Best Laptops for Kali Linux and Pen Testing

Within the ethical hacking industry, the Kali Linux and Pen testing software are two essentials to effectively carry out daily security tasks. However, employing this software and bypassing advanced security penetration testing and computer forensics is not as straightforward and easy as it is made out to be. Users require experience in both the operating systems and the tools they employ.

Not to mention, you need a powerful hacking station that can support your white-hat endeavors. So, if you are looking for a portable workstation that can effectively discover the errors and flaws in security systems, we have curated this list of the best laptops for Kali Linux and Pen testing available in the market. These laptops are equipped with the qualified specifications and requirements to withstand extensive hacking sessions without any disruptions.

Best Kali Linux and Pen Testing Laptops (In No Particular Order)

ASUS Zenbook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop

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Known for its speed and agility, the ASUS Zenbook series is an outstanding choice for those involved in the hacking industry. It is built with a MIL-STD-810G, ensuring its long operational time, ideal for any lengthy hacking project.

This is further complemented by its 13-inch size-friendly screen due to its ultra-slim bezels, assisted with its long battery life. Hence, it is easily transportable.

Its fast processing rate results from its 8th generation Intel core, allowing the ASUS Zenbook 13 to finish the task faster. Moreover, it is equipped with 16 GB RAM. Therefore, it packs enough power to wade through whatever you throw at it.

Additionally, this laptop offers various connectivity features. Since hacking is a profession that has to be executed whenever and wherever you are, its multiple ports are handy for data sharing purposes. It hosts a USB-C port, an HDMI port, a USB-A port, and a microSD card reader.

In conclusion, whether you are a seasoned professional or an amateur hacker, the ASUS Zenbook 13 may be the best laptop for Kali Linux in 2021. It can assist you in running any programs and Pen testing smoothly without experiencing any technical difficulty.

Buy Here: Amazon

Lenovo Legion 5

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The Lenovo Legion 5 laptop is a one-of-a-kind machine. It comes with a 15.6-inch screen and is the perfect size for all your security penetration needs.

Not only is it sleek on the outside, but it’s also equipped with extremely powerful internal components. It has AMD Ryzen 7 4800H mobile processor starting with the processor that brings next-gen performance to the laptops.

Moreover, the 16 GB DDR4 RAM will ensure swift control of any actions you perform complemented by a 512 GB SSD, which will further enhance the speed at which actions are performed by the computer.

Don’t forget, the laptop packs the powerful NVIDIA GTX 1660Ti graphics card, which will provide you with the best graphics experience possible. The built-in operating system that comes with the Legion 5 is Windows 10.

Since it is essentially a gaming laptop used for hacking, it would be wise to couple your purchase with a high-quality gaming mouse for swift movements.

Overall, the Legion 5 is the perfect all-around machine for work and gaming. Depending on the extra purchases you make, you can get one of the most powerful machines in the market at a an affordable price.

Buy Here: Amazon

Apple MacBook Pro 2020

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The Apple MacBook Pro 2020 is the best small laptop for Kali Linux. It measures just 13.3 inches, making it easier to transport and carry around. The impeccable performance of the Apple MacBook Pro is better expressed in features.

Starting with the processor, it possesses Apple’s M1 System-on-chip, which was created to enhance performance and expand the array of features provided by the MacBook. It also assists in improving the battery life of the laptop. Thus, by replacing the traditional Intel processor with its M1, any shortcomings experienced by users in the previous versions of the MacBook will not occur.

Furthermore, it features 8GB of unified memory so that everything you do faces no lags. The processor is further assisted by its speedy SSD storage, which provides results within seconds, an essential characteristic that pen-testers require.

The most prominent highlight of the Apple MacBook Pro is its 8-core GPU. The highly advanced and novel GPU can accelerate performance by twice the rate compared to the older versions and improve the rate of graphics by 5 times.

Buy Here: Amazon

Dell G5 15 Laptop

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The Dell G5 15 comes in two color combinations, black and grey. It features a 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor, which caters to a seamless user experience. Alongside this, it facilitates a whole range of different usages such as video editing and running computing-extensive software, which is increasingly important in the ethical hacking industry for running multipurpose operations.


The G5 comes with an NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card, a built-in 256 GB SSD that the user can upgrade, and 16 GBs of RAM. The above features make this a very fast and powerful laptop suited to all your hacking needs.

The only downside here is the lower capacity SSD. Therefore, we recommend that you upgrade it to a 500 GB SS minimum as laptops used for penetration testing purposes are often preferred with higher storage spaces.

The G5 has a larger than average screen size, coming in at a 15.6″ LCD. Hence, it can be bulkier to transport it. However, its additional inches will not interfere with its smooth operating process, making it the best hacking laptop.

Buy Here: Amazon

Acer Predator Helios 300

Most recommended laptops for Kali Linux sport an Intel i7 CPU (or similar), and the ACER Predator Helios 300 is no exception. In regards to the processor, it is built with 6 cores which deliver 4.1 GHz base clock speed. In terms of storage, the Acer predator 3000 packs only 256 GB. Hence, depending on your needs and budget, we recommend considering an upgrade.


Additionally, it sports 16 GB of RAM as well. Although this may prove to be more than enough for day to day ethical hacking and pentesting needs.

Its screen size, however, is slightly larger, measuring in at 15.6 inches. The positive aspect is that it sports a full HD widescreen resolution, displaying the brightest and clearest graphics available in the market.

The only drawback to the ACER Predator is that its battery is not long-lasting. However, for Kali Linux and Pen testing, it is still a laptop worth selecting.

Overall, its 6-core CPU, overclockable graphics, speedy performance and a few modifications to the storage capacity makes it one of the best small laptops for Kali Linux.

Buy Here: Amazon

Buying Guide for the Best Kali Linux Laptop

While choosing a laptop’s hardware depends on your requirements and (of course) your budget, you can’t just use any laptop for effective, ethical hacking. Below we have mentioned minimal hardware requirements to carry out all the day to day tasks without any roadblocks.

Processor


For a laptop to be used for hacking, it needs to be well equipped with a fast processor. Although every computer is compatible with the Kali Linux and Pen testing, not all of them may function effectively. For example, dual-core or multi-core processors such as the Intel i3 will not provide you with your money’s worth for hacking as it may slow down the entire operating system. On the contrary, Intel i5 and i7 are the ideal processors your laptop should be equipped with.

RAM & Storage


Well, it really depends on what you would like to install on your machine. You can get an SSH server (no desktop) with just 512 MB of RAM and a 2 GB HDD at the lower end. However, if you want to get Kali with extensive functionality, i.e. meta-package or default GENOME environment, you need at least 2GB RAM.


Moreover, when purchasing a laptop fundamentally for ethical hacking, you need to bear in mind that it demands excessive storage. Just installing Kali Linux may take well over 20 GB of your hacking laptop’s storage capacity. At the very least, you should be searching for at least 128 GB till 1 TB of storage for your hacking laptop. Moreover, never hesitate to upgrade your laptop’s storage capacity. Invest in additional storage space for your laptop’s smooth functioning.

Compactness and Battery


Compatibility is equally as important in hacking equipment as powerful features are. Hackers on the go can connect their hacking laptops to personal desktops and monitors via remote access. This feature is essential to remain on the top of the game. A compact machine is more portable. However, with compactness, the laptop’s battery should be taken into consideration. If your laptop is solely being used for hacking purposes, you will be able to retain the life of your laptop’s battery for longer. We recommend getting machines that can last at least 5 hours on a single charge.

Final Thoughts

Selecting a laptop can be a tedious and confusing task, especially if you use it for cyber security. For such purposes, it is mandatory to go over the minutest specifications to ensure that your laptop can support Kali Linux and Pentesting. Fortunately for you, we have done all the hardwork. The machines mentioned above are the best laptops for Kali Linux, dominating the market for their smooth and fast operation and powerful features. We are confident that if you are an ethical hacker on the lookout for purchasing a laptop, any machine in this list will suffice.

On the other hand, if you are just a Linux lover, you can check out our list of the best Linux Laptops for Enthusiasts to know which machines are the best of the best.