Kali Linux is an essential Distro in digital forensics and penetration testing. To operate this smoothly and efficiently, you must own a powerful CPU laptop with many advanced features.
After many years of researching, testing, and evaluating, I have made a list of the top 10 Kali Linux laptops. Let’s explore them together!
Our Top Picks:
- Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Best for Overall
- Razer Blade Stealth 13 – Best for Budget
- Apple MacBook Pro – Best for Battery Life
- Dell Inspiron 15 3511 – Best for Performance
- ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best for a Programmer
- Dell XPS 13 9310 – Best for Portability
- Acer Swift 3 Laptop – Best for Beginners
- Lenovo Legion 5 – Best for Graphic Design
- ASUS ZenBook 13 – Best for Storage Space
- HP 15 Laptop – Best for Screen
After checking the list above, you can be very curious about the advantages of each. So, without making you wait any longer, I will help you with the detailed review below!
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Best for Overall
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 128 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 4 GB
Product’s Highlights
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is one of the best Kali Linux versions I’ve ever had.
It features an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U dual-core processor and up to 128GB of SSD card storage. That makes my computer’s operating system always work more smoothly and quickly.
This version’s combination of a 15.6-inch widescreen and IPS LED backlight is excellent. It helps me see the number keys clearly when I need to type, but it turns off after a few seconds.
Compact and lightweight design is a big plus. I didn’t notice it putting any weight on my backpack during my last trip. One other thing, the build quality of the product is perfect. It has ideal material which is robust and not easy to warp.
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What We Like
- Lightweight
- High-quality image
- Fast working performance
- Safe brightness, flexible change
Things To Consider
- Hard to remove bloatware
- Battery life is not high
2. Razer Blade Stealth 13 – Best for Budget
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 13.3
- Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
Product’s Highlights
Thunderbolt support is a big reason I decided to buy the Razer Blade Stealth 13. Unexpectedly, it’s great for playing my favorite heavyweight games.
On the other hand, its beautiful OLED screen and meager pixel response time helped me have a better game experience. For me, 13 inches is a perfect size, as it’s not too heavy and doesn’t take up too much space.
High portability is another highlight. I easily carry it with me on weekend outings without any problems. Not sure about dropping it on a hard floor, but I felt pretty safe stowing it in my suitcase.
In terms of build quality, it’s better than other Windows PC products I’ve seen.
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What We Like
- Super Mobility
- Great battery
- Good build quality
- Beautiful OLED screen
- Good performance when playing games
Things To Consider
- Short warranty
3. Apple MacBook Pro – Best for Battery Life
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 14.2 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
- RAM Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
Product’s Highlights
More than 20 hours of runtime for web browsing, programming, and daily work. That’s the big bonus I got for choosing to buy the Apple MacBook Pro.
It primarily works well on a 34-inch IPS panel. And you’ll get a Pro Max chip for extra storage if you want.
The 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is something to consider. This version delivers realistic and vivid picture quality with an extremely high dynamic range and contrast ratio.
On the other hand, 14 inches is also the perfect size for balancing portability and performance power. I can fit in a giant screen if I want a bigger screen.
I’ve come across some minor effects in a few songs. But the more I listened to it, the more it convinced me of the strangeness and originality of the recording.
Finally, I have an excellent impression of the sound quality of the built-in speakers, especially the amount of bass and stereo separation.
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What We Like
- High battery life
- Gorgeous screen
- Great sound quality
- Large storage capacity
- Highly efficient ergonomic design
Things To Consider
- No microSD card slot
- Hard to upgrade the processor and RAM
4. Dell Inspiron 15 3511 – Best for Performance
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 256 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 8 GB
Product’s Highlights
Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is a product line that tends to be finished in classic colors. It is also the version that offers the best visibility I have ever seen.
Since the hinge can raise the device to an ergonomic angle, I always get a comfortable typing angle when using it to work.
Dell ComfortView Low Blue Light Software solutions are a big plus. It helps cut down on harmful light and contributes to optimal eye comfort.
I use it quite often and even throughout the day. Fortunately, it has good stability and doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable.
The important thing is the amount of memory. It has an 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD card that works smoothly and provides excellent working performance.
In short, if you’re looking for a basic Kali Linux laptop, this model is a great value.
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What We Like
- High mobility
- Great value for money
- The sound quality is great
- Good performance and battery life
Things To Consider
- No backlit keyboard
5. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best for A Programmer
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 128 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 8 GB
Product’s Highlights
This purchase is truly the best of all the things I have ever purchased on an e-commerce site. The ASUS VivoBook 15 exceeded all my expectations!
The first thing to mention is the screen because 15.6 inches is a much larger size than I anticipated initially. I like the feel of the keys; they’re very smooth and comfortable to type on.
It also comes with flexibility and responsiveness, most evident in its super-fast fingerprint login capabilities. It only takes a few seconds after the touch, and the computer is ready in standby mode.
The body of the computer is made of plastic, which looks quite lovely. However, I am not sure about its durability if any breakage occurs because I didn’t do the testing because I would have to pay if I broke it.
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What We Like
- Nice design
- Good price
- High-quality screen
- Block any malware
- Very flexible and responsive
Things To Consider
- The cheap plastic outer shell
6. Dell XPS 13 9310 – Best for Portability
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 13.4 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
Product’s Highlights
I am always looking for a Kali Linux laptop with powerful performance and high portability. The Dell XPS 13 9310 is my next stop in this buying criterion.
Due to its slim bezel design and 13.4-inch screen, this product is ideal for on-the-go needs. Its 16GB RAM is enough to run Kali Linux and handle different tasks concurrently.
It comes with a 512GB SSD, which allows me to enhance my productivity without worrying about running out of storage space.
I connected this product via Thunderbolt 3 to a docking station that splits into 2 HDMI and 2dp. Fortunately, this combination is not problematic.
Overall, this is a solid product in its design to deliver a premium typing experience. It’s pretty hot on the battery but compelling and portable.
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What We Like
- Small, light design
- The backlight is great
- The processor works efficiently
- High-end keyboard structure and design
Things To Consider
- Battery life is average
- Low-quality webcam
7. Acer Swift 3 Laptop – Best for Beginners
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 14 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 256 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 8 GB
Product’s Highlights
I chose to buy the Acer Swift 3 to run Zorin OS and didn’t want to boot into Windows. I have been using this laptop for almost a year, and it still takes about 5 seconds from pressing the power button until the screen shows up.
The fingerprint reader for login is my favorite feature, but I don’t use it often. My fingerprints will stand out quickly thanks to the bright screen and high display quality.
On the other hand, battery life is also excellent, with 16 hours of operation as advertised. Without intense use and frequent system hibernation, I think battery life will extend even more.
Overall, this is a good value and pretty easy to set up. I successfully installed the Windows 11 upgrade within the first week of owning it.
The only limitation that I encountered was the camera login. It didn’t work even after I tried some alternatives.
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What We Like
- Stunning graphics
- Super lightweight
- Good build quality
- Super fast processing speed
- Light and responsive touchpad
Things To Consider
- The noisy fan system
- Loudspeakers
8. Lenovo Legion 5 Laptop – Best for Graphic Design
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
- Ram Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
Product’s Highlights
The Lenovo Legion 5 is an out-and-out performer, and the graphics card is much better than my old option.
Since it includes an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor and 8 ultra-responsive cores, it’s ideal for immersive gaming needs.
It also has 16GB DDR4 RAM (3200MHz) and a 512GB solid-state drive. Both allow me to multitask more efficiently with excellent processing performance.
The NVIDIA GTX 1660Ti graphics card is another bonus I get on this investment. This card type is beneficial for gaming while also helping speed up brute-force attacks.
I have a 15.6-inch IPS display with up to 144Hz refresh rate. The display quality is super good, but it’s not too portable because the size and the graphics card are large.
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What We Like
- Vivid colors
- No heat throttling
- Exquisite, modern keyboard design
- The sound of the fan is not too loud
- Super high processing performance
Things To Consider
- Graphics cards use a lot of power
9. ASUS ZenBook 13 – Best for Storage Space
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 13.3 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
- RAM Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
Product’s Highlights
I chose ASUS ZenBook 13 to replace the old computer at home. It delivers a great experience in terms of performance and storage.
This model comes with the Intel Evo platform in mind. It is where performance, responsiveness, and battery life come together perfectly.
The 13.3-inch OLED (1920 x 1080) NanoEdge bezel display has vast viewing angles. Accordingly, the images and videos in front of my eyes are always in a vivid and realistic state.
I am impressed with the 11th generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and Intel Iris Plus graphics card. Both provide me with a sense of immersion and smooth combat in my favorite game.
It is impossible not to mention the storage memory. It is up to 512Gb with the support of the 16GB LPDDR4X RAM stick. I always want to fill it with personal data, photos, videos, and more.
One thing I find pretty regretful is that this version cannot upgrade more Ram. Even so, the ASUS ZenBook 13 is still one of my best choices.
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What We Like
- Light and portable
- Super large storage capacity
- Excellent resolution OLED display
- Powerful CPU and highly efficient graphics
Things To Consider
- Built-in few ports
10. HP 15 Laptop – Best for Screen
Important Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Hard Disk Size: 1 TB
- RAM Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
Product’s Highlights
HP 15 Laptop is the product with the best display quality in the $500 price range that I have ever seen.
This version includes a 15.6” HD (1366 x 768) display with 220 nits of brightness and about 45% NTSC. That gave me a clear, realistic, and vivid visual experience.
Thanks to the 2.8 GHz Intel Celeron N4020 processor, which has compelling processing performance in entertainment experiences.
Compared to in-class devices, HP 15 laptops for extremely long usage time. I used it for about 10+ hours after fully charging, which is impressive.
Internal memory is another strong point; it goes up to 1TB of storage space. There are quite a few cool features that I have yet to try on this machine. But I will explore them all in the future.
Thus, if you are wondering about choosing with an economical budget, this product is worth buying and experiencing.
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What We Like
- Easy to install
- Powerful processor
- Light and very flexible
- Super high display quality
- Long-lasting battery life
Things To Consider
- No CD or DVD drive
Buying Guides
Unlike ordinary laptops, this product for Kali Linux will be helpful for programming and penetration testing tasks. Here are some helpful tips and criteria to make it easier for you to choose.
Powerful Processor
A powerful processor is always a prerequisite you should prioritize before buying any product. From personal experience, I think a dual-core CPU is essential for efficient operation. Also, you should consider an Intel i5 or i7 processor.
Battery Life
Battery life is a factor that directly affects the performance of a laptop.
The Kali Linux requires a large amount of battery power to operate. Therefore, I recommend choosing the version with the most extended and most durable battery life possible.
Storage
In addition to consuming a lot of battery power, the Kali Linux also consumes a lot of storage space. 120GB is the minimum for this distro’s smooth installation and operation. A device with more storage is a big plus.
Graphics Cards
Graphics card selection is also essential. It determines the user experience and operability of the Kali Linux . As a general rule, the better the graphics card, the better your chances of improving your performance.
FAQs
What is the latest version of Kali Linux?
Kali Rolling releases 2023.2 and 2023.2a are the latest versions of Kali Linux now.
What kind of laptop do I need for Kali Linux?
There are many types of laptops for Kali Linux; some of the perfect versions are:
- Lenovo Legion 5
- ASUS ZenBook 13″
- Razer Blade Stealth 13″
- Dell Inspiron 15 3511
How much RAM does Kali Linux need?
128MB is the minimum amount of RAM that the system requires for you to set up Kali Linux as the default server.
Which processor is required for Kali Linux?
For i386 and AMD64 processors, you must have at least 2GB of RAM to install Kali Linux. In contrast, the 2020.2 versions require at least 20GB.
An Intel Core i3, AMD E1 processor, a CD-DVD drive, or a USB stick is required for Kali Linux to function at its best.
Which language is available in Kali Linux?
C and ASM are the two main symbols of Linux after coding. This language allows you to check your computer’s security and penetration history.
Final Words
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is the ideal choice for robust and efficient performance. So, don’t ignore it if you are also looking for an option capable of multitasking and high quality. Thanks for following the post!