with most of the podcasting applications.
Latency
Latency is the time that lapses between input and output of an audio signal. In other words, it is the time an audio signal travels from your microphone to be heard on the monitors. So when picking a laptop for podcasting pick something that has lower than 20ms latency.
To save you from trouble, we pick laptops that have all low latency since high-speed processor, and just enough RAM is the key. So we’ve pick laptops that have what it takes to offer a ow latency so you can podcast without delays.
Internal Storage
There are two types of internal storage for laptops, the HDD and the SSD. HDD is often fitted on old models and typically seeks higher times in retrieving data, while SSD is the new storage that is faster and uses less energy. So to get the best laptop for podcasting you need to know what best internal storage you must have.
All of the laptops on the list are fitted with SSD storage, why? SSD is more capable and faster than HDD so to make a laptop more efficient it must have an SSD. Moreover, laptops with SSD storage cause less noise, so you don’t have to worry about buzzing sound when recording your podcast.
The only drawback of SSD is that it is more expensive, but if you are really serious about podcasting then investing in more efficient storage is a smart move.
Operating System
There are two main operating systems that could efficiently handle your podcasting, the Windows and Mac. though choosing between two won’t restrict or take any disadvantage for podcasting, it is important that you’ll know the difference and choose based on your preference.
Select an operating system that you are comfortable with, you should also take your budget into account as Mac devices are more expensive than their Windows counterpart. Aside from that, there is software available on another system which is not on others. Like the Logic Pro and GarageBand that works only on Apple devices, for Windows, the Audacity is the alternative and works across different platforms.
DAW Requirements
Daw (Digital Audio Workstation) is the software you’ll be using to record, process, and edit audio tracks. So when choosing DAW, make sure it is compatible with your laptop of choice. But since we already have solved this for you, as all the laptops on the list can suffix any DAW you choose. We just want you to know what some DAW applications and their respective requirements are.
For amateur podcasters that will like to use Audacity or Adobe Audition, these applications require a multi-core processor and at least 4GB of RAM, while Audacity can run efficiently on 2GB RAM with at least 1GHz of processing speed.
A laptop that fulfills the minimum requirements will work fine for your DAW of choice, but we recommend getting a laptop that is closer to the recommended requirements or exceeds it for future-proof and to handle software upgrades in the long term.
Plugin Compatibility
Aside from editing software that you’ll be using, you will like to use a few plugins to better process your audio files. Plugins vary in usage and it is up to your preference but we just want you to know that a plugin could be very useful in your podcasting. So get a laptop that can handle plugins without a problem.
All of the laptops on this list can handle any plugin of your choice so there’s no need to worry about that. Plugins can simulate musical instruments or add sound effects and transitions so it’s kindy useful for podcasters.
So it is important to remember that each plugin is resource-intensive and would require a robust processor, and they need more RAM to work on multiple audio samples without causing significant latency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chromebooks Good For Podcasting?
While there are applications and software for podcasting that fully support Chrome OS, we really don’t recommend Chromebooks for podcasting as almost all essential applications are available on Windows or Mac and Chromebooks tend to be slower than Windows and Macs counterparts. Though there are premium Chromebooks they aren’t cheap either.
Is MacBook Air Good For Podcasting?
Yes, absolutely. There are tons of people doing a podcast on their Air, Air offers a robust system so you can work on nay podcasting software without any problem.
Conclusion
Found your next laptop for your podcasting career? If so, don’t hesitate to share this with your colleagues and if you have any questions, we are here to help. Just leave a comment. And if you are already fixed on your decision as to what laptop that suits best for you, we are happy we could help.
There are a plethora of choices on the market, so we’ve taken the initiative to make this list about the best laptops for podcasting to save you some time.