There really isn't a right or wrong answer to that question. In a corporate environment for most larger companies, you are likely going to see the Windows operating system on user systems and possibly Linux/Unix on servers. With that being said, even if you have a mac you can still run virtual machines to get experience with Windows. Ultimately, you should use whatever you feel most comfortable with but understand that you are more likely to use a Windows computer at work.
I wouldn't recommend using an iPad at this point because you aren't going to be able to use a lot of the tools or capabilities that a computer will give you.
There are definitely specific things I say in regards to Cyber Security so make sure to rewatch the video if you missed them. Also, I have more detail on things in my eBook. One of the main take-away's should be that a good computer for Cyber Security isn't useless for general usage.
Jon Excellent content! I have looked into your website and other material. Strongly looking at signing up as a member. I am beginning my 3rd year working towards a BS in Cyber Security, but the program lacks personal guidance on building out lab environments, specific certifications recommended, etc. Glad I found you!
Thank you for the feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! To be honest, even my Master's program didn't cover a lot of that stuff but I'm here to help.
I recommend checking out my Career Coaching services ( www.jongood.com/services/ ) as well as my other videos and livestreams, which will give you the roadmap to follow...from there it's just a matter of putting in the work.
I use a legion 5 64mb 500 gb m2 for normal Windows Pro, and 1Tb M2 just for virtual machines, having windows pro is good because I can use my Mac Mini M1 and remote desktop, I also have a dedicated PC, and a few think pads which are really light. What I’ve learnt is more cores the better, 1TB I’d recommend for storage as minimum, and I’d say 32 mb of ram, you can use lower specs but I’ve found with some of the labs I’m doing this has been the bare minimum. But I also know hackers who use next to nothing, so a lot of it comes down to what you do. Most important you can learn on anything, but if you can afford a better system it may pay to make that investment, you can always get second hand high spec ex lease as well.
Computers are like cars; you can always get something better, but it's not always necessary. The recommendations I've included in this video are in the "reasonable" category, meaning you can do almost anything an average professional needs. Indeed, if you want to start spinning up a ton of resources, you might need power, but most labs only need a few systems to accomplish the learning objectives without the scale. I've also found that when people spin up large labs, they typically use it for a short while and then never again...which means that you're probably better off using the cloud for that than spending a bunch of money upfront.
I am not going to lie. This right here got me inspired to build my own PC for class I am going to take soon for cyber security. I was about to give up on it because I dont have a computer that I can take the class with. If you could help me find some good cheap builds or find some good parts to get me started would love it .
I would start with the systems that I recommended that can either be found in the description of the video or here ( www.amazon.com/shop/jongood?listId=ZIUDG037HCRJ&ref=cm_sw_tw_r_inf_list_own_jongood_dp_4qCohKUGvdAYI ). You can also find more detailed information about parts to pick in my eBook found on my website ( www.jongood.com/getstarted/ ).
Hey John I'm studying Bachelor of science in information security and forensics...I was wondering whether u can give me an all rounded advice in everything I'd really appreciate it. Thank you🙏🏽
I would recommend grabbing a free copy of my eBook ( www.jongood.com/newsletter/ ) and checking out the Beginner section of my channel ( ruclips.net/user/JonGoodCyberplaylists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=1 ) for a lot of good advice.
I appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! From what I can tell on the specs, it looks like it is very geared towards gaming. That's not necessarily a bad thing but you can save money if you aren't necessarily going to do heavy graphics tasks. amzn.to/360ZSty
Go with a laptop, max out the processor (intel) and RAM, 64 Bit OS buy from a company where you can make monthly payments. make sure you have a docking station with dual monitors. And make sure your computer chair is high end with great ergonomics. You will spend endless hours there.
There's pros and cons of using financing to purchase a computer but unfortunately one of the biggest cons is that people always spend more when they use financing. Funny enough about the chair, I spent the first six years of my Cyber Security career using one of the cheap student desk roller type chairs without any issue. With that being said though, a nice chair and desk can certainly make things easier to have long study sessions. I definitely wouldn't spend more than $400ish when you're coming up because "high end" chairs can get well into the $1,000s or higher....save that kind of purchase for later.
Thanks to the RUclips, finally landed in a great channel.. I hit subscribe button just after seeing 10 minutes of video. You were Amazing dude. I like the way you explained the things. ❤❤
Hey Jon, I will be starting Computer science with cyber security at University soon and I was looking to buy a laptop because I want to have a portable pc so I can take it to my Uni with me, I just wanted to know if there are any specific specs that are required more in the cyber security section or if I need a specific OS. Also my budget would be up to £1.2k if you have any recommendations on laptops. Thank you
I recommend grabbing a free copy of my eBook ( www.jongood.com/getstarted/ ) because I go a little more in-depth on what parts to pick. In a nutshell, RAM is extremely important in any computer and for the operating system I would stick to either MacOS (you must be able to run Windows VMs) or Windows.
MacBook is good for presentation at developer or cyber security conference just saying because it's more closed source Open source software are good for cyber security specially install a linux distribution and install required application on system✌️
Just because something is closed source does not make it more secure. Both open source and closed source have their pros and cons so there really isn't a blanket correct answer. Also, MacBooks are NOT unhackable.
@@JonGoodCyber I didn't say it's unhackable anywhere everything is hackable and I have seen more people using Mac at conference I don't use a Mac tho Yes they have many bugs it's just isheeps brag about the quality and design other than under the hood specs at price range 😂
Q- I appreciate this information provided, however, I am entering the cyberfield now. Is this information still current for purchasing a new system?? Thank you
I'm about to start a bootcamp next month and I saw a 2019 MacBook Pro with a i9 and 32 GB ram for like 1100. I think about getting that one because it easy to switch between Mac, Windows and Linus. I honestly don't know what system would be better for me
If you can get what I mention in this video or better, then you'll be fine. The type of system that you've mentioned should be fine for Cyber Security but you should also consider the other things that you'll do with the computer.
Wow thanks so much for this video. Clearly explained and easy to understand. I've been looking exactly for this video. I'm going to buy it. Subscribed 👍
@@JonGoodCyber also any prebuild pc you'd recommend under 2000 usd? I'm an Australian that has moved to Russia. And I'm starting from absolute beginning. So I'm looking at something that would be easy to upgrade down the line. Thank you for any information.
For Cyber Security in the context of this video, water cooling is more of a personal preference than a requirement. I'm not really sure what else you'll be doing with the computer, but specifically for Cyber Security the 3060 is more than capable for what you will need and you probably won't come close to maxing it out. Gaming or heavy graphics usage (3D modeling, etc.) are the only kinds of things that really drive the need for higher-end graphics cards. Regarding prebuilds, I've provided several in the video and links in the description as recommendations but keep in mind that desktop PCs are easier to upgrade as you progress unlike laptops (limited upgrades) or macs (not upgradable).
For me one of the major issues is not being able to join the system to a domain and having some of the enterprise functionality. I'm a huge fan of building out my home network so I need to have a lot of those features. It really comes down to how you will use the system but for sure if you are going to lab out enterprise type environments you need the Pro version (this could be a virtual machine though). Here is a good article that addresses some of the major differences ( www.pcgamer.com/whats-the-difference-between-windows-10-home-and-pro/ ).
I don't typically recommend it to beginners however it's totally possible if you are motivated. I would look at a website like PC Part Picker ( pcpartpicker.com/ ) that will help you pick compatible components.
Thank you jon for making this video but i have a question : which macbook is better for cyber security ? The 13 inch macbook pro m2 with 16go of ram and 256go of memory or the 8go and 512go model ?
The system components that I mention in this video are the minimum that I recommend. With that being said, if you had an extremely fast external hard drive then you might be able to get by with lower storage onboard but just understand that performance is still going to suffer to a certain extent and it's not ideal.
They will all work but I would look at the ones I recommended and pick the one that fits your budget. If you need to take it to class with you, then go with a laptop.
@@JonGoodCyber Well they provide us with equipment at school. I just want to know what a good pc is. My friends use MSI gaming servers. But I'm always seeing trouble shooting or its really slow starting up. So I'd rather take advice from you than my friends 😅 thank you very much for your videos they have helped me alot.
Not a problem! The biggest three reasons why a computer is generally slow comes down to: slow CPU, not enough RAM, or a slow hard drive. Unless you are gaming, a graphics card won't typically be the cause of normal use lag so just make sure those other three components are good and you should be fine.
Hello Jon, Is it necessary to use a virtual machine for cybersecurity? Or can install the OS for example "Linux" on the laptop instead of using a virtual machine to be the base OS? Thank you in advance!
Virtual machines are used for testing various things on operating systems. It's not really a good idea to test a lot of these things on your host operating system install because if you mess things up, you won't be very happy and might have to reinstall the system.
Hey Jon, I need to buy a laptop for creating a virtual machine and having Kali and/or Parrot OS on VM. My main OS will be Windows. This is for pentesting. So, are we good with buying a laptop with Ryzen processors rather Intel. I have read on lot of forums (related to kali, linux etc.) that Ryzen processors are not good for running Linux systems like Ubuntu, Kali, Parrot etc. both as main OS and under virtual machines. People facing different kind of issues from navigating, black screen, sound etc. Please suggest me, if it will be good to buy a Ryzen and install Kali/Parrot VMs and not having any issue. I will be buying Ryzen 4000 series.
I don't necessarily see why people would be having problems with a Ryzen processor but if you are seeing overwhelming reviews, I would be hesitant to go against them.
Hello Jon Good, the video is really useful. I am going to buy a Macbook Air with an M1 chip 16GB and 512 SSD I will use it for Cyber Security and I also want to have it for a long time. Is it a good purchase? Cheers!
Thank you for the feedback and I am glad you enjoyed the video! Previous versions of the Macbook Air were underpowered but it looks like Apple has really improved on that model. I would do a quick search to find a comparison of the MB Air vs MB Pro to do your due diligence, but especially if you are on a limited budget I think you will be ok.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much for your message I really appreciate it. Yes, I have limited budget so I only buy that model with these specifications. I was looking for someone who knows about Cyber Security and gives me some advices about this model (I found you). Again, thank you so much!
Hey I love your channel! Vids are very informative for I am starting my first year of Cyber Security. Im looking to build a PC with a AMD Ryzen cpu for their cost/performance. Do you think I will be ok with a Ryzen 5 3600 (6 cores, 12 threads, 3.6-4.2ghz) or a Ryzen 7 3700x (8 cores, 16 threads, 3.6-4.4hz)? Or do you not recommend AMD at all? Thanks for the content keep it up!
Thank you for the feedback! From the limited research that I can find on those two, it doesn't seem like there is that much difference. If you have the extra cash though then it makes sense because you get more cores/threads. I'm personally more of an Intel fan but you can definitely save money on AMD.
Excellent video. Ive been through this not long ago. I had just been accepted to a University for online classes for the cyber security program. I was using a small form factor mini dell desktop 9020. Well the hard drive just went out 2 days before classes started. Luckily Amazon agreed to let me return it and buy another one. I was really stressed out before i even started classes. I did get another Dell 9020 mid tower with 32gig ram and tera HD. I would rather had built my own but thats what my budget allowed me. Well classes began and between work and the pressure of keeping up was over whelming. It was to much at the time. So i stopped my classes because it was early enough to do that. Well I'm at a stage on debating whether or not to go back or jump in to a class that specializes in this field. Any suggestions? I'm not sure if my grant and loan will cover these or not. Any ideas or ("harsh") criticism will be accepted Thank you.
I recommend checking out my video on bootcamps ( ruclips.net/video/Hi9bci5gbw4/видео.html ) where I talk about criteria that I look for in a program. Although I'm not sure what the level of time commitment was that you faced, you certainly should be willing to dedicate enough to learn both initially and throughout the rest of your career.
Please help me. I wanna get into computer forensics but i dont know what to choose in college. Some say bach in cs then a masters in computer forensics then some say just get a degree in cybersecurity. And there arent much videos on this topic and me a 14 year old is very interested in this field. But I dont know how to go about it. Please help
In order to get into forensics and especially to be good at it, you need to have a deep understanding of operating systems and how networks operate. In general, the early stages of what you need to learn are the same no matter the area of Cyber Security you want to end up.
Hello Jon, thanks for the good work you are doing. Please what are the certifications I need to be in cybersecurity after earning CCNA certificate, which exam do I need to do next? Thanks
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! I would highly suggest grabbing a free copy of my eBook ( www.jongood.com/newsletter/ ) because I actually layout a certification plan that will give you a lot of marketable skills.
I’m starting a cyber security and networks bachelors course, should I get a MacBook m1 air 8gb/256gb or a 2019 MBP 16gb/512gb or the m1 but upgrade the specs? I’ve heard that the M chip isn’t as compatible so should I go with an intel?
I recommend rewatching this video as I walk through the minimum and recommended system requirements that you should look for in a system. If this is going to be your only system, I probably would avoid Mac systems with M chips as you might run into issues with operating system compatibility especially with virtual machines. There are emulation options out there but honestly it's not a good idea for newer people to potentially set themselves up for frustrations trying to make things work. You'd be better off with an intel version or a PC instead.
It depends on the components inside but looking at the stock model the main concern I would have is the 8GB of RAM. I always recommend at least 16GB if you are going to be running virtual machines to avoid performance issues. For gaming it really depends on what you want out of your experience. Since games today tend to be very heavy in graphics my gut says you might be a little light on power.
Hey JoHN G'day , I'll be buying a MACbook pro 13 inch model with M1 chip....(earlier was planning to buy maxed out M1 max chip macbook pro ) for running Kali Linux on virtual box and VMware ( I've opted for Cyber security course ) So do you think 🤔 this will be a good move ??
I bought a MBP 13in (2016) and used it for several years on courses like Penetration Testing with Kali Linux and it was fine. You would want to compare the parts between the two versions because sometimes the smaller versions are underpowered in comparison but if you are only going to run one or two virtual machines and not do anything crazy resource intensive, then you should be ok. Here is a pretty good build that I would recommend: amzn.to/3BQzOhb
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much John I appreciate your help :))) I was planning to buy the exact model you just recommended ☺️☺️ once again thank you , Have a flabbergasting day ahead
@@JonGoodCyber instead of the Mac book pro 13 inch model can I buy the Mac book Air model 13 inch model with M1 chip ( 16 GB ram + 1 TB SSD ) overall they got same specs as far as I know ?? I gotta use that for the same ( virtual machines ) ?? ~thank you !
They appear to be very similar specs so I would look to see if you can find any reviews indicating issues with either just to make sure. I would also try to go to a store and actually try both if possible because the feel is different between the two.
@@JonGoodCyber I totally agree with you John ...but here where I'm from...the official Apple store would be 25 miles away...we only got resellers around...so I would really appreciate if you look into the matter ...and tell us what will be the better choice ?? I've got no words to thank you enough for the guidance you've been providing us up till now ☺️☺️ once again thank you and pls do review them
Correct me if I'm wrong but Im interested in the Acer Spin 3 but the posted link to buy took me a 8gb memory but you recommended 16gb. I can't find a 16gb spin 3.
@@JonGoodCyber thanks for the quick reply! You're right I've been shopping around all day so I guess I misread it. Btw your videos are beyond helpful I will make donations once everything is set for me.
Typically I don't recommend "lightweight" computer options because they tend to be underpowered especially if you will be using your computer to lab. This option ( amzn.to/3lWfQNJ ) is interesting but if you were going to get a Macbook Air, I would plan on using the cloud or a separate computer for labbing so you can spin up more resources.
The Air M2 is certainly starting to blur the lines with improved performance. As long as you meet the minimum requirements that I provide in this video you should be fine. With that being said, you're likely still going to have the same issue as the M1 with running older operating systems on virtual machines because of the ARM-architecture but I think at this point that's probably even less of a concern.
I recommend the one that you are most comfortable with. Either one will get the job done but it really comes down to the componenets inside the machine. Some all in one computers won't allow you to upgrade componenets so you really need to make sure you get the right parts when you buy it. Below are two different options that I would consider if I was looking to go that way: -PC: amzn.to/3qeNzUN -Mac: amzn.to/3bUe3SY
Do I need this for school or if I’m already in the field ? I’m starting from scratch with no computer skills please help me out also I’m mobile so I’ll my school work will be mobile so laptop is my only option…
My recommendations in this video are the minimum for anybody either looking to get into Cyber Security or that is already in the Cyber Security career field. The longer that you're in the career field, the more likely it is that you will need more than just the minimum recommendations but it's a good place to start.
Don't worry the information is still relevant! Mac book air's are acceptable if you get good enough componenets. Here is a recommended build: amzn.to/3rjNZK2
It really depends how you will use the computer. Given my recommendations, you would want to max out the specs which puts you close in cost with the MacBook Pro. It's better to spend a little more now if you can instead of not having enough power.
Hey i was thinking of buying the lenovo legion AMD version. But someone told me that ThinkPad is very good for ethical hacking as it is of IBM What's your opinion what do u say?
As far as ethical hacking, you will find similar results with both systems. The ThinkPad ( amzn.to/3l5kDc0 ) typically will show up in a lot of organizations because it really is a workhorse computer where the Legion ( amzn.to/34mO6r0 ) seems to be more geared towards general use and gaming. It depends what you will use the computer for but if you need better graphics then go with the Legion.
Hey Abdullah, I am a CS student in computer Science and I have a lenovo leigon y520. Eventhough the laptop is great in terms of keyboard and performance, it has A LOT OF DRAWBACKS. Some include the following: - POOR battery life - Lags after a while - Eventhough it has 16GB RAM and 256 SSD I have found it to be slower than laptops with half the specs. I cant say anything about Thinkpads but I would definitely not recommend leigon series
It looks fine but of course it depends on your usage plans. Looking at the base model, I would try to get at least 16GB of RAM and 500GB+ of storage space.
@@JonGoodCyber Im going to run several virtual machines at the same time. And i will also work with other cyber security related software in the future, could you reccomend any windows laptops within the same price range? (900-1600$)
It depends on the build that you get. Many of the things that I mention in this video are the minimum components that I would recommend. Here is a build that would be good: amzn.to/3KZkc15
Hi Jon I need your help I’m a cybersecurity student and I really need to get a computer people tell me I should get a computer with windows not iOS but I really want a MacBook Pro like really bad but they keep advising me to get a a windows what do you recommend
@@JonGoodCyber and may I ask you what would u recommend for me what computer could hold with me because I won’t just use it for college I want to play with it like genshin impact and games like that
@@ThankYouForReadingThisComment I would check out the systems linked in the description as all of these will be able to perform well with modern games and for college use.
They are fine laptops and very common in the enterprise environment. I actually have the older version of this one ( amzn.to/2PbDZ18 ) and it goes with me to conferences.
Awesome...now how does that compare against the specifications that I've provided in this video? Keep in mind what I've provided is what I would consider the minimum requirements, but it's also so you understand what you need in both near-term and long-term purchases.
Hey jon,im going to college next year but im still not sure what to get whats better for cyber security a laptop or a desktop? in my opinion i prefer desktops but in college if im going to atend classes will i need a laptop or i can just get a desktop and use it at home.Thank you
Are you going to an entirely online college or in-person? For in-person college, I recommend getting a laptop because there will be times when you'll need to take your computer with you to class or group work. For 100% online college, you could potentially get away with having a desktop but I would probably still recommend a laptop for more flexibility in where you can work.
Raspberry Pi's are cool little devices to mess around with but anything you learn on Kali when using one will not be any different than using a normal computer. You possibly could even run into performance limitations or other cons of not using a virtual machine.
@@JonGoodCyber ok thank you for the fast response, so do you think i should learn about VMs and just use my laptop for learning kali (thinkpad e14, 16gb, 512ssd, i7 10thgen) if so, you have some tips on where to start my journey? i am italian, first year in to computer engineering, i know i will get there with uni but i can’t hold back, i want to learn about cyber security! thanks
For learning, virtual machines will generally work better. I also would recommend checking out my website ( www.jongood.com/getting-started/ ) and going through the resources listed to get you going.
okay so i have a computer that has intel i7 9th gen. but a lot of people are going for AMD so which one is better i have always use intel with no problem but i am curious if AMD is better with their new generation.
AMD has closed the gap a lot in performance when compared to Intel. Typically with AMD, the prices are lower but for most people it really just comes down to preference unless there is a strong need to go with one over the other. I personally tend to prefer Intel.
@@JonGoodCyber Hi Jon could you tell me if AMD processors are limited in any way when it comes to VMs or any other software compatibility issues ? Or are they exactly the same as intel's processors in terms of actual use, thanks a lot.
If you are looking for technical specs comparing Intel vs AMD, there is plenty of information out there comparing the two. From my personal experience, I haven't ran into any issues with either processor because for what we do in Cyber Security, you probably won't be able to tell the difference unless you really wanted to dig into performance metrics.
It's true that you can spin up VMs in the cloud instead of hosting them locally, however there are a few reasons why that wasn't included. First, people getting into Cyber Security typically get a new computer around the same time so they might as well get a computer with some power. Second, even though using the cloud could be less expensive there are plenty of cases of even seasoned professionals not allocating resources correctly and ending up with huge bills. It's just easier for new people especially to host local VMs. The last reason is that in Cyber Security, people typically want to play around with Kali and other security tools that can cause legal issues if you aren't running them against your systems. If Kali is in the cloud, it can be easy to lose sight of the legality of what you are doing.
Hi Jon, thanks for the video. I am going to study IT which requires running quite a bit of virtual machines in the syllabus. I am thinking to get the Macbook Pro 16 inch Intel i7 (6-core) or i9 (8-core), 32GB ram and 1TB storage. Do you think the i7 (6-core) is sufficient or i9 (8-core) is better? I am also concerned about the more powerful CPU (i.e. i9) would cause thermal issue so would like to have a balance here. Thanks a lot in advance!
If you have the budget, then going with the better process makes sense. I will say that with modern processors, you are more likely to run into issues with either a lack of RAM or hard drive space before you max out your CPU. With 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, I think you will be fine with either processor.
I'm sure you could use it for a bunch of different tasks. Gaming tends to be resource and graphic heavy so you might want to step up to at least an i7. There are plenty of FPS calculators out there if you want a more exact idea of the performance.
I prefer Intel over AMD. I will say though that AMD has made some great improvements over the years and they typically cost less than the equivalent Intel chip.
I would say it depends on your budget and if you need the extra performance. I have this i7 ( amzn.to/35Lne4v ). It does fine for everything that I need and I couldn't find enough justification for me to spend the extra money on the i9.
Hello. I want to get into hacking. Using Kali Linux 3/4 virtual machines. I just purchased 2021 MacBook M1 Pro 16”, 16 gb, and 1 tb. Is this a good computer ? Or should I return and get a different model? I keep reading that some stuff isn’t gonna work with the M1 chip…
Specification wise you'll be in a good position but it really depends on what you're seeing for issues compared to how you'll use the computer. The main thing that you'll have to do is virtualize Windows and Linux operating systems.
@@JonGoodCyber I read that I won’t be able to run old versions of windows and that would suck for cyber security. If I get an i9, then I lose the performance of the M1. I’m stuck in a hard spot. :/
Yeah it looks like the Windows 10 ARM version is the only one that you can run. Most training courses like Penetration Testing with Kali, the eCPPT course, etc. only require you to run a VM of Kali on your host so you would be fine there. The main issues that you could run into are: if you are dead set on running your own virtual machines of Windows, or if you take a course from SANS or something similar where they provide a Windows VM. The first issue probably isn't as likely given how many virtual training playgrounds exist but the second may or may not impact you.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much for your time and knowledge. For now I just want to learn how to hack. I’m taking a cyber security course that also uses Python. It’s called: Learn Python & Ethical Hacking from Scratch on Udemy. Do you think if I keep said laptop, the issues at hand will get resolved ?
It's definitely a risk because they could fix it in your model or make it in future hardware releases only which puts you in a bad spot if you absolutely need that functionality. If you want the most flexibility then I would switch to be safe. The performance constraints that might exist in the i9 aren't probably going to be an issue for anything that you'll learn in Cyber Security if you follow the recommendations that I provided in the video (RAM, hard drive space, etc.).
I would follow my recommendations from the video and linked in the description. The M1 chip doesn't really matter either way for how you'll use the computer for ethical hacking. Here is a good option for the M1: amzn.to/3nONVQU
Modern processors in general aren't usually an issue however the RAM and hard drive storage are where most people don't always get enough. The only thing that I've seen specifically with the M1 chip is that you won't be able to run a lot of older operating systems because there isn't an ARM version. From a cyber security perspective, that really isn't much of an issue since both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have ARM installations but you'll have to determine if other unrelated software that you want is compatible with the M1 chip or ARM installations. All of these reasons are why the minimum requirements I list in the video or better will do everything that you need for Cyber Security.
It really depends on your intended use. I linked three similar models of each below. Personally I would go with the MSI if you are gaming or the Lenovo if you want a stable build. MSI: amzn.to/3nTde0K Lenovo: amzn.to/36YRaLu Huawei: amzn.to/35YteIM
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! I was looking at this one ( amzn.to/3hW9pWs ) and it definitely looks interesting. I think the RGB keyboard is a cool touch for a laptop and it looks like there are several different performance options. A concern that I would have is the heat that thing might put out. By looking at the form factor, are those extra cooling areas/fans where those lights are on the base? It reminds me a little bit of a 17 inch Dell laptop I had 10 years ago where that thing just pumped out heat like crazy. Of course things have got a lot better over the years but it would be something I would check to make sure that wasn't an issue.
Here are several that are close or just under your price range. -MSI Gaming Laptop: amzn.to/35AwFDB -Acer Spin 3: amzn.to/2SDfaxa -Cyberpower Desktop PC: amzn.to/2L5ortO -Dell Desktop PC: amzn.to/2xAoISm
Hi. Thank you so much for the info 🙏 Would it be acceptable to get something like a xeon and tons of RAM if Im planning on running lots of virtual machines and need a powerful CPU? I know they're meant for servers, but would appreciate your input
You absolutely can use server-level processing power in your home lab. Typically people don't have the space or the ability to use servers for other reasons, but if you can and want to keep things on-site then it makes sense.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you. I appreciate the response. Have you heard of ACME portable computers? Not that I can afford one but there's a dream machine 🤩
Here is one with 192GB ( amzn.to/3cUPoy5 ). To get that much memory, you pretty much either need a heavy duty workstation or you will need an actual server.
Something like this build ( amzn.to/35TPgPH ) would be a good option. The only issue that I've seen with the M1 chip is you can't run older operating systems (ex. pre Windows 10) but at this point I'm not sure that even matters. You might want to double check just based on how you'll use it to make sure though.
First, thank you for watching and for the feedback! I'm not sure that I would say nobody wants to watch 25 minutes since this video has over 30,000 views but chapters are now available. I would encourage you to watch the entire video so you don't miss key pieces of information that are part of a certain chapter. My free eBook also has more detailed information than what is covered in this video.
Why is that? You'll see them in professional environments so I'm not sure that intentionally sheltering yourself from them is necessarily the best idea when you'll have to understand their flaws.
Lenovo is generally a pretty common brand that shows up in the enterprise and they seem to hold up pretty well. It depends on the specific build but the one I found seems pretty solid. ( amzn.to/2MspoRk )
The specs look pretty good however for me a 17 inch screen on a laptop is getting too big. I have to imagine the buyer for that laptop is not taking it on trips very often.
Spec wise it's going to be towards the top, especially if you go with a version like this ( amzn.to/3dm77wS ) with the 2080 but again it depends on your needs. For me, if I was getting a laptop then I would prefer no bigger than a 16 inch screen and if it were for general use then I tend to prefer macbooks over PCs. I've just found that I would rather have a desktop instead of a massive laptop.
I would check out my Getting Started page ( www.jongood.com/getting-started/ ) where you will find a lot of beginner resources. Since you are in school, you probably will get further on your studies because most people don't end up working a lot if they are full time students.
Examples of solid computers to consider:
Apple Macbook Pro: amzn.to/2xDXGtn
ROG Gaming Laptop: amzn.to/35EAojQ
MSI Gaming Laptop: amzn.to/35AwFDB
Acer Spin 3: amzn.to/2SDfaxa
Cyberpower Desktop PC: amzn.to/2L5ortO
Dell Desktop PC: amzn.to/2xAoISm
There really isn't a right or wrong answer to that question. In a corporate environment for most larger companies, you are likely going to see the Windows operating system on user systems and possibly Linux/Unix on servers. With that being said, even if you have a mac you can still run virtual machines to get experience with Windows. Ultimately, you should use whatever you feel most comfortable with but understand that you are more likely to use a Windows computer at work.
What about the new iPad Pro 5th generation?
I wouldn't recommend using an iPad at this point because you aren't going to be able to use a lot of the tools or capabilities that a computer will give you.
Thank you !
@@JonGoodCyber what about newest mbp m1?
I'm a semi retired opera singer, I'm transitioning to a career in cyber security. Your content is great, thank you!
That's a very interesting career change...what prompted that? I'm glad that you are enjoying the content!
Just leaving a comment for the RUclips algorithm
I appreciate the support!
@@JonGoodCyber You asked nicely, so :P
That's kinda general advice to buying a computer..nothing specific to cybersecurity
There are definitely specific things I say in regards to Cyber Security so make sure to rewatch the video if you missed them. Also, I have more detail on things in my eBook. One of the main take-away's should be that a good computer for Cyber Security isn't useless for general usage.
Jon
Excellent content! I have looked into your website and other material. Strongly looking at signing up as a member. I am beginning my 3rd year working towards a BS in Cyber Security, but the program lacks personal guidance on building out lab environments, specific certifications recommended, etc. Glad I found you!
Thank you for the feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! To be honest, even my Master's program didn't cover a lot of that stuff but I'm here to help.
@Sjon Westfall can you be my mentor if possible I’m trying to get into cyber security base out out Seattle
I recommend checking out my Career Coaching services ( www.jongood.com/services/ ) as well as my other videos and livestreams, which will give you the roadmap to follow...from there it's just a matter of putting in the work.
I clicked on your Cybersecurity pathways video. I was not going to, but I am glad I did.
I'm glad you did too and welcome to the community!
I use a legion 5 64mb 500 gb m2 for normal Windows Pro, and 1Tb M2 just for virtual machines, having windows pro is good because I can use my Mac Mini M1 and remote desktop, I also have a dedicated PC, and a few think pads which are really light.
What I’ve learnt is more cores the better, 1TB I’d recommend for storage as minimum, and I’d say 32 mb of ram, you can use lower specs but I’ve found with some of the labs I’m doing this has been the bare minimum. But I also know hackers who use next to nothing, so a lot of it comes down to what you do. Most important you can learn on anything, but if you can afford a better system it may pay to make that investment, you can always get second hand high spec ex lease as well.
Computers are like cars; you can always get something better, but it's not always necessary. The recommendations I've included in this video are in the "reasonable" category, meaning you can do almost anything an average professional needs. Indeed, if you want to start spinning up a ton of resources, you might need power, but most labs only need a few systems to accomplish the learning objectives without the scale. I've also found that when people spin up large labs, they typically use it for a short while and then never again...which means that you're probably better off using the cloud for that than spending a bunch of money upfront.
I am not going to lie. This right here got me inspired to build my own PC for class I am going to take soon for cyber security. I was about to give up on it because I dont have a computer that I can take the class with. If you could help me find some good cheap builds or find some good parts to get me started would love it .
I would start with the systems that I recommended that can either be found in the description of the video or here ( www.amazon.com/shop/jongood?listId=ZIUDG037HCRJ&ref=cm_sw_tw_r_inf_list_own_jongood_dp_4qCohKUGvdAYI ).
You can also find more detailed information about parts to pick in my eBook found on my website ( www.jongood.com/getstarted/ ).
Hey John I'm studying Bachelor of science in information security and forensics...I was wondering whether u can give me an all rounded advice in everything I'd really appreciate it. Thank you🙏🏽
I would recommend grabbing a free copy of my eBook ( www.jongood.com/newsletter/ ) and checking out the Beginner section of my channel ( ruclips.net/user/JonGoodCyberplaylists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=1 ) for a lot of good advice.
After spending literally hours, I finally found a good video. I have just one question for you. What do you think about Legion 5?
I appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! From what I can tell on the specs, it looks like it is very geared towards gaming. That's not necessarily a bad thing but you can save money if you aren't necessarily going to do heavy graphics tasks.
amzn.to/360ZSty
Go with a laptop, max out the processor (intel) and RAM, 64 Bit OS buy from a company where you can make monthly payments. make sure you have a docking station with dual monitors. And make sure your computer chair is high end with great ergonomics. You will spend endless hours there.
There's pros and cons of using financing to purchase a computer but unfortunately one of the biggest cons is that people always spend more when they use financing. Funny enough about the chair, I spent the first six years of my Cyber Security career using one of the cheap student desk roller type chairs without any issue. With that being said though, a nice chair and desk can certainly make things easier to have long study sessions. I definitely wouldn't spend more than $400ish when you're coming up because "high end" chairs can get well into the $1,000s or higher....save that kind of purchase for later.
Built it. 512gb ssd, 16GB ram, windows 11, intel i7 12700k
RTX 3060TI, decent build to start CS with.
Nice and thanks for sharing! Which version of Windows 11 did you go with?
Windows 11 Pro
@@nathanielcamacho4958 Good choice!
Thank you Jon. First day on your channel & an immediate hit to the sub button. Will be regular here. Heaps of thanks for your work.
Glad to have you and you are welcome!
Thanks to the RUclips, finally landed in a great channel.. I hit subscribe button just after seeing 10 minutes of video. You were Amazing dude. I like the way you explained the things. ❤❤
I appreciate the feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for the support!
Hey Jon, I will be starting Computer science with cyber security at University soon and I was looking to buy a laptop because I want to have a portable pc so I can take it to my Uni with me, I just wanted to know if there are any specific specs that are required more in the cyber security section or if I need a specific OS. Also my budget would be up to £1.2k if you have any recommendations on laptops. Thank you
I recommend grabbing a free copy of my eBook ( www.jongood.com/getstarted/ ) because I go a little more in-depth on what parts to pick. In a nutshell, RAM is extremely important in any computer and for the operating system I would stick to either MacOS (you must be able to run Windows VMs) or Windows.
MacBook is good for presentation at developer or cyber security conference just saying because it's more closed source
Open source software are good for cyber security specially install a linux distribution and install required application on system✌️
Just because something is closed source does not make it more secure. Both open source and closed source have their pros and cons so there really isn't a blanket correct answer. Also, MacBooks are NOT unhackable.
@@JonGoodCyber I didn't say it's unhackable anywhere everything is hackable and I have seen more people using Mac at conference
I don't use a Mac tho
Yes they have many bugs it's just isheeps brag about the quality and design other than under the hood specs at price range 😂
Q- I appreciate this information provided, however, I am entering the cyberfield now. Is this information still current for purchasing a new system?? Thank you
Yes, the information is still accurate and has not changed.
Thank youuuu Jon! Really appreciate it!
You are welcome and I'm glad that you found it helpful!
I'm about to start a bootcamp next month and I saw a 2019 MacBook Pro with a i9 and 32 GB ram for like 1100. I think about getting that one because it easy to switch between Mac, Windows and Linus. I honestly don't know what system would be better for me
If you can get what I mention in this video or better, then you'll be fine. The type of system that you've mentioned should be fine for Cyber Security but you should also consider the other things that you'll do with the computer.
@Jon Good I mostly will watch video on it and work
Wow thanks so much for this video. Clearly explained and easy to understand. I've been looking exactly for this video. I'm going to buy it. Subscribed 👍
I'm glad that you enjoyed the content and that it was helpful!
@@JonGoodCyber I couple of questions. Should I get a water cooling system? And will nvidia geforce rtx 3060 be enough or should I get the 3080?
@@JonGoodCyber also any prebuild pc you'd recommend under 2000 usd? I'm an Australian that has moved to Russia. And I'm starting from absolute beginning. So I'm looking at something that would be easy to upgrade down the line. Thank you for any information.
For Cyber Security in the context of this video, water cooling is more of a personal preference than a requirement. I'm not really sure what else you'll be doing with the computer, but specifically for Cyber Security the 3060 is more than capable for what you will need and you probably won't come close to maxing it out. Gaming or heavy graphics usage (3D modeling, etc.) are the only kinds of things that really drive the need for higher-end graphics cards. Regarding prebuilds, I've provided several in the video and links in the description as recommendations but keep in mind that desktop PCs are easier to upgrade as you progress unlike laptops (limited upgrades) or macs (not upgradable).
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much for your help.
Could you elaborate on why windows pro is better than home in your opinion?
For me one of the major issues is not being able to join the system to a domain and having some of the enterprise functionality. I'm a huge fan of building out my home network so I need to have a lot of those features. It really comes down to how you will use the system but for sure if you are going to lab out enterprise type environments you need the Pro version (this could be a virtual machine though). Here is a good article that addresses some of the major differences ( www.pcgamer.com/whats-the-difference-between-windows-10-home-and-pro/ ).
@@JonGoodCyber Thanks for your advice!
You hadn't recommended beginners not to build computer but I want to build one due to economic margin. How can I?
I don't typically recommend it to beginners however it's totally possible if you are motivated. I would look at a website like PC Part Picker ( pcpartpicker.com/ ) that will help you pick compatible components.
Thank you jon for making this video but i have a question : which macbook is better for cyber security ? The 13 inch macbook pro m2 with 16go of ram and 256go of memory or the 8go and 512go model ?
The system components that I mention in this video are the minimum that I recommend. With that being said, if you had an extremely fast external hard drive then you might be able to get by with lower storage onboard but just understand that performance is still going to suffer to a certain extent and it's not ideal.
So which one should I use for IT classes, we work on routers, virtual machines, kali, investigation simulators. We use 2tb portable hard drive
They will all work but I would look at the ones I recommended and pick the one that fits your budget. If you need to take it to class with you, then go with a laptop.
@@JonGoodCyber Well they provide us with equipment at school. I just want to know what a good pc is. My friends use MSI gaming servers. But I'm always seeing trouble shooting or its really slow starting up. So I'd rather take advice from you than my friends 😅 thank you very much for your videos they have helped me alot.
Not a problem! The biggest three reasons why a computer is generally slow comes down to: slow CPU, not enough RAM, or a slow hard drive. Unless you are gaming, a graphics card won't typically be the cause of normal use lag so just make sure those other three components are good and you should be fine.
Hello Jon,
Is it necessary to use a virtual machine for cybersecurity? Or can install the OS for example "Linux" on the laptop instead of using a virtual machine to be the base OS?
Thank you in advance!
Virtual machines are used for testing various things on operating systems. It's not really a good idea to test a lot of these things on your host operating system install because if you mess things up, you won't be very happy and might have to reinstall the system.
@@JonGoodCyber Thanks a lot for your explanation!
love your channel bro...
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback!
What do you think MacBook Pro M1. Would 8 Gb Ram crush all the Cybersecurity stuff?
MacBook Pro is always a good option and I recommend at least 16GB of RAM.
@@JonGoodCyber okay thank you 👍🏻
I would submit that Windows can be a much less stable host than Linux.
And anyone going into Cybersecurity is going to need to learn Linux anyway.
Of course depending on what you are trying to accomplish, Linux does tend to have less issues in general when compared to Windows.
Hey Jon, I need to buy a laptop for creating a virtual machine and having Kali and/or Parrot OS on VM. My main OS will be Windows. This is for pentesting. So, are we good with buying a laptop with Ryzen processors rather Intel. I have read on lot of forums (related to kali, linux etc.) that Ryzen processors are not good for running Linux systems like Ubuntu, Kali, Parrot etc. both as main OS and under virtual machines. People facing different kind of issues from navigating, black screen, sound etc. Please suggest me, if it will be good to buy a Ryzen and install Kali/Parrot VMs and not having any issue. I will be buying Ryzen 4000 series.
I don't necessarily see why people would be having problems with a Ryzen processor but if you are seeing overwhelming reviews, I would be hesitant to go against them.
Hello Jon Good, the video is really useful. I am going to buy a Macbook Air with an M1 chip 16GB and 512 SSD I will use it for Cyber Security and I also want to have it for a long time. Is it a good purchase?
Cheers!
Thank you for the feedback and I am glad you enjoyed the video! Previous versions of the Macbook Air were underpowered but it looks like Apple has really improved on that model. I would do a quick search to find a comparison of the MB Air vs MB Pro to do your due diligence, but especially if you are on a limited budget I think you will be ok.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much for your message I really appreciate it. Yes, I have limited budget so I only buy that model with these specifications.
I was looking for someone who knows about Cyber Security and gives me some advices about this model (I found you). Again, thank you so much!
Hey I love your channel! Vids are very informative for I am starting my first year of Cyber Security.
Im looking to build a PC with a AMD Ryzen cpu for their cost/performance. Do you think I will be ok with a Ryzen 5 3600 (6 cores, 12 threads, 3.6-4.2ghz) or a Ryzen 7 3700x (8 cores, 16 threads, 3.6-4.4hz)? Or do you not recommend AMD at all? Thanks for the content keep it up!
Thank you for the feedback! From the limited research that I can find on those two, it doesn't seem like there is that much difference. If you have the extra cash though then it makes sense because you get more cores/threads. I'm personally more of an Intel fan but you can definitely save money on AMD.
@@JonGoodCyber Alright I will go with the 8 cores. Thanks for the quick reply! Subscribed!
No problem! Thank you for the support.
Love your content bro
I'm glad that you are enjoying it and thank you for the feedback!
Buy it lol most ill open or put together myself is a console
Thanks for sharing...which type of computer would you opt for?
Excellent video. Ive been through this not long ago. I had just been accepted to a University for online classes for the cyber security program. I was using a small form factor mini dell desktop 9020. Well the hard drive just went out 2 days before classes started. Luckily Amazon agreed to let me return it and buy another one. I was really stressed out before i even started classes. I did get another Dell 9020 mid tower with 32gig ram and tera HD. I would rather had built my own but thats what my budget allowed me. Well classes began and between work and the pressure of keeping up was over whelming. It was to much at the time. So i stopped my classes because it was early enough to do that. Well I'm at a stage on debating whether or not to go back or jump in to a class that specializes in this field. Any suggestions? I'm not sure if my grant and loan will cover these or not. Any ideas or ("harsh") criticism will be accepted Thank you.
I recommend checking out my video on bootcamps ( ruclips.net/video/Hi9bci5gbw4/видео.html ) where I talk about criteria that I look for in a program. Although I'm not sure what the level of time commitment was that you faced, you certainly should be willing to dedicate enough to learn both initially and throughout the rest of your career.
Please help me. I wanna get into computer forensics but i dont know what to choose in college. Some say bach in cs then a masters in computer forensics then some say just get a degree in cybersecurity. And there arent much videos on this topic and me a 14 year old is very interested in this field. But I dont know how to go about it. Please help
In order to get into forensics and especially to be good at it, you need to have a deep understanding of operating systems and how networks operate. In general, the early stages of what you need to learn are the same no matter the area of Cyber Security you want to end up.
@@JonGoodCyber Ohk thanka for the feedback. I really appreciate it
@@JonGoodCyber so either cs degree would be alright
What Is The Best Computer To Build For A High IT Security Job
I'm not sure what you mean by a "High IT Security Job," however I provided several recommendations and a link in the video description.
@@JonGoodCyber I Am Referring To A Cybersecurity Job For Building Or Buying A Server & Computer
Hello Jon, thanks for the good work you are doing. Please what are the certifications I need to be in cybersecurity after earning CCNA certificate, which exam do I need to do next? Thanks
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! I would highly suggest grabbing a free copy of my eBook ( www.jongood.com/newsletter/ ) because I actually layout a certification plan that will give you a lot of marketable skills.
I’m starting a cyber security and networks bachelors course, should I get a MacBook m1 air 8gb/256gb or a 2019 MBP 16gb/512gb or the m1 but upgrade the specs? I’ve heard that the M chip isn’t as compatible so should I go with an intel?
I recommend rewatching this video as I walk through the minimum and recommended system requirements that you should look for in a system. If this is going to be your only system, I probably would avoid Mac systems with M chips as you might run into issues with operating system compatibility especially with virtual machines. There are emulation options out there but honestly it's not a good idea for newer people to potentially set themselves up for frustrations trying to make things work. You'd be better off with an intel version or a PC instead.
Shall I go for Acer aspire 7 (i5 9300H) ... For virtualization and also for decent gaming?
It depends on the components inside but looking at the stock model the main concern I would have is the 8GB of RAM. I always recommend at least 16GB if you are going to be running virtual machines to avoid performance issues. For gaming it really depends on what you want out of your experience. Since games today tend to be very heavy in graphics my gut says you might be a little light on power.
I am going to buy Thinkpad e14 G3. Need your suggestion, whether it is good for cyber security?
They are definitely solid and used by a lot of businesses. I would recommend at least this build: amzn.to/3mNszkH
@@JonGoodCyber thanks for the reply. I was looking for same configuration.
Hey JoHN G'day ,
I'll be buying a MACbook pro 13 inch model with M1 chip....(earlier was planning to buy maxed out M1 max chip macbook pro ) for running Kali Linux on virtual box and VMware ( I've opted for Cyber security course ) So do you think 🤔 this will be a good move ??
I bought a MBP 13in (2016) and used it for several years on courses like Penetration Testing with Kali Linux and it was fine. You would want to compare the parts between the two versions because sometimes the smaller versions are underpowered in comparison but if you are only going to run one or two virtual machines and not do anything crazy resource intensive, then you should be ok.
Here is a pretty good build that I would recommend: amzn.to/3BQzOhb
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much John I appreciate your help :))) I was planning to buy the exact model you just recommended ☺️☺️ once again thank you , Have a flabbergasting day ahead
@@JonGoodCyber instead of the Mac book pro 13 inch model can I buy the Mac book Air model 13 inch model with M1 chip ( 16 GB ram + 1 TB SSD ) overall they got same specs as far as I know ?? I gotta use that for the same ( virtual machines ) ??
~thank you !
They appear to be very similar specs so I would look to see if you can find any reviews indicating issues with either just to make sure. I would also try to go to a store and actually try both if possible because the feel is different between the two.
@@JonGoodCyber I totally agree with you John ...but here where I'm from...the official Apple store would be 25 miles away...we only got resellers around...so I would really appreciate if you look into the matter ...and tell us what will be the better choice ?? I've got no words to thank you enough for the guidance you've been providing us up till now ☺️☺️ once again thank you and pls do review them
Correct me if I'm wrong but Im interested in the Acer Spin 3 but the posted link to buy took me a 8gb memory but you recommended 16gb. I can't find a 16gb spin 3.
Just double checked and I think you are on the 13.3-inch which is 8GB but the 14-inch is 16GB.
@@JonGoodCyber thanks for the quick reply! You're right I've been shopping around all day so I guess I misread it. Btw your videos are beyond helpful I will make donations once everything is set for me.
No problem! I'm glad you enjoyed the videos. Any method that people want to support me is appreciated.
I appreciate your video, what do you think about macbook air m1?
Typically I don't recommend "lightweight" computer options because they tend to be underpowered especially if you will be using your computer to lab. This option ( amzn.to/3lWfQNJ ) is interesting but if you were going to get a Macbook Air, I would plan on using the cloud or a separate computer for labbing so you can spin up more resources.
The Air M2 is certainly starting to blur the lines with improved performance. As long as you meet the minimum requirements that I provide in this video you should be fine. With that being said, you're likely still going to have the same issue as the M1 with running older operating systems on virtual machines because of the ARM-architecture but I think at this point that's probably even less of a concern.
Great video. Underated I would say
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Very educational.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the video!
What do you recommend me for All in one ? Windows or Imac ?
I recommend the one that you are most comfortable with. Either one will get the job done but it really comes down to the componenets inside the machine. Some all in one computers won't allow you to upgrade componenets so you really need to make sure you get the right parts when you buy it.
Below are two different options that I would consider if I was looking to go that way:
-PC: amzn.to/3qeNzUN
-Mac: amzn.to/3bUe3SY
Do I need this for school or if I’m already in the field ? I’m starting from scratch with no computer skills please help me out also I’m mobile so I’ll my school work will be mobile so laptop is my only option…
My recommendations in this video are the minimum for anybody either looking to get into Cyber Security or that is already in the Cyber Security career field. The longer that you're in the career field, the more likely it is that you will need more than just the minimum recommendations but it's a good place to start.
Hi. Do you think an Apple MacBook Pro M1 is good for Ethical Hacking?
Yes and here is a solid build recommendation: amzn.to/3DwwxEA
Know this was posted over a year ago but what about a Mac book air
Don't worry the information is still relevant! Mac book air's are acceptable if you get good enough componenets. Here is a recommended build: amzn.to/3rjNZK2
Do you know if an M1 Macbook Air is a good computer to use as a beginner
It really depends how you will use the computer. Given my recommendations, you would want to max out the specs which puts you close in cost with the MacBook Pro. It's better to spend a little more now if you can instead of not having enough power.
Hey i was thinking of buying the lenovo legion AMD version. But someone told me that ThinkPad is very good for ethical hacking as it is of IBM
What's your opinion what do u say?
As far as ethical hacking, you will find similar results with both systems. The ThinkPad ( amzn.to/3l5kDc0 ) typically will show up in a lot of organizations because it really is a workhorse computer where the Legion ( amzn.to/34mO6r0 ) seems to be more geared towards general use and gaming. It depends what you will use the computer for but if you need better graphics then go with the Legion.
Hey Abdullah,
I am a CS student in computer Science and I have a lenovo leigon y520. Eventhough the laptop is great in terms of keyboard and performance, it has A LOT OF DRAWBACKS. Some include the following:
- POOR battery life
- Lags after a while
- Eventhough it has 16GB RAM and 256 SSD I have found it to be slower than laptops with half the specs.
I cant say anything about Thinkpads but I would definitely not recommend leigon series
Is the Lenovo ThinkPad P43s a good choice?
It looks fine but of course it depends on your usage plans. Looking at the base model, I would try to get at least 16GB of RAM and 500GB+ of storage space.
@@JonGoodCyber Im going to run several virtual machines at the same time. And i will also work with other cyber security related software in the future, could you reccomend any windows laptops within the same price range? (900-1600$)
I've recommended some in this video with links provided that fall into that price range.
I am going to buy.
I'm glad that I could help.
Is the m1 MacBook air good for cyber security?
It depends on the build that you get. Many of the things that I mention in this video are the minimum components that I would recommend. Here is a build that would be good: amzn.to/3KZkc15
Hi Jon I need your help I’m a cybersecurity student and I really need to get a computer people tell me I should get a computer with windows not iOS but I really want a MacBook Pro like really bad but they keep advising me to get a a windows what do you recommend
You can run Windows within virtualization software like VMware/VirtualBox/etc. on a Mac, which typically satisfies any needs you'll have.
@@JonGoodCyber and may I ask you what would u recommend for me what computer could hold with me because I won’t just use it for college I want to play with it like genshin impact and games like that
@@ThankYouForReadingThisComment I would check out the systems linked in the description as all of these will be able to perform well with modern games and for college use.
@@JonGoodCyber thanx man
What do you think about ThinkPads for cybersecurity beginners?
They are fine laptops and very common in the enterprise environment. I actually have the older version of this one ( amzn.to/2PbDZ18 ) and it goes with me to conferences.
is the MSI GF63 Thin 15.6" Gaming Laptop a good one to start?
Does it meet or exceed the specifications that I've provided?
@@JonGoodCyber144Hz FHD, Intel i5-11400H, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD, Win11
Awesome...now how does that compare against the specifications that I've provided in this video? Keep in mind what I've provided is what I would consider the minimum requirements, but it's also so you understand what you need in both near-term and long-term purchases.
Hello RUclips algorithm!!
Thank you for the support!
Hey jon,im going to college next year but im still not sure what to get whats better for cyber security a laptop or a desktop? in my opinion i prefer desktops but in college if im going to atend classes will i need a laptop or i can just get a desktop and use it at home.Thank you
Are you going to an entirely online college or in-person? For in-person college, I recommend getting a laptop because there will be times when you'll need to take your computer with you to class or group work. For 100% online college, you could potentially get away with having a desktop but I would probably still recommend a laptop for more flexibility in where you can work.
@@JonGoodCyber No i will be going in person but thank you u really helped me
Awesome and glad that I could help!
I’ll be stufying computer science with cyber security and I’ll habe programming, database, and networking courses is it fine to take MacBook Pro?
Awesome...MacBook Pros are solid computers for all around use. Make sure to check out the computers that I've listed for the BEST computers.
Hey thx for the video, i didn't find acer spin 3 but I found acer spin 5 is it good for programming and cyber security ?
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, a build like this ( amzn.to/38nrsB0 ) would have plenty of power to do a lot of the things you would need.
what do you think of a raspberry pi 4B 4G with kali as a learning tool?
Raspberry Pi's are cool little devices to mess around with but anything you learn on Kali when using one will not be any different than using a normal computer. You possibly could even run into performance limitations or other cons of not using a virtual machine.
@@JonGoodCyber ok thank you for the fast response, so do you think i should learn about VMs and just use my laptop for learning kali (thinkpad e14, 16gb, 512ssd, i7 10thgen) if so, you have some tips on where to start my journey?
i am italian, first year in to computer engineering, i know i will get there with uni but i can’t hold back, i want to learn about cyber security! thanks
For learning, virtual machines will generally work better. I also would recommend checking out my website ( www.jongood.com/getting-started/ ) and going through the resources listed to get you going.
okay so i have a computer that has intel i7 9th gen. but a lot of people are going for AMD so which one is better i have always use intel with no problem but i am curious if AMD is better with their new generation.
AMD has closed the gap a lot in performance when compared to Intel. Typically with AMD, the prices are lower but for most people it really just comes down to preference unless there is a strong need to go with one over the other. I personally tend to prefer Intel.
@@JonGoodCyber Hi Jon could you tell me if AMD processors are limited in any way when it comes to VMs or any other software compatibility issues ? Or are they exactly the same as intel's processors in terms of actual use, thanks a lot.
If you are looking for technical specs comparing Intel vs AMD, there is plenty of information out there comparing the two. From my personal experience, I haven't ran into any issues with either processor because for what we do in Cyber Security, you probably won't be able to tell the difference unless you really wanted to dig into performance metrics.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much
Nice Video. Why not container on you machine such as docker in your lab list for less ressources usage our spinning vm on cloud ? :-)
It's true that you can spin up VMs in the cloud instead of hosting them locally, however there are a few reasons why that wasn't included. First, people getting into Cyber Security typically get a new computer around the same time so they might as well get a computer with some power. Second, even though using the cloud could be less expensive there are plenty of cases of even seasoned professionals not allocating resources correctly and ending up with huge bills. It's just easier for new people especially to host local VMs. The last reason is that in Cyber Security, people typically want to play around with Kali and other security tools that can cause legal issues if you aren't running them against your systems. If Kali is in the cloud, it can be easy to lose sight of the legality of what you are doing.
Acus strix g17 can I buy it
How well do the specs line up with what I recommend? This ( amzn.to/38q7zgt ) is a build that I would recommend.
Hi Jon, thanks for the video. I am going to study IT which requires running quite a bit of virtual machines in the syllabus. I am thinking to get the Macbook Pro 16 inch Intel i7 (6-core) or i9 (8-core), 32GB ram and 1TB storage. Do you think the i7 (6-core) is sufficient or i9 (8-core) is better? I am also concerned about the more powerful CPU (i.e. i9) would cause thermal issue so would like to have a balance here. Thanks a lot in advance!
If you have the budget, then going with the better process makes sense. I will say that with modern processors, you are more likely to run into issues with either a lack of RAM or hard drive space before you max out your CPU. With 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, I think you will be fine with either processor.
@@JonGoodCyber what do you think of m1 MacBook Pro? is it good for learning cyber security?
That is a great option if you like MacOS. I would recommend at least this build: amzn.to/3hdPGmt or amzn.to/3tmmazP
I should choose Mac or windows thanks
Whichever one you feel most comfortable with unless there is a very specific need for one over the other.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you for your reply sir
Hey! Planning to buy dell 5593 i5 10th gen MX230, can it be used for gaming aswell?
I'm sure you could use it for a bunch of different tasks. Gaming tends to be resource and graphic heavy so you might want to step up to at least an i7. There are plenty of FPS calculators out there if you want a more exact idea of the performance.
jon good do you prefer cpu from amd or intel
I prefer Intel over AMD. I will say though that AMD has made some great improvements over the years and they typically cost less than the equivalent Intel chip.
@@JonGoodCyber is it better to take i7 or i9
I would say it depends on your budget and if you need the extra performance. I have this i7 ( amzn.to/35Lne4v ). It does fine for everything that I need and I couldn't find enough justification for me to spend the extra money on the i9.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much
Hello. I want to get into hacking. Using Kali Linux 3/4 virtual machines. I just purchased 2021 MacBook M1 Pro 16”, 16 gb, and 1 tb. Is this a good computer ? Or should I return and get a different model? I keep reading that some stuff isn’t gonna work with the M1 chip…
Specification wise you'll be in a good position but it really depends on what you're seeing for issues compared to how you'll use the computer. The main thing that you'll have to do is virtualize Windows and Linux operating systems.
@@JonGoodCyber I read that I won’t be able to run old versions of windows and that would suck for cyber security. If I get an i9, then I lose the performance of the M1. I’m stuck in a hard spot. :/
Yeah it looks like the Windows 10 ARM version is the only one that you can run. Most training courses like Penetration Testing with Kali, the eCPPT course, etc. only require you to run a VM of Kali on your host so you would be fine there. The main issues that you could run into are: if you are dead set on running your own virtual machines of Windows, or if you take a course from SANS or something similar where they provide a Windows VM. The first issue probably isn't as likely given how many virtual training playgrounds exist but the second may or may not impact you.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you so much for your time and knowledge. For now I just want to learn how to hack. I’m taking a cyber security course that also uses Python. It’s called: Learn Python & Ethical Hacking from Scratch on Udemy. Do you think if I keep said laptop, the issues at hand will get resolved ?
It's definitely a risk because they could fix it in your model or make it in future hardware releases only which puts you in a bad spot if you absolutely need that functionality. If you want the most flexibility then I would switch to be safe. The performance constraints that might exist in the i9 aren't probably going to be an issue for anything that you'll learn in Cyber Security if you follow the recommendations that I provided in the video (RAM, hard drive space, etc.).
hey jon can you tell me if lg gram is good
16 gb ram and 512gb storage
I recommend reviewing my recommendations in the video and linked in the description for specifics but 16GB ram and 512GB storage is a good start.
Will the MBAirM1 with 8gb ram do the work for ethical hacking ?
I would follow my recommendations from the video and linked in the description. The M1 chip doesn't really matter either way for how you'll use the computer for ethical hacking. Here is a good option for the M1: amzn.to/3nONVQU
Will HP omen 15 (2020) AMD ryzen 4000 series be good?
It really depends what you are going to use the system for but it looks fine to me. I would personally get at least 16GB of RAM.
M1 13 inch 8gb why not?
Modern processors in general aren't usually an issue however the RAM and hard drive storage are where most people don't always get enough. The only thing that I've seen specifically with the M1 chip is that you won't be able to run a lot of older operating systems because there isn't an ARM version. From a cyber security perspective, that really isn't much of an issue since both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have ARM installations but you'll have to determine if other unrelated software that you want is compatible with the M1 chip or ARM installations. All of these reasons are why the minimum requirements I list in the video or better will do everything that you need for Cyber Security.
@@JonGoodCyber ok but 8gb on a t490s can still get work done no albeit slower ?
@@Bambotb I recommend reviewing the section of the video about RAM. That section explains my recommendation and why I make that recommendation.
This video helped me so much. Thank you!
You are welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Hi, I'm going to buy a new laptop and i want to know your option about the msi modern 14 or the Lenovo thinkpad e14 or a Huawei matebook
It really depends on your intended use. I linked three similar models of each below. Personally I would go with the MSI if you are gaming or the Lenovo if you want a stable build.
MSI: amzn.to/3nTde0K
Lenovo: amzn.to/36YRaLu
Huawei: amzn.to/35YteIM
i can assure you lenovo e14 is a f*cking beast
i got myself the i7-10thgen AMD RX version, the best laptop i have ever used
Please suggest me a laptop under 60000 inr.
Here are three options that would work well at that budget:
1. amzn.to/3HJPE0i
2. amzn.to/3HLaxbL
3. amzn.to/3HJPSVc
Hey love your vids. What do you think of lenovo y740 ? I planned to buy this laptop for learning cybersecurity and use virtualization a lot. Thank you
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! I was looking at this one ( amzn.to/3hW9pWs ) and it definitely looks interesting. I think the RGB keyboard is a cool touch for a laptop and it looks like there are several different performance options. A concern that I would have is the heat that thing might put out. By looking at the form factor, are those extra cooling areas/fans where those lights are on the base? It reminds me a little bit of a 17 inch Dell laptop I had 10 years ago where that thing just pumped out heat like crazy. Of course things have got a lot better over the years but it would be something I would check to make sure that wasn't an issue.
Could you please suggest me a Laptop for Networking Engineer under 80000/-
I'm not sure which currency you are using but there are several recommendations in the video description that range in prices.
@@JonGoodCyber Could you suggest me in INR ?
Here are several that are close or just under your price range.
-MSI Gaming Laptop: amzn.to/35AwFDB
-Acer Spin 3: amzn.to/2SDfaxa
-Cyberpower Desktop PC: amzn.to/2L5ortO
-Dell Desktop PC: amzn.to/2xAoISm
Hi. Thank you so much for the info 🙏
Would it be acceptable to get something like a xeon and tons of RAM if Im planning on running lots of virtual machines and need a powerful CPU? I know they're meant for servers, but would appreciate your input
You absolutely can use server-level processing power in your home lab. Typically people don't have the space or the ability to use servers for other reasons, but if you can and want to keep things on-site then it makes sense.
@@JonGoodCyber thank you. I appreciate the response. Have you heard of ACME portable computers? Not that I can afford one but there's a dream machine 🤩
72 gigabyte??? I want to see...
Here is one with 192GB ( amzn.to/3cUPoy5 ). To get that much memory, you pretty much either need a heavy duty workstation or you will need an actual server.
We must have a system configuration to learn these cyber security
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that. Can you expand on what you mean or are asking?
Perfect☮️❤️
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Banging
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Thanks alot
You're welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Can I buy MacBook Air M1 chip (13 inch)
Plz suggest me
Something like this build ( amzn.to/35TPgPH ) would be a good option. The only issue that I've seen with the M1 chip is you can't run older operating systems (ex. pre Windows 10) but at this point I'm not sure that even matters. You might want to double check just based on how you'll use it to make sure though.
@@JonGoodCyber tq for reply
can you please add chapters to your videos? no one wants to sit on 25min gibberish
First, thank you for watching and for the feedback!
I'm not sure that I would say nobody wants to watch 25 minutes since this video has over 30,000 views but chapters are now available. I would encourage you to watch the entire video so you don't miss key pieces of information that are part of a certain chapter. My free eBook also has more detailed information than what is covered in this video.
I don't allow Apple products in my home
Why is that? You'll see them in professional environments so I'm not sure that intentionally sheltering yourself from them is necessarily the best idea when you'll have to understand their flaws.
@@JonGoodCyber values
What’s your opinion on the Thinkpad X1 Carbon for cybersecurity?
Lenovo is generally a pretty common brand that shows up in the enterprise and they seem to hold up pretty well. It depends on the specific build but the one I found seems pretty solid. ( amzn.to/2MspoRk )
what you think about razer blad pro 17
The specs look pretty good however for me a 17 inch screen on a laptop is getting too big. I have to imagine the buyer for that laptop is not taking it on trips very often.
@@JonGoodCyber yeah i think so. what number you give him from your list?
Spec wise it's going to be towards the top, especially if you go with a version like this ( amzn.to/3dm77wS ) with the 2080 but again it depends on your needs. For me, if I was getting a laptop then I would prefer no bigger than a 16 inch screen and if it were for general use then I tend to prefer macbooks over PCs. I've just found that I would rather have a desktop instead of a massive laptop.
@@JonGoodCyber Am thankful for your advice .
Build it
You can definitely build some pretty cool computers if you have the time and resources.
Thank you so much ❤️😊
For someone that is starting his freshman year in college for a cyber security major, what is your best advice?
I would check out my Getting Started page ( www.jongood.com/getting-started/ ) where you will find a lot of beginner resources. Since you are in school, you probably will get further on your studies because most people don't end up working a lot if they are full time students.