Being an ethical hacker isn’t as easy as it seems! You have to create a lot of codes and programs, which can be quite tasking if you do a lot of penetration testing on a Kali Linux OS.
To handle such heavy tasks, you need to use a robust system that can run your programs and code effectively with no lag. In this article, we will show four of the best laptops on the market that are able to run Kali Linux properly. We’ll give you a comprehensive buyers’ guide that will help your buying decisions as well.
Contents
Quick Summary
We carried out an extensive check to find the best laptop for Kali Linux on the market. In the end, four met all of our requirements for RAM, processor, graphics card, performance, battery life, storage, and design.
- The Dell G515 is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a laptop that comes with superb graphics and a massive CPU.
- If you’re looking for a laptop that will serve you both as your work and gaming laptop, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is the way to go.
- You should go for the Apple MacBook Pro if you want a high-performance laptop that is portable and easy to carry around.
- The Alienware 17 R5 is what you should consider buying if you’re going to be doing a lot of penetration testing or playing high-end games.
Who Should Get This?
All of the laptops listed in this article are perfect for ethical hackers who need a system that can handle their pentesting.
Writing codes and creating new programs come with the job. In addition, these have enough power to run games when you’re not working. They tend to stay cool as well.
Best Laptop for Kali Linux: Our Top Picks for 2022
1. Dell G515
The Dell G515 is a high-performance laptop that comes with great features like a high CPU, fantastic graphics, and impressive RAM performance. Thus, it’s an ideal choice for running Kali Linux, but it can also double as a gaming laptop. This machine comes with an 8th gen Intel Core i7-8750H six-core matched with a 3.9 GHz processor, two features that make running the latest games a piece of cake. Plus, you won’t face any lagging or spikes.
With its solid 16GB DDR4 RAM, which is upgradeable to 32GB, you can rest assured that you won’t face any lag while you’re working or playing. In terms of storage, the laptop comes with 128 GB SSD. That adds to the laptop’s speed. Dell also comes with an incredibly useful GTX 1050 4GB Nvidia card.
What We Like:
- Fantastic graphics card
- Cutting edge processor
- Decent RAM
- Sturdy build
What We Don’t Like:
- SSD storage is a bit low
2. Acer Predator Helios 300
Like other laptops on this list, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is a perfect combination of gaming and power. Kali Linux will operate smoothly on this machine with no hiccups. The laptop is like the Dell G515 in that it comes with a Core i7. However, it also has six cores that come an outstanding 4.1 GHz and 16GB of RAM.
Another striking feature of the Predator is its remarkable screen resolution. The 15.6-inch screen allows you to enjoy the full HD widescreen resolution. Moreover, the screen display has a refresh rate of 144 Hertz and a robust backlight. The laptop comes with a considerable 256GB SSD, although we recommend you upgrade it to a larger size if you want to install more programs on it. This system’s battery life lasts 7 hours on a full charge.
What We Like:
- Great cooling system
- High graphics card
- Decent RAM size
- Robust CPU
What We Don’t Like:
- Low storage space
3. Apple MacBook Pro
Apple laptops are indisputably great for various tasks. Even though the MacBook Pro may cost a fortune, it’s genuinely worth the investment. When it comes to running Kali Linux, the Apple MacBook Pro is a perfect option. It comes with a 4GB Video RAM, as well as a 16GB RAM space matched with a 512 GB SSD hard drive.
Apple took their time to design this laptop for both convenience and comfort. It only weighs 4 pounds and has a 15-inch screen. You can get as many apps as you like, thanks to 512 GB of storage space, and the Core i7 processor matched with 2.6GHzmakes it sturdy enough to handle heavy-duty tasks without spikes or lags.
What We Like:
- High performance
- Compact and ultra-slim
- Sturdy design
- Touch bar
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
4. Alienware 17 R5
The Alienware 17 R5 is a perfect machine for Kali Linux. Even though the laptop has a crude design, it comes with a ton of benefits. It comes with a large 17-inch screen size that lets you see everything you’re working on. However, at 9.5 pounds it is quite heavy.
So much so that it’s better suited as a workstation than a portable device. Even so, you can’t go wrong with the 7th generation Core i7 quad-core and 16 GB of RAM. For storage, the Alienware 17 has a stunning 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD.
What We Like:
- Anti-glare display
- High-resolution screen display
- Powerful processor
- Hybrid storage
What We Don’t Like:
- Heats up when you’re carrying out heavy tasks
Best Laptop for Kali Linux: What to Consider in 2022
Before you buy a laptop that can run Kali Linux OS, you need to consider the following factors.
Processor
The core of a laptop’s performance comes from the CPU, which is available in single and multi-core processors. We recommend that you go for laptops with multi-processors, from a dual-core to a quad-core or more. The higher the number of processors, the more powerful the laptop performance.
RAM
You need at least an 8GB RAM laptop if you’re going to be running the Kali Linux on your system, but we suggest at least 16 GB RAM. That will greatly reduce any lag during your work or games.
Storage
We can’t overemphasize the power of the SSD storage device over the HDD. It’s better to have a 250GB SSD than getting a laptop with 1TB HDD. The reason is simple. The SSD performs faster than the HDD. It is also more durable and helps your laptop battery last longer.
Graphics Card
You don’t have to get a laptop with a dedicated graphics to run Kali Linux. A laptop with an integrated graphics card can handle all the tasks you need. However, if you’re going to do a lot of work around the clock and play some high-end games, you should get a dedicated graphics card like the ones from NVIDIA.
Battery Life
When it comes to using the Kali Linux, it’s best to look for a laptop that has excellent battery life. Look for a battery that lasts a long time (4 hours or more) and that can hold up to your work.
Things TO Do After Installing Kali Linux on Your Laptop
- Install the Git App because it allows code downloading from GitHub
- Create a profile for a low privileged user
- Plot bash aliases
- Install the updated version of Tor
- Install hacking tools
- Use syncthing to configure file sharing
- Clone USB rubber ducky encoder
- Install code editor
- Modify default password and SSH Keys
- Install terminal multiplexer
Bottom Line
If you diligently follow this article’s buying guide you’ll get the ideal choice for your work. All you need to do is to choose the best laptop for Kali Linux on this list that best fits your budget and specific requirements.
We want to know, which of our laptop suggestions do you prefer? Are there others you love that aren’t here? Give us your feedback in the comment section below!
