Top 7 Best Hackintosh Laptops in 2023 [Newest Models]

Are you looking for the best laptops for Hackintosh? If yes, then you’re in the right place because here we have picked some great laptops for you. In this world of growing technology, nothing seems impossible! To such an extent, you can even take advantage of using a MacBook without actually owning one.

If you can’t keep up with the price of MacBooks but still wish to use the macOS, then getting a Hackintosh laptop is the key solution. Hackintosh is when you install the macOS operating system on any non-Apple laptop by tweaking or hacking it. Nowadays, a lot of people are trying to install macOS on their laptops by using advanced technology. This sounds simple, but it requires a lot of technical knowledge in the process.

The important thing about turning into Hackintosh is that not all laptops compatible with it. There are certain specifications you need to keep in mind before converting it into a Hackintosh laptop.

Things to Know Before Purchasing a Laptop for Hackintosh

  • The laptop should have the latest Intel processor because AMD processors are simply not supported.
  • Minimum 8GB RAM (a greater RAM size is recommended to provide better speed)
  • One might have to deal with some annoying bugs such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi card issues. Some Hackintoshers even face difficulty in finding and installing the proper drivers for the laptop hardware.
  • You may want to join a Hackintosh forum for the discussion of the general issues you face during the installation of Mac on your laptop.

Most Common Problems With Hackintosh OS

Hackintosh is a great way to run macOS on a non-Apple device. However, installing Hackintosh is not an easy task if you want everything to run smoothly. There might be some issues you’ll face while running it on different laptops. Some of the most common Hackintosh issues are:

  • Kernel Panic issues
  • Boot screen issues
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity issues
  • Sudden Mouse cursor freezing
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity issues

Why Use Hackintosh?

There are several reasons people prefer using Hackintosh. Some of the are:

  • They are cheaper – You can simply buy a cheap laptop and then install the OS to it and save money for other needs.
  • You can customize the specifications – You can modify your laptop with higher specs than a MacBook which could cost you a lot of money.
  • You can choose any hardware component – Compared to Mac users, Hackintosh users can do a lot of upgrades on their components.

Here’s our list of the 7 best Hackintosh laptops available in the market that can be easily used to run Mac OS using the Hackintosh process.

For now, let’s start with the cheapest Hackintosh laptops followed by the premium (some kind of expensive) laptops for Hackintosh.

Best Hackintosh Laptops Review

1. Acer Aspire 5

Acer Aspire 5 A515

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4
  • Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) WLED-backlit
  • GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Battery: Up to 8.5 hours
  • Weight: 3.64 lbs

Topping the list of best Hackintosh laptops is the Acer Aspire 5, which is one of the most powerful and affordable laptops you can buy right now. This premium-build laptop comes with silver aluminum chassis giving it a cool look. Compare to its previous version Acer Aspire E15, the laptop is extremely lightweight. It offers a 15-inch full HD display and an ergonomic backlit keyboard to work comfortably in any environment.

The laptop comes with a powerful Intel Core i5 11th generation processor and Nvidia graphics card, which makes it a great choice for the Hackintosh project. The laptop offers 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state drive that gives you a more personalized and responsive experience during multitasking.

With powerful hardware specifications and great performance, you’ll be able to run Mac software easily on this laptop. Apart from these features, the laptop offers up to 8.5 hours of battery life to stay at your side all day.

Pros

  • Great performance
  • Acer fingerprint reader
  • Full-size backlit keyboard
  • Wireless Wi-Fi 6 convenience
  • Slim and portable design

Cons

  • No optical drive
  • No SD card slot

2. ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA

ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) OLED 400nits nano-bezel
  • GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • Battery: Up to 13 hours
  • Weight: 2.45 lbs

The other laptop we are looking at is the ASUS ZenBook UX325EA – one of the most portable and high-end laptops available in the market. This beautiful laptop from Asus features an all-aluminum design with just 0.5” thin and less than 2.4 lbs weight giving it effortless portability.

This 13.3-inch FHD nano-edge display fits in an ultra-compact frame featuring 178° wide-view technology and 100% RGB color gamut to give you sharp and bright images. There should be no performance issues here as the Asus Zenbook 13 is powered by the Intel Core i7 processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD.

Moreover, the laptop has a backlit keyboard and it charges up to 60% in just 49 minutes. It does not offer Nvidia GPU, but it’s still a great choice for a Hackintosh because of its small size and portability. Overall, it’s a perfect blend of performance, elegance, and speed.

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Performance worth the money
  • Elegant blue aluminum chassis
  • Very comfortable keyboard
  • Fast charging support

Cons

  • No fingerprint reader
  • No headphone jack
  • Slightly dim display

3. HP Envy 13

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4
  • Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 13.3″ 4K (3840 x 2160)) IPS WLED-backlit Touchscreen
  • GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • Battery: Up to 10 hours
  • Weight: 2.58 lbs

The HP Envy has achieved a lot of fame in the most demanding tasks and certainly, it’s a good choice for Hackintoshing too. It is one of the best portable laptops that offer a 13.3-inch razor-sharp and vibrant display. The best part is its class-leading performance with sleek aluminum lightweight chassis that makes it a good match to MacBook.

The display test on this laptop’s benchmark shows that it can bring alive videos and other content with vivid colors. The laptop offers a backlit keyboard to let you work in a darker environment. The Envy 13 comes with powerful 10th gen Intel Core i7 processor and a massive 8GB RAM providing great performance while multitasking.

The laptop is also equipped with a 512GB SSD using the faster PCIe technology to save your files. Additionally, it provides all the connectivity you need with USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, and HDMI support. Overall, HP Envy 13 provides all the essential features a Hackintosh laptop needs.

Pros

  • Stylish look
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Corning Gorilla Glass display
  • Lightweight design
  • Support Intel Wi-Fi 6

Cons

  • No backlit keyboard
  • Average battery life

4. Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop

Acer Nitro 5 AN515 Gaming Laptop

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-1030H 6-Core Processor
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4
  • Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) WLED-backlit IPS
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 6GB GDDR6
  • Battery: Up to 7 hours
  • Weight: 4.85 lbs

For those who are looking for a budget gaming laptop with powerful hardware specifications, the Acer Nitro 5 is an ideal choice for you. It is one such 15-inch gaming machine pack with many awesome features inside such as an FHD IPS display, awesome mobility, advanced cooling, and stellar audio capabilities – which makes it a great choice for a Hackintosh conversion project.

Its powerful Intel Core i5 processor paired with a massive 8GB of RAM and 256GB of fast solid-state drive makes it capable to handle quite a lot of tasks with ease. Furthermore, its high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti delivers the fast, smooth gaming experiences you want. The laptop also features a bright red backlit keyboard so you can keep doing your work in a dark environment.

For connectivity, this gaming laptop also offers USB Type-C connectivity for fast data transfers. The best part of this laptop is its dual-fan cooling technology that keeps the system cool during intense gaming. Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 provides good value for the money.

Pros

  • Decent gaming performance for price
  • Customizable fan controls
  • Great battery life
  • Plenty of storage expansion

Cons

  • No media card reader
  • Bulky size
  • Finicky trackpad

5. Razer Blade Stealth 13

Razer Blade Stealth 13

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 4-core Processor
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 13.3″ FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) thin-bezel
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q
  • Battery: Up to 7 hours
  • Weight: 3.26 lbs

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 laptop is one of the most versatile gaming ultrabooks but also a good choice for users who want to carry out Hackintosh. The Stealth 13 will give you an authentic MacBook pro experience which makes it a perfect choice for a Hackintosh. It comes with a 13.3-inch full HD display having a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The laptop is incredibly lightweight and builds durably with a CNC unibody aluminum frame.

This powerful gaming ultrabook is featured with GeForce GTX 1650 Ti that lets you play most of the latest games at their highest level. Its 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage are not only great for getting the experience of macOS but also sufficient for a dual-boot setup.

Stealth 13 is configured with the latest 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor. Additionally, the laptop features a chroma keyboard with single-zone RGB lighting to give you an immersive gaming experience. All in all, if you prefer a standard gaming laptop, then the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is the best option you can use for Hackintosh.

Pros

  • Premium and lightweight design
  • Solid game performance
  • RGB keyboard with improved layout
  • THX Spatial Audio
  • Decent battery life

Cons

  • No SD card slot
  • Expensive comapred to its competitors

6. Asus ZenBook 14

Asus ZenBook 13 UX334

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-10510U Processor
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 14″ FHD LED-backlit (1920 x 1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX250 2GB graphics
  • Battery: Up to 9-hours
  • Weight: 2.78 lbs

The Asus ZenBook 14 is a high-performance laptop with excellent build quality and powerful hardware inside an ultra-slim and light chassis that weighs just 2.7 pounds. It features a 14-inch full HD nano-edge display with a 95% screen-to-body ratio that provides great picture quality which is quite similar to a Retina MacBook. Its ErgoLift hinge design allows you to automatically tilt the keyboard to optimize your user experience.

Moreover, the laptop offers you an exclusive dual-function touchpad that can act as a number pad just by tapping at the top right on the touchpad. This latest model of ZenBook 14 is powered by the Intel Core i7 10th gen processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD storage.

The laptop weighs only 2.7 pounds and offers a battery life of up to 9 hours. Above all these specifications, this laptop will not face issues during the Hackintosh conversion process due to Nvidia GeForce MX250 graphics. Other than this, ZenBook 14 is a perfect laptop in all aspects.

Pros

  • Decent battery life
  • Slim and lightweight design
  • Solid deep-dish keyboard
  • Good quality IPS 1W matte display
  • Superb all-round performance

Cons

  • No finger-sensor
  • Gimmicky touchpad

7. Dell XPS 13 9300

Dell New XPS 13 9300

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor
  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x
  • Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 13.4-Inch Full HD (1920×1080) InfinityEdge Touchscreen
  • GPU: Intel Iris Plus graphics
  • Battery: Up to 18.5-hours
  • Weight: 2.65 lbs

Last but not least, Dell XPS 13 is an elegant machine, one that’s widely used after MacBook to perform demanding tasks. As far as the MacOS is concerned, the Dell XPS 13 is perhaps the best laptop to run Mac OS. The Dell XPS comes in different configurations for users to choose from based on the type of their usage. This XPS 13 (9300) is a mid-range laptop that comes with Intel’s 10th gen Core i7 processor which is a value-for-money option.

Similarly, its 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage allow it to easily handle multiple tasks and applications. It rocks a beautiful 13.3-inch full HD display with a premium-looking chassis finished in platinum silver color. It can last up to 18.5 hours on a single charge and weigh only 2.65 pounds.

The laptop also features a 1535 Wireless-AC adapter that provides the strongest and most reliable Wi-Fi connection to make sure your online videos, voice, and games play faster and smoother. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent laptop for Hackintosh purposes.

Pros

  • Impressive performance
  • Excellent keyboard and audio
  • Lid-open sensor
  • Excellent 16:10 display
  • Decent battery life

Cons

  • Expensive as configured
  • RAM could be higher

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Hackintosh Laptops

What is a Hackintosh laptop? A Hackintosh laptop is a non-Apple computer that runs macOS, the operating system designed for Apple’s Mac computers. It is achieved by using specialized software and modifying the computer’s hardware to be compatible with macOS.

What are the benefits of using a Hackintosh laptop?

The main benefit of using a Hackintosh laptop is that it allows you to run macOS on hardware that is not manufactured by Apple. This can be useful for people who prefer the hardware of other manufacturers or who want to save money by building their own Hackintosh rather than buying a Mac.

What are the best Hackintosh laptops available in the market?

Some of the best Hackintosh laptops available in the market are Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre x360, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, ASUS ZenBook UX425, and Acer Swift 3.

Can any laptop be turned into a Hackintosh?

Not every laptop can be turned into a Hackintosh. The hardware of the laptop must be compatible with macOS, and there must be appropriate drivers available for the hardware.

Is it legal to use a Hackintosh laptop?

The legality of using a Hackintosh laptop is a gray area. While it is not technically illegal to run macOS on non-Apple hardware, Apple’s End User License Agreement (EULA) prohibits it.

What are the system requirements for running macOS on a Hackintosh laptop?

The system requirements for running macOS on a Hackintosh laptop are similar to those for running macOS on an Apple computer. Generally, you’ll need a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, and a graphics card that supports Metal.

What are the risks of using a Hackintosh laptop?

The main risk of using a Hackintosh laptop is that it may not be stable or reliable, as macOS is not designed to run on non-Apple hardware. Additionally, updating macOS can be more complicated and may require additional software modifications.

How difficult is it to set up a Hackintosh laptop?

Setting up a Hackintosh laptop can be quite difficult, as it involves modifying hardware and software. It requires technical expertise and patience, as well as the ability to troubleshoot problems that may arise.

Can I run Windows and macOS on the same Hackintosh laptop?

Yes, it is possible to run both Windows and macOS on the same Hackintosh laptop. This is known as a dual-boot configuration, and it involves partitioning the hard drive and installing both operating systems separately.

Are there any limitations to using a Hackintosh laptop compared to a real Mac?

Yes, there are some limitations to using a Hackintosh laptop compared to a real Mac. Hackintosh laptops may not be as stable or reliable as Apple’s hardware, and updating macOS can be more complicated. Additionally, some hardware features may not be fully functional or compatible with macOS.

Final Words

So these are the best laptops for Hackintosh you can choose based on your requirements and budget. If you’re afraid to use Hackintosh, don’t worry because these laptops are packed with excellent specifications and can give you a wonderful experience without being harmed by the hacking process.

We hope this guide will help you find the right laptop for your work. If you have any queries or suggestions about this buying guide, let us know in the comment section below.

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