Best Laptops for Hacking 2024 (Ultimate Buyer’s Guide)
Searching for a good laptop for hacking requires you to think carefully and decide on a machine that holds sufficient resources that can run multiple programs and tools without any lagging. Tasks such as running password cracking tools, scanning networks, tunneling protocols, gaining access, coding, running virtual machines, etc. consume a plethora of resources.
You may have to use multiple programs simultaneously so this requires a robust type of hardware with the ability to process these tasks otherwise your hacking idea may be jeopardized. Before jumping ahead to the list of best laptops for hacking in 2024, let us clear one thing.
Generally, there are two types of hackers “Black Hat” and “White Hat”. Black Hat hackers are those who break in for personal gain or for some criminal organizations. They may involve in malware creation, stealing credit card numbers, DDoS, and a number of other cybercrime.
White Hat hackers (also known as ethical hackers) are on the other side of the coin. They are totally opposite to Black Hat and use their competencies for good. With the permission of the owner they find security gaps, tell the company and get a reward. Sometimes companies hired them to crack in company system so to cover the weakness before these become headlines.
Google alone paid almost $3 Million through the bounty system in 2017 to these white hat hackers. So it’s all up to you that how you can make use of technology.
A laptop that has the ability to boot from a USB, can hold the dual OS, has decent battery timing, and sufficient VRAM work perfectly for penetration. By considering all the essential factors here, we come up with the following laptop for hackers.
Best Laptops for Hacking and Hackers 2024
Alienware 17R4
If you want a beast looking robust laptop, then Alienware is the best fit for you. The laptop armed with 7th generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ Quad-core processor that holds 6MB cache. Although it is a gaming laptop but its hardware specs make it a good hacking laptop too. Its cutting-edge processor has a base frequency of 2.80 GHz that has turbo boost capacity of up to 3.80 GHz which can hold anything without any lagging or heat-up problem.
The Alienware 17R4 comprised of cutting-edge 16GB DDR4 memory. Further, it can be upgradeable up to 32GB. You will be provided with high-end 6GB NVIDIA GTX 1070 graphics card which is great for apps like Hydra and any other GPU resource consuming tools. It has an expansive 17.3 inches 1920 x 1080 Full HD IPS screen. All the hardware contains a pretty durable aluminum.
You can run multiple virtual machines as it got a plentiful 1TB HDD drive. Moreover, Alienware is also a good choice due to its easily upgradeable properties. It comes with an M.2 slot that means it offers the space to add 2 storage drives like SSD if you want to further improve the performance. You might also require to quickly store the data in your flash drives. So this laptop is featured with 4 USB 3.0 ports and most advanced 1 Thunderbolt Type-C port.
From Wireless connectivity perspective, it has Bluetooth and 802.11 ac WiFi technologies. This beast machine got a good quality speaker and a backlit keyboard. All things considered, if budget is not your problem it is the best computer for hackers, IT professionals and gamers to hand on.
HP Pavilion
Here is HP pavilion flagship laptop that offers high performance through the use of Intel core processor and SSD. The laptop has several variants based on the combination of RAM and storage. Here we are talking about the one that has 16 GB extensive RAM and 512 GB SSD. So if you want to run dual operating systems like Windows and Kali Linux, this system can easily afford that without compromising the performance.
The laptop has the 8th generation Quad-core 1.8GHz processor with a turbo frequency of 4.0GHz. On top of that, it has 8 MB cache that helps to access the data from memory hence increase processing speed. Being a hacker you may know that there are apps like password cracking that require GPU, HP pavilion is good to go as it has 4GB NVIDIA GeForce 940MX.
Another factor you should consider very helpful is the backlit keyboard. This laptop has a backlit keyboard as well as a numeric pad. In terms of connectivity, there are plenty of ports such as 2 USB 3.1, 1 USB 2.0 and a Type-C port. For attaching an additional display, there is an HDMI port. This notebook comes with 15.6” FHD IPS display. On the top bezel, it contains HD Webcam.
By default, the laptop has Windows 10 home 64 bit. It is a quite slim (14.88 x 9.93 x 0.89 in) device with just 2.11 kg that allows easy portability. Overall, it is an impressive machine that will surely value your money.
Dell Inspiron 17 5000
As we know that hacking applications demand the intensive use of CPU so this laptop featured with 8th generation 8MB cache Intel Core i7-8550U processor with multithreading capabilities. Its processor has turbo frequency of 4.0 GHz. Its multi-core processor efficiently allocates the resources to tasks like password cracking and get the job done swiftly.
If you are planning to use techniques that require multiple virtual machines then of course RAM is one of the valuable factors to consider. Dell Inspiron has abundant 16GB RAM which can easily bear the load of multiple VMs. In the storage area, this machine has a lot of space like 256GB SSD and 2TB HDD. The laptop is little bit Havier than the above mentioned HP Pavilion but easily portable. Furthermore, it is built with 17.3” Full HD (1920 x 1080) display.
The laptop has a sleek design with premium built quality and offers plenty of ports. There are 2 USB 3.0 Type-A ports and 2.0 port. HDMI port enables you to attach an external display. Moreover, there is a 3 in 1 SD card slot. For graphics intensive hacking applications, you can rely on 4GB AMD Radeon 530. Wireless features include 4.2 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11ac). Additionally, the keyboard’s buttons are fully backlit, and there is also a numeric keypad.
These days most of the laptops come without DVD drives, but Dell Inspiron includes DVD drive that can both read and write the files to keep them secure. So if you are seeking a portable top of the line laptop for hacking that can smoothly run jobs like password recovery applications and virtual penetration etc. this one got everything for you.
MSI GL62M
MSI always strive to provide the best value laptops and here is MSI GL62M. This under $950 priced laptop has large 15.6″ Full HD display that allows you to keep an eye on multiple windows. The edge glowing keyboard button gives a charming look. MSI has been in the gaming industry for over 30 years and to ensure the quality; they rely on mostly in-house production units.
This nice looking MSI laptop featured i7-7700HQ Quad-core processor with the frequency range of 2.8 GHz to 3.8 GHz allow you to run password cracking applications and OS like Kali Linux or any other you want to use. Furthermore, it has sufficient 8 GB RAM under the hood, but you can upgrade it as per your application requirements that you want to use in hacking. You can make use of cooler boost option when the system is heating up.
MSI offers spacious storage i.e. 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD. Solid state drives work 20x faster, so you can save small to medium size hash tables for quick rendering. Additionally, the company includes GeForce GTX 1050Ti which offer better performance than the previous 965M GPU. Regarding wireless capability, it has 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, HDMI, and Ethernet. The battery is sufficient that last approximately 3 to 4 hours although you need to open the bottom panel when you want to replace it.
The MSI provides a 1-year warranty that includes global and one time accidental. Wholly MSI does an excellent job for the price and offers a nicely built robust hardware sufficient to DDoS a website, running dual OS and cracking the passwords.
Razer Blade
Razer Blade is a powerful gaming as well as the best hacking laptop. It is 0.70” tick, ultra-lightweight (4 lbs) and comprised of long-lasting aluminum chassis. So it is an ideal combination of performance and portability. Razer Blade has 7th generation Intel Core i7 CPU. The 7700HQ quad-core processor has 2.8 GHz base frequency which turbo up to 3.8 GHz to process the jobs lightning fast.
As we all known solid-state drives can read and write data faster compared to the traditional hard drives, so thanks to plentiful 512 GB SSD. As it mainly designed for gaming, so it got ample 16 GB DDR4 RAM which is also good for hackers. The laptop provides a 14” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS display. The company Razor chroma powered keyboard which is not just a colorful but also allows you to create macros and execute commands quickly.
The laptop is engineered to offer the maximum performance to its users. The Thunderbolt 3 technology can be utilized through USB-C type that supports up to 4Gbps data transfer. Other ports include 3 USB 3.0 and HDMI. Razer Blade also comes with a potent 6GB DDR5 NVIDIA GTX 1060. Although it’s a well-packed laptop, but by running heavy applications you may experience it noisy compared to the Alienware that’s because the computer is quite slim and its fans run at high speed to keep the temperature normal.
Razer blade comes with an 802.11 a/b/g wireless capability and by default, it has Windows 10 Home. As per our opinion, Razor Blade provides impressive performance, but this comes at a price. There are other options available with such specs at a lower rate unless you want a highly portable, premium looking and colorful laptop.
ThinkPad P51
Lenovo is a famous brand when it comes to sturdy and roughed laptops with stylish aesthetics in the market. ThinkPad P51 is a shock, vibration, and temperature resistant laptop packs in powerful chassis built with aluminum and magnesium. The back cover (LID) of LCD is a blend of plastic and fiberglass providing matte finish surface which feels nice.
The combination of Intel Core i7 7th generation processor, 8GB RAM, and 500GB hard disk making it an ideal laptop for hacking and penetrations. Its HQ series processor clocks at 2.8 GHz and never lags while decrypting complex stuff. This mobile workstation is also suitable for AutoCAD and Photoshop tasks, thanks to NVIDIA M1200M graphical chipset. Furthermore, Pantone color calibrator automatically calibrates the colors to deliver outstanding preciseness regarding graphic designing and engineering drawings.
The keyboard is one of the most crucial factors while choosing the best laptop for hacking, blogging, or writing and this is where ThinkPad P51 beats many machines. Lenovo has an exclusive and ergonomic keyboard design where each key engineered precisely with having 1.7mm travel distance. On top of that, unique curves of keys make them easy to use with fewer errors compared to other models.
Coming with different variants so you can choose the suitable one according to your budget and required power. The high-end model has an ultra-HD 4k display and 32 GB of RAM. However, this reviewed unit has 1080p 15.6″ IPS ready display which is equally suitable for hacking, entertainment, and editing, etc. at the same time. The trackpad also works accurately and gesture adds further usability. P51 weighs only 5.89 pounds and its battery last for around 8+ hours.
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 8th Gen
Dell Inspiron 15 is a full fledged laptop for hackers built with rip-roaring specifications and affordable price range. It has an Intel Core i7 8th gen. processor which clocks at 1.8 GHz and can be boosted to 4.0 GHz with Tubo boost feature which means you can execute multiple penetration processes simultaneously without noticing performance issues. Apart from CPU, onboard 8 GB of DDR4 RAM module having 2400 MHz speed also plays a vital role to maintain the performance.
It includes 256GB SSD instead of traditional disk drive just to ensure faster I/O and fast processing. However, it feels a bit insufficient, but you can always replace it with high capacity drive by spending a few hundreds of dollars. Inspiron 15 has 15.6″ panel surrounded by a thin bezel which looks gorgeous. Its display screen is capable to output full HD IPS ready display backed by Trulife LED-Backlit technology.
Dell never lets their fans down when we talk about the keyboard and same goes for this model. It has a backlit powered keyboard so you can use in low light without any problem. Despite the fact, it comes in 15″, but laking numeric pad, so chances are some users might don’t like it. It depends on each user’s need and not a big deal breaker. The large trackpad allows big room to access each corner of the screen comfortably. It’s precise, smooth, and respond quickly.
With an overall weight of just 4.41 pounds, Inspiron 15 is easy to carry and doesn’t feel bulkier at all. Dual-band 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1 included for fastest connectivity as well as Intel UDH Graphics 620 builtin GPU. Coming with pre-installed Windows 10 Home edition, so you can get started right away as soon as you receive it. For peripheral connections, USB 3.0, HDMI, LAN, and card reader ports also available.
ASUS VivoBook S
ASUS VivoBook S is a lightweight (1.5kg) and most beautiful looking laptop packs with an Intel 8th generation Core i5 and Core i7 processor (available in two variants) that clocks at 1.8 GHz and can be turbocharged to 4.0 GHz for ultimate performance. The main difference between these models is the CPU, storage, GPU, and extra 128GB SSD. Core i5 model has 256GB solid state drive, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and built-in graphics processor which is good enough to process complicated tasks like a charm.
With 178 viewing angle, it’s 14.2″ NanoEdge display panel is surrounded by an ultra-thin bezel is perfect for watching high definition 1080P videos. It has a wide screen with having 80% screen to body ratio providing exceptional colors and pixel details. Apart from hacking activities, you can also design in-depth and large drawings using Photoshop, Revit, or AutoCAD as well as edit videos.
VivoBook S has backlit enabled keyboard created by keeping in mind ergonomics. Plus, 1.4mm key travel and space between each key feels comfortable to use resulting in lower tying errors. However, the unavailability of a numeric pad urges you to look for other options. But it should not be a deliberate factor for one who doesn’t type numbers more frequently such as writers, bloggers, etc. Still, it’s an excellent laptop computer for hackers.
Aesthetically, it looks stunning and something like Apple laptop but Asus has its own identity when it comes to premium class laptops. The overall built quality is amazingly elegant and business grade. For added security, you also get a fingerprint sensor which allows one-touch access. No matter how much load you put on this beast, Asus IceCool technology keeps your device cool and silent thanks to smart fan control, heat pipes, and an efficient cooling system. Another exciting thing is that just in 49 mins, its battery fueled up to 60% which is impressive.
Acer Helios 300
Precisely, Helios 300 is a rip-roaring gaming laptop built with sturdy material to bear shocks and vibrations while traveling or heavy keyboard usage. The metallic chassis not only hold each component in place but brush texture all over the LID has eye-catching aesthetics. Plus, the combination of red and black color across the laptop delivers the essence that it’s only made for hackers and gamers. And that’s true to some extent as usually professional users prefer to have a non-flashy laptop.
Beyond that, it’s the perfect blend of custom design and abundant power to complete your tasks without taking any extra second. It includes the powerful Core i7 CPU from 7th gen. Intel HQ series paired with 16GB DDR4 Ram, NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB GPU, and 256GB SSD. You can enhance the processor speed from 2.8 GHz to 3.8 GHz for resource hungry tasks with the help of Turbo Boost technology.
With these specs, you won’t face lags during multitasking, penetrations, gaming, or streaming online. Furthermore, “PredatorSense” feature elegantly control the fans speed and reduce system temperature for stable performance. Acer engineered a unique AeroBlade 3D fan which flows the air in a way to keep the system cool as well as clean from dust, etc. You can either adjust the fan speed manually or set to automatic. It allows the full control of CPU and system fans speed.
The 15.6″ IPS display outputs full HD pixel resolution backed by widescreen LED-Backlit technology so you can enjoy gaming and watch movies at its best quality. As it’s a VR Ready laptop, all you have to do is attach a VR headset and you’re good to go. Concerning about the keyboard, Helio 300 has an iron-red backlit keyboard where each key has a comfortable travel distance and response quickly.
The edges of the trackpad also surrounded by a red light which looks stunning. As hackers have to connect external devices so to address this, there are plenty of ports available including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, RJ-45, and USB Type C, etc. When fully charged, its 4-cell battery can last for upto 7 hours. In a nutshell, it’s the best hacking laptop for users love to have a premium machine with killing specs under budget.
Acer Aspire E 15
Just like ThinkPad P51, Aspire E15 is also a roughed and sturdy laptop capable of bearing shocks while traveling. An elegant crosshatch texture on the LID and deck looks charming despite not flashy and colorful as Acer Helios 300. Coming in various variants so users can choose the appropriate one depending on their need. The high-end model has an Intel Core i7-7200U from 7th gen. family with clocks speed of 2.5GHz and can be enhanced to 3.1 GHz with Turbo Boost technology.
It includes the latest DDR4 8GB RAM, 256GB solid state drive, and 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics processor which is more than enough to help you crack systems or find security loopholes. GeForce 940MX discrete GPU provides plenty of graphical memory for intensive jobs such as gaming, editing, etc. Due to simplistic and mature design, professional users may love to buy this laptop for hacking activities and all other daily tasks.
Apart from system specs, E15 offers an incredible battery life of 12 hours which is impressive in this price range. You can run for the whole day and complete all tasks without worrying about power outlets. If you move a lot or take battery timing seriously, then consider this laptop. Though its keyboard doesn’t have backlit but you get a pleasing typing experience with 1.5mm key travel and no flex due to compact build quality.
Regarding display panel, it has 15.6″ inches full HD pixel resolution backed by LED-backlit and Acer Color blast technology to deliver surprisingly awesome display. Color Blast technology provides 94% NTSC resulting in more realistic and accurate colors. There are also a bunch of ports including USB 3.0, Type-C, Card reader, Ethernet, and HDMI, etc. available. Acer TrueHarmony speakers, HD webcam, Bluetooth 4.1, and WiFi 802.11ac works like a charm. With all that said, no matter whatever your use is, Aspire E15 is best for all except hardcore gaming.
Conclusion: What is the Best Laptop for Hacking?
Now the most important thing is which is the right laptop for hackers? And the answer is it “depends” on your needs such as required processing power, budget, do you multitask, or like to play heavy duty games? Of course, for gaming you must have a machine that comes with a dedicated GPU and advanced CPU generation (for example; 7th or 8th gen. Core i7).
Do you need a GPU or is it essential to have a dedicated graphical unit for cracking? Yes, because some cracking software (Hashcat) do use graphics memory to guess the password so whenever one looking the right laptop for hacking should consider it. Apart from that, for future proofing, you also choose the latest generation CPU, Ram module, and SSD storage.