These days, there's so many ways to consume media that online content creators need new ways to interact with their audience. One way which many have opted for in the last couple of years is podcasting. I'm sure many are accustomed to the podcasting world with hundreds, if not thousands of podcasts from the Joe Rogan Experience, Views by David Dobrik, Serial, Podcast But Outside, gaming podcasts, movie podcasts, soccer podcasts, and so much more. It spans a wide range of topics, genres and styles, all unique to the individual podcasters and their knowledge of their industry.
Some podcasters are doing it just for the heck of it, and that's okay too. Most times, podcasting is informative, entertaining, and less stressful to consume. I, like many others around the world use podcasts as something in the background while you study, or during your daily commute. It's easier to listen to a podcast than it is to watch an hour long video, and it takes away from the monotony of listening to the same music all the time.
With the advent of podcasting being popular than ever, people keen on getting in on the media format are going to need some of the best laptops for podcasting around. But before that, we're going to answer an age old question, "Do you need a laptop for podcasting?".
Do You Need a Laptop for Podcasting?
Technically, you don't. But, if you were seriously looking to get into podcasting, it's best to get equipped with a stellar laptop for podcasting to make the process easier. You could get a couple of mics, a mixer and round up some buddies and start recording, but that's pretty much all you could do. A laptop for podcasting is necessary as a tool to help you record, edit, and publish the podcast after you're done mixing and mastering it.
For that, you're also going to need the use of a digital audio workstation (DAW) like Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, etc. This software, typically used for music production, translates well to use to help podcasters edit, mix and publish the audio file. There's really no other conceivable way around it. With the use DAW software, you can also add in various sound effects, music, and transitions to help create a better sounding, fledged out listening experience.
The simplest answer I can give you in regards to if a laptop for podcasting is necessary, is yes.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's take a look at some important features the best laptops for podcasting are going to need to help you realize your dream of being a radio show host. Come on, you know that's what it's really about.
Important Features To Look For
Operating System
The operating system your podcasting laptop runs is mostly up to you. Your two main choices are going to be between macOS and Windows enabled laptops. Since podcasting itself is inherently low maintenance, not needing super powerful specs, you're well equipped with any number of Apple and Windows laptops. It's a matter of your own personal preferences, laptop history, and what you're most comfortable with.
Windows 10 is probably going to be the default for most of the best laptops for podcasting list. Since it is the most widely used and available operating system, it's pretty obvious why. Windows 10 is the latest and greatest from Microsoft and is a very intuitive, feature packed, simple to use and well protected with frequent security updates. You're basically spoiled for choice of laptops capable of handling all your podcasting needs from a range of budget, mid-range and high-end laptops.
macOS on the other hand, is a little more limiting in terms of what you can get. You've pretty much only got a few laptops to choose from like the Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. But I will add that the Apple MacBook Pro is a well equipped machine to handle podcasting, with a number of YouTubers and online content creators opting for Apple's hardware as their go to recording and editing machine. Apple's macOS operating system and Apple MacBook Pro laptops are an excellent choice as one of the best laptops for podcasting. There's a bunch of great features exclusive to Apple, a clean UI experience, and top notch security.
Processor
One important spec that consumers will be on the look for in a laptop will be the processor. The processor is a very important spec which dictates your overall performance capability on any laptop available. The processor the best laptop for podcasting will have is largely dependent on your DAW software of choice. There are a bunch on the market right now, but as a base we should aim to at least get a quad-core processor with a 2.5GHz processing speed.
I mention a quad-core processor as most processors, like the Intel Core i5 processor or Intel Core i7 processor lineup have at least a quad-core setup. To gauge it's performance, you're going to need to keep in mind its processing speed (GHz) and how many cores it has. Any processor ranging from 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8550U processor to 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 processors will serve well for podcasting. Any lesser than that, and you may run into issues with DAW software and face issues like lag, freezes and system crashes if the processor is too overworked.
RAM
Another important spec that directly co-relates to your laptops performance is how much RAM and storage space it's equipped with. RAM is important as it works hand-in-hand with the processor, making things load up faster and helps to manage multi-tasking software and programs. The easiest way to understand what RAM does, is it just keeps things running in the background to flawlessly transition between apps and software.
In terms of how much RAM you should have, I'd recommend finding at least an 8GB DDR4 RAM capacity. You could opt for higher capacities like 16GB RAM if you were willing to pay a little extra. It will serve well not only for podcasting but any other programs on your dedicated podcasting laptop.
Storage
In regards to the storage the best laptop for podcasting will have, it's more flexible spec than your RAM capacity. Having enough solid state drive (SSD) storage space will make it easier to manage all your files, music, audio files, samples, programs, etc. I'd recommend a base capacity of a 128GB SSD, but you should look into finding a 256GB SSD storage or a 512GB SSD storage. This is mainly as overtime as you're podcasting, you're going to pile up more and more audio files, both finalized and unused episodes.
Having at least a 512GB SSD storage will allow you to record and publish as much as you need without having to worry about running out of space.
Audio Capability
Our last feature we're going to mention is the audio capability your podcasting laptop will come equipped with. The audio capability of a laptop is determined in two aspects: the speakers and audio input/output. It's a feature set that not all laptops will adhere to, but if it does, it's an added bonus as the ultimate best podcasting laptop around.
The speakers your laptop comes with will range greatly from non-branded speakers and audio tuning, to expert audio professionals like JBL, Dolby Atmos, Bang&Olufsen, etc. tuned speakers. This isn't a necessity for the best laptops for podcasting, but will add in great value if you wanted to use your laptop speakers to check out what the audio sounds like. Plus, a good speaker setup is great for everyday tasks like listening to music, watching a movie, streaming YouTube videos, etc.
In regards to the audio input/output I mentioned, you're going to want to pay attention to what the laptop comes with. Some laptops feature separate audio jacks for the mic/headphones which means you're going to need an adaptor to use both simultaneously. It's not a make-or-break feature, but it's good to keep it in mind. Since we're talking about inputs and what not, I'm going to add that a laptop with a USB Type-C port will add great value for when you're transferring data, using DisplayPort or charging. A great value add that will serve well for podcasting as you're often transferring files and USB Type-C ports are the fastest around right now.
Now that we've gone through the whole lineup of specs you're going to need, let's get straight into the list to find the best laptops for podcasting around!
Best Laptops For Podcasting
1. Apple MacBook Pro
Our first laptop we're featuring in our search for the best laptop for podcasting is going to be the latest Apple MacBook Pro. This variant of the MacBook Pro comes with Apple's patented look, a minimalist, clean aesthetic and a 13.3-inch Retina display. The display is supplemented with bonus tech to create a better viewing experience with 500 nits of brightness, True Tone technology and a P3 wide color gamut.
On the internals, the MacBook Pro comes with Apple's latest attempt at a processor, the Apple M1 Chip. While it is a deviation from the standard Intel Core processor lineup, the SoC is quite capable netting great performance from reviewers everywhere. To support the M1 Chip, the laptop features 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD storage, completing the package with an overall well equipped spec sheet. It's going to be more than capable of handling podcasting, as well as other programs you need it to.
A few standout features the MacBook Pro comes with includes Touch ID, Touch Bar, a scissor mechanism backlit keyboard, 2x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, and up to 20 hours of battery life. All in all, the latest Apple MacBook Pro is a well equipped laptop, featuring great specs and Apple exclusive features. The only bad thing I'd have to say about the laptop is the high priced hardware Apple is so famous for. But otherwise, a stunning podcasting laptop used by many high-profile podcasters.
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
If you wanted a truly compact, powerful and surprisingly affordable 2-in-1 podcasting laptop, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is one of the best in the category. Created by the people who are behind the Windows operating system, you can expect it to be a well-equipped, optimized laptop for podcasting. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a high-end tablet/laptop machine featuring a 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen display. It's a simple package of a tablet form factor, and when paired with the Surface Type cover will make for a very portable, reliable podcasting laptop.
Under the hood, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4 processor, 8 gigs of RAM 256GB of SSD storage. Considering the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is technically a tablet, these are very impressive specs in a compact, small form factor. If you weren't keen on the Intel Core i5 processor, you can shop around to find various combinations to find a better fit for you. But otherwise, an overall impressive spec sheet.
A few extra features the laptop comes with includes enhanced Studio mics, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, card reader, Instant On, and up to 10.5 hours of battery life. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is an excellent high-end, 2-in-1 laptop fully capable of handling all podcasting needs.
3. HP Spectre x360
If you were looking for a more traditional 2-in-1 laptop form factor, the HP Spectre x360 is a pretty good alternative. This laptop comes fully packed with great features, netting it as one of the best laptop configurations on the list so far. While this may seem like overkill, it's a great laptop if you wanted something a little more premium. The HP Spectre x360 features a 15.6-inch 4K micro-edge touchscreen display.
On the internals, the laptop continues to impress with one of the latest 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H processors, 16 gigs of RAM and a beastly 1TB solid state drive storage capacity. Adding to the CPu performance is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti to handle graphically intensive tasks and programs. If you wanted a laptop to handle not only podcasting editing, but video and image editing software, this is an amazing option with super powered specs.
A few extra features the laptop comes with includes SD card reader, Wi-Fi 6, Bang&Olufsen tuned speakers, dual-array digital mics, backlit keyboard, and up to 13 hours battery life. The HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop is a fully fledged laptop capable of handling even the most intensive tasks, making it well suited as a reliable podcasting laptop.
4. Acer Aspire 5
For those looking to get into the podcasting game, but don't want to spend a fortune on a laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 is a reliable mid-range laptop with an attractive price tag. The Acer Aspire is equipped with a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a standard display frame. Not the most exciting, but it's the simplest you could expect a laptop to look without compromising on any features.
For its performance, the Acer Aspire 5 is pretty well equipped with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor capable of up to 3.6GHz processing speed. Not the best, but an admirable processing speed considering the price tag. Other supporting specs includes 8 gigs of RAM and a 256GB solid state drive. While it might miss out on the bells and whistles of a premium laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 is still very well equipped for podcasting.
There are a few more features that makes the Acer Aspire 5 a little more desirable, including a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 support, Acer TrueHarmony audio, and up to 8 hours battery life. Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 has just the right specs to handle podcasting without costing a premium, making it one of the best deals we've featured on the list so far.
5. ASUS VivoBook 15
Adding another well-equipped affordable laptop to the list, the ASUS VivoBook 15 comes with an impressive spec sheet and overall package. As a whole, I'm a big fan of the ASUS VivoBook 15's aesthetic with a simple dark grey color scheme and a gorgeous 15.6-inch Full HD display. Adding to the laptop aesthetics is a pretty impressive 88% screen to body ratio, resulting in a super slim bezels around all four corners of the display.
For its performance, the ASUS VivoBook 15 features a 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8 gigs of RAM and a generous 512GB SSD. The Intel Core i5 processor comes with a 3.6GHz processing speed, making it capable of handling most tasks efficiently, especially so for podcasting. One unique feature the ASUS VivoBook 15 comes with is the ErgoLift design which creates a more ergonomic typing experience.
The laptop features a few more add-ons to complete the package including a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, ASUS SonicMaster audio, and up to 7 hours battery life. For the money, even I'm tempted to get an ASUS VivoBook 15 just for the heck of it. It's that good a deal, making for a complete podcasting machine.
6. Dell XPS 13
Taking a step back into the premium, high-end laptop segment, the Dell XPS 13 fits the description very well. Starting things off, the Dell XPS 13 features a 13.3-inch FHD InfinityEdge display with almost non-existent bezels around the frame. Another unique aesthetic feature the laptop comes with is a sleek carbon fiber palm rest which you don't see too often on laptop keyboards. Props to Dell for taking a different approach to the laptop aesthetics.
Onto the internals, the laptop begins to shine with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16 gigs of RAM and hefty 2TB SSD storage capacity. The star of the show is going to the 2TB SSD which we don't see very often on laptop storage capacities. For these internals though, you're going to have to pay a pretty high premium.
A few extras the laptop comes with includes SD card reader, 2x Thunderbolt 3 ports, a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard and up to 16 hours battery life. A truly high-end laptop that comes with the accompanying high price tag. If you wanted something a little more specced out, this is a solid choice to handle your podcasting needs.
7. ZenBook 14 by ASUS
Adding in another entry to the list, the ZenBook 14 by ASUS is a premium category laptop with up-to-date specs and a unique feature hidden in the laptop chassis. First off, the ASUS ZenBook 15 features a standard 14-inch FHD NanoEdge display with a 90% screen to body ratio. This gets you a bigger screen size without needing to add much to the laptop size, and an overall sleek look. You can see the focus on zero wasted space on the ASUS ZenBook from both the screen and keyboard layout which I'm a huge fan of.
Now on to where it truly matters, the internal specs. The ASUS ZenBook 14 comes with probably the best processor on the list with the latest 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7. This processor is capable of ramping things up to 4.70GHz when needed, making it a capable performer in its own right. Adding to the impressive performance is 8 gigs of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. The special 'hidden' feature the laptop is hiding is that even though its a 14-inch laptop, it actually features a built-in numberpad in the touchpad which is pretty cool. Again, not the best feature for podcasting, but still pretty cool.
A few extra features that makes the ASUS ZenBook 14 a better purchase includes the ErgoLift hinge, a backlit keyboard, microSD card reader, 400 nits of brightness, 2x Thunderbolt 3 portsand up to 21 hours battery life. Bringing all these specs and features onto one laptop, the ZenBook 14 positions itself as a very attractive, powerful, and affordable machine. It's the right balance of specs that you'd be hard pressed to find at this price tag very often.
8. Blade Stealth 13 by Razer
Last up on our list is going to be the Razer Blade Stealth 13, a gaming laptop with impressive appeal even to podcasters. The Razer Blade Stealth 13 comes with a 13.3-inch FHD display with a silky smooth 120HZ refresh rate. This is the only laptop we've seen that features a higher-refresh rate, which does give it that extra appeal. A high refresh rate translates to motion and moving like scrolling, playing video games etc. feeling much smoother as the display is 'displaying' it faster than typical 60Hz panels. A great thing about the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is that there is a touchscreen display option if you needed touch capabilities. It's not a necessity for podcasting, but I can think of a few ways it would be helpful.
On the internals the laptop keeps in line with it's impressive lineup with an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD capacity. For the graphical performance, the laptop comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU. Not surprising that Razer would add in a NVIDIA GeForce graphic card since it is a gaming laptop at its core. But this makes it capable of handling graphic intensive programs like PhotoShop, InDesign, gaming, video editing, etc.
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 comes with a few more standout features including the Razer Chroma keyboard, precision glass touchpad, Thunderbolt 4 port, 4-array mic setup, CNC unibody aluminum design, and up to 10 hours battery life. This gaming laptop might be a little too much power for you, but will serve well for YouTuber's and gamers interested in podcasting with an all-round performance beast.
Conclusion
We've gone through some of the best of the best laptops for podcasting, but we're going to have to choose only one as the best.
The unequivocal, ultimate best laptop for podcasting is going to be the ASUS ZenBook 14!
This laptop covers all the bases sufficiently, without sacrificing on the stellar design language and zero wasted space all around the laptop chassis. The design added to the fantastic performance capability and affordable price tag makes this an easy choice for anyone looking to tell some stories on their podcast.
