Podcasting has become the new platform for content creators and business owners to build their brands. According to a recent survey, 50% of Americans ages 13 and older listen to podcasts.
Another report found that about 55% of people are more likely to make a purchase if they hear more information about the product on a podcast.
The product doesn’t have to be super expensive, but the laptop you need for work should be something that doesn’t lag behind. Audio podcasting does not require very expensive equipment or a powerful setup.
A mid-priced laptop running a DAW or other audio editing software is sufficient. However, if you are producing a video podcast, you may need to reconsider this specification.
You may need a powerful laptop with a good processor and graphics processor that can smoothly load large video files and edit video.
There are a few other things to keep in mind: microphone stands, pop filters, and microphones. You can upgrade these items as you use them, but upgrading immediately after purchasing the laptop may be an unnecessary cost.
Best Laptops for Podcasting
Laptops have become an integral part of the podcaster’s setup. Laptops offer adaptability, portability, and processing power that facilitate podcasting on the go.
The only problem? With so many laptops on the market these days, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this guide, we’ll explain all the laptop terminology and specifications so you know exactly what you’re looking for. Then, we’ll show you the 9 best laptops for podcasting in 2022. First things first.
Best Laptops for Podcasting | Comparison Table 2022
Top Quality | 5- Star Pick | Great Prices
Image | Title | Buy | |
---|---|---|---|
2022 ASUS VivoBook 15 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Laptop Computer, Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Intel UHD Graphics, VGA Webcam, Win 10S, Gray, 32GB SnowBell USB Card | ASUS | Buy Now | |
Newest Dell XPS 15 9510 Elite Laptop, 15.6" FHD+ 500 Nits Display, Intel i7-11800H, RTX 3050Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, IR Webcam, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, WiFi 6, Thunderbolt 4, Win 11 Home | Dell | Buy Now | |
Samsung Notebook 9 PRO 13.3”-Intel Core i7 Processor 8550U - 16GB Memory-256GB SSD - NP930MBE-K05US | SAMSUNG | Buy Now | |
2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop: Apple M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID. Works with iPhone/iPad; Space Gray | Apple | Buy Now | |
2022 HP Spectre x360 15.6" 4K Ultra HD Touch-Screen Laptop (Intel i7-1165G7 4-Core, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Intel Iris Xe, Backlit KB, FP Reader, HD Webcam, WiFi 6, BT 5.2, Active Pen, Win11H) w/Hub | HP | Buy Now | |
Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 Gaming Laptop, 17.3 inches 144Hz Pantone Validated Full HD IPS, GeForce RTX 2080, Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, 16GB DDR4, Windows 10 Pro-GX701GX-XS76 (Renewed) | ASUS | Buy Now | |
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti - 12th Gen Intel 14-Core i7 CPU - 15.6” QHD 240Hz - 16GB DDR5 RAM - 1TB PCIe SSD - Windows 11 - CNC Aluminum - Chroma RGB - Thunderbolt 4 | Razer | Buy Now | |
2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage) - Silver | Apple | Buy Now | |
Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 Creator Laptop | 14" Full HD 100% sRGB | AMD Ryzen 7 5800U | NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti Laptop GPU | 16GB LPDDR4X | 512GB SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit KB | Amazon Alexa | Windows 10 Home | Acer | Buy Now |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Laptops for Podcasting | Reviews 2022
1. ASUS VivoBook 15 Best Laptops for Podcasting
- 【Upgraded】Seal is opened for upgrade only, 1-year warranty on Upgraded RAM/SSD from Snow Bell, and original 1-Year Manufacture warranty on remaining components. 【15.6 FHD TouchScreen Display】1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity, Anti-glare Energy-efficient LED screen.
- 【11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor】Ultra-low-voltage platform. Dual-core, four-way processing provides maximum high-efficiency power to go. SonicMaster Audio with Built-In Speakers & VGA Webcam.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM】Plenty of high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games as well as multiple programs. 【256GB SSD】Save files fast and store more data. With plenty amounts of storage and advanced communication power, great for major gaming, multiple servers, backups, and more.
- 【Backlit Keyboard with Fingerprint reader】allows you to enjoy comfortable and accurate typing, even in dim lighting. 【Intel UHD Graphics】with shared video memory provide everyday image quality for Internet use, basic photo editing and casual gaming.
- 【Windows 10 in S Mode included】2-cell Lithium-ion Battery, 14.17” x 9.25” x 0.78”, 3.97 lbs. Ports: 3x USB Type A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x Headphone jack, 1x HDMI, 1x Media card reader. Fingerprint reader. Wireless-AC and Bluetooth, Slate Gray. Bonus 32GB SnowBell USB Card.
2. Newest Dell XPS 15 Top Laptops for Podcasting
- 【Memory & Storage】32GB high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive provides fast bootup, ample storage space and speedy data transfer
- 【Unleash The Power】11th Genernation Intel Core i7-11700H Processor (8 Cores, 16 Threads, 24MB Cache, 2.30 GHz base frequency, up to 4.60 GHz max turbo frequency), packing with staggering performance typically only available from desktops to your laptop
- 【Superior Views】 15.6 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit Display, 16:10 aspect ratio, features a 0.65% anti-reflective coating, stunning edge-to-edge view, low blue light and vivid color; Supported by GeForce RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB GDDR6 dedicated graphics memory
- 【Tech Specs】2 x Thunderbolt 4 with power delivery & DisplayPort, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with power delivery & DisplayPort, 1 x Full size SD card reader v6.0, 1 x Headphone & Mic Audio Jack; HD IR Webcam with digital microphone; Backlit Keyboard; Fingerprint Reader on power button; Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2x2) + Bluetooth 5.1; 6-Cell 86Whr Battery with ExpressCharge, 1 x USB-C to USB-A v3.0 & HDMI v2.0 adapter included
- 【Operating System】Windows 11 Home 64-bit - ideal for content creation, family entertainment, daily productivity, gaming, streaming, online class, remote learning, Zoom meeting, video conference, etc.
3. Samsung Notebook 9 PRO 13.3”
- ULTRA-SLIM & PORTABLE: Versatile. Inside & Out. The aluminum frame and diamond-cut edges give a sleek and modern look to this ultra-slim laptop. Whether you use it in notebook mode or rotate the full HD screen all the way around to tablet mode, the convertible Notebook 9 Pro delivers flexibility and versatility in a convenient and portable frame.
- LASTING POWER & PERFORMANCE: Uninterrupted Productivity. High-capacity battery lasts up to 14. 7 hours and keeps your Notebook 9 Pro running with uncompromised performance. The Notebook 9 Pro features the Intel 8th generation processor, 2 Thunderbolt3 ports, and ultra-fast Gigabit Wi-Fi to deliver improved speed and performance of apps, games, and your favorite streaming media.
- IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Take entertainment to the next level. Enjoy videos and movies like never before with reduced bezels to make room for the wider full HD display. Push your audio to the max with the new, advanced sound system. Gives you clear audio at increased volumes.
- CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: Improved Precision. Work has never been easier. Experience the redesigned keyboard with large keycaps and a stainless-steel plate for optimal comfort and stability. The Notebook 9 Pro also comes complete with an all-new Active Pen, designed to look and feel like a natural pen in your hand. The Active Pen also detects 4, 096 levels of pressure for exceptional precision.
- PROTECT WHAT’S YOURS: Keep everything on your Notebook 9 Pro safe with improved privacy options. Use the Privacy Folder function to create encrypted, password-locked folders, store confidential work files and protect personal data.
4. Apple MacBook Air Laptop
- All-Day Battery Life – Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance – Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power.
- Superfast Memory – 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly and easily.
- Stunning Display – With a 13.3” Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac – Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
- Simply Compatible – All your existing apps work, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, and Google Drive. Plus you can use your favorite iPhone and iPad apps directly on macOS. Altogether you’ll have access to the biggest collection of apps ever for Mac. All are available on the App Store.
- Easy to Learn – If you already have an iPhone, MacBook Air feels familiar from the moment you turn it on. And it works perfectly with all your Apple devices. Use your iPad to extend the workspace of your Mac, answer texts and phone calls directly on your Mac, and more.
- Fanless Design – Your MacBook Air stays cool and runs quietly even while tackling intense workloads.
- AppleCare – Every Mac comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. Get AppleCare+ to extend your coverage and reduce the stress and cost of unexpected repairs.
- Environmentally Friendly – MacBook Air is made with a 100% recycled aluminum enclosure and uses less energy for a smaller carbon footprint.
6. Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 8GB GDDR6 (base: 990 MHz, Boost: 1230 MHz; TDP: 90W)
- Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core processor
- 17.3” 144Hz 3ms Pantone validated FHD display with NVIDIA G-SYNC
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM | 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD (Hyper drive) | Windows 10 Professional
- Smaller-than-standard form Factor only 0.74” (18.7mm) thin
- Reduced temperature compared to conventional cooling design Due to ROG-exclusive active Aerodynamic system and 12V fans. Increased longevity with anti-dust technology
- Gpu switch mode: switch between integrated and discrete graphics for increased battery life or powerful gaming performance
- 802.11AC Wave 2 Gigabit Wi-Fi
- Per-key aura Sync RGB keyboard with separate volume roll key
- Detachable/external 1080P 60Hz webcam
7. Razer Blade 15
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU: The new GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is up to 70% faster than RTX 2070 SUPER laptops and can deliver 100 frames per second at 1440p resolution
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7 14-Core CPU: Experience cutting-edge power with the newly released Intel Core i7-12800H processor with up to 4.8GHz of Turbo Boost for unrivalled performance to take on the most demanding gaming and creative tasks
- QHD 240Hz Display: High refresh rate meets high resolution to provide a responsive gaming experience that comes with a greater level of detail and no screen-tearing thanks to NVIDIA G-SYNC
- DDR5 4800MHz Memory: 50% faster than the previous genertion, enjoy a quicker, smoother experience when loading applications, running games, and performing other everyday PC tasks
- Next-Gen Vapor Chamber Cooling: Upgraded with more exhaust fins, quiter fans, and a larger liquid capacity, the new Blade 15 performs cooler and quieter than ever before
- Advanced Connectivity: Connect, play, and share effortlessly thanks to the built-in HDMI 2.1 port, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, and UHS-III SD card slot plus Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
8. Apple MacBook Pro M1
- Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chip for a massive leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Up to 10-core CPU delivers up to 2x faster performance to fly through pro workflows quicker than ever
- Up to 32-core GPU with up to 4x faster performance for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for up to 5x faster machine learning performance
- Longer battery life, up to 21 hours
- Up to 64GB of unified memory so everything you do is fast and fluid
- Up to 8TB of superfast SSD storage launches apps and opens files in an instant
- Stunning 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with extreme dynamic range and contrast ratio
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera with advanced image signal processor for sharper video calls
- Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers
9. Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 Creator Laptop
- Ultimate Performance. Uncompromised Battery Life: Speed up tasks with AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor with Zen 3 Core Architecture, available for ultrathin laptops, so you can save time and get back to creating
- RTX, Its On: The latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU (4GB GDDR6 VRAM) is powered by award-winning Ampere architecture with new Ray Tracing Cores, Tensor Cores, and streaming multiprocessors supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate for incredible creativity
- A True Visual Representation: Create your best content on the 14 Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Widescreen LED-backlit 100% sRGB display with 300 nits brightness and 16:9 aspect ratio
- Internal Specifications: 16GB LPDDR4X memory (maximum 16GB); 512GB NVMe SSD; 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz featuring 2x2 MU-MIMO technology; Bluetooth 5.2
- Windows Hello with Fingerprint Reader: Biometric fingerprint reader and Windows Hello sign-in options help keep your Acer PC secure
- Using Alexa on your PC is as easy as asking a question. Just ask and Alexa can check your calendar, create lists, play music, answer questions, read the news and more.
- Made to Move: At just 3.06 lbs, this Acer Swift X laptop is ready to go where you go. The metal design is thin and lightweight, but packs a whole lot of battery power with fast charging capability
- Hear It to Believe It: Stream music, play back videos, and hear it all with optimized bass response and distortion prevention from DTS Audio in the dual front-facing speakers
- Ports For All Your Accessories: USB Type-C Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C & USB Charging, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (1 Power-off Charging), HDMI 2.0 with HDCP support, Headphone/Microphone-in Jack, DC-in for AC adapter
What should I consider when buying a laptop for podcasting? | Ultimate Buyers Guide
With so many laptops on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your podcasting setup. There are various factors to consider before purchasing a laptop, and we have categorized them here.
RAM – Random Access Memory
RAM indicates the amount of data a laptop computer can store at one time. Information not stored in the computer’s RAM must be retrieved from the hard disk (internal storage).
Do not underestimate the importance of RAM. Laptops with high processing power but low RAM often run slowly. This is because the computer needs to retrieve more data from the internal hard disk, which can cause delays.
Podcasters require high RAM. The laptop should be able to handle and store as much information as possible at the same time; the larger the RAM, the better the laptop will be able to handle multiple audio tracks, editing software, etc. without problems.
Podcasters should look for at least 8 GB of RAM. If you are a full-time podcaster, you should consider at least 16 GB.
CPU – Central Processing Unit
The CPU tells us how fast the computer performs various processes. This includes data processing, calculations, and other tasks. Think of the processor in a laptop as its brain.
A fast processor means that the laptop can process more things at once. Podcasting requires a laptop that can perform multiple tasks at high speed.
A “multi-core processor” means that the laptop can be even faster. A multi-core processor basically means that the laptop has multiple processing units. This leads to faster workflows.
Intel Core, AMD, and Apple M1; are the various types of processors you may have encountered.
DAW Requirements
Your audio workstation will affect the type of CPU and RAM required. Some podcasting DAWs are “resource-intensive” requiring enormous amounts of processing power to operate properly.
Apple or PC-specific DAWs; some DAWs, such as Garageband and Logic Pro, will only work on Apple devices, so this should be considered when purchasing a new laptop.
Plug-in Requirements
Plug-ins require a certain amount of processing power. If you often add multiple plug-ins, such as sound effects and transitions, you will probably need a laptop with more processing power.
Latency
Latency is the time taken between the input and output of an audio signal. For example, it is the time between speaking into a microphone and listening through headphones.
Podcasters want low latency. Naturally, we want this delay to be as short as possible. This is not a problem if your laptop has the fast processing power and adequate RAM.
Internal Storage
There are two types of internal storage. Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD).
Notebooks that use HDDs for internal storage tend to run slower. This is because it can take longer to recover data.
SDS is a good alternative to avoid unnecessary delays. Solid-state drives use flash memory to store data in a digital format, allowing data to be recovered more quickly.
SSD-equipped laptops are ideal for studio environments; laptops with SSD storage tend to be less noisy, which is a big advantage in a podcasting setup.
SSD notebooks are generally more expensive and have less storage capacity; SSD notebooks require a larger investment and may not be an option for every budget.
Hybrid hard drives with built-in SSDs are more economical. For a more affordable price, many people choose a laptop with an internal hard disk with an SSD built-in. The computer can load data onto the SSD in advance for faster recovery.
Operating System
The operating system is left to the podcaster’s preference. It depends on what you are used to, what your colleagues tend to use, and what works best for you.
Your editing software may influence your choice of operating system; if you’re a fan of Logic Pro or Garageband, you’re a stickler for Apple products.
Your choice of OS may also depend on your budget; Apple devices tend to be more expensive, so if your budget allows, you may want to consider a Windows device.
Screen Size
Screen size is also a matter of personal needs and desires.
Screen size does not affect podcasting. Laptop screen size has no objective impact on podcasting. You can record and edit a studio-quality podcast regardless of screen size.
Larger screens make your life easier. The reason is that a larger screen is easier to edit and better for your eyesight because your eyes don’t get tired.
Larger screens are generally more expensive. For those on a limited budget, a larger screen is not always an option.
Battery life
Battery life is an important factor for those who are constantly on the move. The last thing you want is for your laptop to shut down in the middle of recording or editing.
Weight
The weight of a laptop affects its portability. For podcasters who travel a lot, it is best to choose a lightweight computer that can be carried anywhere.
Price and Warranty
Your budget will determine the range of laptops available. This is a personal question, but it will give you an idea of how far your purse strings can stretch. Furthermore, there are a variety of laptops available for every budget, so you don’t have to worry about money.
Check the warranty period on your new laptop. Warranties are for unforeseen accidents and should never be overlooked.
Upgrade or Replace
For those on a limited budget or not yet ready to invest in a new laptop, upgrading an existing model may be a good option.
A small upgrade can make a big difference. Upgrading the RAM in an existing laptop and replacing the hard drive with an SSD can increase power and processing speed.
We recommend consulting an expert before tinkering. The last thing you want is to damage your laptop beyond repair. Consult an expert so that you can properly upgrade your laptop.
FAQs
Is a laptop really necessary for a podcaster?
Podcasters do not technically need a laptop, but that does not mean they should not have one.
With a laptop, you can produce the podcast of your dreams because you can enhance your recordings and convert them into quality podcasts. With a laptop, you can take advantage of the vast editing power offered by several editing suites and use visual effects, music, transitions, and more.
Why use a laptop instead of a desktop for podcasting?
This is a personal choice of the podcaster and often depends on the recording setup.
Laptops are easy to carry. So you can record, edit, and publish on the go, wherever you are.
Laptops are more adaptable. Laptops offer additional flexibility for podcasters, whether they are setting up in someone else’s studio or working on the road.
Laptops offer a lot of processing power. Currently, laptops can compete with desktop computers in processing power, so there is no loss.
Desktops are better suited for home-studio environments. Desktops are naturally intended for more permanent installations. So, if you are fortunate enough to have a dedicated home studio, a desktop computer may be a more appropriate choice.
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