Hey guys,

I'm hoping to go to uni to study ethical hacking and am starting teaching myself.

I am looking at an alienware m11x or this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330815273305?clk_rvr_id=404757874219&query=%7Bquery%7D&fitem=330815273305&linkin_id=8076101&mt_id=1603&kw=%7Bquery%7D

What is best for all round hacking? What will be easiest when using Linux/backtrack?

I am a n00b at this so what ever makes my life easier is a big plus

Hi hayabusa,

Thanks for the reply.

I have been using the forum and already unlocked a wealth of good info. That is how in part I arrived at those two choices. Being a beginner I only understand so much so if you are able to help me understand which is the better all round and easier laptop to use that would be great.

I think it depends on the actual model specs of what you're getting.  The description on that Packard Bell didn't give me much detail.  (Perhaps it's my phone and the sites not giving me much detail, as I'm not home this evening, to look them up on a desktop...)

Compare the drive types that you're actually gettig in each.  SSD will perform better, albeit pricier.

Compare the memory (shipping amount, as well as what it will max out at.)

Compare the processors.  I know the Alienware ships with an i7 quad core (good choice) but didn't see the Packard Bell's specific listing.

If you want to do wireless, what chipset does each have onboard?  (You can add external, but if one already has the right internal...)

Look at GPU performance (graphics processor)  Password cracking can be significantly sped up with the right GPU in play.

Based solely on what I could see (which again, for the PB wasn't much), I can say the Alienware would do a good job, given the right amount of memory, etc.  I'd make sure, if I could afford it, to have an SSD hard drive, and a minimum of 8 GB RAM (because I like having the ability to duplicate targets on the fly, so memory / processing is key.)

Aside of the above, how are the sizes?  Is one smaller and more convenient, while still packing the power you want?  Is one too bulky?  I personally use a rather large laptop, day to day, but I have a smaller one for portability and presentations.

Wish I could be more specific tonight, but again, with more specific specs on the PB, I might be able to compare apples to apples.

For home lab and toying around, I can make do with just about anything.  But if you want bang for the buck, and something to last a while, while giving you options, then you really have to dig into the details, and make your decisions, based on your specific needs / wants and your financial situation.

I'll try to look up more on that PB, tomorrow, but I'm guessing you'll get more feedback, yet, tonight.

Hi hayabusa,

Thank you very much for the reply.

It would be a used alienware m11x so a pretty basic CPU and 4 gb RAM. The pb uses an amd CPU which I'm not to familiar with. I'd be happy to pay upto $600 (£500 here in the UK) for the right laptop that is great for starting out and easy to use with Linux or backtrack. Any recommendations?

Well, still can't give you much, as my home internet is flakier than heck today (the storms).  I use an ASUS, for my primary (my larger laptop) and an HP tablet PC / laptop for smaller-scale work and presentations.

As for the ALPHA card, there are other chipsets, too (I've always used Atheros), but the Alpha's are pretty solid.

Hey guys thanks for the feedback. I have narrowed it down to two!! Unfortunately I havnt been. Able to start new threads on the backtrack forum so if you are able to help me choose the one which will be most compatible with backtrack 5 that would be great.

The acer aspire s3 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Ultrabook-i5-2467M-Bluetooth-Windows/dp/B005ZJTHFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351759743&sr=8-1

Or the dell 3460 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Vostro-3460-Notebook.81509.0.html

Thanks in advance

Check out my comments in this thread: http://www.ethicalhacker.net/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,54/topic,9068.0/