Starting a podcast is more accessible than ever, and you don’t need a recording studio or a radio station to get started. The key is having the right gear; one essential piece for most creators is a reliable laptop for recording and editing. Chances are, you already have a suitable laptop at your disposal. However, if your current computer shows signs of wear and tear, investing in a more advanced and powerful machine for your podcast starter kit might be wise. Upgrading to a faster and more capable laptop can significantly enhance your podcasting experience. To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled a list of the top-performing machines that have proven to work best for podcast creators. With the right equipment, you’ll be well on your way to confidently delivering high-quality content to your audience.
Best laptops for podcasting
If you want to buy a laptop for podcasting then first take a look at these laptop models:
Apple MacBook Air – Best laptop for Podcasting
Best: Portable podcasting laptop
Reasons to buy:
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Part of Apple’s ecosystem
The MacBook Air serves as Apple’s introductory laptop, catering to various user needs. For podcast recording and editing purposes, even as a beginner, the MacBook Air provides ample processing power, making it an ideal choice. The latest iteration of the MacBook Air is available in two configurations, featuring either an 8-core or 10-core GPU.
Powered by Apple’s cutting-edge M2 Silicon chip, this new model boasts impressive performance improvements. Users can expect a remarkable 18% boost in CPU performance and an impressive 25% enhancement in GPU capabilities compared to its predecessors. This upgrade undoubtedly sets a new standard for power and efficiency in the MacBook Air lineup.
Other features include:
- 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display
- Faster or dual charging
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Four-speaker sound system
- Thinner and lighter than its predecessor
- 18 hours of battery life
The MacBook Air boasts an extraordinarily lightweight design, but its premium features come at a cost, with the well-equipped M2 variant commanding around $1,199. However, investing in this remarkable machine proves to be worthwhile as it guarantees longevity and exceptional performance over the years.
Apple MacBook Pro – Best laptop for Podcasting
Best: High-end podcasting laptop
Reasons to buy:
- Extra processing power
- High-resolution display
- Built-in microphones and speakers
For passionate Mac enthusiasts deeply involved in multitrack music recording or video editing, embracing the mightier MacBook Pro might just be the perfect move. With a shared operating system akin to the MacBook Air, this powerhouse not only accommodates all your preferred software but also boasts enhanced processing capabilities and a larger, more immersive screen. So, if you’re serious about maximizing your creative potential, an upgrade to the MacBook Pro could be the definitive choice.
Features include:
- Decent battery life that can last up to 22 hours, the longest ever in a Mac
- Advanced HDMI supporting 8K displays
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Six-speaker sound system
- Studio-quality microphones
- The new chips M2 Pro and M2 Max offers good performance and battery life.
The MacBook Pro is proof of its unwavering commitment to minimizing its environmental impact. Apple has made tremendous progress towards sustainability by using recyclable materials and an energy-efficient design. Surprisingly, their dedication goes beyond the actual product, with a goal of achieving net-zero climate impact throughout the entire manufacturing supply chain and product life cycles by the incredibly ambitious target year of 2030.
Additionally, the MacBook Pro provides unmatched advantages for creative workers. This outstanding device perfectly complements the highly regarded Logic Pro audio editing software, highlighting Apple’s seamless integration of hardware and software. Moreover, for those immersed in the world of Pro Tools, the MacBook Pro emerges as a top contender, delivering an optimal performance that exceeds expectations. Of course, such innovation and quality come with a price. The 14-inch model’s starting price at $2,500 may be higher than some anticipated, but it reflects the investment in cutting-edge technology and the epitome of premium computing experience that the MacBook Pro epitomizes.
HP Spectre x360 – Best laptop for Podcasting
Best: For most podcasters
Reasons to buy:
- Sleek, sturdy design
- Versatile 2-in-1 laptop
- High-quality Bang & Olufsen speakers
If you’re a Windows user and a podcaster in need of a reliable machine, the HP Spectre x360 is an excellent choice. Though officially classified as a laptop, this versatile device boasts a touchscreen that folds back, transforming it into a tablet-like experience. Powered by either an Intel Core i7-1255U Processor or an Intel Core i5-1235U Processor, the Spectre x360 packs more than enough processing power to meet all your podcasting requirements with ease. This laptop is a true workhorse, making it the perfect companion for your podcasting endeavors. The 16 GB RAM model comes with a price of $2000.
Features include:
- It supports dual-channel memory and runs at 4266 MT/s with a maximum memory of 32 GB
- It offers different storage options which include 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB PCIe NVMe TLC M.2 solid-state internal hard drive with Gen 3.0 and Gen 4.0
- It has Corning Gorilla Glass NBT touchscreens that support pen and touch
- It offers Intel AX211 or AX411 Wi-Fi 6E multi-user MIMO supported and Bluetooth 5.2. It also supports Miracast
- It has a decent battery life that can last up to 13 hours and 30 minutes for OLED screens and can last up to 21 hours and 50 minutes for WUXGA+ screens
ASUS VivoBook F510UA – Best laptop for Podcasting
Best: Budget Laptop
Reasons to buy:
- Low price
- Large FHD display
- Competitive performance
When searching for an affordable laptop option, look no further than the ASUS VivoBook F510UA. This remarkable machine is equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor, which may be the least powerful among its peers, but don’t be fooled by that fact. With 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the bare minimum you require, it packs enough punch to handle the vast majority of audio-editing applications with ease. Rest assured, this budget-friendly laptop won’t disappoint in meeting your audio editing needs.
Features include:
- Intel Core i5-8250U processor and Intel UHD Graphics 620
- 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS (In-Plane Switching) that offers wide viewing angles and decent color reproduction
- 1TB HDD for storage
With utmost confidence, this laptop boasts a myriad of impressive features aimed at elevating your computing experience. Among its highlights is a cutting-edge fingerprint reader, ensuring top-notch security for your valuable data. The inclusion of a high-quality web camera enables seamless video calls, while the backlit keyboard allows for effortless typing even in dimly lit environments.
Additionally, the laptop comes equipped with essential components such as a microphone, speakers, and an optical drive, catering to your various multimedia needs. For added peace of mind, the security lock slot offers an extra layer of protection against potential theft.
While the battery life may not set records with a duration of 4 hours, its attractive price of just $580 compensates generously for this limitation. ASUS, a renowned and trusted brand in the world of Windows laptops, has crafted this device with reliability as its cornerstone, ensuring a seamless and efficient user experience for all its users.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – Best laptop for Podcasting
Best: Detachable 2-in1 laptop
Reasons to buy:
- User upgradeable storage
- Impressive battery life
- Excellent for multitasking
The tablet computer we confidently recommend for podcasting is none other than Microsoft’s Surface brand. Functioning much like a laptop, these devices are specially designed to cater to the needs of creatives, making them an ideal choice for podcasters.
Microsoft offers a variety of Surface models, each tailored to different price points and equipped with unique specifications. When making your selection, be sure to opt for a model that comes with a minimum of 8GB RAM and an Intel Evo Platform Core i5 processor. These features ensure optimal performance and smooth podcasting experiences.
Some features include:
- A facial-recognition camera for Windows Hello and a front camera
- Two Studio Mics and a Surface Connector port
- 12th Generation Intel Core processor or a Microsoft SQ 3 processor
- Edge-to-edge 13” PixelSense touchscreen mainly designed for pen and Windows 11
- Intel Evo 12th Gen processor and Thunderbolt 4 ports
- With the Microsoft SQ 3 processor, a 5G connection and improved video calling experiences are possible.
“The Surface Pro 9 comes with an attractive price of $999. This remarkable device offers comparable power to the ASUS or Acer models mentioned earlier but with the added advantage of enhanced portability. Investing in the Surface Pro 9 promises a winning combination of performance and convenience, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful yet highly portable computing solution.”
Some key factors to keep in mind while buying a laptop for podcasting
Here are some key factors which you should keep in mind before buying the best laptop for podcasting:
Processing Power:
When engaging in audio and video editing tasks on a laptop, the machine’s processing power plays a crucial role. The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is responsible for handling the intricate computational demands involved in tasks like audio crossfading and adding reverb to recorded tracks. To ensure a smooth and efficient editing experience, it’s essential to opt for a model equipped with a current and powerful processor that will likely maintain its functionality and performance for many years ahead.
Memory:
In the realm of computing, a computer’s memory goes by the name of RAM, or random access memory. The significance of RAM lies in its ability to dictate the speed of your computer’s responsiveness to your commands. For the seamless functioning of most podcast editing software, a minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended. However, for an even more impressive performance, setting your sights on 16GB RAM or beyond would be a wise investment if your budget permits. The more RAM you have at your disposal, the smoother and more efficient your computing experience will be, making it a worthwhile consideration for any tech-savvy individual or professional seeking optimal productivity.
Software Compatibility:
Confidently put, a podcast computer’s software compatibility is primarily contingent upon its operating system. The majority of digital audio workstations, commonly known as DAWs, which serve as the essential audio editing software for podcast production, are compatible with both MacOS and Windows operating systems. Furthermore, some DAWs are also optimized for mobile operating systems like iOS, iPadOS, and Android, providing users with added flexibility.
However, it is essential to note that not all audio editing programs are universally compatible with every operating system. For instance, to utilize GarageBand or Logic Pro effectively, one needs an Apple machine running MacOS or, in specific scenarios, iOS or iPadOS. Conversely, certain other DAWs are exclusively designed to operate on Windows.
Before committing to a particular computer for audio editing purposes, it is paramount to conduct thorough research on the software’s operating system compatibility. Additionally, paying attention to the minimum RAM and processing power requirements of the chosen DAW is crucial to ensure a smooth and efficient podcast production experience. By doing so, you can confidently select the most suitable computer setup for your podcasting needs.
Screen Size:
Podcasting places significant emphasis on sound quality, but when it comes to the best computers for podcasting, having abundant screen real estate is just as crucial. Opting for a laptop with a large screen size allows for effortless multitasking, enabling you to view all your editing windows simultaneously without the need to constantly switch between them. For optimal performance, aim for a laptop with a screen size of at least 13 inches, where the measurement is taken from one corner of the screen to the diagonally opposite corner. If budget permits, going for a laptop with a 15-inch or 16-inch screen is even more advantageous, providing an enhanced visual workspace for an even smoother podcasting experience.
Battery Life:
If your intention involves employing a laptop for on-site recording, rest assured that reliable battery life is of utmost importance. When operating in remote areas devoid of power outlets, your laptop’s battery becomes the sole source of computing power. To guarantee optimal battery performance, be sure to review the computer’s spec sheet, which provides valuable information about its estimated battery capacity. By judiciously shutting down superfluous applications and dimming your screen, you can effectively prolong the laptop’s battery life. With these measures in place, you can confidently carry out your field recording tasks without concerns about running out of power.
Final Verdicts
We trust that you have found this review on the best laptops for podcasting to be highly beneficial.
A podcaster’s computer serves as the nucleus of their workflow and ultimately influences the performance of their show. While you may not typically be inclined to splurge on technology, it’s essential to view this as a prudent investment. Not only can it save you time and alleviate stress in the long run, but it can also enhance the overall quality of your podcasts.
Above all, prioritizing the discovery of a computer that perfectly aligns with your individual requirements is paramount! Therefore, do not hesitate to express your needs clearly and be unafraid to ask an abundance of questions during the selection process.
