Kali Linux known as Pentest or penetrating test is a phenomenon where authorized hacking is done. However, if you are a student who is looking for the best laptops for Kali Linux and Pentesting you have come to the right place.
If you do not want a laptop for hacking and looking for some heavy-duty laptops then you can also check out the best Laptops under 700$. As many people know that you can also run the Kali Linux on dual boot system. But you may come across clients who will show interest in the fast working and large capacity laptop.
There are many brands in the market right now offering a wide range of laptops to their customers. Keep reading the article if you want to know the best laptop for Kali Linux and Pentesting.
I won’t waste your time anymore, so let’s get started.
Top 7 Best Laptops For Kali Linux and Pentesting
1. Apple MacBook Pro – (Best Kali Linux Laptop)
- Ninth-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Amd Radeon Pro 5500M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- 802.11AC Wi-Fi
Apple has upgraded its game in the past few years. Apple MacBook Pro is the best choice for you if you are looking for an expensive and fast working laptop. Some people may not agree with the price point as the model is quite expensive. But the working and graphic elements of this model makes it ideal for Kali Linux as well.
The price may not be an issue for some people as this model got a lot of attention for its display and storage capacity as well. We will break down every feature for you this time.
Storage and RAM:
If you are looking for the best laptop then you should check factors like Storage and RAM first. The amazing Apple MacBook Pro has storage of 512GB SSD storage. The storage cannot be updated but this capacity is enough to store files and run Pentest with better speed so you do not need to worry. The other impressive factor to talk about is RAM. The RAM of this laptop is 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory. The RAM capacity is pretty expensive and can also run games and other programs smoothly. This laptop no wonder is the best choice if you are looking for capacious and fast working laptops.
Graphics and Display:
Another amazing factor about this model is that its graphics 2880×1800. It is the highest resolution you will see in Laptops and it is rare as well. This resolution provides the best experience to the customers. The 15-inch display is amazing and exotic. The price point is also high because apple has also provided their amazing technology Retina Display as well. This technology provides further clearer and brighter colors.
This apple laptop has an impressive graphics card as well. Apple has used Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB memory. This display is ideal if you are into gaming and love to spend on gaming laptops.
The laptop can also handle 4k videos and stuff. If you want to edit your stuff in high quality then no doubt this laptop is the best choice.
Trackpad and Keyboard:
This laptop has an impressive Butterfly Keyboard and has a huge trackpad which makes working on this laptop much easier. The keyboard gives smooth feels and works perfectly as well.
Battery Timing and overall working:
The battery timing of this laptop is impressive as well there is no doubt. Generally, the battery timing of this laptop is 8 hours approx. This a good battery timing considering its price point as well.
- Screen Size: 15 Inches.
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR3.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (7th Gen).
- Graphics card: Radeon Pro 560 (dedicated).
- Operating System: macOS Sierra.
- Weight: 6.4 lbs.
- Great Built.
- Smooth working.
- Best display.
- Quite expensive if we consider the price point.
2. Acer Predator Helios 300 – (The Best Value for Money Laptop)
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4.1GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Overclockable Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 15.6 Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 300nit Brightness & 72% NTSC )
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz DRAM Memory & 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Extra empty accessible slot for 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD.Maximum Power Supply Wattage:180 W
- Gigabit Wi-Fi |Backlit Keyboard | USB 3.1 (Type C) | Dual All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan Cooling | Metal Chassis.Battery Capacity:3320 mAh
- Up to 7-hours of battery life
Acer Predator Helios 300 is also mentionable in this list because of its price point and services it provides. You can get this amazing beast in just 1050$ (Original price: $1299) and save $200. but if you want something cheaper and stronger you can always check out our article Best Laptops For WOW.
Now get back to the topic, Acer Predator 300 is well built. You are going to have a full Aluminum lid of the laptop in just 1000$ and the other half of the body is made of plastic. This makes the laptop quite a heavy thing to move around. But for some people like mentioned above weight might be quality.
Storage:
The laptop has an amazing storage capacity as well there is no doubt in it. You are going to get a ROM of 256GB M.2 SSD and you will also get a RAM of 16GB as well with this superfast working laptop. If you think you need more ROM space then this laptop has another 2.5 inches long slot to fit another SSD. Now, if you want to change the capacity of your RAM you can also make it 32Gb. So, now you know the capacity and storage is not a problem for this beast.
Graphics:
This laptop has a 15.6 inches IPS Panel as well. The graphics are not that high in this laptop but it provides full HD and even brighter colors. But it may not be that much bright in the sunlight or outdoor which is not a good factor or point for many users
Another interesting fact is the GTX 1060 6GB VRAM graphics card. You hardly see this graphic card on any laptop of this price these days. The graphic card can help in gaming and makes it the best choice for gaming. So, if you need something strong for gaming, we will recommend you this.
Ports and Battery Timing:
This amazing laptop has satisfying ports as well. Ethernet jack, USB Type-C (Up to 5GBPS), HDMI, and SD card reader. The fact that you will find two USB 2.0’s as well.
Now battery timing of this beast is 4 hours if you are doing normal routine work and if you are a binge-watching Netflix. But it maybe 1 hour least if you are running Pentest on it.
- Screen Size: 15 Inches.
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR3.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (7th Gen).
- Graphics card: Radeon Pro 560 (dedicated).
- Operating System: macOS Sierra.
- Weight: 6.4 lbs.
- Highly build.
- GTX 1060 is a quite good addition.
- Not the best display.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Y700
- 15.6 Full HD Display With 1920x1080p Resolution
- Intel Core i7 6th Gen 6700HQ Quad Core (2.60GHz Processor to 3.5GHz with Turbo Boost), Graphics Card GeForce GTX 960M With 4GB dedicated video memory
- Storage 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD, 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- Backlit Keyboard, 720p Webcam, 10/100/1000Mbps, 802.11ac Wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.0, JBL Speakers 2 x 2W + 1 x Subwoofer 3W
- 1 x HDMI 2 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0, Windows 10 Home 64-Bit
Lenovo IdeaPad Y700 Is another amazing option for you as well. If you have a budget of more than 900 to 1000$ then this laptop is the best choice for you. This amazing model comes in 3 sizes which are quite reasonable and attractively build to look at. But if you think that this laptop is not for you and you want to consider another possibility then go check out our article Laptops under 700$.
- 17.3 inches.
- 15. 6 inches.
- 14 inches.
The model we are specifically talking about is 17.3 inches laptop. Not only the size is quite impressive the wait is heavy as well. This laptop is heavy to carry around. However, this is another factor why people prefer this laptop over smaller and lightweight laptops.
Storage:
Now let’s talk about the impressive storage portion of this highly demanded laptop. The storage part is quite different from the other laptops. This laptop comes with 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD. However, this is one of the impressive parts of the laptop as well. You can store your operating system on SSD and your important data files on the HDD portion.
Graphics and Processor:
Firstly, we will talk about the processor of this laptop. It is similar to other laptops Intel Core i7-6700HQ. It is as impressive as the MacBook Pro laptops. This processor can boost the whole system in just 10 seconds and process stuff first. GTX 960M with 4GB VRAM.
This laptop can give you a full HD experience of gaming. But if you want something lesser expensive than this one then check out another exclusive article for this. Gaming laptop under 500$.
Keyboard and JBL Speakers:
The keyboard is RED Backlit and looks much more attractive than the average laptops out there. The speakers are also impressive. These JBL speakers are louder than the other laptop’s speakers.
- Screen Size: 17.3 Inches.
- Storage: 128GB SSD+ 1TB HDD.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700HQ.
- Graphics card: GTX 960M 4GB (dedciated).
- Operating System: Windows 10.
- Weight: 7.7 lbs.
- Strongly Built.
- JBL speakers.
- Fast performance than other laptops.
- It is quite heavy.
- Not an easy working trackpad.
4. Dell Inspiron i5577 – Gaming Laptop
Error: Unknown Link TypeDell Inspiron i5577 is the best addition to this list there is no doubt in it. If you are looking for a laptop then can fulfill your Pentest and gaming needs then this laptop is the best option for you.
Storage:
With the storage of 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD with this storage, you can run Pentest smoothly on your laptop with ease. However, this mechanism also allows this laptop to boost in just 10 seconds. The Ram is also impressive. You will get 16 Gb Ram with this quite impressive laptop. If you think you want to change the capacity of your RAM and this RAM is not enough for you then you can also change it. It can accommodate another RAM.
Graphics and Battery Timing:
This beast has a 15.6 inches TN panel and if this is not enough for you then it has an impressive GTX 1050 with 4GB VRAM. This graphic card is hardly seen on any laptop under 1000$ because of its high quality and experience it provides. This point makes it an ideal choice and option for customers. If you are not interested in Pentest then you might need this smooth working laptop for gaming as well.
People ask about the battery timing of the laptop but if you are using Chrome, Netflix, and other activities then it might last for 7 to 8 hours. But if you are doing Pentest on this laptop then the battery will last for 3 hours.
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches.
- Storage: 512GB SSD.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ.
- Graphics card: GTX 1050 4GB (dedciated).
- Operating System: Windows 10.
- Weight: 5.7 lbs.
- Amazingly Build.
- Long-lasting Battery timing.
- TN panel is not that good they could have opted for IPS.
5. Alienware 17 R4 – (Gaming Laptop under $1000)
- 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7820HK Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz), Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
- 32GB DDR4 2400MHz Memory, 1TB Solid State Drive, Optical Drive Not Included
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0, Mini Display Port 1.2
- 17.3 FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits Display + IR Presence Detection Camera
- Killer 1435 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.1, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C
Alienware 17 R4 is one of the best choices for you if you are looking for a laptop that can run Pentest smoothly on your laptop screen.
The body is fully made of aluminum and is heavy and sturdy in weight and size.
The laptop comes in two graphic modes HD and QHD but it is highly recommended to get the HD one as the programs and battery timing flow will be better on this one.
Storage:
The laptop is also ideal it has a great memory span as well. This fast working laptop has 256GB SSD+ 1TB 7200 RPM HDD, 16GB DDR4 memory. This memory is enough for the Pentest. You can also select the other model Provided by the company as well.
Processor:
The working of the processor is also amazing and fast as well. As similar to many laptops of this range, this laptop has a processor Intel Core i7-7820HK. This makes tasks performing faster and ideal for gaming no doubt in it.
Graphics Card:
This is another fact that makes some laptops best for gaming and other tasks. This Best is offering GTX 1070. This is the best card option for a laptop at this price. However, the Alienware 17 has a TN panel of 17.3 inches. But because of the high-quality card, it provides better high-quality graphics.
Tobii Eye Tracker:
Tobii eye tracker is the technology provided by Dell? You can control the movement and work of your laptop through the movement of your eyes. However, this function is not that advanced yet, but this is a new step towards new technology.
Battery Timing:
The battery timing of this laptop is not that impressive if you ask me, but it does have a battery life of 4 hours if you are performing normal computing tasks. But the battery timing of this laptop is 1.5 hours if you are going to perform the Kali Linux test on this beast.
- Screen Size: 17.3 Inches.
- Storage: 256 SSD+ 1TB HDD.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7820HK.
- Graphics card: GTX 1060 6GB (dedciated).
- Operating System: Windows 10.
- Weight: 9.7 lbs.
- Strongly Build.
- Can perform the difficult tasks easily.
- Not portable.
- Quite expensive.
6. ASUS VivoBook M580VD-EB76 – (Thin and Light Gaming Laptop)
- Powerful 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ quad-core 2.8GHz (Turbo up to 3.8GHz), standard voltage for full performance
- 15.6 Full HD color rich, anti-glare display and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4GB graphics for flawless visuals and portable gaming
- 15 wide and 0.8 ultra thin chassis for a portable & slim footprint; Illuminated keyboard; Harman/Kardon certified audio; Dual-fan thermal design
- Lightning-fast dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi keeps you connected through any congestion or interference
- 16GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB M.2 SATA3 SSD + 1TB HDD combo for balanced speed and storage capacity; Windows 10; Comprehensive connections with USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen1), USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 2.0, & HDMI. 178 degree wide-view technology
ASUS VivoBook M580VD-EB76 ASUS M5 is the best gaming laptop in the market and it can be chosen for your Kali Linux experience. This laptop has a full aluminum body and is strong sturdy. Because it is built with so much precision and heavy material, the laptop is quite heavy and is not that handy.
Storage and Processor:
The laptop has 256GB SATA 3 M.2 SSD. This is a good storing capacity for the laptop of this kind of price. However, you will get a hard dis with this laptop as well which 5400 RPM. The hard disk might be a little slower but it works at least.
The laptop has a fast processor which is also being used in some heavy-duty and well -built laptops as well. The processor is Intel Core i7-7700HQ. The processor works fast and the fan noise is also at a minimum. You can perform your task and gaming with the help of this laptop easily.
Display and Graphic Card:
This laptop is 15.6 inches with the TN panel as well. This is not the best option for you. But if you are just hacker and want to do the hacking task only and the quality of graphics does not matter to you then it is fine.
Now the graphics card with which you can have the best gaming experience GTX 1050. This comes with 4GB VRAM as well, so the gaming for you will be quite convenient on this device for you.
Battery Timing and Ports:
It has a battery life of 4 hours for general tasks and you will be getting 2 hours of a battery at least for Kali Linux tasks.
Now let’s talk about the ports, the laptop has 5 ports, 3 of them are USB ports and the other 2 are HDMI and SD card one making your tasks simple and easy.
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches.
- Storage: 256 SSD+ 1TB 5400 RPM HDD.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ.
- Graphics card: GTX 1050 4GB (dedciated).
- Operating System: Windows 10.
- Weight: 5.1 lbs.
- Amazing design.
- Great performance.
- Average display.
7. Dell XPS9560-7001SLV
Dell XPS9560-7001SLV is one of the best options for going and CAD tasks as well. You can purchase this beast for your personal use as well. If you have a good range of 900$ then you sure keep reading this but if your range is not this high so sure check our other article as well.
Display and Graphic Card:
This laptop offers a Touchscreen IPS 4K display. This is one of the best high-quality displays you will see on the laptop of this price. The Graphic card is GTX 1050 with the capacity of 4GB VRAM. This is the best factor if you like to play games in high-quality graphics.
Storage:
The laptop has an impressive ROM 512GB SSD. The storage point is the best to store your files and data of high quality. The Ram is impressive as well it has a RAM of 16 GB. If you think you need a laptop of higher RAM you can also update it as well.
Battery Timing:
The laptop has a battery timing of 7 hours. But if you are performing Kali Linux it must be 2 hours least.
Weight:
The laptop is lightweight and weighs 3.9 pounds as well. This laptop is the best option for you if you are looking for something lighter and portable.
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches.
- Storage: 512GB SSD.
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ.
- Graphics card: GTX 1050 4GB (dedciated).
- Operating System: Windows 10.
- Weight: 3.9 lbs.
- Beautiful and great display.
- Light in weight.
- The keyboard should have been better.