(2024) Best Laptop for Podcasting (Our Top Picks)

At Cleanvoice, we’ve compiled a list of the best laptops for podcasting. We took into account everything from performance to value and durability. Whether you're a first-time podcaster or an experienced professional, there's something here for everyone!

What should podcasters look for in a laptop?

Podcasting is one of the most accessible forms of media around. While professional studios might spend thousands on their equipment, amateurs and hobbyists only really need a few basic items to get started. One of those items is a computer—preferably a laptop (more on that later).

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When you're looking for a laptop for podcasting, there are a few factors that should make their way into your decision-making process:

Processing Power

Podcasters need a laptop that is powerful enough to handle audio editing software and tools. Many podcasts are recorded live, which means that the computer also needs to be able to keep up with real-time editing.

Storage

Storage is another important factor to consider when weighing laptop options. As a general rule, you'll need around 5-6 hours of audio to produce an hour-long episode. That's around 6 GB of storage per episode in audio files alone!

On top of that, you'll need additional storage for any DAWs, tools, and software you decide to incorporate into your podcast editing software stack. Sure, these won't take up tons of space, but it definitely adds up—especially if you'll be using the laptop for more than just podcasting.

Battery Life

If you plan on recording podcasts on the go, it's important to have a laptop that can last for several hours at a time. Sure, you'll be able to plug in your laptop at most recording sessions, but it's nice when you don't need to rely on finding an outlet. No one wants to get to the middle of a recording only to run out of battery!

Price

Value is also important for podcasters. After all, most people who start podcasts do so on a tight budget. That’s why we’ve included a mix of high-end and budget-friendly options on this list.

Durability

Finally, durability is key. A podcasting laptop will likely get a lot of use, so it needs to be built to last. We considered things like portability and build quality when making our selections.

Why choose a laptop over a desktop for podcasting?

The answer to this question is two-fold.

• For one, laptops are much more portable than desktop computers. This is important for two reasons. First, it means that you can easily take your laptop with you when you travel. Second, it means that you can set up your podcasting station anywhere in your home—no need to lug a heavy desktop around!
• Another advantage of laptops is that they tend to be less expensive than their desktop counterparts. This is especially true when you consider the cost of all the peripherals you'll need to get started with podcasting (microphones, audio interfaces, etc.).

So, what are the best laptops for podcasting? Let's take a look at our top picks!

Best Laptops for Podcasting

1. All-around powerhouse: M1 MacBook Pro

If you're looking for a powerful and durable laptop for podcasting, the MacBook Pro is a great option. It's packed with features that are perfect for audio editing, like Apple's highly effective M1 processor and plenty of RAM.

Plus, it offers one of the most impressive battery lives on the market – 17 hours (!!) – so you'll be able to charge up before a recording session and then forget about it.

There are really only three potential downsides to the 2020 MacBook Pro. For starters, it's a bit on the expensive side. But if you can afford it, the MacBook Pro is definitely worth the investment.

In addition, the screen isn't exactly massive. While this isn't a problem for the recording aspect of podcasting, it can make working with DAWs a bit more difficult.

Finally, it's an Apple product. Fans of the brand won't see this as a downside, but it'll definitely be a dealbreaker for some!

Key Specs

• Price: $1299.00
• RAM: 8GB
• CPU: M1
• Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
• Battery Life: 17 hours
• Screen Size: 13.3”

2. Demanding editing sessions: Dell XPS 15

The Dell XPS 15 is another excellent option for podcasting. It offers a great mix of power, portability, and value. Like the MacBook Pro, it's packed with features that are perfect for audio editing. It also has a larger screen, making working with DAWs a bit easier.

The battery life isn't quite as good as the MacBook Pro, but the laptop makes up for this fact in the processing power department. With 16 GB of RAM in the entry-level model and 64 GB in the most expensive, this laptop will see you through even the most demanding editing sessions.

Some potential downsides:

• First, it's incredibly expensive. The cheapest model (i.e., the one we're recommending here) will cost you just over $2,000 while the most expensive nears $3,000.
• Second, the trackpad leaves something to be desired—it's not as responsive as we would like.

Overall, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise great laptop for podcasting.

Key Specs

• Price: $2,049.99
• RAM: 16GB
• CPU: Intel Core i7 11th Gen
• Internal Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Battery Life: 8 hours
• Screen Size: 15.6”

3. Most portable: HP Spectre x360

The HP Spectre x360 is a great option for podcasting for a few reasons. First, it's incredibly powerful. It features an Intel Core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM.

Second, it has a beautiful 4K display. This is perfect for watching recording sessions back and editing audio with precision.

Third, the Spectre x360 is one of the most portable laptops on the market. It's just under 3 pounds and measures in at 0.7 inches thick. This makes it easy to carry with you on the go. Plus, the 360-degree touchscreen display means the laptop can double as a powerful tablet!

Sone downsides. First, it's very expensive—it starts at just over $1,500 and goes up from there. Second, the battery life isn't great. HP claims that the Spectre x360 will last for up to 11 hours, but in our experience, it's closer to 6 or 7.

Key Specs

• Price: $1,549.99
• RAM: 16GB
• CPU: Intel Core i7 10th Gen
• Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
• Battery Life: 7 hours
• Screen Size: 15.6”

4. Budget-friendly: ASUS ZenBook 14 UX425

The ASUS ZenBook 14 UX425 is a great budget-friendly option for podcasting. It has all the features you need for a fraction of the price of some of the other laptops on this list.

The processor isn't as powerful as something like the MacBook Pro or the Dell XPS 15, but it's still more than enough for podcasting. The same goes for the RAM—8 GB is plenty for audio editing.

The storage is a bit on the low side, but you can always upgrade to a larger SSD later. And the battery life is impressive, especially considering the price point.

Some drawbacks. First, the screen isn't as high-resolution as some of the other laptops on this list. Second, the build quality isn't quite as good as some of the more expensive options.

But overall, this is a great laptop for podcasting and an incredible value.

Key Specs

• Price: $799.99
• RAM: 8GB
• CPU: Intel Core i7 10th Gen
• Internal Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Battery Life: 14 hours
• Screen Size: 14”

5. All-around on a budget: Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a great option for podcasting for a few reasons. First, it's very lightweight and portable. It weighs just 2.79 pounds and measures in at 0.57 inches thick.

Second, the battery life is incredible—Microsoft claims that it will last for up to 11.5 hours on a single charge.

Third, the Surface Laptop 3 has a beautiful 13.5-inch display. This makes audio editing a breeze. And fourth, the laptop comes with a free year of Office 365—perfect for podcasting.

Key Specs

• Price: $849.99
• RAM: 8GB
• CPU: Intel Core i5 10th Gen
• Internal Storage: 256 GB SSD
• Battery Life: 11.5 hours
• Screen Size: 13.5”

6. Budget-level entry level: Dell Inspiron 15

The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is a great laptop for podcasting for a few reasons. First, it's very affordable—the laptop starts at just around $350 and maxes out around $700!

Second, the build quality is excellent. This laptop is made from aluminium and feels very solid.

And third, the battery life is impressive—Dell claims that it will last for up to 8 hours on a single charge.

The only potential downside to the Dell Inspiron 15 is that it's not as powerful as some other laptops on this list. If you opt for the entry-level model, you'll only be getting 8 GB of RAM—not great by today's standards. However, the laptop seems to allocate this processing power well, so it should be fine for most editing work.

Overall, it's a great option for podcasting and an incredible value.

Key Specs

• Price: $549.99
• RAM: 8GB
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
• Internal Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Battery Life: 8 hours
• Screen Size: 15.6”

Wrapping Up

Podcasting is a great way to share your message with the world. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out, it's important that you have a laptop that can handle multitasking and audio editing without slowing down. Fortunately, there are plenty of options on this list for any budget.

For more podcasting tips and tricks or information Cleanvoice’s web-based filler word, dead air, and mouth sound removal application, make sure you check out our website!