Best laptops for virtualization

Top 10 Best Laptops For Virtualization In 2022 | TECHYDIY

Are you looking for the best laptop for virtualization out there on the market? Well, you have landed at just the right place! Before we dive into the best virtual machines to suit your virtualization needs, let us tell you that the best laptop for virtualization requires the integration of quite numerous resources. The blog post will look into some of the best laptops for virtualization. We are guessing that you might not be looking for virtual machines for professional use, but rather for personal use, and in that case, you might either use any online compute power or servers in order to host the virtual robots aka machines.

Also, another thing you must take note of is to list down your usage; you must know what you will be using the virtual machine for. If you are a web developer and looking for the best virtual laptops for web development tasks, you are better off with something middle-ranged. Moreover, if you looking forward to spinning up over 2 VMs, you may have to purchase at comparatively a higher price point. To help you out with some better options available on the market, we have crafted a small blog post for you.

Before diving right into details, let’s go through a bigger picture of our favorites. To be honest, these are some of the best options available out there on the market. So if you are looking for the best laptop for virtualization, stick with us.

  Top Pick 2nd Pick 3rd Pick
Name MSI GS66 Stealth 10SFS-032 Razer Blade 15 Acer Predator Helios 300
CPU Intel Core i9-10980HK Intel Core i7-10750H Intel Core i7-10750H
GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
RAM 32 GB 16 GB 16 GB
Storage 1TB NVMe SSD 512 GB 512 GB
Our Score 10/10 8/10 8/10

 

Best Laptops for Virtualization

Keep on reading to get interesting details and get a perfect idea for virtualization.

MSI GS66 Stealth

MSI GS66 Stealth

Should you ask for our favorite, we would love to tell you that it is MSI GS66 Stealth. Why? Because it is indeed one of the most powerful and stunning laptops. No doubt, this virtualization bomb deserves to be on the list of tops. MSI, the manufacturer, has extensive experience in manufacturing and producing high-quality and premium gaming laptops. And do you know gaming laptops are known to be the ideal virtual machines for virtualizations?

One of the great features that enabled the laptops to be among the top 3 and made it deserving enough to be the best laptop for virtualization is that it boasts the Intel Core i9-1980HK. The CPU is integrated with 8 cores, which is quite a generous number for a laptop. This indicates that you have sufficient capacity for allocation than you could have imagined otherwise. You may want to have 1 or a maximum of 2 VM, ultimately providing you with approximately 4 to 6 VMS. On top of that, the laptop has quite an efficient GPU; however, that is not the filter of the best virtualization laptop.

The machine features RTX 2070, but you have the choice to up to the RTX 2080 Super Mac-Q. This would be beneficial if you like to play video games or want to edit some videos. Moving forward, the laptop also boasts 32 GB of RAM. To be honest, you need a good-sized RAM for its partial allocation to the VMs because running a VM with a GB of RAM is not less than a hassle. Lastly, we also appreciate its t TB SSD, which, to us, is great for use as well as purchase.

Razer Blade 15

Razer Blade 15

Here’s another on the list which we really loved. The laptop features thin bezels, which gives a great and premium look altogether. With abundant features, this is the ideal laptop for virtualization if anyone is looking for a great quality laptop that is not less expensive comparatively. Though it is not one of the greatest laptops for virtualization, it does deserve to be on the list as the top contender.

As far as the CPU is concerned, this is not as great as the MSI one; however, it does feature the 6 Core 10750H. Don’t worry, as this is a fairly new CPU version that was among the staples in premium gaming laptops for quite a long time. That is why we can say it is one of the good CPUs. As the laptop has fewer cores, it suggests that you have the option to allocate fewer cores as well. So all in all, 6 cores are definitely a plus, but for this, you have to give away maybe 4 cores.

The laptop also features a good-performing GPU, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q. There are a variety of other things that may not be required if you are looking for a virtualization laptop because Chrome can be also be used for rendering purposes. Another reason to buy this laptop is that you can hardly find a good laptop with no GPU.

The Razer laptop also features 16 GB of RAM, which is quite not much, but you always have the option to upgrade in the future whenever you feel like so. Along with this, the laptop also has 512 GB of SSD storage, which is initially considered as good if you do not want too much software installed on your system.

Acer Predator Helios 300

Acer Predator Helios 300

To be honest, Acer Predator Helios 300 is better every time you use it. One of the plus points is that it comes with a reasonable price tag, offering some of the great features that are offered on some of the high-end laptops. It is definitely a great choice for those who are looking for both price and performance. The price of the Acer Predator is one of the reasons it is among the tops today.

The Acer features an Intel Core i6-10750 CPU, which is basically a 6 core CPU, so undoubtedly, the offering is pretty great for those seeking virtualization. The rule is to buy the one with the most cores, as the higher the better.

Since, as we mentioned, GPU is not needed for virtualization purposes, this laptop comes with the added advantage of having Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. So if you are a gaming enthusiast, you know what you have.

It also boasts 16GB of RAM as well as 512 GB SSD, which is quite a normal offering for many people out there, but 16 GB can really eat up your space real quick, but you know ca always upgrade.

MSI GL65 Leopard

MSI GL65 Leopard

Want another laptop within a good price range? Here is the MSI GL65 Leopard. Though it cannot be categorized as cheap, it still is not as expensive as other high-end options. No doubt, the laptop looks exceptionally great and is quite similar to the Acer Predator Helios.

The laptop is not the best for virtualization, but if you are looking forward to having the best alternative at a good price, you shouldn’t be searching the market, as you know what to buy. It features the same CPU as we saw in the Acer Predator Helios, the Inter Core i7-10750H. This is the CPU you will be seeing in a lot of middle to premium gaming laptops.

The major difference between Leopard MSL GL65 and the Acer Predator Helios 300 is that it boasts RTX 2070., which is relatively better performing, and also, it has 8 GB of GDDR6. The features are not important if you are looking forward to having the laptop for virtualization use, but this is a good option if you want to stuff like machine learning. Leopard features 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. No doubt, the specifications the company is offering are pretty decent and similar to that of the Helios. So if you are looking for a gaming laptop with a feature-rich system, go with this one.

ASUS ROG Strix Scar

ASUS ROG Strix Scar

Here comes the ASUS ROG Strix Scar, which we call as a monster of a laptop; it offers probably the great specifications for virtualization. It likewise looks great and has some decent offering, for example, a 300Hz screen and ROG Keystone.

The laptop also features the Intel Core i9-10980HK CPU like the one in the MSI Stealth. If you ask, this is one of the best CPUs for laptops currently trending on the market. Also, it boasts 8 cores, which is again a plus point, as we consider 6 cores ideal for it to be the best laptop for virtualization since it is very important to have a good amount of cores to allocate to different VMs.

As far as GPU is concerned, it has the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super to also perform as a gaming laptop, and on top of that, a 300Hz screen is gonna make your gaming experience well enough. After all, this is a pretty decent gaming laptop, and if you know, you know that gaming laptops are the best for virtualization tasks.

Having 32 GB of RAM, 2TB of SSD storage, and a lot more, you have quite the best option. Also, you won’t worry about running out of space too soon.

Dell XPS 15 9500

Dell XPS 15 9500

The Dell XPS 15 inch is another laptop for virtualization purposes. The laptop has the added advantage of a 4K screen that too with touch properties. It totally depends on how you want the screen to be used, and as far as the added feature of the screen is not that important, it is a great option though if you into media consumption.

The laptop also has an Intel Core i7-10750H CPU, which has been quite a common thing on many of the laptops on the list, as it indeed a really great CPU and is pretty common in middle to high-end laptops. It would have been quite great if it had 8 cores, but still, it is a good alternative for virtualization.

Unlike other alternatives we reviewed, the Dell XPS does not boast a strong GPU; it has the Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti. We wouldn’t say it is not good but considering that there is an additional 4K screen, it shouldn’t be your purchase if you want a gaming laptop. To be honest, 4K pixels involve so much effort, and if the machine doesn’t offer adequate power, you will not be getting optimal performance out of it. A decent combination of 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD is offered.

HP Omen

HP Omen

Another gaming laptop is here on the list, which also looks like one appearance-wise. Apart from the looks, the company has manufactured the laptop with pretty appealing specifications that too at a very good price. It has a slight similarity with the Acer Predator and the MSI Leopard we just reviewed.

The laptop boasts the Intel Core i7-10750H CPU, and as we have already given a verdict on this. This CPU is the newer version of i7-9750H, which was one of the most essential components for gaming laptops once. Considering it has6 cores to offer, it can be characterized as great for virtualization.

Having the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q, this is one of the great laptops if you want to perform some intensive tasks like rendering. Also, it boasts 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD, which we have been seeing as a standard for most laptops. But we really wish that laptops could go beyond this to offer a little extra. But since you do not need extra for virtualization tasks, the offering should be fine for you. However, 16 GB RAM is a little problematic, as it does need up-gradation for later use.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17

ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17

Here is one of the interesting laptops on the list. It is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17, which has really good features that are considered ideal for virtualization, keeping aside the confusing placement of the keyboard. Though it may quite be an off sort of laptop for some people out there, it still has some of the great features, justifying why it came here on the list, right?

It boasts 8 core Intel Core i7-10875H, which is a great functioning CPU laptop for it to be used as a virtual machine. The more cores the laptop offers, the better it is.

The laptop features the RTX 2080 Super, making it an outstanding CPU for laptops. Though it is thin, it does not mean they have compromised on the quality parts, because you guys, there are some powerful parts in here. Along with this, the GPU is great for intensive tasks like gaming, editing and rendering.

A 32 GB RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage combo, and we are quite relieved to see that this is unlike the most standard specs out there; 32 GB RAM helps with allocations as well.

Razer Blade Pro 17

Razer Blade Pro 17

Got another Razer laptop on the list you guys. Same like the previous one, the Razer Blade Pro 17 features a 17 inches laptop, offering more than the standard of 15 inches, and to be honest, we found it much better than other laptops on the list.

This pro laptop features the Intel Core i7-10875H, with 8 cores; hence, ideal for virtualization tasks. To be honest, guys, if you have the will to spend more, do it on 8 core CPUs. It boasts the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q, which again makes it well-suited for gaming and intensive tasks; however, it doesn’t make any difference to virtualization.

Along with 16 GB of RAM, the laptop offers 512 GB of SSD, which is not much like other laptops with more storage, and considering the price it comes at, there should be more than the standard specifications of 16 GB, like 32 GB or 1TB would have been great.

MSI GE75 Raider

MSI GE75 Raider

The MSI GE75 is another laptop from MSI, which makes one of the best companies. This is a high-end laptop made for gaming purposes, and if you compare it with the Razer Blade Pro, it is far better than that when it comes to specifications, making it another option on your purchase list. This is quite similar to MSI GS66, but it boasts 17 inches of screen.

The MSI laptop features the Intel Core i9-10980HK, with 8 cores. However, the product claims it to be a 6 core CPU, so it is always better to confirm.

Boasting the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super, it is well-suited for gaming purposes; however, as we always mention, this is something not necessary for virtualization tasks. The laptop offers a combination of 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, which is well enough for many folks out there.

MSI GS75 Stealth

MSI GS75 Stealth

The last laptop on the list of best laptops for virtualization is again from MSI. Indeed, the company is said to be the best manufacturers of laptops. It is a 17 inches screen laptop and similar to the first one on the list.

The laptop boasts the Intel Core i7-10750H, with a 6 cores CPU system, making it suitable for virtualization. Always remember to not opt for a 4-core CPU alternative, as it literally hinders performance and puts limitations on what you can do otherwise.

The virtualization laptop offers the RTX 2070 Super, which is considered ideal for intensive functions and gaming purposes. Like every second laptop, this one by MSI also offers a combination of 32 GB of RAM and 512 SSD storage.

What can you possibly Virtualize?

Like most of you reading the article would know, virtualization can be performed on either the server or the operating system. People run a virtual instance of operating systems, which is a common practice to get accessibility to an operating system that is not installed on the laptop otherwise. For instance, programmers with windows machines may need access to an Ubuntu one, and they can easily perform the task on VirtualBox.

What else people use virtualization for? Storage. You have the opportunity to eradicate the physical reliance on storage hardware by making your operating system interact with virtualized one. Programmers or people who virtualize an operating system also have the advantage of virtual storage.

If we see, there are many things with the option to virtualize, ranging from IO to applications and network, and there will still be a lot left. This is the era of virtualization, and it has is taken over every aspect, making it extremely necessary for any professional in the IT industry to learn about technology.

How to virtualize?

Hypervisor bridges the process of virtualization; it is known as the program that is used for the creation and management of the virtualization aspect from a 360-degree perspective. Some of the hypervisors are KVM, Oracle VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V.

Some of the mentioned examples are type 1 hypervisors, while others are type 2. Type 1 runs directly on the hardware, meaning that the process is more than just running it, and it is pretty much possible that you will not prefer a laptop for this task. You may take this as independent operating systems and not some process to run either on top or inside the host operating system. Microsoft is a type 1 hypervisor.

On the other hand, type 2 hypervisors run on top of regular operating systems. One of the examples is VirtualBox by Oracle, and these can easily run on laptop machines.

It is one of the most essential components that facilitate virtualization, regardless of the type you plan to use for the process.

What are the essential things in a laptop for Virtualization?

We are pinning down some of the most components that you must look for when buying a laptop for virtualization.

Once you set the hypervisor up, the next step is the allocation of virtual CPUs, virtual disk space, and virtual memory. The proven rule is that the more the physical components are of great quality and high functioning, the more the laptop works best for virtualization, making it more powerful.

Based on knowledge of virtualization, we are dropping down a few recommendations for you to take note of. First thing first, does note that ordinary and economical laptops with straightforward and basic configurations are not going to work for virtualization purposes. To be the best laptop for virtualization, it needs to have high-end specifications with premium software and hardware to deliver beyond optimal performance as well as durability. Read below the thing that is essential and mandatory.

RAM

16 GB of RAM should be fine for virtualization, but going beyond the standard figure is always great. Though 8GB would work for basic tasks, it can limit your capability to perform at an optimal level.

Though RAM performs quite a basic function in a laptop, it still is a critical component to make your system perform better. It is a temporary data storage, and the more it has the capability to store, the faster your laptop will perform. Combined with a robust processor, the RAM will enable quicker and much faster process handling.

The minimum your laptop needs is 16 GB RAM for a smooth flow of virtualization processes. You are ought to allocate RAM storage to the guest operating system for instance when using VirtualBox.

CPU

You may not be able to run virtualization software if your laptop has single-core processors. While installing virtual machines, you are required to allocate a certain number of cores to the VM, and in case of fewer VMs, underperformance is inevitable.

The ideal is to get a 6-core CPU; however, if have gotten hands-on 8 cores, it is more than great.

GPU

As we mentioned GPUs are not necessary for virtualization, and you will do just fine without them, but you will find in incorporated in most premium and high-quality laptops. But what you must do is put CPU on priority rather than GPUs. Nonetheless, if you have found one with a great GPU setting, you are better off performing intensive tasks.

Storage

Our recommendation is that you must look for a laptop with 512 GB of SSD storage or above that, maybe 1TB. Though SSD is the best option, you are better off with external storage as well. As we mentioned, you are required to allocate a certain amount of SSD storage during the setup of virtual machines. It goes like the more you want to set up, the more storage you need for the allocation part.

Are there any other options?

While a much better and recommended option for virtualization is a desktop machine, as it is equipped with relatively powerful and robust components, using a laptop is more functional and economical. If you want a laptop, then your use of virtualization should not be advanced. However, if you want something for personal usage, go with desktop machines.

Conclusion

Virtualization and learning of the technological system is a need of the hour, as it is everywhere, Also, it is highly effective for making good use of the underlying hardware. All in all, the rule that should always be taken note of is that the more you allocate to virtual machines, the less powerful they are going to be. Though laptops cannot perform at the same level in terms of its resources, it is still quite a convenient and economical option these days. Also, many laptops on the market are quite decent with ideal specs to offer that are well-suited for virtualization.

Scroll to Top