Podcasting has become a popular medium for sharing information, entertainment, and ideas with a global audience. Whether you are a professional podcaster or just starting, having the right equipment is crucial for producing high-quality audio and video content.
One of the most important tools you need is a laptop that can handle the demands of podcasting. With so many options on the market, finding the best laptop for podcasting can be overwhelming.
Best Budget Laptop For Podcasting
The best laptop for podcasting is a crucial investment for podcasters who want to ensure a high-quality recording and editing process. A reliable laptop with sufficient processing power, memory, storage, and connectivity options can make all the difference in creating a professional-sounding podcast.
When searching for the best laptop for podcasting, it is essential to consider factors such as the processor, RAM, storage, battery life, screen size, webcam, keyboard, and ports.
In this article, we will explore some of the top laptops for podcasting currently available on the market and their key features to help you make an informed decision.
1. Microsoft Surface Pro X
When it comes to podcasting, having a reliable and efficient laptop is essential. The Microsoft Surface Pro X is a great option for those who want a powerful device without breaking the bank.
Let’s take a closer look at its features and see if it’s the best budget laptop for podcasting.
Display
This laptop features a 13-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2880 x 1920. It is virtually edge-to-edge, giving you the most workspace possible.
The touchscreen is also responsive and accurate, making it easy to navigate through your podcasting software.
Processor, Storage, and RAM
The Surface Pro X is powered by a custom Microsoft SQ1 processor, which delivers multitasking laptop performance.
It also has 16GB of RAM, which means it can handle several applications at once. Its 512GB solid-state drive provides plenty of storage for your podcasting files and software.
Battery
One of the Surface Pro X’s most significant advantages is its battery life. It can last up to 13 hours on a single charge, making it perfect for long podcasting sessions or when you’re on the go.
Keyboard and Web Cam
The Surface Pro X comes with a detachable keyboard, which is comfortable to type on and responsive.
It also has a built-in web camera, which is perfect for recording video podcasts or conducting remote interviews.
Screen Size and Ports
The 13-inch screen size is perfect for podcasting, as it provides a good balance between portability and screen real estate.
The Surface Pro X also has plenty of ports, including two USB-C ports, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack.
Pros
- Blazing-fast LTE Advanced Pro
- Long battery life
- Versatile design
- Plenty of ports
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Limited app
2. ASUS VivoBook Laptop
If you’re on a tight budget but still need a reliable laptop for podcasting, the ASUS VivoBook 14 Slim Laptop is worth considering.
Display
The 14-inch IPS FHD display with NanoEdge technology provides an immersive viewing experience with a wide screen area for work and play. It also features an anti-glare coating to reduce unwanted glare and reflections.
Processor
The laptop is powered by an 11th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, which is fast and efficient, making it easy to get things done quickly and efficiently.
Storage and RAM
With 4GB of DDR4 RAM and a 128GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, the ASUS VivoBook 14 Slim Laptop provides enough storage space for basic podcasting needs.
Keyboard
The laptop comes with a full-size backlit keyboard that’s perfect for working in dimly lit environments.
The keyboard is ergonomically designed, with sturdy, one-piece construction and 1.4mm key travel for a comfortable typing experience.
Webcam
Unfortunately, this laptop does not come with a built-in webcam, so you’ll need to purchase an external one if you need to record a video for your podcast.
Battery life
The ASUS VivoBook 14 Slim Laptop provides up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is decent for a budget laptop.
Ports
The laptop features a USB 3.2 Type-A port, a USB 3.2 Type-C port, an HDMI port, and a microSD card reader, which is good for connecting external devices and transferring files.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- The fast and efficient processor
- Immersive display with anti-glare coating
- Full-size backlit keyboard
- Fingerprint sensor for easy login
Cons
- Only 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage
- No built-in webcam
- Battery life could be better
3. ASUS Vivobook Pro Laptop
If you’re in the market for a budget laptop that’s perfect for podcasting, the ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 might be the one for you. This laptop comes with impressive features at an affordable price.
Display
The Vivobook Pro 15 boasts a 15.6-inch FHD display with an ultra-slim NanoEdge bezel, which provides a more immersive viewing experience.
The display also features a 144Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth and responsive visuals.
Processor
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Mobile Processor, this laptop can handle heavy tasks with ease. It has six cores and twelve threads, a 19MB cache, and can boost up to 4.2 GHz, making it an ideal choice for podcasting and other productivity tasks.
Additionally, the laptop has AMD Radeon Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics with 4GB GDDR6, making it a decent gaming machine as well.
Storage and RAM
The Vivobook Pro 15 comes with a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM, ensuring fast storage and memory capabilities.
Battery
With a battery life of up to 8 hours, you can work or play for an extended period without having to recharge frequently.
Keyboard
The Vivobook Pro 15 features a backlit keyboard, making it convenient to work even in low-light conditions.
Webcam
Unfortunately, the laptop does not have a built-in webcam. However, you can purchase an external webcam if you need one.
Ports
This laptop comes with an HDMI port, a USB-C port, two USB 3.2 ports, and an SD card reader, providing users with various connectivity options.
Pros
- Affordable
- Fast processor and graphics card
- Decent storage and RAM
- Immersive FHD display with a high refresh rate
- Backlit keyboard
- Anti-glare coating
- Memory card slot
Cons
- No built-in webcam
4. Lenovo V15 G2 Laptop
If you’re looking for a budget laptop that can handle podcasting, the Lenovo V15 G2 Business Laptop is worth considering. Let’s take a closer look at its features.
Display
The laptop boasts a 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) display, which is perfect for podcasting. The colours are vivid and the images are crisp, making it easy to edit your audio and video content.
Processor
Powered by an Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, this laptop can handle heavy multitasking with ease. With a base frequency of 2.80GHz and up to 4.70GHz, it delivers excellent performance.
The Intel Iris Xe Graphics make it easy to edit videos, images and other multimedia content.
Storage and RAM
The Lenovo V15 G2 comes with a massive 16GB of RAM, which is more than enough to run multiple applications at the same time.
Additionally, the 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive provides plenty of storage for all your podcasting needs.
Battery
Lenovo claims that the laptop’s battery can last up to 6 hours on a single charge, which should be sufficient for most podcasting sessions.
Keyboard
The keyboard is comfortable to use and has a good amount of key travel. The keys are backlit, which makes it easy to type in low-light conditions.
Webcam
The webcam is decent and is perfect for video conferencing or live streaming your podcasting sessions.
Ports
The laptop comes with a variety of ports including 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x Microphone/Headphone Combo Jack, and 1 x Power-adapter.
This means that you can easily connect external devices like microphones, cameras and external hard drives.
Pros
- Fast processor and ample RAM
- A large amount of storage
- Comfortable backlit keyboard
- Good range of ports
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- The webcam could be improved
5. HP ProBook G9 Laptop
The HP ProBook 445 G9 is a powerful and reliable business laptop that offers excellent features for podcasting while remaining budget-friendly. Let’s take a closer look at this laptop’s features.
Display
The laptop has a 14″ diagonal, FHD IPS anti-glare display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It has a narrow bezel and offers 250 nits of brightness, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.
Processor
The laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U Processor with 6 cores and 12 threads. The base frequency of the processor is 2.30GHz and it can go up to 4.3GHz Max Boost Clock.
It also comes with AMD Radeon Graphics, making it capable of handling demanding tasks such as audio and video editing.
Memory and Storage
The laptop memory has been upgraded to 32GB DDR4 SDRAM for enhanced high bandwidth to easily switch back and forth between open applications.
The hard drive has been upgraded to a 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, which ensures fast bootup and speedy data transfer.
Battery
The laptop comes with a 3-cell, 45 Wh Li-ion battery that can provide up to 9 hours of battery life, depending on usage.
Keyboard and Webcam
The laptop features a backlit keyboard, making it easy to work in low light. It also comes with an IR camera for facial recognition and Windows Hello sign-in.
Ports
The laptop comes with a variety of ports, including 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-C, 3 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45, and 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo. It also has Realtek RTL8852AE Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2 combo.
Pros
- It offers excellent performance
- Ample storage and RAM
- The backlit keyboard
- IR camera
Cons
- May its battery be weak over time
Conclusion
Finding the best laptop for podcasting depends on several factors such as the processor, RAM, storage, display, keyboard, and ports. The laptops mentioned above, the Lenovo V15 G2 Business Laptop and the HP ProBook 445 G9 Business Laptop, are great options for podcasters who are looking for a balance between affordability and functionality.
Both laptops come with powerful processors, ample RAM and storage, high-quality displays, and convenient ports for connectivity. It’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences as a podcaster when choosing a laptop.
With the right laptop, podcasters can create high-quality content with ease and efficiency.
FAQs
Q: What kind of processor should I look for in a laptop for podcasting?
A: A laptop with a powerful processor is ideal for podcasting. Intel Core i5 or i7 and AMD Ryzen are good options to consider.
Q: How much RAM do I need for podcasting?
A: At least 8GB of RAM is recommended for podcasting, but if you plan on using multiple applications at once, 16GB or more would be better.
Q: Do I need a dedicated graphics card for podcasting?
A: While a dedicated graphics card can be useful for video editing, it is not necessary for podcasting. Integrated graphics should be sufficient.
Q: What kind of storage is best for a laptop for podcasting?
A: Solid-state drives (SSDs) are recommended for podcasting. They offer faster boot times and data transfer speeds than traditional hard drives.
Q: Do I need a built-in webcam for podcasting?
A: A built-in webcam can be useful if you plan on doing video podcasts or remote interviews. However, it is not necessary if you have an external webcam.
Q: Can I use a budget laptop for podcasting?
A: Yes, you can use a budget laptop for podcasting as long as it meets the minimum requirements such as a powerful processor, sufficient RAM, and SSD storage. However, investing in a higher-end laptop with better specs can improve your overall podcasting experience.