Hackintosh laptops are non-Apple devices that can be configured to run macOS. This alternative to buying an Apple computer can be an attractive option for those who prefer the macOS operating system but want to avoid paying the premium prices for Apple hardware. However, not all laptops are compatible with Hackintosh, and some may require additional tweaks and modifications to get the system running smoothly.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 best Hackintosh laptops available today. These laptops have been carefully selected based on their hardware specifications, compatibility with macOS, and user feedback, ensuring you have the best options for your Hackintosh needs.
10 Best Hackintosh Laptops
Hackintosh laptops can be a valuable alternative for those who want to use macOS but do not want to avoid investing in an Apple computer. Some users may have specialized software or workflows that only work on macOS, making it necessary to use this operating system. Hackintosh laptops provide a way to run macOS on a non-Apple device, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of this operating system while using hardware that may be more affordable or better suited for their specific needs.
Moreover, building a Hackintosh laptop can be a fun and educational project for those who enjoy tinkering with technology and learning new skills. Overall, Hackintosh laptops can be a valuable tool for users using macOS on a non-Apple device.
Below is a list of the 10 best Hackintosh laptops to meet your challenging demands.
1. Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is a popular choice among Hackintosh enthusiasts due to its impressive hardware specifications and compatibility with macOS. This laptop features a powerful 11th-generation Intel Core processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a fast NVMe SSD. It also comes with a sleek and lightweight design, making it an excellent option for users who need a portable device for their Hackintosh needs.
In addition, the Dell XPS 13 has excellent battery life and a high-quality display, making it a great choice for productivity tasks or media consumption. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is a reliable and efficient Hackintosh laptop worth considering for those who want to run macOS on a non-Apple device.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel or AMD processor with supported architecture
- RAM: At least 8GB of RAM, 16GB recommended for optimal performance
- Storage: NVMe or SATA solid-state drive (SSD) with a minimum of 256GB capacity
- Graphics: Integrated or dedicated graphics card with supported macOS drivers
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Compatible Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards with macOS drivers
- Audio: Compatible audio chipset with macOS drivers
- Display: High-quality display with supported resolution and macOS drivers
- Input devices: Keyboard, touchpad or mouse, and other input devices with compatible macOS drivers
- Battery: Sufficient battery life for portable use, ideally 8 hours or more
- Compatibility: Check online resources for compatibility with specific macOS versions and updates
2. HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 (14t-ea000) is a premium 2-in-1 laptop that is also a popular choice among Hackintosh enthusiasts. This laptop features an 11th-generation Intel Core processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a fast NVMe SSD. It also comes with a sleek and lightweight design, making it an excellent option for users who need a portable device for their Hackintosh needs.
Moreover, the HP Spectre x360 has a high-quality display and excellent battery life, making it ideal for productivity and media consumption. With suitable modifications and tweaks, the HP Spectre x360 can be a reliable and efficient Hackintosh laptop for those who want to run macOS on a non-Apple device.
Specifications
- Processor: 11th generation Intel Core processor
- RAM: Up to 16GB of LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
- Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5 combo
- Audio: Bang & Olufsen; Quad speakers; HP Audio Boost 2.0
- Display: 14-inch diagonal Full HD or 4K IPS touchscreen display with Corning Gorilla Glass NBT and HP Sure View Reflect
- Input devices: Full-size island-style backlit keyboard and HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support
- Battery: Up to 11 hours and 30 minutes of battery life
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C, USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, headphone/microphone combo.
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a premium business laptop known for its durable design, high-end hardware, and exceptional performance. This laptop features an 11th-generation Intel Core processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a fast NVMe SSD. It also comes with a sleek and lightweight design, making it an excellent option for users who need a portable device for their business needs.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a high-quality display, excellent battery life, and a range of security features to keep your data safe. With its powerful performance and robust features, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a reliable and efficient choice for business professionals.
Specifications
- Processor: 11th generation Intel Core processor
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4x 4266MHz
- Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2
- Audio: Dolby Atmos Speaker System with four speakers
- Display: 14-inch diagonal Full HD or 4K IPS anti-glare display with HDR and Dolby Vision
- Input devices: Backlit keyboard with TrackPoint and glass touchpad with multi-touch gesture support
- Battery: Up to 19.5 hours of battery life
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Type-C, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.0, headphone/microphone combo.
4. ASUS ZenBook UX425
The ASUS ZenBook UX425 is a slim, sleek laptop known for its premium build quality, high-end hardware, and exceptional performance. With its Intel Core processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, this laptop provides fast and reliable performance for various tasks.
Moreover, it features a 14-inch Full HD IPS display with slim bezels, making it an excellent option for users who need a portable device for their work or entertainment needs. While the ASUS ZenBook UX425 may require additional modifications for Hackintosh compatibility, its powerful performance and premium features make it an excellent choice for a top-notch laptop.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 11th generation processor
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4x 4266MHz
- Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0
- Audio: Harman Kardon-certified audio system
- Display: 14-inch Full HD IPS display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 100% sRGB color gamut
- Input devices: Backlit keyboard and glass-covered touchpad with multi-touch gesture support
- Battery: Up to 22 hours of battery life
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI, headphone/microphone combo jack.
5. Acer Swift 5
The Acer Swift 5 is a slim, lightweight laptop known for its portability and impressive hardware specifications. With its 11th-generation Intel Core processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB SSD, this laptop offers fast and reliable performance for various tasks.
This fantastic piece of tech also features a 14-inch Full HD IPS display with narrow bezels, making it an excellent option for users needing a portable device for work or entertainment. The Acer Swift 5 also offers long battery life and a range of ports, making it a versatile and convenient option for users needing a high-performing laptop.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 11th generation processor
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0
- Audio: Dual stereo speakers with DTS Audio
- Display: 14-inch Full HD IPS display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and narrow bezels
- Input devices: Backlit keyboard and Precision touchpad with multi-gesture support
- Battery: Up to 17 hours of battery life
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI, headphone/microphone combo jack.
6. Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED
The Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED is a high-end laptop designed for content creators and gamers who need a robust and reliable machine for demanding tasks. It features a 15.6-inch 4K UHD OLED display with vivid and accurate colors, making it perfect for video editing and graphic design work.
Additionally, it comes with a range of hardware specifications, such as 10th-generation Intel Core processors, up to 64GB of RAM, and dedicated NVIDIA graphics card options. The Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED also features a sleek and slim design, making it a stylish and portable choice for users on the go.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10875H or i9-10980HK 10th generation processor
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR4
- Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series dedicated graphics card (optional)
- Display: 15.6-inch 4K UHD AMOLED display with 3840 x 2160 resolution
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0
- Audio: NAHIMIC 3 3D audio for improved sound quality
- Input devices: Backlit keyboard and Microsoft Precision touchpad
- Battery: Up to 8 hours of battery life
- Ports: 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x Mini DP 1.4, headphone/microphone combo jack.
7. MSI Modern 15
The MSI Modern 15 is a sleek, slim laptop for productivity and creative work. It boasts a 15.6-inch IPS-level display with a thin bezel design and a Full HD resolution. It is powered by the 10th generation Intel Core processors and can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, providing enough power and storage for demanding tasks.
It also features a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, and microSD. The MSI Modern 15 offers a perfect blend of power, portability, and style, making it an excellent choice for professionals and students.
Specifications
- Processor: 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U or i7-10510U processor
- RAM: Up to 16GB DDR4
- Storage: Up to 512GB NVMe SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Display: 15.6-inch IPS-level display with a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080)
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.1
- Audio: Built-in speakers with Nahimic 3 Audio
- Input devices: Backlit keyboard and multi-touch touchpad
- Battery: Up to 9 hours of battery life
- Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3, DP), HDMI, microSD card reader, headphone/mic combo jack.
8. Razer Blade Stealth 13
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is a premium ultrabook with excellent performance and portability. Its slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, while its powerful components allow it to efficiently handle demanding tasks. The 13.3-inch display is available in both Full HD and 4K resolutions, and the laptop can be configured with up to an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 also features a backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, and a long battery life of up to 10 hours. The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is a great choice for a premium ultrabook with excellent performance and portability.
Specifications
- Display: 13.3-inch Full HD or 4K resolution
- Processor: Up to Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: Up to 512GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), USB-A 3.1, HDMI 2.0b, 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
- Keyboard: Backlit keyboard with Razer Chroma RGB lighting
- Audio: 4 stereo speakers with THX Spatial Audio
- Battery: Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Dimensions: 11.99 x 8.27 x 0.60 inches
- Weight: 2.92 pounds.
9. LG Gram 17
The LG Gram 17 is a powerful, lightweight laptop highly compatible with Hackintosh systems. It features a 17-inch WQXGA IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, making it ideal for video editing and other creative tasks. The laptop is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and comes with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage.
This powerful machine also includes Thunderbolt 3, USB-C ports, and an HDMI port for connecting to external displays. With a weight of just 2.98 pounds, the LG Gram 17 is one of the lightest 17-inch laptops on the market, making it highly portable and easy to carry.
Specifications
- Display: 17-inch WQXGA IPS display (2560 x 1600 resolution)
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Ports: Thunderbolt 3, USB-C (3.1 Gen 1), HDMI, USB 3.1 (x3), microSD card reader, headphone/mic combo jack
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0
- Battery Life: Up to 17 hours
- Dimensions: 15.0 x 10.3 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 2.98 pounds.
10. Apple MacBook Air (M1 Chip)
The Apple MacBook Air with M1 Chip is a powerful, energy-efficient laptop with a sleek and lightweight design. It features the new Apple M1 chip, which delivers up to 3.5x faster CPU performance and 5x faster graphics performance than the previous generation.
The laptop boasts a 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology that adjusts the screen’s color temperature according to the surrounding environment. 8GB or 16GB of RAM and a 256GB or 512GB SSD for storage. Other features include a backlit Magic Keyboard, Touch ID, and up to 18 hours of battery life.
Specifications
- Processor: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 7/8-core GPU
- Memory: 8GB or 16GB unified memory
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology
- Resolution: 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch
- Touch ID: Integrated Touch ID sensor
- Keyboard: Backlit Magic Keyboard with ambient light sensor
- Ports: Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0
- Battery life: Up to 18 hours of web browsing, up to 15 hours of wireless video playback
- Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg)
- Operating system: macOS Big Sur
Best Hackintosh Laptops (FAQs)
What is a Hackintosh laptop?
A Hackintosh laptop is a laptop that has been modified to run the macOS operating system, which is typically designed to run on Apple’s Mac hardware.
Is it legal to install macOS on a Hackintosh laptop?
Installing macOS on a Hackintosh laptop may violate Apple’s end-user license agreement (EULA). However, it is not illegal in most countries.
How difficult is it to build a Hackintosh laptop?
Building a Hackintosh laptop requires understanding computer hardware, software, and macOS installation procedures. It can be challenging and time-consuming for beginners.
Can all laptops be turned into Hackintosh laptops?
No, not all laptops are compatible with macOS. Some hardware components, such as graphics cards and Wi-Fi modules, may not be compatible with macOS.
Are Hackintosh laptops as stable as official Apple laptops?
Hackintosh laptops may not be as stable as official Apple laptops because they are not designed to run macOS. Some hardware components may not work correctly, and software updates may cause compatibility issues.
Is it possible to run Windows on a Hackintosh laptop?
It is possible to run Windows on a Hackintosh laptop using virtualization software such as VirtualBox or VMware.
Will the warranty be void if I turn my laptop into a Hackintosh laptop?
Yes, modifying the laptop to run macOS may void the warranty, and Apple may refuse to provide support for any issues related to the macOS installation.
Are there any risks associated with using a Hackintosh laptop?
Using a Hackintosh laptop may pose security risks because macOS updates may not be compatible with the modified hardware. Additionally, some software and drivers downloaded from third-party sources may contain malware.
Final Words
In conclusion, the Hackintosh laptops offer an excellent alternative for users who want to experience the macOS environment on a non-Apple device. From the top-performing Dell XPS 13 to the versatile HP Spectre x360, and the powerful ASUS ZenBook UX425, these laptops come with a range of impressive specifications that can meet the needs of various users.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and the Acer Swift 5 balance performance and portability. At the same time, the Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED and MSI Modern 15 are built for power users who require high performance for demanding tasks.
Finally, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 and LG Gram 17 stand out for their sleek design and long battery life. However, it is essential to note that installing macOS on non-Apple devices can be challenging and may require technical expertise. Overall, the 10 best Hackintosh laptops are an excellent choice for users who want to have the macOS experience on a non-Apple device.
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