Virtualization is becoming very popular because of the numerous benefits it provides in the computer sector especially when it comes to servers.
Although it has numerous benefits, it doesn’t change the fact that you need powerful hardware in a laptop just to run virtual machines.
Honestly, desktops are much more suited for virtualization than laptops because they have much better performance and are easily upgradeable.
But, if you want to flawlessly run virtual machines having the best laptop helps immensely. This makes running VMware, Hyper-V, Red Hat etc smoothly.
It’s for this reason that we reviewed the best laptops for virtualization and running virtual machines. Also, the best laptops for virtual box and VMware.
A Unix based OS. Plenty of RAM. And a Powerful Processor. The Apple MacBook Pro is the best option for virtual box.
Workstations are great for running virtual machines because they have powerful processors and plenty of RAM. In this case, the HP ZBook Studio is one of them.
Affordable and easy to upgrade. You can turn the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 into a very powerful laptop.
A Unix based OS. Plenty of RAM. And a Powerful Processor. The Apple MacBook Pro is the best option for virtual box.
Workstations are great for running virtual machines because they have powerful processors and plenty of RAM. In this case, the HP ZBook Studio is one of them.
Affordable and easy to upgrade. You can turn the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 into a very powerful laptop.
Last update on 2024-04-16 at 17:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
System Requirements For Virtualization and Virtual Machines
Knowing if your laptop will be able to handle virtual machines is very important. Here are the system requirements need to run VMware.
- 64-bit Processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
- CPU support for VM Monitor Mode Extension (VT-x on Intel CPU’s).
- Minimum of 4 GB memory. As virtual machines share memory with the Hyper-V host, you will need to provide enough memory to handle the expected virtual workload.
Which Laptop Is Best For Virtualization and Virtual Machines?
Here are a few things to know when getting the best laptop for virtualization, VMware and virtual machines. But, if you are short on time and had to pick quickly.
The Apple MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 15 are the best virtualization laptops. Both have powerful hardware to run VMware whilst having plenty of battery life.
Which Processor Is Best For Running Virtual Machines?
Virtualization is very demanding on the CPU especially if you are running several virtual machines.
There is also the purpose for which each virtual machine was created. Ideally, Intel i7 processors are the best. For AMD, you should go with Ryzen 7 laptops.
If you are on a budget. Intel Core i5s and AMD Ryzen 5 will suffice.
How Much RAM Do You need For Virtualization?
A virtual machine takes at least 4 GB of RAM depending on the task it’s given. If you plan on running several virtual machines on your laptop you need a minimum of 16 GB of RAM for everything to function properly.
The recommended amount of RAM is 32GB or higher.
How Much Storage Do You Need For Virtual Machines?
Solid state drives are the best because they access data faster giving a huge performance boost compared to other types of storage. With SSDs you get faster loads times for VMs and data.
A hybrid drive is also a good option because they also provide faster load times but not as fast as SSDs. Only consider HDDs if you are on a serious budget. As soon as some cash comes in swap it for an SSD.
- Do All CPUs Support Virtual Machines Or Virtualization?
- Does GPU Matter For Virtualization?
- Does CPU Matter For Virtualization?
Best Laptops For Virtualization Reviewed & Rated
➕ Pros
- Lightweight
- Great battery life
- Excellent performance
- Solid build quality
➖ Cons
- Pricey
- No Type-A ports
- Runs hot
CPU: M1 Pro | Graphics: Integrated | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 16″ Retina Display | Storage: 1TB SSD
The MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops for virtualization. It has everything in terms of performance and reliability. It is also lightweight and portable making it easy to carry around.
The display is a 16-inch Retina display which makes the screen vibrant and sharp. The display is bright but doesn’t have any touchscreen functionality to it.
The MacBook Pro is powered by an M1 Pro and 16GB of ram. The hardware is powerful enough for running virtual machines.
The MacBook Pro has four Thunderbolt 3 ports which you can use to connect to high-resolution monitors.
Battery life is also above average lasting 9-10 hours under normal usage something that is common in MacBook Pros.
To sum it all up, the MacBook Pro combines excellent performance and portability making it one of the best laptops for running virtual machines and VMware.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Insane processing power
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Solid build quality
- Plenty of storage
- Long battery life
➖ Cons
- Pricey
- Thick and heavy
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 32GB | Screen: 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) Touchscreen | Storage: 2TB SSD + 2TB HDD
The HP ZBook 15 is a solid laptop to run virtual machines. It practically meets all the requirements for virtualization.
Plenty of RAM and a powerful processor that can boost to high clock speeds. To be more specific, an Intel Core i7 is a high-performance processor.
The minimum amount of RAM needed for virtual machines is 16GB. But, the HP ZBook Studio has 32GB RAM.
Combined with its processor, you have enough computing power to run several virtual machines on it. Plus, it has plenty of storage.
When it comes to the display, you are looking at a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display. It is sharp, vibrant and has above-average colour accuracy.
Talking about cases, the build quality is great, made from aluminium with a smooth black finish. The HP ZBook 15 is a beautiful laptop and looks premium. There is little to no flex on the body.
To sum it all up, the HP ZBook 15 is one of the best laptops for virtualization and running virtual machines because it has a lot of RAM, storage and the performance to do so.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Great performance
- Premium build quality
- Lightweight
- Beautiful display
➖ Cons
- 4K display impacts battery life
- Runs hot
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 3050 Ti | RAM: 32GB | Screen: 15.6″ 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS | Storage: 512GB SSD
If you want the best Dell laptop for Virtualization. You are looking at it – The Dell XPS 15.
Let’s talk about performance.
It is powered by an Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM and an NVIDIA GTX 3050 Ti. A powerful processor and plenty of RAM is more than enough to run IDEs and Virtual Machines (VMs) with ease.
Furthermore, hardware like this makes it future-proof. The i7 processor is a six-core high-performance CPU that will be useful for a long time.
Plus, 32GB RAM means you won’t be upgrading for a long time.
When it comes to the display, you have a 15.6 inch 4K (3840 x 2160) display. What that means for you is that.
It is bright, has great viewing angles and has high colour accuracy and reproduction. Plus, you will be able to fit more applications on the screen when coding. In short, a beautiful display.
Unfortunately, such high-resolution displays eat into battery life. Don’t be mistaken. The battery life is still great though.
But, would have been far longer if it has a Full HD display. It can last 8-9 hours under consistent use which is still above average.
Every programmer is concerned about the keyboard. The Dell XPS 15 doesn’t disappoint. It has the right about of tactile feedback, key spacing and travel.
There are a few things that stop the Dell XPS 15 from being the best laptop. First, it’s pricey. This is understandable because of its 4K display, storage and RAM.
And finally, it runs hot. But this happens when you run very demanding loads like AAA title games.
Still, the Dell XPS 15 is one of the best laptops for virtualization.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Solid performance with a lot of ram
- Thunderbolt 3 port
- Plenty of battery life and good keyboard
➖ Cons
- Dim display
CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 32GB | Screen: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS | Storage: 512GB SSD
Built like a tank and a great keyboard. The only downside of the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 it’s the dim display. A 15.6-inch FHD with a little below average brightness.
The same for colour accuracy and reproduction.
Aside from that, this laptop is near perfect for running virtual machines.
The keyboard is great. It offers great typing experience which is something all ThinkPads provide. The tactile feedback and travel are just right.
Build quality is solid. Strong enough to last generations. Plus, it weighs close to 4 pounds or 1.8 kg.
For the performance, this thing has been specced out to the MAX. An Intel Core i5, 32GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.
Now, this kind of hardware tells you two things: the laptop is future-proof and multitasking won’t be a problem ever again. You can put your mind at ease in matters of computing performance.
Battery life is also excellent. You can use it continuously for 9-10 hours. You also have a Thunderbolt 4 port which allows you to hook up it up to external monitors.
Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is the best laptop for virtualization. A solid keyboard, build quality, and performance makes it a great choice. Highly-recommended.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Affordable
- Thin and light
- Solid performance
- Good battery life
➖ Cons
- Not the best display
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS | Storage: 512GB SSD
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a solid budget laptop for running virtual machines. An AMD Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM and a massive amount of storage. Enough performance to run a few virtual machines.
On top of that, the keyboard is backlit and provides a comfortable typing experience. It has the right amount of tactile feedback and travel.
The port selection is decent, a USB Type-C, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Talking about thin and light, the ASUS VivoBook weighs almost 4 pounds and it is just a little over an inch thick.
Battery life is also above average lasting 8-9 hours of normal usage. Even though, ASUS claims the display is colour rich in the specifications, it is really average.
The VivoBook sports a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) which has average colour accuracy and reproduction. Sharpness and brightness are decent.
Nevertheless, the ASUS VivoBook is a great laptop because of its affordable price and solid performance.
Overall, the best laptops for virtualization and running virtual machines.
Where To Buy
➕ Pros
- Easily upgradeable
- Cheap
- Built like a tank
➖ Cons
- Not the best battery life
- Not the best display
CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.5″ HD (1366 x 768) IPS | Storage: 500GB SSD
Most laptops that can handle virtualization can be very expensive. But, the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 is a great workstation especially if you are on a tight budget.
It is powered by an Intel Core i5 and 8GB RAM. It has decent performance for everyday tasks and running virtual machines. But, the biggest benefit is that you can easily upgrade it to a powerhouse without breaking the bank.
You can upgrade the RAM to 32 GB and the storage to a 1 TB SSD without costing so much. In running virtual machines, a powerful CPU and a large amount of RAM is what’s needed for smooth performance.
Basically, upgrading the ThinkPad allows you to achieve this at the lowest cost possible.
The battery life is poor but you can easily solve that by getting a new battery. The display is a 12.5-inch HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare.
To sum it all up, the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 is a cheap workstation that can be easily upgraded allowing it to handle Virtual Box and other related virtualization software well.
Highly recommended as the best cheap laptop for virtualization.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for the best-recommended laptops for running virtual machines and virtualization.
As you have noticed, all the laptops have a lot of RAM, storage, and a powerful processor. These three are important in running virtual machines.
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