In this blog post we are going to walk you through the best laptops for podcasting. Here’s our top ten list:
- MacBook Air – M2, 2022
- Dell XPS 13
- LG Ultra PC
- Lenovo IdeaPad 5
- HP Envy
- Acer Aspire 5
- ASUS Vivobook
- MSI Modern 15
- Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro
- Razer Book
First we will dig into the details of these ten best laptops for podcasting.
After that, we will cover the age old question “Can you use any laptop for podcasting?“
Then we will talk about how to pick the best podcasting laptop for you, including key terms that will help you pick out the perfect laptop for you.
Of course you do not need to read this blog post in order. Feel free to jump around to the sections you feel like you need the most! 💃
10 Best Laptops for Podcasting 🤩
Based on the “specs” we outline in the next section, these are 10 of the best laptops for podcasting.
Keep in mind that you can usually tailor some of the specs for the same model. ✂️
For example, one laptop’s base model might come with 256GB SSD (memory), but you can order it with 1TB SSD (memory) for a little more money. So always take a look to see if a modification is right for you! 👀
MacBook Air – M2, 2022 🍏
This is the latest and greatest Apple laptop. 🥳
The M2 refers to the chip or CPU. Earlier versions of the MasBook Air had a chip called M1. According to Apple, the M2 is up to 1.4 times faster than the M1, specifically for video editing. That is incredibly high-quality computing.
Honestly, any new laptop that Apple is currently selling is probably good enough for podcasting, though MacBook Air 2017 is probably not up for the challenge of podcast video editing. 💁
MacBook Pro used to be the heavier and mightier laptop, but with the M2 chip, the Air stays lighter but packs the full punch.
This model has two Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5 headphone jack. Its dimensions are 0.44 inches/ 11.97 inches/ 8.46 inches.
This Mac comes with several accessibility features: Voice Control, Increase Contrast, Switch Control, VoiceOver, ReduceMotion, Live Captions, Zoom, and Siri Dictation.
When you purchase it, you get a one year limited warranty plus 90 days of free technical support.
The Macbook Air M2 2022 starts at $1199, but can get much pricier if you need to buy adapters, increase storage, etc. 💸
Pro: Like all Mac laptops, this one comes with GarageBand. GarageBand is a digital audio workstation where you can put together your podcast and/or podcast music (check out our blog on it). 🎸
Con: The ports. Apple has basically made it so you either have to buy their accessories or you have to buy their adapters so others’ accessories can fit their ports. 😾
Dell XPS 13
Dell has traditionally been a cheaper, budget option for laptops so it is also worth taking a look at what they are offering. In the case of the XPS 13, Dell definitely does disappoint. 😍
The model actually won best laptop of 2023 by Digital Trends as well as best Windows laptop by CNN in 2022. It has a 12th gen Intel core processor, a dedicated graphics card, and 512GB of storage, and the latest Windows operating system. And that is not its “Plus” model, that is its standard model. 👀
The computer has two Thunderbolt ports. It also comes with an adapter for USB A cords and and adapter for a 3.5mm audio cord.
It weighs in at 2.59 pounds (1.17 kilograms) and measures 0.55 inches/ 11.63 inches/ 7.86 inches (13.99 millimeters/ 295.4 millimeters/ 199.4 millimeters).
The Dell XPS 13 does not come with Accidental Damage Service, but it does come with one year of Premium Support for any tech problems you face.
Part of what makes this laptop so impressive is that you get all this at a low price. It is $945.00. Of course it is currently out of stock on the Dell website, but it is worth scouring the internet and tech stores for this one!
Pro: Dell also sells a lot of practical accessories that work well with its laptop and you can sometimes get a pretty good deal when you buy them all together. 🎙️
Con: The 13 inch screen is one of the smallest laptop screens out there. 🔍
LG Ultra PC
This laptop is an oldie, but a goodie. 👵
It does not have the latest Intel gen processor nor the latest Windows operating system, but that does not matter because it has 16GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card.
Plus, it has a 17 inch screen which is huge compared to rivals, and definitely helps with eye strain and working in multiple windows at once. It even has an HD webcam. 🖼️
In terms of ports, this computer gives you plenty of options: one HDMI, one USB C, two USB A, Micro SD, and Headphone Out.
The computer weighs 4.3 pounds (1.95 kilograms). It measures 0.8 inches/ 15 inches/ 10.8 inches.
It comes with a one year limited warranty for parts and labor.
The only problem is that it might be a little difficult to find this gem. It is out of stock on the LG website. That is not much of a surprise since it only costs $999.99 with all the specs you need. 😻
Pro: It has a big screen display, plus can easily run software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, all while having a great, long battery life. 👍
Con: The charger is a little bulky and there are no quick-charge USB ports on it. 👎
Lenovo IdeaPad 5
Lenovo is known for making sturdy, professional laptops and this one follows the tradition. While they do have a wide variety of laptops that could probably get the job done, they have one model that stands above the rest they have listed for creators. 🏔️
Lenovo calls its IdeaPad 5 a “a powerful multimedia laptop” and we think that’s a fair assessment.
The IdeaPad 5 has a great AMD core processor and a 4GB NVIDIA GPU. It has multiple, diverse ports so you easily plug in all your podcasting accessories. 🎧
The computer has several ports: one Thunderbolt, one USB C, one HDMI, two USB A, SD card reader, and audio jack.
It weighs 1.95 kilograms (4.3 pounds). Its dimensions are 17.5 millimeters/ 356 millimeters/ 251 millimeters (0.69 inches/ 14.01 inches/ 9.88 inches).
The computer meets the requirements for an Energy Star 8.0. ⭐
It comes with a one year warranty for either walking it in to be repaired or using a courier.
The IdeaPad 5 starts at $929.99 according to the Lenovo website.
Pro: It has a “TUV Eyesafe” certification for low blue light, which means there is a good chance your eyes will not hurt so much after long podcast edit sessions. 😎
Con: Users report that the laptop gets pretty hot and the fan gets loud when doing anything intensive. 🥵
HP Envy
HP does not just sell printers! 🖨️
They do sell laptops. Their best laptop for podcasting is their Envy model.
They tout it as their laptop for creators and they are correct about that. In a world where a podcaster is expected to also be a designer, graphic artist, audio engineer, and multi-media content producer, this laptop answers all the challenges. 💪
Its processor isn’t the latest and greatest, but it will get the job done, especially because it is paired with strong GPU with 4GB of dedicated memory. The laptop also has a built-in SD card reader, so you can take the memory card straight from your recording device (mixer, video camera, etc.) and plug it into the computer port itself for ease and speed.
The computer comes with multiple external ports: two Thunderbolt, two USB A, one HDMI, one headphone/microphone combo jack.
The HP Envy heavier than most of the other laptops on this list at 5.12 pounds (2.32 kilograms). The dimensions are 0.78 inches/ 9.91 inches/ 14.07 inches.
The laptop comes with a one year hardware warranty and one year of technical support.
In terms of the environment, the computer uses some recycled plastic and metal in its hinges, speakers, and keyboard. It is registered as EPEAT silver. 🥈
The HP Envy is listed at $969.99 on the HP website.
Pro: It works well with HP creator software (some even comes free). 🎨
Con: Some reviews say that the laptop had physical manufacturing flaws so they had to wait even longer to get a proper one. If you are crunched for time, you might want to keep this in mind. 🤕
Acer Aspire 5
Acer is another one of those companies that traditionally has been one of the most affordable laptop companies out there, especially for their very basic models. However, they also have more advanced laptops that are more appropriate for bigger projects like recording podcasts. 🏗️
The Aspire 5 has everything you need for podcasting. Perhaps surprisingly, we think it is better for podcasting than the newer Aspire 7. Aspire 5 has 16GB of RAM compared to Aspire 7, and a better processor. It makes sense that Aspire 5 costs about $300 more than Aspire 7.
Aspire 5 has several ports: three USB A, one USB C, one HDMI, one Ethernet, and one headphone.
It weighs 3.64 pounds (1.65 kilograms) and its dimensions are 0.7 inches/ 14.3 inches/ 9.4 inches.
At the time of purchase, you get a one year limited warranty.
The Aspire 5 costs $1,029 on the Acer website (although you may be able to find it cheaper on sites like Amazon).
Pro: It has the capacity to use gigabit ethernet, which is super helpful when you are downloading online recordings or uploading episodes. 📶
Con: It only has about seven hours of battery life. 💀
ASUS Vivobook
ASUS is not messing around when it comes to laptops for media creation!
If we were heartless, we would recommend the ProArt Studiobook that has everything you could ever dream of… but it starts at $2,099 and has all kinds of features that surpass what you need for podcasting. 💔
Instead, we recommend their Vivobook. It has the CPU and GPU power you need, though it is a little low on RAM at 8GB and its built-in camera only has 720p resolution. It is almost like ASUS is pushing you to get a ProArt Studiobook… 🤔
This computer has one USB C port, two USB A ports, one HDMI port, and an audio combo jack.
It weighs 1.4 kilograms (3.09 pounds) and can get charged to 60% full in forty nine minutes.
The model meets the Energy Star Version 8 requirements as well as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances requirements and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals requirements. ⭐
The Vivobook starts around $1,000 according to ASUS’s listing.
Pro: It has a 180 degree hinge which can be nice when you want to really add some inches to the height of the built-in camera (by standing it up). 📹
Con: It feels like you should get a slightly better built-in camera at that price. 🤷
MSI Modern 15
Similar to ASUS, when you go to MSI’s website to look at laptops, do not click on Content Creation Laptops unless you want to punish yourself. Their Creator series starts at $2,000 bare minimum. Their Creator Pro series doubles that. But hey, if you have the budget for those, go for it! 🤑
The good news is that you do not need those models in order to do excellent podcasting. Podcasters just need the Modern 15 model. It has a powerful Intel 12th gen, 10-core processor and 16GB of RAM to keep up with it. 🏋
This model comes with several ports: Micro SD, three USB A, one USB C, one HDMI, and one audio combo (in/out).
In terms of measurements, it weighs 1.6 kilograms (3.73 pounds) and its dimensions are 18.9 millimeters/ 356.8 millimeters/ 233.75 millimeters.
The MSI Modern costs around $999.99 according to their website.
Pro: It meets the MIL-STD-810G standard for reliability and durability so you know it will last. 🪖
Con: Because its GPU shares RAM with the CPU, it can’t handle intensive graphic work well, though it should be just fine for basic video episode editing. 😅
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro
Samsung is one of those companies that makes so many different products that it has the benefit that its laptops can work in perfect sync with other products it makes. In fact, Samsung has even launched its own podcast listening platform!
Our pick for Samsung’s best laptop for podcasting is its Galaxy Book 2 Pro. Be sure to get the traditional clam shell option rather than the 2-in-1 touchscreen surface because only with the clam shell can you get a dedicated GPU. However, if you do go with the 2-in-1 touchscreen surface it should still be good enough for basic video edits needed for podcasts. 👍
This model comes with several ports built in: one HDMI, one micro SD, one Thunderbolt, one USB C, one USB A, and one in/out audio.
It weighs 2.58 pounds. Its dimensions are 0.52 inches/ 13.99 inches/ 8.89 inches.
The Galaxy Book 2 Pro starts at $799, but that is for the base model that probably doesn’t have enough ump to do all the editing you will want to do for your podcast.
Pro: It has got a great battery life for such a skinny little thing, lasting twelve hours. 🤠 Its power cord is a USB C charger.
Con: Again, you really have to make sure to order a specific configuration of this model to meet all the editing needs you may have. 😒
Razer Book
Rounding out our top ten list is Razer, a company known more for its gaming laptops than anything else. In fact it only offers one laptop that is not explicitly for gaming, its Book. 📖
The base model Razer Book has a strong GPU and CPU, though it is kind of skimping by with only 8GB of RAM. If you pick a configuration with 16GB of RAM, you have to pay an extra $400. However, it does have Razer’s renown gorgeous, vivid display as well as its well-designed keyboard. It also has diverse ports: Power port/Thunderbolt™ 4 port (Type-C), USB Type-A port, 3.5 mm combo port, and HDMI 2.0 port. The Razer book also has a micro SD memory card slot. It definitely is a professional podcaster computer. 🧑💻
For ports, this computer has one Thunderbolt, one USB A, a 3.5mm audio port (in/out combo), micro SD, and one HDMI.
It weighs 2.95 pounds, or 1.34 kilograms. Its dimensions are 0.6 inches/ 11.6 inches/ 7.8 inches or 15.15 millimeters/ 295.6 millimeters/ 198.5 millimeters.
The computer comes with a one year limited warranty.
The base model is $1,199 and the model with 16GB RAM is $1,599.
Pro: Razer has a deal where you get one free year of FL Studio Producer when you buy a laptop. If you do not already have a digital audio workstation and you want one for your podcasting, you should check it out. 👩🎤
Con: This laptop sometimes runs a little hot, although, Razer being the gamer company it is, does sell accessories to cool things down. 🧖
Can You Use Any Laptop for Podcasting?
After reading through this list of best laptops for podcasting, you might feel a little overwhelmed. That’s ok. First of all, keep reading down this blog post so you can learn all the key terms and concepts. That will make you more confident and comfortable.
But yes, you are probably asking yourself if you can just use the laptop you already own, or maybe a used laptop or a super cheap one. 🤔
The answer generally is yes, you can use just about any laptop for podcasting. Audio files are relatively small and easy for laptops to handle. Most laptops have outlets for recording microphones or at least outlets for uploading independently recorded audio.
However, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If you use an older or cheaper computer, your process is more likely to go slower and run into more hiccups. For example, if you are using a high level audio editing software like Adobe Audition, a lesser computer will lag and sometimes even abort an export process halfway through. 😑
So think carefully about the pros and cons when deciding which laptop to use. The next section will give you more information to help you make this decision.
How to Choose the Best Laptop for You
Your laptop computer is probably the number one most important, core podcast tool for creating your show. Every other tool plugs into it. It plays a key role in pre-production, recording, editing, and promotion.
Desktops are OK too! 🖥️
Of course, you can use a desktop computer for podcasting if you want. Desktop computers can handle a bigger workload. However, today’s laptops are able to handle so much without a dip in performance that they have basically made desktops obsolete for anyone who is not a professional film editor or motion director.
Find Your Own Perfect Fit
Before we get started, we need to note something very important: There is no one perfect laptop for every single podcaster. 🙅
First of all, the laptop market is always changing. Prices fluctuate and technology improves. There may be a great sale in one local area, but not in another.
More importantly, every podcaster’s needs are a little different. 🌈
For example, accessibility features might be the most important thing for one podcaster, but budget might be the biggest concern for another. Some podcasters may really care about the type of keyboard design while some might be picky about high-quality displays.
The best choice also depends on what kind of podcasting tools a podcaster already has or is used to. ⚒️
If you are used to working on a Mac for your job, you might want to stick to a Mac for your podcasting. If you already have editing software that you love, then you might want to get a laptop that is optimal for that software.
Do Your Research 🕵
Obviously, if you are reading this right now, you are doing your research before purchasing. Well done! But don’t let your research stop here. You can watch laptop reviews on YouTube, look at customer reviews on Amazon, or even ask members of your podcasters’ community what they use. Searching through the best laptops for podcasting is not a journey you have to take alone! 👩🚀👨🚀👩🚀
Key Terms – ‘Specs’ You Need to Know
When you are shopping for a laptop, there can be a lot of jargon and hype to sort through.
We recommend always looking at the ‘Specs.” 🔬
The “Specs” are the technical specifications of a computer, and they are usually shown in a kind of chart or table. They are how you can compare apples to apples. 🍏🍎
There are some “specs” that are pretty self explanatory: battery life, screen size, etc. Others are a little tougher to figure out. That’s why we explain them below! 🤓
RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is your computer’s short term memory. In other words, it is how much information your computer can work with at one time. Think of it like your desk. If it is a big desk, you can put a lot of papers on it to work with. If it is a tiny desk, you can only fit a few papers on it to work on at once, so it slows your work down.
Commonly known as: Memory 🧠
Best laptops for podcasting have: Around 16GB, especially if video editing is involved.
SSD
SSD stands for Solid State Drive. It is your computer’s long term memory. It is how much information your computer can store in the long term, including after it has been turned off. Think of it like your filing cabinet. It can store a lot and it stays very organized even when you don’t touch it for a long time. On the other hand, it takes more time to retrieve a paper or put back a paper.
Commonly known as: Storage 🗄️
Best laptops for podcasting have: At least 256GB, but if you are going to be storing a lot of episodes on your laptop, you should consider getting more storage or an external hard drive.
CPU
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It is the brain of the computer. It is the thing doing all the computing. In the analogy of your office, while RAM is your desk and SSD is your filing, CPU is… you, the worker.
Commonly known as: Chip or Processor 🧑✈️
Best laptops for podcasting have: At least 4 Cores at bare minimum.
GPU
GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. It is very similar to CPU, but specializes in graphics. Most computers today have both a CPU and a GPU. In our office analogy, a GPU would be your assistant that you bring in to help you to make nice graphics for the project you are working on.
Commonly known as: Graphics or Graphics Card 🧑🎨
Best laptops for podcasting, especially if it involves video editing, have: At least 2GB of GPU memory. GPUs are typically just referred to by their brand and model name, so you usually have to look a little deeper to learn more about them.
Operating System
A computer’s operating system is the interface between the software and the hardwear. For most people it just means either Windows or Mac (sometimes Linux, and newly, Chrome). The latest Windows operating system is called Windows 11. The latest Mac operating system is called MacOS13.0 Ventura.
Commonly known as: OS 🙄
Best laptops for podcasting have: Either Windows or MacOS, both are good. Just be sure that the equipment and software you have/get matches whichever one you pick.
Ports
Ports are where you plug in other hardware to your computer. There are several different types of ports. Below are the ones most common for today’s laptops:
USB
- USB A: Can be used for device charging and data transfer. Looks like a rectangle.
- USB B: Usually used by larger devices, not laptops.
- USB C: The current standard. Looks like a small oval.
- USB Mini A and B: The same as their full sized counterparts, just smaller cord heads. Not very common. Used in the past for game controllers and some mobile phones.
- USB Micro A and B: Basically the same as their bigger counterparts, but there is a version called USB Micro B Super Speed that transfers data faster. Often found in budget cell phones.
Thunderbolt
- A Thunderbolt port looks identical to a USB C port but it has higher capabilities. It has 100 watt charging power, 40Gbps data transfer speed, and can display 8k.
Audio Jack
- Standard: 6.35mm in diameter. Some of these ports are made for input, some for output, some for both.
- Miniature: 3.5mm in diameter. Some of these ports are made for input, some for output, some for both.
Ethernet
- Also called an RJ45 port. Used for connecting to a network, including the internet.
HDMI
- “High-Definition Multimedia Port.” It does come in different sizes, but the vast majority are Type A. Used to connect external displays.
DisplayPort
- Standard 2.0: Made for video transmission. Dimensions 16.1 mm x 4.76 mm x 8.88 mm. Compatible with HDMI through an adapter.
- Mini 2.0: Made for video transmission. Dimensions 7.5 mm x 4.6 mm x 4.9 mm. Compatible with HDMI through an adapter.
Final Word
We hope you have found this review of the best laptops for podcasting helpful. 😀
Podcasters’ computers are the core of their work process and ultimately their show’s performance. Even if you are not the type to spend much money, remember this is an investment. It can save you time and stress down the road. 💆
Most of all, the most important part is to find the computer that is the perfect fit for your unique needs! So do not be shy- be clear in what you need and do not be afraid to ask lots of questions. 💜
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