Most podcasters have an affordable laptop to produce their podcasts. They are portable and adaptable, and they have enough processing power to make it easy to create podcasts.
There are many different laptops, and it can be difficult to sift through the different specs. Take a look at what makes certain laptops the best laptops.
Table of Contents
- Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Laptops for Podcasting
- You Can Upgrade Your Laptop Later
- Final Words
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Laptops for Podcasting
One of the best ways to narrow down your laptop choices is to understand what factors to consider. This will help you decide which one is best for you.
Memory (RAM)
RAM is random access memory that lets you know how much data your laptop can use at one time. When you open a program, data is retrieved from the hard drive, and you need enough RAM to run it.
Large Audio Files
With more RAM, your laptop will run faster, and you can run more programs simultaneously. You need to be able to process audio tracks, edit, and more simultaneously, so you should look for a minimum of 8 GB of RAM. If you podcast full-time, you should consider upping it to 16 GB of RAM.
Editing Software
Editing software or a DAW could use up much of your system memory. Check the requirements of the software first before deciding on how much RAM you’ll need.
The Processor (CPU)
The CPU is the central processing unit or the laptop’s brain. It determines how quickly your laptop can work. It is a factor in data processing, calculations, and other things.
You can do more simultaneously if the laptop has a faster processing speed with a multi-core processor (like a MacBook Air).
This is important in podcasting. Some of the best laptops have a multi-core processor, which has a higher processing speed and means that you have multiple processing units.
The most popular multi-core processor CPUs are AMD, Apple M1, and Intel Core.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Your DAW is your digital audio workstation or podcast editing software, and it will determine your RAM and CPU needs. Your DAW will usually need higher processing power if you want it to run smoothly. Some DAWs are specific to Apple, such as Garageband or Logic Pro.
Others work on PCs. It is important to consider what tools you want to use so that you can choose a laptop that is compatible with your tools.
Plugins
You should also consider what plugins you need because they require a specific amount of processing power. Podcasters who use more plugins, including transitions and sound effects, will want to ensure they have enough processing power.
Latency
The latency is how much time lapses between the input and the output of the audio signal, such as the time that lapses between your speaking into the microphone and your hearing the audio signal in the headphones.
You will want lower latency for podcasting because you don’t want a delay. You will want a laptop with higher processing power and plenty of RAM to ensure lower latency.
Internal SSD Storage Space
When choosing a laptop for internal storage, you can have a Solid State Drive (SSD) storage or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). HDDs are generally slower and can take longer to pull up data.
SSD storage drives prevent these delays because they use flash memory and store data digitally.
This allows SSD storage to retrieve it more quickly. If you work in a studio, SSD storage is a good option because it is quieter. However, they are more expensive, so SSD storage may not fit your budget. If money is no object, SSD storage is the way to go.
Operating System (OS)
The OS is the operating system, which is a matter of choosing an operating system you are accustomed to. You will have different options for software and other tools depending on your operating system.
Apple Devices
Some software requires the Apple operating system, while others work with the Windows one. Ensure that the operating system you choose is compatible with the software you plan to use.
Apple MacBook Air, Apple MacBook Pro, and Mac are typically the only Apple devices that run the Apple operating system called MacOS. In contrast, hundreds of computer manufacturers can run the Windows operating system.
Size of the Screen
While it will be easier to edit your podcast on a large screen, the size of the screen won’t help or hurt your podcast quality.
You should choose the screen size that fits your budget and what you want. Large screens will be more expensive; you may want a smaller screen with a lower budget.
Battery Life
Battery life. Battery life. Battery life. I’ll say it again.
Battery life may become an important factor. If you plan to use your laptop while you are out and about, you may want to choose one with longer battery life. The battery life lets you know how long you can use your laptop before charging.
You will want to avoid running out of battery life during podcast editing or recording.
Weight
Some of the best laptops come in different weights, and if you plan to take them with you, lighter ones are more portable and make the best. Many podcasters need to be able to create their podcasts on the go.
Price
Before you start looking for the best laptop, you need to set your budget. The best laptops range in price widely, so it is important to know what you plan to spend.
Many laptops are out there, so you can choose any budget. You should also look at the warranty and see what it covers and how long it lasts.
You Can Upgrade Your Laptop Later
If you are on a budget, the great thing is that you can upgrade many laptops later. You can add RAM or change out your storage. You can switch from an HDD to an SSD storage. You can do many things to get the best laptop for your needs.
Gaming laptops might provide a quick solution. A gaming laptop is usually built pretty beefy. So, if you don’t want to think about all these specs, buying a gaming laptop and being done with it might be simpler.
Also, any computer described as an audio and video editing laptop would suffice similarly.
Final Words
When you are choosing the best laptops for podcasting, there are a lot of factors to consider. The Apple MacBook Pro or the Apple MacBook Air are great options if you want an Apple product.
For Windows, try the Acer Aspire 5 or the ASUS VivoBook. It is important to consider how much processing speed you need and how much RAM you need. If you are on a budget, you can start with 8 GB of RAM and add to it later.
The best laptop will perform the functions you need smoothly and quickly so that you can produce excellent podcasts.
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