Laptop for Virtualization / Some Gaming

[0cta]

Hi guys,

 

I'm a little overwhelmed right now as I have to get a laptop asap and don't exactly know my hardware requirements..

 

What I need is a very portable notebook that is capable of handling multiple VMs at the same time (like 3 to 4) while also being able to perform some light to medium gaming every now and then.

 

I'm a little confused as to what processor and how much RAM to look for. Is an i5-7200U or i7-7500U (ULV models) a viable choice or should I aim for an i7-7700HQ quad core processor?

Same goes for the RAM: Are 8 GB of RAM sufficient or should I opt for 16GB or even 32GB?

For the sake of determining how intensive the VMs are on CPU/RAM, a list of my primary VM setup: Windows 10 / Ubuntu host, 1x Kali Linux Guest, 1x Network-Monitoring VM, 1-2 Vulnerable Images while having 30+ tabs opened in my host's browser.

 

I'd also like to be able to play some lesser demanding games like Overwatch every now and then, even though they don't have to run in 4K/Ultra... Working shall be the main purpose for this machine.

My budget is somewhere at 1.5k€, however I'd also spend up to 2k€  if it's worth it.

 

Can anyone suggest a notebook that would suit my needs or at least tell me what processor and amount of RAM I should go for?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

0cta

[Guest]

1 minute ago, 0cta said:

Hi guys,

 

I'm a little overwhelmed right now as I have to get a laptop asap and don't exactly know my hardware requirements..

 

What I need is a very portable notebook that is capable of handling multiple VMs at the same time (like 3 to 4) while also being able to perform some light to medium gaming every now and then.

 

I'm a little confused as to what processor and how much RAM to look for. Is an i5-7200U or i7-7500U (ULV models) a viable choice or should I aim for an i7-7700HQ quad core processor?

Same goes for the RAM: Are 8 GB of RAM sufficient or should I opt for 16GB or even 32GB?

For the sake of determining how intensive the VMs are on CPU/RAM, a list of my primary VM setup: Windows 10 / Ubuntu host, 1x Kali Linux Guest, 1x Network-Monitoring VM, 1-2 Vulnerable Images while having 30+ tabs opened in my host's browser.

 

I'd also like to be able to play some lesser demanding games like Overwatch every now and then, even though they don't have to run in 4K/Ultra... Working shall be the main purpose for this machine.

My budget is somewhere at 1.5k€, however I'd also spend up to 2k€  if it's worth it.

 

Can anyone suggest a notebook that would suit my needs or at least tell me what processor and amount of RAM I should go for?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

0cta

 

go for as much cores as you can find, in terms of RAM 16GB should do you just fine

[Tycho]

Kali can quickly use 8gb+ of ram on it's own if you're using vulnerability databases.

[Flygenring]

The XPS 15 9560 sounds like what you need. And for VMs get 16 or 32 gigs of ram.

[Zando_]

I'd go for an i7 and as much RAM as you can get. If you could scoop up a Ryzen laptop (are they out yet?) that'd be even better. 

[genexis_x]

HQ CPU and 16GB RAM
Dell XPS 15 or Lenovo Yoga 720 15 inch or (maybe) other gaming laptops?

[0cta]

Hey guys,

 

thanks for all those replies!

 

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any Ryzen-powered laptops so far, so I'll go for an i7-7700HQ and (at least) 16 GiBs of RAM

 

I'm currently thinking about the Dell XPS 15, Lenovo Yoga 720 15" or a MacBook Pro 15-inch mid-2017...

 

As this is more of a preference I'd mark that thread /closed, thanks