When it comes to podcasting, you have to work with a ton of audio and video files, run complicated programs like DAW software, and connect all your external devices – all of which means you need a really powerful laptop or desktop.
Whether you work from home, record your podcasts in a studio, or edit your audio on the go, a good laptop is essential. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best budget laptop for podcasting, including key specifications, pros and cons, and recommendations.
What should be considered for finding the best budget laptop for podcasting
Performance
The performance of our computer is largely dependent on the processor, the RAM, and the hard drive capacity and structure. Generally, an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor provides excellent performance for podcasting. Generally, a minimum of 8 GB of RAM is recommended, however, an upgrade to 16 GB can be beneficial if you are multitasking and running intensive podcasting software.
Storage space
One of the advantages of having access to large-capacity storage is that it can be beneficial in the current cloud-based environment. Podcasting applications and other applications, as well as audio and video content, can occupy a considerable amount of space on a hard drive. Although SSD (Solid-State Drive) drives are more efficient than HDDs, all the budget laptops I suggest for podcasting require at least 256 GB of storage capacity.
Connectivity
If you want to record your podcast shows, you can use the camera and microphone on your computer. But sooner or later, you’ll probably want to use some professional gear (like an audio mixer, external mic, headphones, display, etc.). That means you’ll need a laptop computer with lots of USB ports and an HDMI port. If your laptop doesn’t have those features, you’ll need to get some adapter or dongles.
Portability
Whether you’re recording your podcast at home or in your professional podcast studio, a high-quality podcasting laptop will help improve your workflow. When I say “high-quality”, I’m talking about your laptop’s weight, size, connection, and battery life. These parameters vary wildly among the best budget podcasting laptops I’ve used.
Battery life
This parameter falls under the category of portability, but I prefer to include it in a separate list because it is one of the most important features of a great laptop. The battery life of a laptop can vary significantly from model to model, but remember that battery tests vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, from setup to set up, and even from condition to condition.
In general, battery life is the number of hours that your laptop can run on one charge without needing to be actively used. For example, the Apple MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air performs best on these tests. When it comes to battery life, you should also pay attention to how quickly your computer can charge.
Operating system (compatibility)
The OS (Operating System) of your podcasting laptop has a big impact on what software you can and cannot run. MacOS supports more apps than Windows, but Chromebooks can be restrictive in this regard. Before you buy a new laptop, review your audio editing software needs and hosting platforms.
Best budget laptops
- ASUS TUF Dash F15 (15.6″)
- Apple MacBook Pro 13’’ (M2)
- ASUS Zenbook
- Dell XPS
- ASUS Vivobook Flip
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9
ASUS TUF Dash F15 (15.6″)
If you’re looking for a high-performance laptop for podcasting, you might want to consider a gaming laptop. Both podcasting and gaming require powerful laptops with lots of storage space, good connectivity, and built-in durability.
Not only is the ASUS TUF Dash designed for this purpose, but it is also aesthetically pleasing. The TUF Dash is equipped with the most up-to-date Intel Core i7-12650H processor, 2.4 GHz DDR5 memory, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics.
However, this high performance comes with a cost of battery life. I couldn’t find any official info in the manual, but it’s estimated to last about 6.5 hours with 48Wh batteries in the 2021 model. The 76 Wh batteries in the 2022 model could make it last longer.
Key specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches LED
- Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12650H
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Total USB ports: 4
- Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
- Resolution: 1080p
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
Pros
- This mic/headphone headset has great performance
- Looks great
- Super durable (tested by the military)
- Great cooling capabilities.
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
- The battery life isn’t great
- It’s expensive.
Apple MacBook Pro 13’’ (M2)
If you’re looking for a laptop that’s super powerful and has a great design, then the MacBook Pro M 2 is the one for you. It’s packed with the latest Intel core processors, and the new M2 chips are super fast – up to 6 times faster than previous MacBook editions with M1 chips, and up to 1.4 times faster than M1.
The MacBook Pro could have had more ports for better connectivity. If that’s not the case, it can be difficult to get a clear picture of the latest MacBook Pro from the perspective of a podcaster. It’s perfect for anyone who works from home, travels a lot, or has a podcast studio. Plus, it’s super battery-powered, with a maximum battery life of 20 hours.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
- Processor: Apple M2 with core i8 CPU
- Storage: 512GB
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Operating system: Mac OS
- Resolution: 8k,4k
Pros
- Long-lasting battery life
- High-speed performance
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Seamless compatibility with other Apple products.
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 720 webcam
- Old design
ASUS Zenbook
Check out the Asus Zenbook! It’s the perfect laptop for podcasting – it’s super lightweight, super powerful, and packed with storage space. It is powered by the most up-to-date AMD Ryzen 95900HX processor, making it an ideal choice for podcasting.
This laptop brings in some neat features, like a dual-function touchpad that doubles as a second keyboard, an ErgoLift hinge for comfortable typing with an enhanced ergonomic angle, and a sleek all-metal design.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 14 inches
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 95900HX, Core i8 Processor
- Storage: 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR4X
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0
- USB port number: 2
- Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Pros
- Graphics performance is good
- Portable and lightweight
- Long time battery coverage
Cons
- Fingerprint sensors are not available
- You can not upgrade RAM
Dell XPS
This Dell XPS 15 laptop is a great choice if you’re looking for a great laptop for podcasting. It has a sleek design, a powerful setup, and great performance thanks to its Intel Core i9 11th-generation processor.
This model has a 15.6′ full HD screen with no touch, 64GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and a GeForce 3050 GPU. You can also get it with an OLED screen and a 4K+ display (but the battery life won’t last as long).
The Dell XPS has a ton of storage space, a powerful processor, and great connectivity, making it an ideal laptop for podcasting.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i9-11900H processor
- Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe
- RAM: 64GB DDR4
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Operating system: Windows 11 Pro
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Pros
- Good performance
- Attractive display
- Excellent keyboard
Cons
- Expensive
ASUS Vivobook Flip
Vivobook Flip offers a wide range of features without compromising on quality. The ZenBook Vivobook is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7, 13900 processor. This processor is equipped with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal storage.
The ZenBook Vivobook looks great with the 2nd generation NumberPad and the highlighted Enter key. It also has a 2. 8K OLED Touch Screen for maximum productivity.
It has a 360° hinge and a touch screen with 2.8k resolution. Plus, it comes with the Asus Pen support. This laptop can be used as a tablet as well as a computer to support podcasters.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 16 inches OLED screen
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13900H Processor
- Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Operating system: Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon R5
Pros
- Portable
- OLED screen
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Battery life is not good
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
If you’re looking for a laptop and tablet that can be used for podcasting, Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the perfect choice. It’s a two-in-one laptop and tablet that has a 13-inch screen. But don’t worry, you don’t have to sacrifice performance or battery life when it comes to the Surface Pro 9. It’s powered by the latest Intel Core i5, has 256 GB of storage, and has a battery that can last up to 15 hours.
One of the best trade-offs for performance is portability, and the Surface Pro is no exception. It’s lightweight, foldable, and has a super-high touchscreen. Plus, it has a full HD camera that supports Windows Hello Face Authentication. It’s a great trade-off between power and portability.
Key specifications
- Screen Size: 13 inches
- Processor: Intel i5-1245U 10th generation
- Storage: 256 GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Operating system: Windows 10 Professional
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- You can upgrade the storage
- Outstanding performance
Cons
- Headphone jacks are not available
- Expensive
Expert choice for high-budget laptop
According to experts Asus Vivobook Flip will be the best budget laptop for podcasting if you have a high budget. This laptop has a 16-inch screen, Core-i9 processor, 1 TB SSD, and 16 GB RAM at an affordable price.
Read more: Best laptop for therapists
Best low-budget laptop
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3
- Acer Aspire 5
- Lenovo ThinkPad E15
- HP Pavilion 15
Lenovo IdeaPad 3
This laptop computer is an ideal option for podcasters who are looking for a laptop that offers a high level of performance without compromising on portability.
The IdeaPad 3 is built with Intel Core i3 Series processors, a 1 TB SSD, and 20 GB of memory. It also has plenty of ports for recording and editing your podcast shows.
At this price point, it is difficult to identify a major drawback and the overall performance of the IdeaPad appears to be satisfactory.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 14 inches LCD
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4
- Storage: 1 TB
- RAM: 20GB RAM DDR4
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Operating system: Windows 10 Professional
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Resolution: 1080p
- Total USB ports: 3
Pros
- Amazing performance
- USB-C is available
- Fingerprint scanner included
- Upgradable RAM
Cons
- Display is not good
Acer Aspire 5
Acer Aspire 5 is an ideal choice for podcasters seeking a reliable and cost-effective laptop for podcasting purposes. This laptop computer is equipped with all the necessary components to facilitate the recording and editing of podcasts. Ports and slots are available to connect the laptop to external microphones, displays, and audio mixers.
The Acer Aspire is equipped with the most up-to-date AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, designed to provide maximum performance. Plus, it comes with 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage space, so you can be sure your podcasting will be running smoothly for years to come.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches LED
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U 7-Core Processor
- Storage: 512 GB
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Operating system: Windows 10 Professional
- Resolution: 1080p
- Total USB ports: 4
Pros
- Cheap price
- Fingerprint scanner included
- 1080 p display
- LED screen
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Almost plastic made body
Lenovo ThinkPad E15
This laptop is an ideal choice for podcasting on a limited budget. It’s the second-best laptop for project management, behind only the top-of-the-line X1 Carbon.
The AMD Ryzen 5 processor is included in the ThinkPad E15, which comes with 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage. The ThinkPad E15 looks great and offers great connectivity, security, and durability, making it an ideal laptop for podcasters who need a dependable and portable machine.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches LED
- Processor: Core-i5-1235U
- Storage: 512 GB
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Operating system: Windows 11
- Resolution: 1080p
- Total USB ports: 2
Pros
- Very good keyboard
- Security shutter is available
- Lightweight
Cons
- Device fan creates noise
- Optical drive is not included
HP Pavilion 15
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for podcasting, the HP Pavilion 15 is a perfect choice. The HP Pavilion 15 is equipped with Intel’s i5 series processor and comes with 12 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage, which is more than enough for recording and editing your podcast and supporting your remote work.
Key specification
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches Full HD
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- Storage: 512 GB
- RAM: 12 GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
- Operating system: Windows 10 S
- Resolution: 1080p
- Total USB ports: 3
Pros
- Amazing design
- Touchscreen is good
Cons
- Low-quality battery
- Graphics is not up-to-date
Expert choice for low-budget laptop
According to experts, Lenovo ThinkPad E15 will be the best budget laptop for podcasting, if you have a low budget. This laptop has a 15.6-inch screen, Core-i5 processor, 512 GB SSD, and 16 GB RAM at an affordable price.
Read more: Best laptop for SolidWorks
Conclusion
When you’re picking out a laptop to use for any kind of multimedia project or work, there are a few key things to think about. I’ve never regretted putting RAM and storage first. And don’t forget to take some time to think about how you’re going to use it.
FAQ’S
What laptop specs do I need for podcasting?
If you’re looking for a laptop for podcasting, make sure it has a good processor (i.e. an i5 or AMD) with at least 8GB RAM for fast multitasking, plus 256GB SSD storage. Make sure it has USB ports for your peripherals, a good sound interface, and a decent microphone for accurate recording.
Can you do a podcast with a laptop?
Yes, you can do a podcast with a laptop. To record a podcast, a microphone is required, as well as recording software and, if possible, headphones for enhanced sound quality. Subsequently, podcasts can be edited using software such as Audacity and GarageBand and then uploaded to platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
What graphics do you need for a podcast?
You don’t typically need complex illustrations for a podcast. Stick to square-shaped, high-resolution, recognizable logos for your show. Consider episode-specific images/thumbnails that reflect your show’s content. Focus on simplicity and clarity for maximum visual impact.
What is the best processor for podcasting?
The best processor for podcasting depends on your specific needs, but generally, processors like Intel Core i5 or i7 and AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 series are great choices. They offer sufficient power to handle audio editing software and multitasking during podcast production without breaking the bank.
For more demanding tasks or professional-grade editing, higher-end processors like Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 would be beneficial, providing enhanced performance and speed. Ultimately, consider your budget and the complexity of your podcasting workflow when choosing the right processor.
Do I need a powerful laptop for streaming?
For streaming, a powerful laptop helps ensure smoother performance and better quality. It handles encoding, multitasking, and running streaming software effectively. While not mandatory, it enhances the streaming experience with lags and better visuals.
