I don't know if this solid state recorder from Marantz would be good for podcasting, as an external recorder or mobile recording device. I do know that just looking at the ugly ass yet rugged Marantz form factor makes me happy. I used their analog cassette decks at WREK and they always rocked. In fact, the models they had there allowed you to plug a phone handset in and use it as a mike input. I used that as my phone interview recording mechanism for a long time. I also used them as my local uplink station when I was doing phone remotes (long story, but it worked great.) If someone that listens to my podcast recently hit the lottery and is floating in cash, it is getting close to XMas .... I have no idea how much this costs but Marantz != cheap.