Podcasting is one of the least resource-intensive options for creating content. It's because you usually don't need to shoot videos or generate long text content for podcasts. All that's required is to have a cool idea, quality recording, and proper podcast editing.
Anyway, creating a good podcast, no matter how little, still requires some gear, as you need your voice to sound smooth and clear.
So, if you've decided to try audio content production and want to understand which equipment you should acquire for that, read on.
The laptop is the only podcast equipment you need
Surprised to read that?
You've probably researched necessary podcasting gear and stumbled upon recommendations for microphones, headers, mixers, etc. So, you may be wondering how a single laptop can suffice without all the features of a podcaster's kit.
The answer lies in modern podcasting software that does audio recording, editing, and everything in between in just a few clicks.
Therefore, the only thing you need to produce a high-quality podcast is a laptop to access podcasting software and its amazing features.
How to choose the best laptop for podcasting?
Among so many hardware companies, choosing the suitable laptop model can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you are not keen on the technical aspects of laptops.
So, here are the main things you should consider before taking your chosen laptop to the cashier's desk.
8GB of RAM
RAM is short for Random Access Memory, and it shows how much data your laptop can store at once. The RAM capacity also affects the laptop's operating speed.
Quite often, the processor's power is considered more important than RAM. However, if you want a fast-working device that allows you to record and edit multiple audio tracks, you'd better prioritize laptops with high RAM.
Most podcasters use 8GB RAM. As you proceed with your podcasting journey and have longer recordings, you can shift to 16GB RAM laptops.
8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and it shows how many tasks your laptop can process simultaneously. As you might've guessed, the more powerful the CPU is, the more complicated tasks you can do with it.
CPU's power is determined by the number of cores it has. Multi-core processors have more than one processing unit, which means more opportunities to carry out additional tasks.
We recommend you to choose CPUs from Intel Core, Apple M1, or AMD.
DAW requirements
DAW or Digital Audio Workstation is the software you choose to record and edit your podcasts. Depending on the resource-intensiveness of your chosen software, you should have computers with specific RAM or CPU.
There are pro tools that require quad-core processors. However, that usually refers to software used for high-quality music production. If you will use your DAW for podcasts, you do not need such professional tools.
For both newbie and seasoned podcasters, we suggest using the middle ground, Podcastle. It is pretty light and can work well even on laptops with 2GB RAM and 1 GHz processing speed.
However, this does not compromise the quality of podcasts you can record with Podcastle. It will grant you high-resolution audio recording and voice-overs and studio-quality remote interviews. With the help of
this completely free audio editor you can turn your raw recordings into highly-engaging podcast episodes.
The five best laptops for podcasting
Well, you have learned about the main characteristics your ideal podcasting laptop should have. But hardly will you want to check those features for every computer available in the market. That's why we have created a list of the best options in the market to save you from hours of guesswork.
#1 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 (14”) | $899
With its 16GB RAM and 4,1 GHz memory speed, Lenovo IdeaPad 5 is a good option for both beginners and experienced podcasters. Its average battery life is 14 hours, and it offers a 1 TB SSD Hard Drive.
If you want to go the extra mile and not record your voice with the laptop's built-in microphone but connect to an external one, you can do it. The laptop has human interface inputs for the keyboard and microphone.
Button: Buy on Amazon
#2 ASUS VivoBook F510UA | $1,029
With this laptop, you can record and edit your episodes anywhere. It's lightweight and convenient to carry, and its 15.6-inch Full HD wide-view display causes minimum reflection. The mentioned features make the laptop ideal for working outdoors.
It's also technically robust, featuring an 8th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a processing speed of 1.6GHz (turbo boost up to 3.4GHz). The laptop allows you to record and edit shows for up to 4 hours without charging.
Button: Buy on Amazon
#3 Acer Predator Helio 300 | $1,288
This laptop is mostly used for gaming purposes, but it's also one of the best laptops for podcasting. The mentioned price is for the laptop's 2021 edition, which has significant improvements; the latest processors, RTX 30 graphics card, etc.
Acer Predator Helios 300 works with Intel i7-11800H and has 16GB RAM, which will allow you to record and edit podcasts of any length. Because its primary purpose is gaming, the laptop also has a spacious display, with 15,6 inches full HD screen size, making it easier to work with the editing software interface.
Button: Buy on Amazon
#4 DELL XPS 15 | $2,709
Dell XPS 15 has the recommended 16GB RAM and 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H. It's built from premium materials and, therefore, pleasant to work with.
This laptop makes it easy to edit every millisecond of your audio with its robust display characteristics. It has a 15,6 inches, 4K UHD InfinityEdge Touch display. In addition, it has a 1 TB hard disc size.
Button: Buy on Amazon
#5 Apple MacBook Pro | $ 2,799
MacBooks are a costly but worthy option for podcasting laptops. If you are accustomed to macOS and do not want to learn to work with Windows from scratch, choose an Apple MacBook Pro.
It has a 16 inches screen size and works with Ninth-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor. MacBook's average battery life reaches up to 11 hours.
Button: Buy on Amazon
In short, when buying a laptop, you need to look for check the above recommended optimal RAM and CPU. Other characteristics such as the battery, display, and laptop's design are more up to your personal choice rather than standard requirements.
As you saw, buying the best laptop for podcasting does not necessarily mean you need an extra powerful laptop. With podcasting software like Podcastle, you are good to go with laptops of optimal price and features.
