A penetration test, commonly known as a pen test, simulates a malware attack on your computer system in order to find hackable vulnerabilities. Penetration testing is often used to supplement a network application firewall in the context of a web application firewall (WAF). To do Pentesting effectively, you’re going to need the right laptop for the job. Already started doing your laptop research? Let us help by guiding you to the 5 best laptops for pentesting in 2024.

Pen testing entails attempting to break through a variety of program systems (e.g., APIs, frontend/backend servers) to find bugs, such as unsanitized inputs that are vulnerable to code injection attacks.

Information technology and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly vital, and they are having a significant effect on people’s everyday lives. There’s more to just a competent developer with excellent coding abilities when it comes to developing smartphone and web apps.

There are several other aspects of this process, such as penetration testing, that must be considered. This is the method by which you learn about an app’s vulnerabilities. To breeze through this process, you’ll need a suitable laptop for pentesting, and knowledge of penetration will be the icing on the cake.

This article will go over the top five best laptops for pentesting that are perfect for students and other technical experts. You will be able to get information and data without having to go through the traditional methods with these incredible laptops. These laptops are safe for pentesting, and we strongly recommend you to check them out.

Also read: Best Gaming Mice for League of Legends

What are the Features of the Best Laptop for Pentesting?

To find system bugs, ethical hackers have to use software such as password cracking software, virtual machines, and Kali Linux. These operations require advanced machines that can handle large amounts of data, multitask, operate a virtual computer, and process data efficiently.

A hacker also needs a long battery life, a strong CPU, and a higher resolution. Failure to fulfill these requirements will quickly derail the hacking objective.

– Performance

No matter what reason you are buying a laptop for, you should not buy one with obsolete or outdated specs. Performance is one of the most crucial aspects of a laptop, and you must ensure that the laptop you are buying has an efficient performance.

– Battery Life

This is an essential aspect of every laptop that many people overlook when buying one. According to experts, a laptop that will offer you at least 1 hour of battery life when using Kali is a decent choice. However, the more the battery life, the better it is for you.

– Processor

If you are looking for a laptop for pentesting, then we would highly recommend one with an Intel Core i5 CPU. If you have a bigger budget, choose the Core i7 processor; however, even if it is less expensive, avoid the Core i3 processor. If you use Core i3 processors to operate Kali, you may have a couple of performance issues.

– Graphics card

It is not essential to have dedicated graphics in order to operate Kali Linux; an integrated graphics card would suffice. If you are looking for a laptop that will last for a few years, we recommend having one with a dedicated GPU. 

– Storage

Most experts say that a 256GB SSD laptop is sufficient for pentesting. A hard disc can do the job if you are on a small budget. However, you should always go for an SSD over a hard disc, even if you are on a tight budget.

– Memory (RAM)

For pentesting, we recommend a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM. A 16GB computer will be the best choice since it will store even more data and information. Don’t go below 8GB unless you’re willing to deal with any problems.

5 Best Laptops for Pentesting in 2024

1. Best Overall – Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop

When it comes to pentesting, no other laptop beats the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop. As opposed to some of its counterparts in the same price segment, the Acer Aspire 5 serves as an outstanding option thanks to its comparatively strong specifications.

First and foremost, this laptop comes with an incredible display with IPS Technology and slim bezels. It’s one of the best laptops to buy if you always experience eye strain and want the most convenient display imaginable.

The laptop has eye-care features such as Acer’s BlueLightShield, which reduces blue light, a significant source of eye strain and exhaustion. When combined with Acer Color Intelligence Technology, you can improve your efficiency by spending more time in front of your laptop.

The 15.6-inch laptop also has a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a brightness of 250 nits, ensuring a vivid, crisp display at all times. It also has an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card with 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM for even better video output.

It also comes with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM. In addition, the laptop has 512 GB of PCIe SSD capacity, allowing you to store all of the files and resources you’ll need for pentesting without running out of space.

The Aspire 5 has a battery life of up to 9.5 hours on a single charge, which means it will potentially last you all day.

Pros

• Affordable

• Wide range of ports

• Excellent anti-blue light display 

Cons

• Low specs

2. Budget Pick – HP 14″ Touchscreen Home and Business Laptop

The HP 14 touch screen laptop is one of the most affordable and adaptable laptops on the market. The Ryzen 3 3200U dual-core processor powers this laptop, and this incredible processor is capable of handling any form of multitasking with ease. This laptop comes with an incredible 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD hard disc. It also has a 4K HDMI output, Bluetooth, and a webcam.

Currently, the amazing 1366x768p resolution is the finest on the market. The dual-core processor will run at speeds ranging from 2.60 GHz to 3.5 GHz. It provides the latest connectivity options at a price that is seldom available. The laptop consists of a touchscreen with finger navigation and a LED backlight. Last but not least, it comes with the most recent version of Windows 10.

Hacking, editing, and multitasking are all made easier with the addition of 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz RAM and a Solid State Drive (SSD). This system can run almost anything, thanks to its strong RAM and SSD. This device has a storage capacity of 128GB, as a result of which you would be able to manage all of your work with a robust storage backup.

This device’s battery life is exceptional for the price. This laptop would last you 6 to 7 hours if you use it heavily. So, once charged, this laptop will perform all of your tasks efficiently. 

This laptop has a bigger display and weighs 3.25 pounds (1.47 kg), making it very compact and ideal for pen-testing professionals. This laptop integrates with all other Wi-Fi networks and hotspots as well.

Pros

• Affordable

• Fast processing 

• Sleek design

Cons

• No built-in feature for eye care

3. Premium Pick – Microsoft Surface Pro 7

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a premium laptop that is strong, compact, and thin. This laptop has a high performance and is best for multitasking. It has a long battery life with enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity and is the best quality device you can get for its price tag due to the quad-core 10th Generation CPU.

This laptop is chock-full of helpful technology that you won’t find in other products. The brightness of a high-resolution 12.3″ PixelSense adjusts to the ambient light. Also, it weighs just 1.7 pounds, so handling and transporting this device won’t be a challenge. Second, the transition from desktop to tablet is really remarkable.

It outperforms rivals due to its versatility and chunky style. Reconsidering the potential outcomes that this light and thin device can provide. The quad-core 10th Generation processor can withstand any workload. Because of its fast processor, this laptop will better fit your needs. Apart from pen-testing, this device excels at multitasking, video calls, projects, and high-speed presentations.

Furthermore, this laptop performs admirably without overheating. This device’s RAM comes in sizes of 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB, and the RAM model is LPDDR4, which is the most advanced. Solid-state drive (SSD) volume is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB capacities.

You should make your selection based on your requirements. We believe that 128 GB of capacity is sufficient for pen-testing since they would not be dealing with heavy applications or games.

Pros

• Long battery life

• It can be used as a laptop as well as a tablet

• Face authentication feature

Cons

• Low brightness

4. Runner Up – Apple 13″ MacBook Pro

If you’re a pen-testing expert who prefers Apple products, the Apple MacBook Pro is a must-have. It’s the strongest option for pen-testing because of its 13-inch screen with Retina display and true tone technology. True tone technology allows the color temperature to be adjusted depending on ambient lighting.

The Apple MacBook Pro has a robust 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processor that can easily accommodate your penetration tests. It also has 16 GB of RAM, which will enable you to run all of your software smoothly.

It’s also worth noting that this best laptop for pentesting has an 8th generation Intel Core i9 processor and memory that can be upgraded up to 64 GB, allowing you to have higher configurations if desired. The i7 processor and 16 GB configuration, on the other hand, should suffice for pentesting.

Furthermore, the Apple MacBook Pro comes standard with 512 GB of SSD capacity, which can be upgraded to 8 TB. Despite this, the 512 GB setup is adequate.

Running on macOS, you have complete independence to use any of your pentesting software.

There are two graphics cards in the laptop: AMD’s Radeon Pro 5300 and Intel’s UHD Graphics 630. The laptop immediately moves to the more fitting GPU for whatever job you’re operating on.

The MacBook Pro’s 11-hour battery life is another major benefit. On a single charge, your laptop will comfortably last a full day of pentesting. Finally, the laptop is both durable and compact, allowing you to easily carry it with you and use it while on the go.

Pros

• True Tone technology 

• Long-lasting battery

• Excellent Radeon graphics.

Cons

• Expensive

5. Editor’s Choice – Lenovo ThinkPad E580

If you’re searching for a laptop with a sleek build, the Lenovo ThinkPad E580 is the best choice for you. This laptop is ideal for personal and professional use.

The Intel Core i5 processor powers the Lenovo ThinkPad E580. It allows you to work at a higher efficiency level, letting you get everything done in less time. However, if you use the laptop for lengthy periods of time, you can note that its performance starts slowing down.

With the Lenovo ThinkPad E580, you can run any pentesting software without any issues, making it an excellent choice for consumers.

This laptop has a memory capacity of 32 GB. It also comes with 13-hour battery life. This makes it easier for you to carry out the pentesting operation. The graphics on this laptop are impressive, with a 15.6-inch HD touchscreen. The AMD Radeon improves the graphical efficiency.

It also has a dual array microphone, as well as a 720-pixel HD camera. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity are also available. Additional connectivity choices include HDMI and SD card slots. Last but not least, it comes with the most recent version of Windows 10 Pro.

Pros

• Vast connectivity options

• Excellent HD display

• Affordable price

Cons

• Lacks modern specs

Final Verdict

Choosing a high-quality laptop can be challenging, particularly when the market is flooded with options. When it comes to using pentesting software, you should look for a laptop with a high-quality processor so that you won’t run into any problems when using it. Plus, you want the laptop to be able to run any software you throw at it.

Another important consideration is your budget. A laptop that fits one person’s needs won’t necessarily fit yours, so take all factors into consideration and get the one from the list you feel suits your needs best. After reading this post, you will be able to find the right laptop for pentesting that checks them all!