When it comes to getting the right hardware for podcasting, you’ll probably be first looking at this like microphones and pop shields and maybe even a nice level table.
But what about the thing you’ll be recording into the computer?
Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to getting the perfect computer for your podcast.
It will really all depend on what you are looking for. Audio cards will be important, as will the cost, because how much are you willing to spend?
So what are the best computers that you can use with your podcast?
What features does one of these computers need to have to give you the best audio output?
How much will you have to pay for one of these computers?
Well, read our reviews of some of the best podcast computers that you can currently get on the market.
Best Computers For Podcasting
Acer Aspire XC-830-UA91 Desktop
This first computer is great not because of the processor capabilities, but because of the numerous ports that it comes with, which can sometimes be invaluable for podcasting.
This comes with w generation 3.2 USB ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports.
This is amazing if your wifi fails (as it can do) and you need to find some other way of uploading your audio.
These ports are also very important if you are plugging your microphone directly into your computer.
This will allow for fast transfer from your microphone directly into your computer, streaming the audio smoothly without stuttering.
This is why it is very important to have decent processing capabilities.
The chances are that when you are going to be podcasting, you’ll be running some recording software such as Adobe Audition and you’ll have many programs open at one time.
This will definitely cause some stuttering issues if you have a machine with slow processing power.
This machine has a powerful 256 Gb of memory, which is more than enough to keep numerous programs running simultaneously.
This also comes with a USB mouse and a USB keyboard.
This is great if you want to assume the producer role for your podcast and you want to operate from a position where you check the microphone which might be away from your computer.
This also comes with a Bluetooth connection, so if you want to transfer any sound effects from your phone to your computer and vice versa, then you won’t have to worry about this unit.
Pros
- Windows 10 system – this comes with a universal Windows system, which is great for versatility as well as handling various software like Adobe Audition.
- Great processing power – this comes with a might ability to handle many different programs at once, which is essential for podcasting.
- Plenty of ports – if you are looking to transfer files without having to worry about the wifi, then this machine has more ports that you’ll know what to do with!
- Great looking unit – if you want to video stream as well as an audio podcast, then you won’t want to have a drab-looking PC. Luckily this one looks like something that wouldn’t look out of place in the Bat cave.
Cons
- Misaligned front panel – some users have reported that this unit has been shipped with a front panel that is misaligned, which makes it almost impossible to plug in anything USB-related.
ASUS ExpertCenter D500SC Small Form Factor Desktop PC
Next up, we have a very impressive 11th-generation Intel Core machine which is amazing when it comes to running many programs at one time.
With this machine, you even get a free upgrade to Windows 11, which has a lot more audio-friendly features and allows you to run a few microphones at the same time.
This comes with all the ports that you could need to transfer audio data quickly without having to rely on your wifi.
It comes with these ports on the front, which is great for ease of access.
This also comes with Bluetooth access, which will be very handy if you like to work your audio in tandem with your phone.
Sometimes having a diversity of uploading options is great if you need to get your podcast uploaded on time.
This comes with a military-grade casing, which is great if you are going to be transporting your system from one studio to another.
Often a studio will be crowded, increasing the risk of banging and scraping. For the environmentally conscious, this is a great unit also.
You can be sure that it will not use that much energy, which is great for not only helping out the planet but also reducing your energy bills.
Podcasts can take at least an hour to record and all the while you’ll be maxing out your CPU, so reducing energy expenditure is crucial.
This machine is marketed at businesses, especially with the many wifi and connectivity functions.
If you consider your podcast to be a business, then why not have the machine to back it up?
Pros
- Great connectivity – transferring audio such as sound effects, video interstitials and the recorded voiceover is crucial for compiling a good podcast and great connectivity is how you facilitate that.
- Durable – you can be sure you can rely on this machine for years. This is great if you want to put out a podcast consistently.
- Compact unit – we all know that a podcast studio can become a very crowded place with wires and equipment and people. Luckily this CPU will slide into most small spaces.
- Achieve multiple tasks – but you don’t have to use this PC for just your podcast. You can compile spreadsheets or track your metrics with this unit.
Cons
- Not that flexible – some users have claimed that this PC is not as easy to upgrade as the manufacturer has stated.
Dell Inspiron 3910 Desktop Computer Tower
Now we have another computer that prioritizes connectivity over all else.
This comes with plenty of USB ports, with amazing wifi 6 technology that provides a wider range of wifi signals that is very stable.
This comes with an amazing graphics card, which means that this machine is designed for gaming.
However, if you are editing video with your audio podcast, then this machine will serve you very well.
Multitasking is a very important part of podcasting, and this machine is designed to achieve just that goal.
If you are running your editing and recording software at the same time, then that can take up a lot of CPU power.
However, this Intel Core i-5 processor can more than handle it.
This also comes with Windows 11, which has made their interface much easier for people who want to run many different programs including Excel, Google Docs and Adobe Audition at the same time.
As you can probably see from the promotional information, this machine is very sturdy and extremely well-built.
Not only will you have the ability to shift this one from one place to another, but it can also withstand a hefty knock or two.
This comes with 4 USB 2.0 ports and 4 USB 3.0 ports, both of which really deliver the full package when it comes to connectivity.
Throw in great Bluetooth and you really have all the bases covered.
Pros
- Large hard drive – as you podcast, you’ll be compiling months and months and maybe even years of raw data. But with over 1 Tb of SSD space, then you can record to your heart’s content.
- Great graphics card – if you are looking for something to handle a lot of video footage, then this has the graphics card to do so.
- USB and Bluetooth – sometimes you don’t just want to rely on your internet, as this can drop out or have trouble transferring large amounts of data. So why not back it up with plenty of USB and Bluetooth?
- Great for a home studio – if you would prefer to build your podcast empire in your bedroom, then this will fit in nicely with any smaller space.
Cons
- Heavy – this is quite a large unit and it will be difficult to carry. Once you get it set up, you probably won’t want to move it.
HP ENVY Desktop Computer
Next up, we have a computer that will basically be your right-hand man when it comes to editing audio, gaming or rendering video.
This expensive unit comes with an amazing outer design, durable casing and some of the best features that you could want.
This has a 10th-generation iCore processor, which is great for running multiple programs at any one time.
This is exactly what you’ll need if you are recording audio, as most of the time you’ll be rendering as you record, which requires multiple operations.
This comes with a great headphone port, which will be crucial if you are recording things and you want to check the levels as you record.
This will also reduce the risk of audio bleed, which often affects the final production of your audio.
This will also allow you to add a second monitor, which is great if you want to get that total immersion.
This way you’ll be able to podcast while streaming videos, which is great if you are trying to film reaction content.
This comes with an environmentally-conscious design, which basically will really reduce the energy consumption of your machine.
This is important if you don’t want a whopping energy bill after your first month of podcasting.
This also comes with a Bluetooth 4.2 combo, which is ideal if you are looking for the ability to transfer data quickly and efficiently.
This also has a Superspeed USB, which will help you to get files quickly from one place to another.
Pros
- Lots of ports – this comes with plenty of ports running down the front of your CPU. Having different options for microphone ports and data transfer is ideal for podcasting.
- Great internal storage – this has over 1 Tb of internal storage, which is great if you want to record hours and hours of material that you then want to edit down.
- Speedy processor – it is important when you are rendering a lot of files or mixing down your audio that you should be able to do it fast. This machine will help you achieve that.
- Dual monitor – having the ability to get a large overview on your metrics while recording your podcast is a great function and this computer will give you that.
Cons
- Expensive – with a high-quality machine comes a high price. This might only appeal to people who want an elaborate podcast setup and want to record video too.
2022 HP Pavilion TP01 Desktop Computer
Our final machine is probably one of the nicest to look at, but does it measure up when it comes to performance, memory and hard drive space?
Luckily for you, yes it does.
This comes with great RAM, offering you around 16 GB of high bandwidth RAM, which is perfect for dealing with massive amounts of audio.
This also comes with an amazing set of ports on the front. Whether it is USB 3.0 or 2.0, this one has it all.
This will allow you to transfer large files without having to worry about broadband speed.
As we have mentioned above, this is also a great-looking machine.
Its shiny silver body will not look out of place in the background of your video podcast.
Because sometimes it is hard to get everything out of shot and who doesn’t want a cool-looking PC?
This comes with a great microphone and headphone port too.
You can either go with the USB option, which will be a lot faster, or you can go for the traditional jack option.
Pros
- Durable – if you are going to be podcasting regularly, you won’t want to be switching machines that often. This one is built to last and perform well that whole time.
- Ports – this comes with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports at the front of the machine. This is great for connecting your headphones and microphone.
- Great OS – this comes with Windows 10, which will offer you great rendering in the graphics and an interface that will be able to display multiple windows at once.
- Mouse and keyboard included – if you are looking for great control and versatility, then we would definitely recommend a wireless mouse and keyboard setup.
Cons
- Expensive – this is another very expensive unit, so you’ll have to make sure that you are going to utilize most of the features on this machine.
Best Computer For Podcasting Buyer’s Guide
When you are shopping for a decent PC for your podcasting needs, then there will be a few crucial features that you won’t be able to do without.
Here are just a few of them:
How Good Is The Processor?
Having a decent processor speed is very important when it comes to podcasting, particularly video podcasting.
You’ll need to be able to handle the often time- and the data-consuming task of rendering and uploading a video, sometimes at the same time.
We would suggest that you get an Intel Core processor, as these are great for handling multiple tasks at the same time.
Does It Have USB Ports?
As you have seen above, a lot of these units come with plenty of USB ports.
Having 2.0 and 3.0 ports will really help you when it comes to plugging in your microphone and headphones as well as transferring large files.
It is important that you don’t rely solely on your wifi.
How Durable Is It?
A computer should be able to take a few knocks without it malfunctioning.
Also, overclocking your computer, that is, having it run at full CPU usage for the majority of the time, will also reduce the lifespan of your computer.
This is why it is important that you have a CPU that can take a lot of this data transfer and multiple programs without shutting down or crashing.
Losing your files after spending hours editing them will be devastating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Use A Pc Instead Of A Laptop For Podcasting?
A: PCs are generally more reliable than laptops.
The fact that you can move a laptop easily will also reduce its functionality and will increase the chances of it failing or getting damaged.
Stationary computers also have larger running capacities and come with higher performance output.
This means it will be much easier to run many programs at the same time.
How Can I Connect My Microphone To My Computer?
You should have many options when it comes to hooking up your microphone to your PC.
One of those methods will be via USB, which is the fastest and most effective method.
However, most PCs should come with a jack on the front panel that you can use to plug in your headset or microphone.
Conclusion
We hope that our list of great podcast computers has helped you narrow down the search and given you a better idea of what features you should be looking for.