Ready to sharpen your hacking skills? The kind meant for legal purposes, not illegal hacking. To be specific, white-hat hacking.
Then you need the best laptop you can get your hands on. Aside from getting a Raspberry Pi, you also need a working laptop.
In this article, we list the best laptops for hacking.
Great hardware and a decent keyboard is what makes the ASUS Vivobook 15 a SOLID laptop for hacking.
SBuilt like a tank. The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 has one of the most comfortable keyboards on the market.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T430 is a hacker’s best friend. A cheap laptop that you can easily upgrade.
Great hardware and a decent keyboard is what makes the ASUS Vivobook 15 a SOLID laptop for hacking.
SBuilt like a tank. The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 has one of the most comfortable keyboards on the market.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T430 is a hacker’s best friend. A cheap laptop that you can easily upgrade.
Last update on 2024-04-19 at 16:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Laptops Do Hackers Use?
The ASUS Vivobook S15 takes the spot of the best laptop for hacking. It’s affordable with plenty of performance and will get the job done.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T430 and Acer Aspire 5 are the best cheap laptops for hacking and cyber security. The Thinkpad T430 is very easy to upgrade without breaking the bank.
Same goes for Acer Aspire 5. You can fully spec these laptops without spending so much on them.
Do You Need A Powerful Computer For Hacking?
No, any computer is good for hacking. What is more important is covering your steps when the hacking is taking place or has been completed.
If you are worried about being traced after every hack. It’s best to get a cheap and disposable laptop with an external drive.
Is MacBook Good For Hacking?
MacBooks are good for hacking. But, the problem is their expensive price tags and the inability to upgrade the hardware.
You will be better off getting a cheap laptop, install Linux and upgrading the RAM and storage for hacking and cyber security purposes.
Buying Guide For The Best Laptop For Hacking
Here are a few things to know when looking for a laptop for hacking.
CPU
You need a capable CPU if you want to run multiple VMs, software, demanding tasks, etc. Intel Core i5 or higher is highly recommended.
The same applies to AMD processors – Ryzen 5 or higher. If you choose an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 make sure it has a lot of RAM.
RAM
This brings us to RAM. This piece of hardware is what allows you to run several applications at once and also open demanding applications. Insufficient RAM will result in your laptop freezing or slowing down.
A capable CPU and a good amount of RAM go hand in hand. For this reason, the minimum amount of RAM a hacking laptop should have is 8GB. If you have the budget, 16GB RAM will serve you well and for a long time.
GPU
Hacking software does not rely on GPUs to run. Unless you play demanding games. Laptops with integrated GPUs will suffice.
Storage
Multiple VMs and software eat up a lot of space, so you need sufficient storage for them. 512GB or higher is highly recommended.
And it should be SSD storage if your budget can cover it because SSDs are faster in data transfer, launching applications, boot-up speeds, etc.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t get SSD storage.
Budget
Knowing how much you are willing to spend on a laptop is very important. You will make sure you get your money’s worth and choose something that will meet your needs.
Here Are The Best Hacking Laptops
➕ Pros
- Great performance
- Lightweight and thin
- Plenty of storage
- Decent battery life
➖ Cons
- Dull display
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5/7 | Graphics: AMD Vega Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6″ Thin Bezel Full HD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare | Storage: 1TB SSD
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a great value laptop that can satisfy your hacking needs. In addition to that, the ASUS VivoBook line is known to have great compatibility with Linux OS. This makes things easier for you.
The performance is great. A fast processor and fast storage. The AMD Ryzen 5/7 processor makes computing tasks a breeze. And the 1TB SSD ensures fast boot-up speeds and enough storage for files.
The 8GB RAM might not be enough. But, you can easily upgrade to run VMs and more.
The display is a Full HD (1920 x 1080). It’s sharp, has great viewing angles and decent colour accuracy. However, the brightness is on the low side and so makes it difficult for outdoor use.
Battery life is decent. You can expect 8 hours under consistent use. It’s still below the average of 8 hours. But that’s more than enough to finish a lot of tasks.
The keyboard is decent but with a few flaws. The first one is the backlighting which needs some proper adjustment. The second one is the flex. The keyboard flex is noticeable when you apply some pressure to it. The good news is that the typing experience is pleasant.
Overall, the ASUS Vivobook 15 has great hardware making it one of the best laptops for hacking.
➕ Pros
- Build like a tank
- Solid performance
- Above-average battery life
- Great keyboard
➖ Cons
- Average colour accuracy
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) | Storage: 500GB SSD
Above average in performance – Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM and 500GB SSD. You won’t have any major performance problems when using this laptop for hacking.
Furthermore, the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is not made from cheap plastic and has a solid case. In other words, because of its great build quality. This laptop will last a very long time.
We can’t also forget about the keyboard. Although, it might not be as great as the Lenovo ThinkPad X-series.
The keyboard is far better than most laptops out there. The layout is good with keys being well-spaced and the tactile feedback is decent.
Battery life is above average being able to last 8-9 hours under the consistent entry of code.
Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is one of the best laptops for hackers. A solid case, above average performance, good battery life and keyboard make it a solid choice.
The only downside is the not so colour accurate display. Unless you watch movies or work with colours it isn’t a problem.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Solid Overall Performance
- Nice Professional Design
- Lightweight
➖ Cons
- Display Is Not Full HD
- Loud Fans
CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6” HD (1920 x 1080) IPS | Storage: 256GB SSD
The HP Pavilion 15 is another great value laptop you can use for hacking. The overall design is great. A simple aluminum chassis that gives off a professional vibe.
Plus, it is a lightweight device. It weighs 4.5 pounds and it’s under an inch thick. This makes it perfect for traveling or moving around.
The performance itself is decent. An Intel Core i5 and 8GB RAM. Enough processing power for coding, multitasking, and running a few VMs.
The display is also great. A Full HD display that is sharp and has decent viewing angles.
The other downside is its fans. It kicks up and makes a lot of noise under heavy loads. If you are sensitive to noise, it will be a big problem for you.
About the battery life, it is above average. You are looking at 8-9 hours under consistent use.
Overall, the HP Pavilion 15 is a laptop with solid performance and good battery life. A solid option if you are looking for the best cheap laptop for hacking.
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➕ Pros
- Solid Performance
- Easy To Setup
- Highly Compatible with Linux OS
➖ Cons
- Loud Fans
- Not The Best Battery Life
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 | Graphics: AMD Radeon | RAM: 32GB | Screen: 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS | Storage: 1TB SSD
Dell laptops are known for their great compatibility with Linux OS. And the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is no exception. It’s also an affordable device that doesn’t require you to break the bank.
For a budget device, the performance is impressive. An AMD Ryzen 7 serves as its CPU. The same processor is found in the higher-end or premium ultrabooks. So, for your hacking needs, it will get the job done.
In addition to that, it has 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Enough RAM for programming and a fast enough SSD for fast boot-up speeds and data processing.
The display on the Dell Inspiron is not impressive. And to be honest, it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is if you can see the code.
You don’t need a colour-accurate display or a bright display to run Kali Linux.
What is important is a large enough display that is anti-glare or a matte display.
Matte displays are easy on the eyes allowing you to code for long sessions. It’s a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080).
The fans really do kick in when it’s under substantial load. And the battery life is decent, i.e. 8 hours.
You are looking at 6-7 hours under consistent use. It is pretty respectable but it’s still below average.
The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is the best Dell laptop for hacking. Fast performance and high compatibility with Linux OS.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Solid Overall Performance
- Plenty Of Ports
- Lightweight
- Backlit Keyboard
➖ Cons
- Bloatware
- Low display brightness
- Low storage space
CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: NVIDIA MX250 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS | Storage: 256GB SSD
The Acer Aspire 5 offers great value in terms of its price and performance. This makes it great for hacking because aside from its decent performance. It is an affordable laptop that will get the job done when it comes to hacking.
Talking about performance. You get an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. That’s enough performance for the majority of programming tasks.
But, if you want to run multiple VMs, you have to upgrade its RAM to at least 16GB. The same applies to the SSD so that there is enough space to store the VM software.
The display itself is quite good. A 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS with fairly thin bezels. It’s bright enough and colour accuracy is above average. Unfortunately, the brightness is low.
This laptop has plenty of ports and decent battery life. You can get 8 hours of power under consistent use. Overall, one of the best cheap laptops for hackers.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Cheap
- Easy To Upgrade
- Built Like A Tank
➖ Cons
- Poor Display
- Poor Battery Life
- No Webcam
CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 14″ HD (1366×768) LCD| Storage: 128GB SSD
The Lenovo ThinkPad T430 value lies in the fact that it’s the best cheap laptop for hacking. And the best part is because it’s so cheap upgrading it to have some serious performance won’t cost much.
This makes the best cheap laptop for hacking when starting out. The build quality is solid and built like a tank. The main reason why it still exists in the market.
The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB SSD. Although the processor is old it is still capable. And as mentioned earlier, you can easily upgrade the RAM and SSD. So, it’s not a problem.
Just like most old or outdated laptops compared to today’s laptops, you will find that the display is poor. Laptop displays have improved over the years.
They now have a higher resolution and colour gamut. If you think having a great display is a deal-breaker, then you will be disappointed with this laptop.
The battery life also sucks. It behaves like a desktop. Plug the charger and it turns on. Disconnect the charger and the ThinkPad T430 shuts down.
Fortunately, you can swap out the battery for a new one. That will give you at least 2-3 hours of use.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T430 is the best cheap laptop for hacking. It’s cost-effective, easy to upgrade and built like a tank. You could call it a hacker laptop.
These are its main strengths and the reason why it’s recommended by a lot of programmers. Upgrading this will easily allow you to run VMs.
Final Thoughts
A solid laptop with good performance is all you need for hacking. Fortunately, our list of the best laptops is more than solid, so you don’t have a problem here.
That’s it for the best laptops for hacking.
