Jacqueline
Deputy Writer from Forbes.com, at ForbesMeet Jacqueline, the deputy writer and editor from Boston. She has a decade of experience at Forbes.com, where she served as an editor. Jacqueline is skilled in lifestyle publications, covering various topics like product reviews and how-to guides. She approaches each assignment with attention to detail and a dedication to excellence. Outside of work, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her three young children, who were born just five years apart.
Jacqueline
Deputy Writer from Forbes.com, at ForbesMeet Jacqueline, the deputy writer and editor from Boston. She has a decade of experience at Forbes.com, where she served as an editor. Jacqueline is skilled in lifestyle publications, covering various topics like product reviews and how-to guides. She approaches each assignment with attention to detail and a dedication to excellence. Outside of work, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her three young children, who were born just five years apart.
Interested in buying a laptop to perform pen-tests or ethical hacks? Whether you are a professional or an ethical hacker seeking the best laptop to run Kali Linux (or another version of Linux designed to be used primarily for general security audits and penetration testing.) And perform penetration testing, you are in the right place.
Dual-booting or VMware or VirtualBox are good options for running Kali Linux. You will need an adequate laptop to run Kali, regardless of how you choose to do it. The following is my final list of the best laptops for Kali Linux and pentesting in 2023, based on my reviews of various laptops and discussions with various security experts. We can get started now, so let’s not waste any more time.
Top Pentesting Laptops In 2023
HP 2019 Newest HP 17 17.3″ HD+ (1600×900) Premium Laptop (Intel Core i5-7200U, 8GB 2400 MHz DDR4
- HP’s 17.3-Inch HD+ Premium Laptop should always be your first choice when it comes to performing pen tests.
- Apple’s MacBook Pro should not be compared to this laptop. You can use this laptop to conduct pen testing on all its features.
- Throughout the enterprise, efforts are concentrated on enhancing the processor to enhance user experience so that pen testing users won’t face any difficulties using the laptop.
- The HP 17 premium was created so that HP can offer customers the best pen-testing services.
- A premium HP laptop won’t let you down when it comes to performance. RAM is 8GB on this laptop. A pentesting service can greatly benefit from it.
- A core i5 processor is installed on this laptop. The graphics of this laptop will make it more enjoyable to use. Besides offering UHD graphics, the device consumes a small amount of power.
You will still be able to enjoy the same level of graphics quality even if you are working on the laptop for a long time.
Apple 13″ MacBook Pro Retina, Touch Bar
- A laptop with a Core i7 processor is essential for successful penetration testing. With turbo-boosting, the processor can reach 4.5 GHz.
- The speed of this device is perfect for pen-testing.
- Having 32 GB of memory on this amazing laptop will make it easier for you to download files and store them without any hassle.
- This battery allows you to conduct penetration testing for a longer period of time. Apple MacBook Air pro features a full LED display with beta graphics. Therefore, you won’t be disappointed with its display. Support for p3 colors is also included. The easy-to-understand colors facilitate pentesting for the user.
- High-quality graphics are provided by the GPU and GDDR memory on board.
Lenovo ThinkPad E580 15.6 inch High-Performance Business laptop
If you are looking for a laptop that boasts a modern design, this Lenovo ThinkPad E580 is a perfect choice. Laptops like this are perfect for professionals and business users.
- The Lenovo ThinkPad E580 uses an Intel Core i5 processor. As a result, you are more likely to perform your tasks quickly and more efficiently. The laptop might perform slowly when used for a long time.
- This Lenovo ThinkPad E580 is ideal for users because it can be used without any problems.
- In addition to this laptop, you will receive a 32GB memory card. Battery life is also 13 hours. Having this information makes pen-testing easier. Thus, you may want to consider Lenovo laptops.
- With regards to graphics, you will also find a 15.6-inch HD display on this laptop. Graphics are enhanced by the AMD Radeon.
- A 750 pixels camera and dual array microphones are also included. Besides WiFi and Bluetooth, it also supports USB connections. HDMI and SD cards are also available as connectivity options.
Dell Alienware 17 R5 VR Ready 17.3″ LCD Gaming Notebook – Intel Core i7
- It offers the best features all around. If you are considering such a laptop, this should be your pick. Intel’s Core i7 8th generation processor makes this laptop a high-performance machine. The processor operates at 3.9 GHz.
- It comes preinstalled with Windows 10 that does away with the need to install special programs to run the pentesting software.
- Dell Alienware laptops come equipped with full-featured fan cooling systems.
- The processor will not only remain cool for a long time but you will not be interrupted as you work.
- Up to four hours can be gotten from the battery. 9.74 pounds is the weight of this laptop.
- The display measures 16.7 inches. 1920 x 1080 pixels are displayed on this laptop. With graphics, you get more visuals on your laptop, which makes it easier to work.
Apart from that, you will also have enough storage space to do your work with the Dell Alienware laptop.
ASUS VivoBook S15 S512 Thin and Light 15.6” FHD
- As a pentester, you should always choose the ASUS VivoBook S15 as your best laptop option. As an ideal choice, this laptop comes in a glamorous design. VivoBook’s 15.6-inch screen is more than twice the size of other laptops.
- Laptops are equipped with cameras at the top. Your work will be easier to complete since it has high audio quality.
- The keyboard has a full backlight. The keystrokes will not fail and you will be able to type longer without errors.
You will have optimum performance while working on this laptop since it has a top-of-the-line Intel Core i7 processor. - The multitasking capabilities and long working hours make this laptop perfect for long hours. You can store a lot of work on this device because it has 8 GB of RAM. It’s simple for you to download files without error since it has 256 GB of memory.
- This battery stores a great deal of energy and charges quickly. It takes the battery an hour to charge fully. A pentester can store information without any error due to the large storage capacity and frequent data changes.
- You won’t have to type long passwords every time you log in with the Asus VivoBook because it comes with a finger sensor. There is also an SD card reader, USB 3.1, and USB type C HDMI.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR II Gaming Laptop, 17.3” 144Hz IPS-Type FHD
It has a modern design and a unique build which makes it one of the most ideal laptops for customers. If you are looking for a laptop that provides exceptional features then the ASUS ROG Strix II would be your wise choice.
- With a display size of 17.3 inches and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the ASUS ROG Strix comes with a large screen. Both sides of the central line of the front flap have contrasting finishes on their backs.
- You can work for a long time on laptops without experiencing any problems. Moreover, its modern design gives it a beautiful finish on the back.
- As well as being easy to use, the webcam provides 1920 x 1080 pixels. Webcam quality was not really improved by the ASHS, so you may get dark images.
- The smooth, durable keyboard that comes with this laptop will make typing much easier for you. In addition to ROG Overstroke technology, it is customized. Additional keys are also available for system control.
- Powered by Intel’s latest Core i7 processor, this laptop has the latest technology at its disposal. The laptop is, therefore, able to function smoothly. There won’t be any problems to deal with even if you work longer hours. With 16 GB of RAM, this laptop features a battery life of about four to five hours and charges quickly.
- Reducing the screen brightness can allow for an increase in battery life of 5-6 hours.
A cooling fan is also built into the ASUS ROG, preventing the laptop from beating up even if it is constantly under force. When it comes to ASUS laptops, they are capable of handling large files.
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7-9750H
Pen-testing is made easier with Acer Predator Helios. If you plan on using Pentesters over a long period of time, this is the laptop for you. It has one of the best display screens of any laptop, which is what makes it such a great computer.
- Another advantage of Predator Helios is its simplicity. Laptops run smoothly because of the processors. A 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor is built into the laptop.
- Using Pentesters software on this processor will ensure a smooth system operation. Featuring a 6GN NVIDIA GeForce GTX60 graphics card, this laptop provides high graphics. It has a 15.6-inch LED screen.
- Acer Predator Helios is a good fit for users due to its 512 GB storage. Its storage, too, can be upgraded, so this is another plus for the Acer Predator Helios. You won’t have to worry about running out of storage because large files can be stored easily.
The Acer Predator Helios is the best option when considering battery life. Its battery lasts for six hours. Laptops do not require constant charging.
Pentesters will find this laptop to be a good choice because of this feature.
If you do not have certain factors in mind, finding the right product can become a hard task. This buying guide might help you land on a particular product, so we put this together to alleviate this hassle and assure a smooth shopping experience. When planning your wedding, keep your budget in mind. Getting your hands on the best laptop may be difficult if you have a limited budget, but you should not worry if you can afford it. We’ve listed several laptops above that have been an easy match between price, features, and specifications. This way, you can get a product that is affordable without compromising on functionality. Memory is an important consideration when choosing pentesting laptops. You need to make sure that you are well-equipped in that department since this task might require you to download a lot of data and applications. Having enough RAM allows you to ensure the smooth and efficient execution of all of your tasks. Ensure the laptop you are getting has expandable RAM space if you are getting one with less RAM. It is an essential component of any computer or laptop. The results are intended to be an indication of your laptop’s ability to perform a certain task. Lagging and slow performance are only results of a slow and inefficient processor. Users are often advised to buy laptops with an i5 processor or higher when they are looking for pen-testing tools. You will experience faster-functioning speed the more powerful your processor is. The next question is how long your laptop will last. When we are trying to identify the weak points and vulnerabilities of the software or application, penetration testing can take many hours at a time. It will be necessary for you to have an adequate battery life since you will be testing the software, etc. When the computer shuts down as the user is working, it is extremely irritating, so the solution is to make sure your laptop has a good battery life so you don’t waste time charging it. Everyone needs a way to store their things. Think about how much storage you’ll need and decide which laptop would be best for you. When you purchase a storage unit, you should determine the amount of space you need ahead of time. When calculating the amount of storage space you will need, don’t forget to include your personal data, as well as your professional data. Testing prefers SSDs to HDDs for penetration. This will give you some wiggle room and prevent you from getting those annoying notifications about full storage. You can simply choose ones that have additional external storage if you cannot afford one with a lot of storage. When it comes to the quality of the images on screen, graphics cards are of paramount importance. A graphic card with at least 2GB is required for penetration testing. You will need a graphic card of at least 4GB if you plan on using the laptop extensively for hacking. Always choose a laptop that’s portable enough so that you can move it around easily. Laptops are far more convenient to own than PCs because they can be moved around. Owning a bulky laptop may not render you as privileged as those who do not. It is suggested that you choose sleek and lightweight ones if you feel comfortable carrying any heavy objects around on your shoulders. Instead, choose the heavier ones if you think you will be capable of carrying them around. A bigger screen will make your job much easier. Although a display isn’t a requirement for penetration testing, having one will make it much more comfortable to work with. If you are looking for larger screens, anything above 15 inches is fine. In my previous post, I mentioned that this is completely driven by personal preference, so go with the model you are most comfortable with. If you plan on viewing and streaming content on the laptop as well as playing games, then a larger screen will be better for you.Buying Guide Of Best Laptops for Kali Linux and Pentesting
Plan/Budget
RAM
The Processor
Batteries
Storage
Graphics Card
Item Weight
Display
FAQs of Best Laptops for Kali Linux and Pentesting
When using Kali Linux and pen-testing, will the MacBook work well?
The best choice is Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion VMs, which you can download on any MacBook or Windows PC. Regardless of whether you use a Mac or Windows laptop, you’ll always need a Virtual Machine to get the most out of your computer, as a result, the OS does not matter.
Which Processor is Best for Pentesting?
Pentesters can make the most of any generation of Intel Core i7 processors since it provides them with outstanding performance at a low cost. This chip does not provide as much power as an i9, but its price is much lower than an i7. A budget-friendly Intel core i5 processor might be able to handle your requirements. There’s just one catch: It won’t be as fast as an Intel Core i7 of the 8th generation.
Does Pen testing need a lot of RAM?
Having only 2 GB of RAM is simply not sufficient for conducting penetration tests. Even for regular use, today’s tools and applications are quite demanding, and I would suggest going for 16 GB RAM for the convenience of being able to run multiple concurrent processes at once.
Conclusion
In order to make sure that your Pentester software works properly with any laptop, you must have a processor that is of high quality so that you won’t encounter any issues.
This article will demonstrate which laptop best meets your needs for pen-testing. Your budget should also be taken into consideration. Ensure the laptop you buy is within your budget.
As a result of reading the entire article, you can choose the laptop that will run the Pentester software as easily as possible.
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