Building mobile and web apps go beyond the usual coding. It also entails penetration testing, which is an effort to find out the vulnerability of an application. You’ll need two things to get the best out of your pentesting: sufficient knowledge in penetration testing and the best pen testing laptop.
A good laptop for penetration testing should be designed with the latest technologies and surpass your expectation. If you’re looking for the best laptop for pen testing and don’t know what to look for, no worries.
Considering all the crucial things, here are the 5 best laptops for Pentesting and a few need-to-knows that will land you the machine of your dreams.
Contents
FAQs about Laptops for Pentesting
What is the Best Laptop for Pentesting?
All the laptops reviewed above come with impressive features and will suit all your Pentesting needs. Pick one that matches your needs and budget and get the job done!
Is it Cheaper to Get a Gaming PC or Laptop?
Mostly, gaming PCs are cheaper than laptops. Therefore, if you’re operating on a budget and need to do Pentesting in one location, go for a PC. However, if you value portability or you’re always on the go, a laptop is a big bonus.
Do Gaming Laptops Last Long?
Most gaming laptops serve you for 5-6 years with minimum maintenance. Ordinary laptops can last for around 4 years since they don’t have advanced features that keep them running compared to gaming laptops.
Are Pentesting Laptops Good For Everyday Use?
Pentesting laptops have advanced technology, which includes impressive displays, fast processors, RAM, and large storage. So, Pentesting laptops are ideal for daily use.
How Much RAM is Mandatory for Pentesting?
If you go for a laptop that comes with a RAM lower than 8 GB, you’ll end up taking away the entire Pentesting experience since the machine will not be as effective. Anything above 8 GB of RAM will work well.
Best Laptops for Pentesting Buying Guide
Buying the best Pentesting laptop isn’t a tall order. All you’ve got to do is look out for a machine that suits all your Pentesting needs. If you identify all the important factors to look for in a laptop, you will select the right laptop. Depending on your budget and requirement, here are some features you should base your search on:
Budget
Budget is the first thing you should consider when looking for a budget laptop for Pentesting. First, ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend and explore various laptops that fall under your budget. If you’re a Pentesting professional, you should spend more than a student or a beginner.
Portability
Tech enthusiasts are not restricted to working from offices or homes. Therefore, you need to have your laptop whenever on the go, which is why a lightweight laptop is a must-have. You should look for one with between six to eight kg or even less.
Battery Life
A tech enthusiast is always glued to their computing tasks. Therefore, you need to purchase a laptop that can last for 8 to 12 hours on a single charge. No one wants a laptop with a poor battery life that requires you to be near a power source.
Processor
A good laptop for pen testing should come with a powerful processor. If you have a laptop with a Core-i3 processor, it would be challenging to run programs required for pen-testing. Therefore, if you need to run those programs and software, you should look for a powerful processor that can perform the task. A laptop with a Core-i5 or i7 processor is ideal for Pentesting.
Graphics Card
Great graphics cards make programs run smoothly on your machine. You should look for a laptop with a good graphics card to smoothly run the Pentesting software. AMD and NVIDIA are among the best companies that produce high-quality graphics cards.
RAM
When Pentesting, you’ll want a machine that can help you run different VMs simultaneously. You should always avoid anything below 8 GB of RAM since it may cause the machine to function slowly. Look for a laptop that has at least 16 GB of RAM.
Display and Resolution
A laptop that comes with a large display helps you to see everything clearly while Pentesting. With a large display, you can work for long hours without straining your eyes. Usually, a laptop that comes with a minimum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels will be ideal for Pentesting.
Storage
You should ensure that you have sufficient space when buying a laptop for Pentesting. Storage may not be a big issue as long as it comes with a memory that can be upgraded. Large storage will help you download all Pentesting software that you require.
Connectivity
If you need to connect various gadgets to your laptop while Pentesting, you’ll want a laptop that has the kinds of ports you need. You should look for a laptop that comes with at least 2 USB ports for optimum connectivity. Also, check if your laptop has HDMI ports as it will help you connect monitors and tablets to the machine, which can enhance your workflow while Pentesting. Additionally, a laptop with powerful Wi-Fi features is perfect for establishing a reliable connection when working.
Best Laptops for Pentesting Reviews
While laptops are designed to be portable, their core features and configuration are determined by the type of usage it is intended for.
The best laptops for pentesting are those that have a strong configuration with every feature required for hacking.
The following are some of the best Pentesting laptops;
Acer Predator Helios 300 Laptop
If you’re looking for a great laptop that packs great features at a good price, this is a good bet. Although it’s slightly bigger than other laptops in the same category, it does not compromise its performance. This cheap laptop for Pentesting comes with excellent specs that help you run Pentesting and other programs flawlessly.
Click Here to View Current Price on Amazon.com
The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop has a 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H CPU that is amazingly powerful. With this machine, you can work for long hours without heat issues, thanks to the 4th Gen Aeroblade 3D fan technology that keeps your laptop always cool. Additionally, it comes with a backlit keyboard and has reliable internet connectivity due to the Pro Wireless-AX 1650 Wi-Fi 6 802.11ac.
Features
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 6 GB RAM
- 512 GB hard disc
- 15.6-inch display
- 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti graphics card
- 5.07 lbs weight
Pros
- Large display
- Excellent fan technology
- Full HD backlit display
- Fast processor
Cons
- The 6-hour battery life is a bit low
- The keyboard layout may not be appealing to some users
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 comes with a thin and lightweight design and is designed to help you use the display in different ways convenient for pen-testers. It comes with 256 GB storage that allows you to download large programs for Pentesting. This laptop has a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor that guarantees you the smooth operation of all types of Pentesting software.
Click Here to View Current Price on Amazon.com
With a weight of 2.79 lbs, you’ll have a machine that is super easy to carry whenever on the go. This Pentesting laptop has quick charging features that may take just 1 hour to charge 80% of its battery.
Features
- 13.5″ touchscreen display
- 256 GB SSD
- 16 GB RAM
- 2.79 pounds of weight
- USB-A and –C ports
Pros
- Multiple connectivity options
- Good battery life
- Thin and light
- Touchscreen display
Cons
- Noisy fan
When it comes to a high-quality Pentesting laptop, the HP 2019 Newest HP 17 is equipped with all the necessary features you need for Pentesting. This Pentesting laptop comes with a perfect combination of a large 17.3-inch display and a stylish and sleek design. The large screen has an excellent resolution of 1600×900 pixels that offers stunning colors and details.
Click Here to View Current Price on Amazon.com
The HP 2019 Newest HP 17 comes with an 8 GB RAM that can be upgraded to 32 GB. This is an excellent addition for all Pentesters. It also comes with a highly-efficient Intel Quad Core i5-7200U processor that makes your Pentesting tasks easier.
Features
- 1600×900 resolution
- 1 TB HDD
- 17.3” HD
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
Pros
- High-quality images
- Upgradable hard disk and RAM
- Powerful processor
Cons
- A bit heavy
ROG Strix SCAR II Gaming Laptop
If you are looking for a machine that comes with exceptional features for Pentesting, go for the ROG Strix SCAR II Gaming Laptop. It has a unique design and modern build that makes it an ideal choice for most Pentesters.
Click Here to View Current Price on Amazon.com
It has a full HD 17.3-inch display that boasts a high resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. This laptop comes with a modern back finish design that makes it pleasing to the users. With this laptop, you’ll appreciate the feeling you’ll get from the keyboard since it’s smooth and durable.
Features
- 3 ms response time
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
- Intel Core i7-8750H
- 16 GB of RAM
- RGB ROG logo
Pros
- Customizable RGB gaming keyboard
- Extended battery life
- Full HD display
Cons
- Heats up faster
Apple 13″ MacBook Pro Retina
This is one of the best Pentesting laptops available out there and comes with an Intel Core i7 processor that boasts up to 4.5 GHz that’s perfect for Pentesting tasks.
Click Here to View Current Price on Amazon.com
It comes with a 32 GB memory that makes it easy for you to download and store files with ease. This makes it one of the best laptops for pentesting.
This laptop has a long-lasting battery that helps you work for long hours on a single charge.
Additionally, it supports p3 colors that allow you to do your Pentesting with ease.
Features
- 8 GB RAM
- 256 GB RAM
- Touch ID and Touch Bar
- USB-C ports
Pros
- Ultrafast SSD
- High-quality graphics
- High-quality display
- Powerful Radeon graphics
Cons
- This is an expensive product
Conclusion
Choosing a top-notch laptop can be challenging since the market is flooded with a variety of options. However, this article will help you get the best laptop for penetration testing.
Choose one that suits your budget and one that will maximize your productivity.
Good luck!