Best Laptops For Pentesting
Effie Crona Mar 22, 2023 7:12 AM
This review rates the best laptops for pentesting. We’ll review specifications, advantages, and disadvantages. Click on it to see more!
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If you are asking this question, you should take a closer look at the following laptop models from our rating. The choice is yours!
Source Youtube GizmosZone
Best Laptops For Pentesting Reviews
#1. ASUS ZenBook UX333FAC XS77 - Best For Compact Design
Important Specifications
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CPU: Core i7;
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RAM capacity: 16 GB;
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Display characteristics: 13.3″, 1920 × 1080, IPS matrix;
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GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620;
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Storage devices: 512 GB SSD;
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Battery life: 14 hours;
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Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 0.55 inches;
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Weight: 2.22 pounds.
Product's highlights
This laptop from ASUS appears among the best laptops for hacking for its long battery life. We have appreciated it not only for such dignity but also for the screen size of 13.3 inches, which allows you to put it in any bag.
The display comes with IPS-matrix Full HD resolution with excellent color reproduction and comfortable viewing angles.
You will not have problems with a lack of RAM because it has 8 GB, enough for a hacker. Thanks to its compact size and a fairly powerful battery, you can work 14 hours on the road, travel, at home, and in the office.
The only problem is that it doesn't come with a 3.5mm mini-jack port for headphones. This omission does not affect the work of the pen-testers much.
What We Like
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Compact, slim body;
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Stylish design;
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Anti-glare, matte screen;
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The keyboard is convenient for typing;
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Quick turn on, instant exit from sleep mode;
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Fast battery charging.
Things to Consider
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Average autonomy;
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Easily soiled case;
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There is no 3.5 mm mini-jack port for headphones.
#2. Apple MacBook 13 M1 Pro - Best For Long-life Battery
Important Specifications
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CPU: Apple M1 chip;
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RAM capacity: 8GB;
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Display characteristics: 13.3″, 2560 × 1600, LED-backlit Retina display;
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GPU: Apple 8-core GPU;
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Storage device: 256GB SSD;
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Battery life: 20 hours;
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Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches;
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Weight: 3.0 pounds.
Product's highlights
The winner of today's rating is a laptop from a well-known company, Apple. This company makes excellent laptops that allow you to do your job well.
MacBook Pro 13 comes with an integrated TouchBar, TouchID support, a powerful Intel Core CPU, and a high-speed SSD. It also features a premium design and glossy Retina display. Balanced iron and high-capacity batteries provide up to 20 hours of operation on a single charge.
This laptop model may seem too expensive because it is small and "flat" here, unlike other competing devices. If you are looking for a laptop not only for hacking but also for your pleasure, you can take a closer look at this type.
This device is a stylish 13.3-inch laptop with superior performance and premium usability. It is ideal for everyday work with code, documents, and other tasks.
As you know, Apple products always stand at a higher price range than the alternatives with the same components. But this purchase will be worth it if you don't have a powerful desktop at home.
What We Like
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The best picture quality;
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Powerful battery;
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Perfect sound quality;
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Compact size.
Things to Consider
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Lack of a slot for a memory card;
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High price tag.
#3. HP Pavilion EG0021NR - Best For Comfortable Keyboard
Important Specifications
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CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7;
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RAM capacity: 16GB;
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GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics;
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Storage device: 512GB SSD;
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Battery life: 8 hours;
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Dimensions: 14.18 x 9.21 x 0.7 inches;
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Weight: 3.86 pounds.
Product's highlights
The HP Pavilion 15-EG0021NR works based on the Intel Core i7-1165G7 multi-core processor. This processor has a nominal clock speed that can boost up to 4.7 GHz.
It is a powerful and reliable medium format mobile device for experienced hackers. The laptop is ideal for solving complex professional problems.
The HP Pavilion 15-EG0021NR series notebooks use the island-style keyboard with increased spacing between the keys. The main keys on the keyboard are 0.6 × 0.6 inches in size and visible.
In terms of quality, we would rate such a keyboard as good, but not great. Among the pluses, we can note that it is quite quiet, and when typing, the keys do not emit a clattering sound.
However, only one memory module is installed so that the memory functions in a single-channel mode. It is very difficult to install another memory module in an empty slot due to the design features of the laptop.
The fact is that if you remove the bottom panel of the case, you will not be able to access the memory modules. To do it, you will also have to remove the motherboard itself, which is quite difficult.
What We Like
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Multi-core processor
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Powerful and reliable
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Silent typing
Things to Consider
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Complex replacement
#4. Dell XPS 13 9300 - Best For A Larger Display
Important Specifications
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CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7;
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RAM capacity: 16GB;
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GPU: Intel Iris Plus graphics;
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Storage device: 512GB SSD;
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Battery Life: 8 - 14 hours;
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Dimensions: 11.64 x 7.82 x 0.58 inches;
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Weight: 2.8 pounds.
Product's highlights
Hackers mainly use the Linux operating system, so this laptop jumped on the best laptops for the pen-testing list. DELL XPS 13 9300 already has this system, and you can safely reinstall it on another.
Nowadays, Dell XPS is more about the overall premium level by installing the fastest processors and using top-end touch screens. It has a fast quad-core processor, which is the minimum to run a password cracker.
This device is an anti-reflective screen with 1920x1080 pixels. The larger display 16:10 allows you to see the figures more clearly.
The quality of the case is the only downside of the DELL XPS 13 9300. Here, the aluminum is noticeably softer.
In a year, the scars will cover the XPS case. It is not very good from an aesthetic point of view. It's a pity that the case is aging so quickly.
What We Like
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Operates Linux system
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Touch screen
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Anti-reflective screen
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Larger display
Things to Consider
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The case is easily scratched.
#5. Acer Helios PH315 54 760S - Best For Heavy-Duty Tasks
Important Specifications
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CPU: Intel core i7-11800H ;
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RAM capacity: 16GB;
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Storage device: 512GB SSD;
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Battery life: 6 hours;
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Dimensions: 14.31 x 10.04 x 0.9 inches;
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Weight: 5.06 pounds.
Product's highlights
It makes sense to purchase a laptop version with Windows 10 already pre-installed because this operating system has no alternative options.
NVIDIA video card drivers are regularly updated only on PCs and laptops with the top ten. And the Windows 10 Creators Update version comes with a matrix mode, which gives programming the highest priority over other active programs.
The Helios 300 versions come with either an Intel core i7-11800H. The test results demonstrate the colossal difference in performance between these chips.
Therefore, if you need a laptop not only for games but also for working in resource-intensive programs, that is why you need to purchase a model with Core i7 for pen-testing.
But, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is probably not the favorite pick for those looking for a lightweight laptop. This powerful machine weighs up to 5.06 pounds, more than double the rest suggestions on this list.
What We Like
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The latest core i7
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Large screen
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High-resolution display
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Big Storage
Things to Consider
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Short-life battery
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Heavy design
Compare table
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Last update on 2023-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Are The Minimum Specifications Required For Pen-testing Laptops?
Some options will allow you to practice penetration testing out hundreds of laptop models, and others will not. We quickly list the minimum specifications a pen-testing laptop requires as below:
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Powerful processor: It must not be weaker than Intel Core i5, yet the latest generation with DDR4 support is better. We recommend having Intel Core i7.
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More RAM: RAM is not less than 8GB, but more is better. 16GB is an ideal choice.
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Large storage: You will want a 128MB SSD and 1TB HDD.
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Standard GPU: Your laptop will work well if it comes with 4GB - GTX 1050 ti.
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Compact design: It should be compact for easy multitasking on the go.
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Long-life battery: Requires large capacity battery to withstand high working intensity.
For quick purchase, we recommend ASUS ZenBook 13, Apple MacBook Pro 13 M1, HP Pavilion 15, Dell XPS 13, and Acer Predator Helios 300.
In addition, the following additional features will improve your device's performance and enhance your experience:
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Allows running Kali Linux
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Features multiple ports
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Ability to expand RAM and wireless card
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Durable keyboard
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Portable and compact
Which Is The Most Powerful Operating System For Penetration Testing?
There is no exact answer to this question. But Kali Linux and BackBox are the most popular.
Honestly, most systems are equally adept at performing tasks essential for pen-testing or hacking. Instead of trying to get the most powerful operating system, you should choose the easiest to understand and follow so that you can practice your skills more.
What Should I Use For Penetration Testing: Windows 10 Or 7?
Windows 10 performs more efficiently in penetration testing. It will be best if you download a virtual box and boot your pen-testing distros from it. This process will need a wireless USB dongle to set up the virtual box as your network interface.
Why Do Hackers Generally Use Macbooks For Pen-Testing?
MacBook Pro 13 M1 runs the UNIX operating system, helping you feel more comfortable operating in a terminal environment. These models also delight technology enthusiasts by the well-built quality, long-life battery, and sleek design.
Should A Pen Tester Get A Laptop Or Desktop?
Both types of devices work similarly. Choosing laptops or desktops depends on which feature you prefer: portable or durable.
If you are often on the go, a laptop is, of course, a good choice. But if you work from home 24/7, you will prefer a desktop for its power and durability.
Furthermore, a desktop will allow you to repair and replace components to your heart's desire in the future. Meanwhile, there are many limitations in disassembling a laptop.
If you have a larger budget, the combination of two types of devices is an optimal choice. You can invest in a powerful desktop while spending less money on a mid-range laptop.
By remotely connecting your laptop to your desktop, you can take advantage of the speed and power of your home desktop from any spot around the world. Then grab the output to run your program on your laptop.
We have just finished evaluating the five best laptops for pen-testing. Among them, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 M1 Chip is an all-around choice in terms of performance, looks, and battery life.
TopReviews hope that this rating helped you, and you will be able to rate the article on a high-grade scale. We wish you all the best shopping.
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