Story-telling or talk shows, Podcasts are keeping its audience alive through its magic audio formula. However, the characteristics of a successful podcast comprise of good audio equipment and clear audio. If you are looking for the best laptops for Podcasting, you have reached the right destination. It is absolutely an important criterion to choose the right laptop for Podcasting.
The joy of Podcasting can be successfully achieved by choosing the best laptop for the podcast. If your podcast recording is being done in a studio, you need not worry much as there will be no external noise. You will have recorded clear audio and it will not be requiring so much of editing work. As most of the Podcasting today is done from the comfort of their rooms, there is a chance for external noise that could disturb your flow. This is where a laptop comes to use! A laptop plays a crucial role in recording tracks, editing effects, adding music, trimming the video, and so on. You can also add an outstation guest to your podcasts through Skype on your laptop.
While you search for the best laptop for Podcasting, make sure you tick certain boxes before you make your purchase. To podcast, there are certain features that your laptop should possess. Like neat storage capacity and good RAM. The laptop you buy should have a good battery life, a strong processor, and clean display features. Look out for the audio, performance capability, and efficiency of your laptop before you buy it.
With n number of laptops in the market, you will surely have a hard time picking the best one. We have made your job easy by picking some of the best laptops around the globe for your Podcasting journey. Take a look.
Top 14 Best Laptops for Podcasting in 2023
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Product
Features
Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
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Apple MacBook Pro (16”)
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Razer Blade 15
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ASUS VivoBook 15
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Acer Aspire 5
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ASUS ZenBook 13
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Asus TUF Gaming Laptop
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Lenovo Ideapad S340
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Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
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Dell XPS 15 7590 Laptop
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HP - Spectre x360
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Huawei MateBook X Pro
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Acer Aspire 3
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Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 Laptop
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1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is an ultra-slim laptop with a 12.3-inch pixel sense touchscreen display feature. With the 10th generation, i5 Intel Core processor the laptop has about 256 GB of SSD. The touchscreen feature is the highlight of this laptop. You can edit your audio tracks and work on your podcast software with just an easy touch. The laptop is also faster and advanced than its previous model Pro 6. You can use both Type C and Type-A USB ports on the laptop to connect to devices. The laptop comes with two colors: Matte Black and Platinum.
The audio system of Pro 7 comprises of 1.6W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium to enrich your Podcasting experience. It also has dual far-field Studio Mics. The laptop’s battery stands up to 10.5 hours after just 1.5 hours of charging. It is said to be charged up to 80 percent in just an hour. The laptop’s rear webcam resolution is 8 MP. The laptop is also compatible with WiFi 6. Microsoft Pro 7’s security system offers Windows Hello face sign-in with Firmware TPM & enterprise-grade protection.
Pros
- Amazing battery life
- Laptop’s speed and performance
- Touchscreen display
- Portability
- WiFi 6 support
- Security system
Cons
- The Type C USB port is not Thunderbolt
- No big upgrades from Pro 6
2. Apple MacBook Pro (16”)
- Weight: 8.23 pounds
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB
Apple is always regarded as the best choice for audio or video editing. In Apple MacBook Pro, you can choose between 13/16 inch displays. The display is termed as Retina display with amazing clarity. It features a true tone technology touch bar and Touch ID. This will adjust color tones on the display automatically according to ambient light. Along with the superb design, the laptop has a classy finish. It is also lightweight. The laptop works with the 8th generation quad-core Intel i5 Processor. For the 16”, the RAM is 16 GB and is expandable up to 64 GB. The processor of MacBook Pro comes with a processing speed of 2.6 GHz.
The storage is up to 512 GB. For 13”, the RAM comes with 8 GB and storage with 128 GB. You can choose either 13/16 inches, according to your budget and specifications. The laptop’s Intel Iris Plus Graphics will give you an overall great video-editing experience.
The battery in MacBook Pro is normally said to last up to 10 hours. Apple MacBook Pro 16” lacks versatile USB ports. It has only 4 Type-C USB ports. You will require an external adapter to connect to USB 2.0 & USB 3.0 devices. The Apple-designed keyboard in the laptop is the latest upgrade, which will make your audio editing much simpler. The laptop’s speaker and microphones are well designed to give you a professional experience.
Pros
- Retina Display
- Light-weight
- Speaker and mic
- Truetone technology in display
Cons
- Less-versatile USB ports
- For hard-core editing, the battery lasts up to 3 hours
- Expensive
3. Razer Blade 15
- Weight: 8.93 pounds
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
Razer Blade 15 is a 15.6” thin CNC aluminum unibody laptop with 9th generation Intel processor. As the laptop is exclusively designed for creative work and gaming, as it has powerful built-in audio and video features. It can, therefore, be one of the best choices for Podcasting. The RAM has up to 32 GB memory and storage is up to 256 GB SSD. The laptop is known for its uncompromising performance even when used non-stop.
It is known for faster speed and non-hanging feature. The display is regarded as very professional and studio-idealistic. It is made of an individually calibrated 4K OLED touch display. It allows resolution up to 3840 x 2160 Pixels. The laptop is capable of Thunderbolt 3 and dual-channel memory. You can plug in the number of devices to increase the visual up to 3 external displays. This can be done via Thunderbolt 3 and MiniDislayPort.
To protect your creative work, the laptop comes with biometric security. It supports Windows Hello instant facial unlock, which comprises of an integrated web camera and IR sensor customizable RGB.
Pros
- Good RAM and Storage
- Fast processor
- 4k OLED display
- Biometric security
- Instant facial unlock features
Cons
- No cons
4. ASUS VivoBook 15
- Weight: 3.75 pounds
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB SSD
With a 15.6 inch HD display, Asus VivoBook 15 has 8 GB RAM and 128 GB Storage capacity. With an affordable cost and sleek design, ASUS VivoBook 15 is the best choice to carry it on the go. VivoBook’s full-size backlit keyboard attracts youngsters. ASUS VivoBook 15 is special for its ErgoLift design feature. When you open the lid, the ErgoLift lightly lifts the laptop’s deck.
VivoBook is so light for just 3.75 pounds, to carry it with utmost comfortability. For podcasters who want to travel, this is the ideal choice. There’s Type C, Type A, 2 Type-A 2.0 USB ports along with an HDMI port and a micro SD slot. A drawback is VivoBook does not have a Thunderbolt connector.
Coming to the audio output, VivoBook’s speakers use Asus SonicMaster technology. The laptop, therefore, produces commendable sound output. Though the sound output is loud, it lacks bass, which makes some audio files sound flat.
Pros
- Extremely portable
- Light-weight
- Trendy design
- Decent performance
Cons
- Sound output lacks Bass
- No Thunderbolt connector
5. Acer Aspire 5
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 128 GB SSD
With affordable prices and easy portability, Acer Aspire 5 is the ideal laptop for your mediocre budget. The laptop comes with a 1080p full HD display and a decent battery life. The battery is said to stand up to 7.5 hours. It is known for its solid performance and productivity.
The sleek design touchpad will make your DAW and audio tracks editing experience easier while Podcasting. The laptop has allocated 4 GB DDR4 for RAM and 128 GB SSD for storage capacity. The display size of the laptop is 15.6 Inches.
The laptop’s speakers are decent for its budget price, as you can’t expect its speakers doing wonders for the price that it offers. The laptop’s other drawback is the absence of any security system. However, for podcasters with a pocket-friendly budget, this one is a decent choice.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Good battery life
- Solid performance
- HD display
Cons
- Lack of security system
- Bass-free speakers
6. ASUS ZenBook 13
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
- Storage: 256GB SATA SSD
ASUS ZenBook is a budget-friendly laptop with great battery life and good quad-core performance. It just weighs 2.5 pounds. It’s a thin structure and sharp HD display makes it an attractive choice. The display is 13.3 inches and the screen resolution is up to 1920×1080.
The laptop has a full HDMI port, 3 USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 Type C Gen 1 port, and a charging port. The laptop does not support Thunderbolt 3. The laptop is fast-charging. ASUS ZenBook 13 comes with a user-friendly keyboard and fingerprint sensor. Coming to the speakers, the speakers are quite good for a laptop of this price. With headphones, sound clarity can be further elevated.
Pros
- Solid productivity
- Affordable price
- Battery life
Cons
- Thunderbolt 3 not supported
- Moderately working processor
- Expensive
7. Asus TUF Gaming Laptop
- Weight: 4.85 pounds
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
Wondering how Asus TUF Gaming Laptop is going to do best in Podcasting? The laptop’s classy video and audio quality will make it one of the best choices for Podcasting. Though it is specially designed for gaming, the fast processor and audio-video technology will give you a good podcasting experience.
The laptop comes with a 15.6-inch display, full HD in nature, and 1,920 X 1,080 screen resolution. It has 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, and HDMI output. It also has an Ethernet port. The laptop doesn’t have a USB Type-C port and an SD card reader. With 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, Asus has decent productivity and performance remarks.
Multi-tasking is a piece of cake for ASUS TUF with its remarkable features. You can also expand RAM according to your future needs. However, battery life is the drawback of this laptop. The battery is said to last just over 3-4 hours.
Pros
- Great performance speed
- HD screen
- Large display
Cons
- Battery life
8. Lenovo Ideapad S340
- Weight: 4 pounds
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
Lenovo IdeaPad S430 is a slim laptop with a decent battery life. With the Intel Core i3-8145U processor and 8 GB DDR4 RAM, the laptop’s performance is quite mediocre. The laptop has a physical web camera cover. The laptop’s battery lasts up to over 4-5 hours, which is decent battery life.
The biggest plus of this laptop model is its amazing audio quality. The laptop’s sound production is similar to that of theatres’ Dolby Audio. This is a great advantage to your Podcasting. IdeaPad’s thin and light structure makes portability easier. The IdeaPad weighs about 4 pounds.
The laptop has an HDMI port, a slot for SD Card reader, 2 USB-A 3.1 ports, a 3.1 USB C port, and an audio jack for headsets. When it comes to security, the laptop offers a built-in security system that will protect your data and audio files.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Good battery life
- Built-in security system
Cons
- Mediocre performance output
- Absence of LAN port
9. Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
- Weight: 2.84 pounds
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
Samsung Notebook 9 Pro is a touch screen laptop with backlit keyboard features. The laptop has full HD features with a 15-inch screen. The laptop can be used in tablet mode or notebook mode by rotating the screen in 360 degrees. With the 8th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-8550U processor, the laptop will work at a good speed and deliver promising performance output.
The RAM is up to 16GB DDR4, while the storage is 256GB SSD. You can log in with a simple touch as the laptop has a built-in fingerprint sensor. The laptop also has a web camera. Notebook 9 Pro weighs just about 2.84 pounds, making portability easier. The battery will provide you up to 14.7 hours of power.
Notebook 9 Pro is said to have an advanced audio system. This will provide you great sound clarity when played in full volume. The stereo technology is advanced in this model, so it will provide you sound output higher than other laptops.
Pros
- Sound quality
- Light-weight
- Battery life
Cons
- Expensive
10. Dell XPS 15 7590 Laptop
- Weight: 4 pounds
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
With 15.6 inches, Dell XPS 15 comes with a 4K UHD OLED InfinityEdge display. The display is one of the finest in recent laptops. The laptop has 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD storage capacity. Some of the best features of this model are its 4K OLED display, Core i7 processor, and web camera placement. The battery life on this laptop is pretty decent. However, it offers a very mediocre keyboard.
Dell XPS is known as one of the light-weighting laptops in the globe, making portability much easier for you. Coming to ports, the laptop has 1 Thunderbolt 3 with DisplayPort, 2 USB 3.1, 1 HDMI 2.0, an SD card reader. The laptop makes multi-tasking simpler by good performance speed during your online streaming and software-editing times.
The laptop has a fingerprint reader. It also has advanced WiFi technology to make your Podcasting experience smoother while surfing audio files online. For security, the laptop has Windows Hello fingerprint reader. The absence of top-firing speakers is a slight drawback.
Pros
- Display and clarity
- Light-weight
- Performance output
Cons
- No top-firing speakers
11. HP – Spectre x360
- Weight: 12.3 ounces
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
The HP Spectre x360 is a 15.6-inch laptop with 4K Ultra HD features. It has a touch screen feature. HP Spectre x360 laptop is extremely thin and lightweight. It is of the Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB Memory and 512GB SSD of storage capacity. This is similar to the features of HP Envy. 3840 x 2160 is the Maximum Screen Resolution on this laptop.
The backlit keyboard is very trendy and also comfortable for daily use. Even the click sound on the keyboard won’t be heard. The touchpad works pretty well and is responsive.The average Battery Life in HP Spectre x360 is about 17.5 hours. This is considered a really good battery life when compared with its competitors.
Despite multitasking, the battery works for a long time. The graphics card is good for game activities if you are a game lover. Coming to ports, the laptop has Thunderbolt 3 – DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2, HDMI, Microphone or headphone combo jack, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, and a memory card reader. The laptop allows multi-touch gestures for many screen activities at the same time.
Pros
- Battery life
- Great processing speed
- Storage
- Many numbers of ports
- Display features
- Specially designed back-lit keyboard
Cons
- Loud fans
12. Huawei MateBook X Pro
- Weight: 2.93 pounds
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
Huawei MateBook X Pro is a thin and light Laptop. With a 13.9 inch and 3K touch feature, the laptop looks appealing. The display is of great quality and brightness. You can increase the brightness to view the full clarity. With 3,000 x 2,000 screen resolution and 260ppi pixel density, it is one of the finest displays in the laptop market.
The gloss finish technology makes the colors look more vibrant. The touchpad is comfortable for use in the long run. One of the best features of Huawei MateBook X Pro is its excellent audio quality. Podcasting can be done professionally with this feature of MateBook X Pro. With 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor, 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage, multi-tasking can be done effortlessly in this laptop. The laptop is also easily portable.
The display quality will give you a great time while handling DAW required for Podcasting. With the combination of great video and audio quality, MateBook X Pro is something you should have a lookout for. The battery life is also said to be great, offering up to 12 hours.
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Best video quality
- Battery life
Cons
- Mediocre webcam
- Absence of SD slot
13. Acer Aspire 3
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- Weight: 8 pounds
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 1TB HDD
When it comes to recording a podcast, there are quite a few prospects that a user needs to keep a check on, performance and audio output being two of the main ones. The Acer Aspire 3 is designed for business professionals, content creators, and even students to make the most use out of.
If you want to invest in a mid-range laptop to record and edit your podcast on, this is the best choice under $700. Besides the compact and sleek design, the laptop also features an expansive display with 17.3” HD+ with CineCrystal display.
The device is powered by the 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor with Intel UHD graphics. The only downside is the lack of a nano-edge bezel, which means that you do have to compromise on the visual experience to an extent.
Besides the display and expansive display, the device is further integrated with a 1TB HDD of storage and 8GB RAM for a superior multitasking user experience. The integrated I/O ports are pretty versatile and effective in keeping a check on the performance.
The Aspire 3 runs on the Windows 10 operating system. The only downside is that it lacks a backlit keyboard, despite the larger screen size and functions.
Pros
- Expansive and high-resolution display
- Responsive performance
- Ideal for multitasking
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a backlit keyboard
14. Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 Laptop
- Weight: 4.96lbs
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
A podcaster needs a laptop that provides him with three major things – a good microphone, a good speaker, and the ability to run an editing software such as audacity, vegas, or other similar editing tools. Thankfully, audacity doesn’t really need killer specs to run on. Another interesting thing here is that gaming laptops actually make for good podcasting laptops because gamers often like to stream their games, or play online – and hence need a good mic and speakers.
The Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 laptop is one of the best options that you have when it comes to getting hold of a good gaming laptop that also doubles up as a podcasting machine. If you are someone who is into making video-based podcasts, this is a good option for you too because the camera here is really impressive. The camera also comes with a privacy shutter which you can shut down any time you feel you don’t need to use it. The microphone array is pretty large and can catch the faintest of sounds.
This laptop from Lenovo has been designed in a manner that it gives you a pretty broad view with its 15.6-inch display. It is powered by the six cored AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series mobile processor. This is an innovative, thin, and lightweight laptop, and it allows the users to get the most out of their apps and games with the help of an 8GB RAM and a 256 BG SSD storage.
There are a ton of connectivity options too. There’s a 3.5mm port for you to hook in a microphone or speakers. Provisions are also made for USB Type-C, RJ-45 Ethernet, and HDMI ports. The keyboard is well-spaced and backlit, which gives it a very nice look and feel. Lastly, another important point about the Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 laptop is that it comes with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU which allows you to play all the latest games that you want!
Pros
- Excellent display
- Speakers are loud and clear
- Powerful microphone
- High-quality camera with privacy shutter
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU is pretty power-packed
- Backlit keyboard and premium look
Cons
- Heats up when used for long hours
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Ultimate Buying Guide To Choose the Right Laptops for Podcasting in 2023
There are certain things and standards that you have to look out for in laptops that you are going to purchase. These specifications are vital to attaining successful Podcasting.
1. Processor
The processor plays an important role in handling your podcasts. A fast processor will help you finish your podcasting works faster. Be it the Core i7 or Core i5 or Intel processor; try to buy a laptop with the latest processor with good performance capabilities. For your Podcasting needs, a dual or triple-core processor will be sufficient. The processor speed must be at least 2.5 GHz or even faster.
2. RAM
More the Random Access Memory (RAM), the more the performance of your laptop while Podcasting. A laptop with less RAM is of no use to your Podcasting. Processor and RAM complement each other. The combined feature of a good fast processor and high RAM will work wonders on your podcasts. For starters, at least 8-10 GB of RAM is necessary. You can also expand your RAM later up to 16 GB. Higher RAM will make it easier for you to handle and edit software, plugins, and audio files.
3. Operating System
In the case of OS, it is always a battle between 32bit vs 64bit. 64bit is new and is recommended by many. It is said to be faster and used to store more data. If you are planning to run RAM more than 4 GB, then 64bit OS will be your ideal choice, as potentially 32bit cannot run more than 4 GB RAM. Most of the recent laptops will have a 64bit OS, so you need not worry much.
4. Hard drive
Always pick laptops that have Solid State Device (SSD) for internal storage, instead of Hard Disk Drives (HDD) for internal storage. Let me say why. HDD will tend to delay the audio signal processing, resulting in high latency. Laptops with SDD will create a less-noise work environment while you podcast. Though they are a bit expensive and have lesser storage, they suit best for Podcasting.
5. Display Size
An average of 14 to 16-inch display is recommended. Your editing experience can be spiced up with laptops with larger displays. You can also use an external monitor as an addition if you are planning to buy laptops with smaller screens. Professionals find even the 15 inch displays a bit small for their software editing purposes.
6. Battery
Since you will be spending hours and hours in Podcasting, good battery life is a must on your laptop. The latest laptops are featured with fast charging facilities; you can either opt to them or purchase laptops with decent battery life.
7. Latency
If you’re wondering what is latency, it is the time lapse between the input and output of the audio signal. To put in simple terms, it is the gap between the moment you press the play button of an audio track and the sound that you hear. You need not look in peculiar for latency in the laptop, as the best latency comes with a good processor and decent RAM.
8. Audio Delivery
This is one of the important specifications that you have to look for. With Podcasting, Audio is the essential thing. Observe the sound delivery in your speakers. You can also connect external speakers according to your need.
9. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
DAW requirements are co-dependent on the laptop, its processor, and RAM that you prefer. DAW is nothing but the software to edit and record your audio tracks. If you are a beginner, you can opt for basic software that will run well with just 2-4 GB RAM. The DAW will have basic minimum requirements and requirements that are suggested to work best. You can choose as per your convenience. Those who use Pro tools will already be a professional who will have the best DAW choice. But, remember that your Podcasts will work best in the recommended requirements, as it will be able to handle the software upgrades in the future.
10. Security
Protecting your files is as important as setting up the Podcast arrangement. You should have a powerful security system to prevent strangers from accessing your files. Eg. A fingerprint sensor / strong password.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Laptops for Podcasting in 2023
1. Is the security system necessary to check while buying a laptop for Podcasting?
Security tools are not an absolute requirement to look out for while buying laptops for Podcasting, but let me tell you why you should make it a priority. You tend to create individual original podcasts and tracks in your Podcasting journey. This is an important asset to you. You cannot leave the files open for anyone to access. Protecting your system from threats will protect your data and privacy. Therefore, security should be made a priority while buying your laptop for Podcasting.
2. What is DAW?
DAW is a digital audio workstation (DAW). It is an application software or electronic device that is used to record, edit, and produce your audio tracks. These DAWs are of numerous configurations. They can be single software or a completely individual unit or multiple configurations connected to a single computer. DAW is crucial in Podcasting. Any Podcaster will know what a digital audio workstation is. It is used to edit and mix various recordings. Apart from podcasts, DAWs are also used in radio, TVs, soundtracks, movie songs, etc.
3. Do you need a laptop for Podcasting?
Though just a mic, earphones, and a mixer are sufficient for simple podcasting, for a professional and serious setup, a laptop is mandatory. You will be needing the laptop to edit and record the number of soundtracks. If you are going to use DAW, then a laptop is a must to work on your podcasting software. You can edit, record, mix, merge, and complete multiple tracks with a laptop. An ideal laptop with good features will help you achieve your success in Podcasting. You can choose one from the above-mentioned choices.
4. What are the criteria to look for before buying a laptop for Podcasting?
Before buying a new laptop to begin your podcasting journey you must look for certain things on a laptop. They are the storage capacity, fast-working processor, good security system, battery life, display size, and audio quality. Out of these, audio quality is the crucial one to tick in your box, as your podcasting is entirely dependent on this.
5. Why display size is important in Podcasting?
Podcasting requires you to work on multiple audio editing software, and this can get quite complex at times. With a small display size, it will get uncomfortable and a bit complicated for you to edit and work on soundtracks in your software. A larger display will make things easier for you while working. It provides a user-friendly feel for you to work without much difficulty.
Conclusion
Choosing a piece of good equipment for your podcasting does not only make your job easier, but it will help you achieve your journey aim way more interactively and effortlessly. It will inspire you to establish yourself as unique as possible in a very competitive world. To attract a wider audience through your podcasts, picking the right laptop is the first of many steps to go!
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