Being an enthusiast laptop savvy, Evan Charles shares his wisdom on LaptopEcho to help others pick the right machine. He loves guiding people to get...
Are you up for ethical hacking and pentesting newly? Then, we must congratulate you for extending your support to make the internet world and user-end devices secure and better. Yes, with the pentesting technique, you can identify the possible loopholes in different software, smartphone apps, and devices to safeguard them from hackers and intruders. But, for this, you will need a good and reliable laptop. And we’re here to help you with our best laptop for pentesting reviews for this cause.
Also, if you are a software or app developer, you need to inspect it closely to find, detect and block the loopholes that hackers can benefit from with ease. It will make the app and software better and more user-friendly.
Therefore, we will review the 10 good laptops for a better virtual world for cyber security. Also, we have included a thorough buying guide and recommended requirements for internet security laptops. Thus, software developers and ethical hackers will find this comprehensive article useful.
What Type of Laptop Should You Use For Pentesting?
Ethical hacking and pentesting will need you to install Kali Linux OS on your laptop. Also, you need to operate with software like Netsparker scanner, Wireshark, Metasploit, John The Ripper password Cracker, etc.
It means your laptop should be capable of running the Kali Linux OS and the required software for pentesting the apps, systems, and software. It means you can’t just pick any laptop and hope to perform some serious pentesting tasks. Thus, you need to look at a few factors to pick the right type of laptop for pentesting and ethical hacking. Also, it is vital since you will need to develop a pentesting lab, and it must operate smoothly and faster for your requirements.
Firstly, your laptop must have a faster processing and computational capacity. For this, you should choose a laptop with the latest processors. Ideally, you should choose laptops with Core i5 or Core i7 processors. And for the generation, you shouldn’t go beyond the 7th generation AMD or Intel processing systems. However, the latest the generation, the better it will be. Thus, you might choose Intel core-i5 or core-i7 along with 9th or 10th generation processing.
Next up, you also need faster laptops to work with the pentesting system and software. It is crucial because Kali Linux OS is a heavier operating system. Also, the software you will use is heavier too. It means you will need enough RAM capacity to run the heavy software. Therefore, you should choose laptops with at least 8GB RAM capacity to continue your pentesting task safely and smoothly. However, a 16GB RAM will work the best for pentesting requirements.
If you choose lower RAM capacity, the laptop will hang and stop working. So, you can’t continue the pentesting application.
Next up, you need to look at the storage option. You should get laptops with at least a 128GB storage option. Nonetheless, we recommend you get 256GB of storage for the laptops. It will let you split the storage for the pentesting requirements.
And if you love to take relief from the pentesting jobs, you can use the laptop for gaming and multimedia consumption. So, choose a laptop with a good-quality display. These days, laptops mostly have Full-HD or 2K displays. It will work fine. The GPU isn’t a necessary thing for these laptops. So, a built-in graphics card will work perfectly okay for your pentesting applications.
Also, you will need different requirements for the laptop to perform different types of pentesting and ethical hacking tasks. The following points will help you know better about it.
| Pentesting Task | Laptop Type |
| Web Application Penetration Testing |
|
| Malware Analysis |
|
| Network Penetration Testing |
|
| Digital Forensics |
|
| Mobile Penetration Testing |
|
| Cloud / Docker / IoT Testing |
|
Recommended Laptop Specifications By Pentesting Software?
When you use your laptop for a pentesting job, you will need to install software to perform it. Also, the software and OS will have different requirements. So, depending on which type of pentesting software you use, the laptop requirement will vary accordingly.
Thus, in the following table, we have compiled the basis and recommended requirements for the popular pentesting software. The list includes
| Software | Recommend Specs | Minimum Specs | Suitable for |
| Kali Linux | 50GB storage with multicore i3 to i10 processor and 8GB RAM | High-definition GPU with AMD E12GB RAM and Intel Core i3 processor | Develop and inspect pentesting tools |
| Netsparker | 8GB RAM with the Core i3-i5 processor; at least 7th generation | 1GB storage, 4GB RAM, and at least 1.8Ghz processing power | Scanning web loophole and vulnerability |
| Wireshark | 5GB storage, core i3 or dual-core processor with 2GB RAM | 1GB storage, 512MB RAM, and Intel or AMD processor (32/64bit) | Analyzing network |
| BeEF | MAC OS; it doesn’t support Windows OS | 3.xNode.JS 10, Ruby 2.5 or Mac OSX and higher versions | Attacks on the internet browser, web attack, and exploitation |
| John The Ripper | Any regular laptop | Any regular laptop | Inspecting password strength and security |
| Nessus | 50GB storage space, 16GB RAM, and at least 8.2GHz processor | 30GB storage, 4.2Ghz processor, and 8GB RAM | Scanning device vulnerability |
This table should help you know the laptop requirement for different pentesting jobs and the software you need for it. When you have the laptop requirement for the software that we mentioned above will surely make your penetrating testing task breeze and smooth.
Table of Contents:
If you are in a hurry to shortly find the right laptop for cyber security, ethical hacking, and pentesting applications, this table will help you. It has enough information to help you choose the right laptop in a snap.
Comparison Chart:
| Laptop Name | Weight | Processor | Speed | RAM | Storage | Display Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop | 5.07 pounds | Intel Core i7-10750H | 5.00 GHz | 16GB | 512GB | 15.6-inch |
| 2020 Apple MacBook Pro | 3 pounds | 8-core CPU with M1 chipÿ | 3.8 GHz | 8-Core neural engine | 256GB | 13.3-inch |
| ASUS VivoBook Thin and Lightweight FHD WideView Laptop | 3.70 pounds | Intel Core i5 8250U | 3.4 GHz | 8GB | 1TB | 17.3-inch |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 | 2.79 pounds | Intel Core i5 processor | 1.2GHz | 8GB | 128GB | 13.5-inch |
| Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020 | 8.75 pounds | Intel Core i7-10750H | 5.00 GHz | 16GB | 512GB | 15.6-inch |
| ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim Laptop | 4.41 pounds | Intel Core i7-10750H processor | 5GHz | 16GB | 1TB | 15.6-inch |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop | 5.41 pounds | AMD Ryzen 7 4800H | 2.9 GHz | 16GB | 512GB | 15.6-inch |
| Microsoft Surface Pro (5th Gen) | 1.73 pounds | Intel Core i7-10750H | Not specified | 16GB | 1TB | 12.3-inch |
| Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop | 3.97 pounds | Intel Core i5-10210U | 4.2 GHz | 8GB | 256GB | 15.6-inch |
The 10 Best Pentesting Laptop in 2023
When you are up for pentesting tasks, you want a laptop with a faster and updated processor. Also, the display should be good to look at it for hours as you check the possible problems in the app and software to restrict the black-hat hackers from taking advantage of the loopholes.
Our top 10 penetration testing laptops will surely fulfill your requirements.
1. Best Overall: Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Predator Helios with Intel Core i7-10750H 10th generation 6-core processor, GDDR6 VRAM along with NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics card and 16GB DDR4 RAM, is a beast. Once you start using the laptop, you will quickly find the difference in speed, processing performance, excellent GPU, and a soothing display.
What’s more, the laptop comes with the 10th generation Intel 6-core processor from the Core i7 series. It is a powerful multicore processor that can hit up to 5GHz speed. So, you will get the fastest processing with this laptop which is necessary for smooth penetration testing. Also, a fan inside the laptop runs quietly to let the CPU work for an extended time. Also, it stops overheating, and it will boost the performance of the CPU superbly.
Next up, you will get 16GB RAM. So, you can run multiple software simultaneously, including Kali Linux OS for the pentesting jobs. More RAM means your laptop is less likely to slow down during the testing time. Moreover, it will also allow you to play games in high settings. It is further equipped with 512GB SSD storage.
So, your laptop will boot up faster than you anticipate. It further makes your pentesting and gaming experience immersive and enjoyable. You may even upgrade the storage with the 1-open slot. So, you have great alternatives to customize with this laptop.
Talking about the display, Acer Predator comes with a 15.6-inch display with Full-HD resolution and 144Hz refresh rates. It is one of the industry-leading displays out there. So, rest assured of getting more than satisfactory performance from it. Its 300NITs pick brightness is enough for the harshest lighting in indoor situations.
Plus, its 144Hz refresh rates and 3ms of response time make it an ideal selection for gaming. It has a DTS X Ultra surround system for sound to give you an immersive experience. Additionally, you will get Killer DoubleShot Pro technology. It lets you choose the perfect bandwidth for different applications that improve the laptop performance by miles.
Last but not least, the laptop is built with premium materials with great sturdiness. So, it promises to serve you for several years with the least problems.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10750H Processor |
| Speed | Up to 5GHz |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 5.07 pounds |
| Battery | 6 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Acer Predator Helios with faster processing and a better GPU companion for pentesting jobs. Also, you will love its multitasking facility with the multicore CPU. Its cooling fan also protects it from overheating and keeps it secure.
2. Best Laptop For Kali Linux: 2020 Apple MacBook Pro
This MacBook Pro doesn’t need any introduction since it comes from Apple, the industry-leading laptop manufacturer. And Apple has once again proved their brilliance with this superior laptop that can handle your pentesting jobs plus any multitasking and editing jobs like a boss.
It’s powerful, high-performing, and more importantly, it looks slim and sleek. Yes, the MacBook Pro has an impressive design that everyone will love and appreciate. Also, the build quality is rugged and should survive years of harsh use.
Next up, you will love the M1 chip of this laptop. It makes the machine learning performance and CPU and GPU processing of the laptop more than anyone can imagine. It has an 8-core GPU and CPU. The CPU and GPU are 2.8X and 5X faster than average laptops. Therefore, you will find the laptop incredibly fast in the processing and graphics segment.
Moreover, the improved speed with consistency makes the 2020 Apple MacBook Pro a reliable and good laptop for cyber security. Also, the 9-core GPU and CPU are truly ideal for gaming with the highest possible settings. And as you play the game or perform pentesting jobs, its active cooling will take care of the performance consistency.
It has a unified memory of 8GB and 256GB SSD storage. These together will further improve the laptop’s performance, processing speed, and boot-up. You will also love its multitasking ability.
More importantly, Apple has provided a 13.3-inch retina display. It has 500NITs brightness. The display has the widest color gamut compatibility, brilliant vividness, and color accuracy. So, you will rarely find any complaints about the display.
Finally, the laptop has Apple’s Touch-ID lock for security. Also, its HD webcam is ready to make your online meetings and video call experience cinematic and superior. Also, did we forget to mention that this laptop has 20-hours of battery life? It’s definitely among the highest in the laptop industry. So, you will never need to carry an additional power bank for this laptop. It makes portability easy and convenient.
Specification
| CPU | M1 chip with 8-core processor |
| Speed | Up to 3.8GHz |
| RAM | 16-core Neural Engine |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Operating System | MAC |
| GPU | 8-core M1 chip |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 13.3-inch |
| Resolution | 2560X1600 |
| Display Type | IPS LCD |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
| Battery | 20 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The 2020 Apple MacBook Pro is a reliable, consistent, durable laptop for multitasking and content editing tasks. Also, you will love its machine learning facility for improving your pentesting performance.
3. Best For Large Storage: ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
If you want a laptop with the highest specs in the market, the Asus VivoBook is made for you. Yes, it comes with a staggering 1TB HDD, 512GB SSD storage, 8GB RAM, and a large 17.3-inch Full-HD display, making it one of the highest specs laptops in the market. Thus, it is made for those who love the bigger display and more storage space.
Also, apart from the specs, this laptop delivers excellent performance in real life. It is a great benefit since many laptops will have unthinkable specifications, but they fall apart in delivering the performance it supposes to have with the specs. And that’s where the Asus Vivo Book outperforms all laptops of its class.
Thanks to its Intel Core i5 8250U 8th generation processor, you can depend on its computation capacity. It can reach up to 3.4GHz speed with an average 1.6Ghz processing speed. So, you will find its application opening and handing snappy and responsive. On top of it, the laptop has 512GB SSD storage that further boosts its boot-up performance.
Furthermore, you will get 8GB of RAM to handle multitasking like a pro. Yes, it lets you switch between software and application as smoothly as possible without lags. Its snappiness and ghosting-free performance make it a great laptop for gamers as well. So, when you are bored with the pentesting jobs, you can refresh your mind with its excellent and immersive gaming performance. It helps you remain in good condition.
Apart from the RAM and storage, the laptop also features a brilliant display. Its 17.3-inch display with Full-HD resolution and ultra-thin 0.3-inch bezels make it the best display in the market. You will love the consuming multimedia experience with this beautiful display. So, you can choose from four display modes to meet your perfect viewing experience. The colors are accurate, crisp, and sharp.
Next, the laptop for penetration testing offers complete connectivity. So, you can use it with your primary computer and connect it with HDMI or UBC-C ports for better functions. The only drawback of the laptop is its 5 hours of battery which is definitely below average. But it’s understandable as it has a larger display that consumes more energy.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i5 8250U processor |
| Speed | Up to 3.4GHz |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 1TB HDD; 512GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 17.3-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 3.70 pounds |
| Battery | 5 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The VivoBook from Asus is for those who want maximum specifications. Also, its performance and consistency deserve accolades. Apart from its battery backup, the laptop shines brilliantly in every category.
4. Best For GPU and CPU Performance: Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Not many devices will meet the Kali Linux laptop requirements as perfectly as this Surface 3 laptop from Microsoft will do. The device has powerful processing, superior GPU performance, and a brilliant fast-charging facility.
To begin with, the Microsoft Surface 3 has a Core i5 processor. It is a multicore CPU designed to maximize your multitasking facility. In fact, it offers 2X faster processing than the predecessor Surface 2 laptop. So, you will appreciate its speedy and smooth processing. It is further boosted with the 128GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM.
Thus, the storage, RAM, and CPU meet tighter perfectly to deliver you an unthinkable service. You will surely love its multitasking capacity. Plus, it is compatible with Kali Linus OS and other pentesting software. So, you can use it for cyber security applications as a professional or just as a newbie for practicing.
Next up, it has AMD Radeon Vega 9 Graphics. It even allows you to use the laptop for content editing and gaming. Its 99% sRGB color spectrum compatibility is also great support for editors. A 13.5-inch IRIS display accompanies it. It delivers brilliant color accuracy, brightness, and contrast that we can’t help but appreciate.
Above all, the laptop is made to withstand daylong heavy-duty applications with 11.5 hours of battery lifespan. It has a fast-charging capacity that can charge 80% of the battery in less than 1-hour. So, you don’t need to worry about its battery at all. You can rather put all of your concentration on pentesting tasks and provide the world with better cyber security.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i5 processor |
| Speed | 1.2GHz |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 (Free upgrade to Windows 11) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Vega 9 |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 13.5-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 2.79 pounds |
| Battery | 11.5 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Microsoft Surface 3 is one of the fastest and more reliable laptops for cyber security applications. You will also love its portability with 2.79 pounds weight. Lastly, this laptop is made for all with a fast-charging capacity and 11.5 hours battery life.
5. Best For The Fastest Processing: Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020
5GHz of turbo speed, 6 processing cores, and cinematic viewing, all these make Razer Blade 15 a top-quality selection for the best budget laptop for pentesting plus gaming. The laptop looks thin and sleek with a CNC aluminum design. Thus, the device is incredibly durable and built to last long.
More importantly, the laptop features Intel Core i7-10750H 10th generation 6-core processor. It can hit up to 5GHz of turbo speed. It makes your computational processing easy and smooth. Also, multicore processing is a great help for pentesting jobs as you might need to run multiple applications simultaneously. The multi-function usability is further improved with the 16GB RAM. So, it delivers snappy performance.
For gameplay, the device equips with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU. It renders cinematic image quality with brilliant output. Furthermore, the 15.6-inch display looks amazing with Full-HD resolution. You will fall in love with its color accuracy, contrast, increased brightness, and consistency without lags and ghosting issues. Furthermore, it facilitates 144Hz refresh rates.
Thus, its fastest response time and refresh rate make it a perfect choice for gamers. Also, the display has flicker-free technology. So, it is suitable for pentesting jobs that will often require hours and might put pressure on your eyes.
Additionally, the cutting-edge technology of the laptop is truly appreciable. It will, therefore, deliver exceedingly well performance. And for usability and connectivity, you will get USB type A and C ports, Thunderbolt 3, Gigabit, etc. These enhanced connections will make the display a great option for a true classic desktop experience.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10750H processor |
| Speed | Up to 5.00GHz |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 |
| GPU RAM | 6GB |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 8.75 pounds |
| Battery | 6 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Razer Blade 15 laptop is suggested for faster processing. It sure beats all the other laptops of its class with multicore computational speed. Also, you can use the laptop for several years, which turns its high-pricing to an advantage.
6. Best For Laptop With Trackpad: ASUS ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim Laptop
While you perform high-end ethical hacking and penetration tasks, you can redefine your fashion with the Asus Zen Book 15. The laptop has a sleek, stylish, and attractive design that will give your workstation a different but positive vibe. Also, the sleek design is complemented with sturdy engineering to offer you a long-lasting lifespan.
Besides the longevity, this laptop has everything you want for a high-end penetration testing laptop. To begin with, you will get Intel Core i7-10750H for faster and smoother processing. It is further improved with the GTX 1650 Ti GPU for stunning visuals. This device’s GPU and CPU performance make it an ideal choice for pentesting, cyber security, and even heavy-duty editing tasks. So, you will receive a great multitasking facility with this device.
Furthermore, the device has a 15.6-inch display with a cinematic viewing experience. It is among the best displays out there. So, you will surely find it user-friendly and brilliant for watching anything on it. Also, the laptop has a 5.65-inch Screen pad. You can use it to switch between apps. It also lets you use it as a number pad. More importantly, the screen pad lets you write on it with S-pen. So, you can use it to jot down your ideas. It can be a game-changer for content editors and pentesting workers.
Finally, the laptop has brilliant stereo sound quality and best-in-the-class noise cancelation for gaming. It is a great help for video conferencing and gaming. Also, you will get 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD which is surely suitable for multitasking.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10750H processor |
| Speed | Up to 5.00GHz |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU | GTX 1650 Ti |
| GPU RAM | 4GB |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 4.41 pounds |
| Battery | 7 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
It is one of the best laptops for Kali Linux out there. Its multicore processor supports snappy multitasking. Also, the Screen pad lets you use it for graphics and animation editing, giving the laptop an edge over other devices.
7. Best For Gaming And Editing: Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop
If you are looking for a Lenovo laptop for pentesting, the Legion 5 is the right device to go for your cyber security jobs. The laptop holds up brilliantly against the high-end laptops on the list and offers smoother performance.
To begin with, this laptop comes with AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor. It is one of the fastest and more reliable CPUs in the industry. So, you will find the computational processing superb. Plus, it has 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage for quick boot-up and multitasking with ease. We must give accolades to its improved designing for editing, multitasking, gaming, and pentesting requirements.
Furthermore, this laptop equips with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti GPU for editors and gamers. It offers a blazing-fast response that you will surely appreciate. Its powerful GPU and CPU performance make it a top choice for NFT artists and miners.
More importantly, the advanced cooling system protects the laptop from overheating and CPU throttling as you perform heavy-duty pentesting jobs and gaming. It also boosts the lifespan of the laptop unthinkably. The Legion Coldfront2.00 technology makes it possible for the device.
The display has 144Hz refresh rates with Full-HD resolution. Also, the 15.6-inch display renders brilliant colors for an enhanced gaming experience. Plus, the GPU and CPU combine to boost the frame rates. So, your gaming experience will surely give you an immersive gaming experience without any lags and display tearing. Now, getting a headshot isn’t a challenging task at all.
Last but not least, its keyboard performance is exceedingly well-built. It is a great keyboard for typing, gaming, and pentesting. Also, the device is made for a sturdy lifespan that should let you use the laptop for a couple of years with ease.
Specification
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor |
| Speed | 2.9GHz |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti |
| GPU RAM | 6GB |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 5.41 pounds |
| Battery | 5 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Lenovo Legion 5 will make your pentesting job a brisk experience. Also, it is a great laptop for gaming. So, you will enjoy its 2-in-1 functioning for sure.
8. Best For Cyber Security: Microsoft Surface Pro (5th Gen)
The Surface Pro from Microsoft has always remained a top choice among editors and graphic designers for its Surface Pen application with a brilliant display. But, very few people know that this device is a monster when it comes to penetration tasks and cyber security. Yes, you will love its brilliance for pentesting jobs.
Firstly, you will get 3-in-1 convertibility for this device. Yes, you can convert it to a full-fledged laptop with a keyboard, tablet, and studio mode. You can use the device the way you want to match your working modes. Also, it has sturdy hinges for quick and safe conversion.
Next up, the Surface Pro equips with 1TB storage, 16GB RAM, and Intel Core i-7 7th generation CPU for performance. The processing is smooth and snappy. Also, 16GB RAM can tackle multitasking with ease. It lets you open and run multiple apps simultaneously without lags and delays.
In fact, Microsoft claims that it is their fastest Surface Pro. So, you can depend on its performance. Apart from the processing and GPU performance, the device has an outstanding display that offers you the most immersive experience.
The 12.3-inch display is praised for its color accuracy, vibrancy, and contrast. Plus, it lets you design anything with an exquisite touch and pen sensitivity. So, you will surely love its display management, especially if you are a graphic and content editor.
More importantly, the device has 13.5 hours of battery life. So, it will easily survive a whole day of pentesting job. The device weighs only 1.73 pounds. So, you will love its enhanced portability anywhere. It frees you from working on a fixed spot. And when you are bored with your cyber security jobs, you can always refresh your mind with Netflix or gaming in its brilliant display that renders real-life colors and amazing sound quality.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10750H processor |
| Speed | Not specified |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU | Intel Iris |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 12.3-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 1.73 pounds |
| Battery | 7 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Surface Pro 5th-gen device is the perfect combination of performance and fashion. Also, it is a good laptop for cyber security with excellent processing. It works with most pentesting software without any problems.
9. Best Budget Laptop For Pentesting: Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
The Acer Aspire is one of the cheapest laptops for hacking in the market. So, it can be a great solution for beginners in ethical hacking and cyber security jobs. Moreover, the laptop doesn’t compromise with any essential features. It is a great advantage since many laptops will exclude crucial features for their cost-cutting mechanism.
First of all, the laptop has brilliant engineering and aspects for connectivity, entertainment, and pentesting tasks. It is equipped with a core i-5 10th generation Intel CPU. Thus, you will find its multitasking performance brilliant.
Moreover, the laptop delivers quick responsiveness and refreshing rates. So, you will find the device incredibly well-built for gaming and pentesting. The device also has a good GPU capacity for optimal editing and gaming experience.
What’s more, the laptop has a brilliant display. Yes, its 1080P 15.6-inch display offers brilliant color output and accuracy. It combines with the Acer Harmony sound system. The complete surround system of the laptop combined with the brilliant display to offer one of the most immersive experiences to the users.
The laptop has built-in Windows Hello with a fingerprint sensor for security purposes. So, it will secure your data from unauthorized use. It is a great benefit for cyber security and ethical hackers to protect their data and information.
Last but not least, the laptop is built sturdily. So, you can depend on its longevity with heavy-duty hacking and editing tasks. However, its 5 hours of battery life is below average. So, it needs to be a concerning issue for you.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10210U processor |
| Speed | 4.2Ghz |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| CPU | Intel |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 3.97 pounds |
| Battery | 5 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Acer Aspire 5 is a brilliant laptop that can easily perform pentesting and other applications. You will also find its pricing pretty pocket-friendly. So, we didn’t doubt to put in our list of the best laptop for pentesting.
10. Cheapest Laptop For Hacking: Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
Another Lenovo laptop for pentesting that makes its place in our review is the Lenovo Ideapad L340. It got its place deservedly in this list with high-end pricing, different user modes, and unmatched performance in real life.
Talking about affordability, we found this device’s best laptop for pentesting out there, sitting right next to the Acer Aspire 5. So, you will love to get this device to kick off your pentesting and ethical hacking career with a bang. Also, the laptop doesn’t compromise with the performance category despite being so affordable.
Moreover, it equips with an Intel Core i-5 9th generation CPU, 512GB SSD storage, and 8GB RAM. It makes multitasking a breeze task. Also, the device has integrated its CPU and RAM to deliver a one-of-a-kind user experience.
If you are a gamer, you will appreciate its NVIDIA GeForce GPU. It makes your gaming experience even better. What’s more, the laptop has Dopoundsy audio. Therefore, its CPU, GPU, and sound performance are all set to give you the most immersive and realistic gaming moments.
More importantly, the laptop is compatible with all software and application available for pentesting and ethical hacking. You will also love its swiftness while switching between different applications without lags and delays.
Therefore, the laptop has brilliant performance assurance. It is also built with cutting-edge technology to give you great durability.
Specification
| CPU | Intel Core i5 9th gen processor |
| Speed | 2.4Ghz |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| GPU | Intel |
| GPU RAM | Integrated |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920X1080 |
| Display Type | LED |
| Weight | 4.97 pounds |
| Battery | 9 hours |
Why it is Recommended?
The Lenovo laptop is made for those who work hard to improve the cyber security for user end devices and applications. Also, it is a great option for content watching and editing with wide color gamut compatibility.
What to Look For While Buying the Best Laptop for Pentesting?
A normal laptop won’t meet your requirements when you are in ethical hacking, cyber security, and pentesting jobs. Thus, you need to look at a few factors to find good laptops for cyber security.
Processor Capacity
Pentesting and cyber security applications are often heavier and loaded with features. Thus, the CPU should be capable of running the software and application without any problem. Also, a better processor will execute the tasks faster.
We recommend you to get a laptop with at least a core i-5 CPU and not less than 7th generation upgrades. But, you can choose higher generations and better CPUs for improved execution of the pentesting jobs and multitasking.
RAM Capacity
Pentesting is a high-end task. Also, you will need to run multiple applications and software simultaneously to perform the pentesting jobs. Therefore, the RAM will play a crucial part in opening and managing the apps.
Usually, 8GB RAM will work fine for opening multiple applications. Nonetheless, we suggest choosing a laptop with 16GB RAM capacity for better performance. You should avoid laptops with 4GB RAM as they won’t open multiple windows and applications.
Storage Option
Pentesting jobs require you to download and run multiple software and applications on your laptop. So, the laptop should come with an ample storage option to accommodate the software and applications without any lags. Thus, 256GB storage is a bare minimum for good laptops for cyber security. Also, SSD storage is preferable as it helps the CPU execute the tasks faster.
Lastly, look at the upgrading option. It will be useful for future uses.
Display
Pentesting applications don’t need any high-end display. Thus, it isn’t a vital factor to look at for pentesting laptops. You can get a laptop with a quality display without any inconveniences.
We recommend you get a laptop with a Full-HD display. Also, the display’s refresh rates can be a crucial factor for gamers. So, you might choose a laptop with 144Hz refresh rates for better usability. Finally, for the screen size, it depends on your preference. You can choose from 12.3-inch to 15.6-inch screens, depending on your favorites.
Graphics Card
Unless you want to enjoy gaming during your off time from pentesting jobs, the graphics card isn’t an issue at all. It is because the pentesting application is all about CPU and processing performance. But, you may get laptops with 2GB to 4GB graphics cards for standard gameplay.
You might even choose laptops with 6GB or 8GB GPUs if you love editing. Usually, you will get Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD graphics card for your laptops.
Battery Life
Pentesting jobs can be challenging and tiresome and often requires hours to complete. The last thing you won’t want is to see your laptop switching off during your penetration test. So, what’s the standard battery life for pentesting laptops?
Ideally, 6 hours of battery life is a bare minimum for these devices. Nonetheless, you should get laptops with 7 hours plus battery backup for daylong usability.
Pricing
The laptops for ethical hacking and cyber security come in a varied range of pricing. Yes, you will get these laptops from $500 t0 $2500, or even more. Thus, you should fix your recommended requirements for the pentesting job and determine the budget accordingly. It will help you get a good laptop for pentesting tasks within your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Windows Good For Pentesting?
Honestly speaking, we don’t recommend any specific OS for pentesting applications. It will depend on the type of cyber security and pentesting jobs you will perform. However, paid Windows and tools will be a good option if you can afford them.
How Much RAM Do I Need For Pentesting?
Pentesting will need multiple tools and applications to run on your laptop. So, your laptop should have enough RAM capacity to handle these tools simultaneously. You should get laptops with 8GB RAM for running these tools efficiently.
Which Processor Is Best Suited For Running The Kali Linux OS?
Kali Linux is the most popular and reliable cyber security OS. But, it needs a powerful processor. Experts say you should get at least an AMD E1 or Intel core i-5 processor for optimal performance. Also, your laptop should have 20GB of free storage to run Kali Linux OS.
Can Machines With Low Ram Run The Kali Linux OS?
Yes, you can run Kali Linux OS on a low RAM machine. You can use the Kali Linux OS with 512MB RAM as a bare minimum. It will work fine as Secure Shell basic to stop hackers. But, you should get devices with at least 4GB RAM for better performance.
Which Major Aspects Should Be Kept In Mind While Shopping For Pentesting Laptops?
You should look at the RAM and CPU performance of the device when looking for pentesting laptops. The CPU should be powerful enough to execute the pentesting jobs faster. Also, it must equip with good RAM capacity for running multiple tools simultaneously.
What Os Do The Hackers Use?
Hackers mostly prefer Linux OS to perform their black-hat hacking jobs. They choose Linux OS due to its free security codes and limitless security distros. It allows the hackers to customize the Linux OS according to their requirements.
Conclusion
Cyber security has become a buzzing word in the internet world. As hackers try to invade your device and get access to personal data, pentesting job has grown into high demand. Thus, if you are up for the pentesting and ethical hacking jobs, you will need a good laptop to safely run the necessary tools and OS.
In this regard, this review on the best laptop for pentesting will be useful. Here, we have included 10 high-end devices that deliver excellent CPU performance, brilliant RAM management, and improved responsiveness.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop is our editors’ pick in this list. The device has a powerful Intel Core i7-10750H CPU and 16GB of RAM facility that lets you quickly run Kali Linux and other tools for superior pentesting performance. Also, its 144HZ refresh rate and 3ms of response time will help you in gaming for refreshment.
Our runner-up is the 2020 Apple MacBook Pro. It is equipped with an 8-core CPU and GPU for the best-in-the-class performance. Also, it has the most advanced security system that you will surely love during your ethical hacking tasks.
Being an enthusiast laptop savvy, Evan Charles shares his wisdom on LaptopEcho to help others pick the right machine. He loves guiding people to get the best out of their laptops as he does.
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