Pigtou.com is supported by its audience. When you buy through the links on our website, we may earn a small commission.
Podcasts are a new, trendy way to connect with a large number of people through conversations. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned podcaster, you’ll need some important equipment, and a laptop is one of them. Choosing the right laptop for podcasting should be a top priority because this device will enable you to record, edit, and share podcasts more effectively.
Luckily, we’ve thoroughly researched and found the best laptops for podcasting and found that Apple MacBook Air is the overall best laptop for podcasting. This article will also examine other top laptops you can use for podcasts.
Review Of the Best Laptops For Podcasting
1. Overall Best Laptop for Podcasting – Apple MacBook Air
Key Features:
- 13″ Retina display with True Tone
- Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU
- 16 GB of RAM
- 512 SSD
- Touch ID
The MacBook Air is one of the most exciting Apple laptops of recent years. The M1 chips replace previous Intel chips, bringing significant improvements in efficiency and speed. The M1 chip includes an 8-core CPU with four high-performance and high-efficiency cores and an integrated GPU with eight cores. The CPU in the MacBook Air is up to 3.5x faster than in the previous generation.
Also, SSD performance is two times faster with the new M1 chip, which means quicker load times for the podcasting applications you need. The Apple MacBook Air comes with 16GB RAM and a storage capacity of 512GB SSD storage. The battery life on the MacBook Air has also greatly improved, with an average of 13 hours of battery life.
The 13-inch display has a resolution of 2560×1600 and supports P3 Wide Color for more vibrant colors. The display on the MacBook Air also supports up to 400nits of brightness and True Tone for a more natural viewing experience.
Apple’s M1 MacBook Air has the same 720p FaceTime HD camera as the previous model, but Apple claims the new M1 chips improve image quality. The MacBook Air features a great keyboard which has been improved from previous MacBooks. Furthermore, the Touch ID fingerprint sensors can be used to unlock the Mac, make purchases, and more. This laptop features two USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. The speakers on the MacBook are also impressive.
Pros:
- Brilliant Retina Display
- Latest-Generation Keyboard with a Force Touch Trackpad
- Long-lasting Battery Life
- Elegant design
- Great audio
Cons:
- Mediocre webcam
- Expensive
- Limited storage capacity
2. Best Portable Laptop for Podcasting – LG Gram 14Z90P
Key Features:
- 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7
- 16GB RAM
- 14″ FHD display
- 1TB SSD
The LG gram 14Z90P laptop has a 14-inch IPS display and combines excellent portability, efficiency, and battery life. The compact design of this laptop is durable and lightweight, and the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM and Iris Xe Graphics ensures lightning-fast performance.
Furthermore, the LG GRAM 14Z90P comes with 1TB SSD storage and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, allowing faster data transfer. The LG Gram 14Z90P features a WUXGA 1920X1200 resolution for a clearer viewing experience, and its slim bezels provide a more immersive experience for editing content and more.
This laptop also has a battery that can last up to 24 hours on a single charge. And as a result, you can work for long hours without worrying about topping up the battery.
Pros:
- Pleasant display
- Lightweight build
- Great battery life
- Many ports
Cons:
- Reflective display
3. Best Compact Laptop for Podcasting – HP Pavilion 15
Key Features:
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- 16GB RAM
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 512GB SSD
The HP Pavilion 15 delivers excellent performance with a great portability that allows you conveniently carry your computer around and record podcasts anywhere you go. This laptop features a durable battery that can power you through the day.
Additionally, the Pavilion 15’s features audio made by Bang & Olufsen. This computer also has an impressive screen-to-body ratio, coupled with a 15.6-inch FHD screen for an immersive display with sharp, stunning visuals.
The 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor delivers quick responsiveness, great performance, and top-of-the-line connectivity, allowing you to get things done quickly. Furthermore, the Intel Xe Graphics guarantees smooth performance, which is especially useful for running podcasting apps.
With 512 GB SSD storage, you can enjoy faster performance than the standard hard drive and seamless multitasking, thanks to the generous 16 GB of RAM. The HP Pavilion 15 allows you conveniently work on the go with decent battery life lasting up to 8 hours, and HP Fast Charge will enable you to charge from 0 to 50% in about 45 minutes.
Also, this computer supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 for more stable connections. The HP Pavilion 15 is suitable for podcasters looking for a laptop due to its compact build, impressive hardware, and reliable software experience.
Pros:
- Decent touchscreen display
- Powerful processor
- Stylish design
Cons:
- Disappointing battery
4. Best Budget-Friendly Laptop for Podcasting – Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
Key Features
- 11th Generation Intel Core i5
- 13.3″ WQXGA IPS Display
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
- Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is a stylish, long-lasting Ultrabook with a great display and impressive performance, all at a reasonable price. The lightweight aluminum build ensures that this laptop is portable and compact. The ThinkBook 13s features a 13.3-inch touchscreen display with a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,600.
Unfortunately, a stylus isn’t included in the package, so you’ll need to spend extra bucks if you want that extra functionality. The laptop’s performance is surprisingly powerful for its size and price point. The ThinkBook 13s comes with two USB Type-A ports, one HDMI 2.0 output, and one USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support but doesn’t include an SD card slot.
The audio quality on this computer is decent enough and can play media, but we recommend buying a speaker if you’re an audiophile. The webcam on this laptop is only 720p and includes dual-array mics and a physical privacy shutter, which are very useful for video conferencing.
Pros:
- Sleek, sturdy design
- Affordable price
- Sharp touch screen with 16:10 aspect ratio
- HDMI and Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons:
- Mediocre keyboard
- No SD card slot
5. Best Large Laptop for Podcasting – Dell XPS 17
Key Features:
- 17″ UHD+ Infinity Edge display
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
The Dell XPS 17 is an excellent option for podcasters who prefer a larger display without compromising performance and functionality. This laptop features a redesigned InfinityEdge display that allows for more optimal camera placement and a 16:10 display with a gorgeous edge-to-edge display.
The Dell XPS 17 comes with Dolby Vision functionality which allows you to take full advantage of HDR content for an overall more pleasant viewing experience. Furthermore, the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor delivers reliably powerful performance, allowing you to capture, edit quickly, and share content.
The XPS 17 comes with a fingerprint reader that keeps your computer secure. Also, the XPS 17 requires a dongle because it only has four Thunderbolt 4 ports to plug into, a headset jack, and a full SD card reader. The speaker system on the Dell XPS 17 comprises a pair of primary speakers and tweeters and delivers excellent sound output.
Pros:
- Large and vivid screen
- Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
- Impressive performance
- Fantastic speakers
Cons:
- Expensive
- No ports other than USB-C
Things To Consider Before Buying A Laptop For Podcasting
It can be challenging to decide which one is best for your podcasting setup with many laptops available. Before buying a laptop for podcasting, here are several factors to consider:
RAM
The amount of RAM determines the number and size of programs that can be open simultaneously. Although most podcasters can do well with 8GB of RAM, we recommend at least 16GB of RAM for optimal use and future-proofing of the laptop. RAM is relatively affordable these days, and you can buy a computer with 8GB RAM and upgrade it to your preference.
CPU
A CPU is the brain of a computer in charge of constantly processing data, running calculations, and performing various tasks. These tasks will be easier and faster to complete with a powerful CPU, so purchasing a computer with a multi-core processor as a podcaster is critical. A multi-core processor boosts your laptop’s computing power and enables podcasters to use necessary plugins and DAWs.
DAW and Plugin Requirements
Podcasters use a DAW to record, process, and edit audio tracks. Your choice of DAW software will influence the laptop you go for. Ensure you look at the minimum and recommended requirements for running your preferred DAW software. Doing this will help narrow down your search, so you can find a laptop that best suits your software choice.
Aside from these DAW requirements, you should also consider plugin requirements. Plugins can help you improve your podcasting by adding musical instruments, sound effects, and transitions. It is important to note that plugins also require more RAM to run smoothly.
Internal Storage
Before purchasing a laptop for podcasting, you must consider the amount of storage and the type of storage included with the laptop. Hard disk drives (HDD) were popular back in the day but became less popular as laptops became slimmer and lighter.
Nowadays, most laptop owners choose solid-state drives (SSD) because they load quicker and quieter. However, SSDs are more expensive, but they’re worth it, and we recommend spending those extra bucks on a laptop with SSD storage.
Battery Life
Battery life is another important factor to consider. The length of a laptop’s battery depends on your existing settings and the tasks you perform. For example, the high screen brightness will generally draw more battery than a lower brightness setting.
So, if you plan on using the laptop outdoors and for intensive programs, we recommend opting for a laptop with excellent battery life. Furthermore, consider rating a computer’s battery life in milliamp-hours (mAh). The higher the number, the longer the battery life.
Latency
We advise buying a laptop with a low level of latency. Latency is the time lag between when an audio signal enters and exits a system. If the latency exceeds 20 milliseconds, it will be audible to the ears. You won’t have to worry about latency if your laptop has a multi-core processor and high RAM.
Operating System
The laptop’s operating system (OS) affects the type of app you can run. So, if you prefer macOS tools for your podcasts, we suggest going for an Apple laptop. The same can be said if you prefer Windows applications for your podcasts.
Conclusion
We have covered five of the best laptops for podcasting. We recommend thoroughly assessing the specifications to ensure that you’re getting a laptop that meets your needs and budget. Here is our final verdict on the best laptops for podcasting:
- Best Overall Laptop for Podcasting: Apple MacBook Air
- Best Budget-Friendly Laptop for Podcasting: Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
- Best Portable Laptop for Podcasting: LG Gram 14Z90P
Frequently Asked Questions
For the majority of podcasters, 8GB of RAM would suffice. A lot of RAM is better if you use a lot of intensive games and programs on your laptop. However, 8GB RAM is sufficient for average users to meet most podcasting requirements and provides ample space for loading audio and plugins. Additionally, more RAM equals more plugins and tracks.
We recommend choosing a computer with at least 8GB of RAM if you’re still new to podcasting. However, if you want to be an expert podcaster, a 16GB RAM laptop is an excellent investment.
You can undoubtedly record a podcast on your laptop. Aside from the laptop, ensure you have the proper podcasting equipment to make your work as exciting and visually appealing as possible.
