Our experts spent around 80 hours researching and evaluating 10 of the Best Hackintosh Laptops in 2019.
We have tried to find the best picks for consumer tastes and budgets of all sizes.
Editor’s Choice for the most powerful, and easiest laptop to Hackintosh is the Dell XPS 15 9550. This beast receives our stamp of approval for its gorgeous ultra 4K screen, sleek high-quality feel and wide community approval.
Let’s talk Hackbooks..
Bonus: If you’ve got time, I would highly recommend that you read our Best Laptops for Hackintosh Buying Guide below before making a purchase.
We want our list to be as responsive and accurate as possible. If you have a laptop suggestion for our list or have a question, please let us know in the comments below 🙂
Best Hackintosh Laptop Comparison
Quick Access:
1. Dell XPS 15 – 9550
When we did a poll on Reddit this one came up as one of the obvious picks for those aspiring to move to Mac OS on their laptops. Why? It’s an absolute beast with specs that are virtually future proof.
Measuring in at 11-17mm and weighing under 4 pounds, the XPS 15 is one of the world’s lightest 15-inch laptop. Whats more? It’s 59% thinner than the Macbook Pro.
We’ve even heard reports of some people preferring this to their old MacBooks:
This is a Hackintosh computer in a 15-inch laptop’s clothing.
And if you want a newer model, we’ve done a Comparison for Dell XPS 15 9550 vs 9560 vs 9570.
ProTech Tip: Admittedly, it’s a bit pricey so if you want to save some money go for the downgrade with the i5 and 256gb SSD.
Key Specifications
- CPU: 6th Generation Intel Skylake Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core
- RAM: 16 GB
- Display size: 15.6″ (4K Ultra HD Display)
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
- Weight: 3.9 pounds
Hackintosh Support:
Many other Hackintoshers vouch for this machine. It supports OS X with the majority of the features such as Ultra HD screen support and processor support. If you are having doubts then check out this laptop compatibility guide.
Some issues arise working with Hackintosh laptops. This is very common. Luckily, there are amazing, detailed guides in the Hackintosh community. Here’s a very useful Hackintosh Installation Guide for when it comes to Dell XPS setup.
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Conclusion:
The XPS has the best screen on the market, powerful hardware suitable for nearly any task, good thermals, is upgradeable, and future-proofed by the inclusion of a Thunderbolt 3 port.
If you demand a fast machine that includes a striking display and gaming power, you will not be disappointed with this machine. It also has a fairly sizeable SSD (512gb) which is going to give you that edge in performance. Goodbye lag.
2. Dell Inspiron 15 7559
There should be no performance issues here. With the 1 TB HDD + 8 GB SSD Hybrid Drive Storage and the quad-core i7 you’re going to be using this beast for the foreseeable future.
Reportedly, when Hackintoshing this laptop everything works except the SD card reader, touchscreen and wifi card (possibly will need replacing). We will talk more about this in the support section.
With these sort of specs, it’s typically worth the effort. Let’s get into them.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Quad Core i7-6700HQ 2.6 GHz Processor
- RAM: 8 GB
- Display size: 15.6″
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
- Weight: 5.67 pounds
Hackintosh Support:
Don’t judge a book by its cover. It may look humble but it is one of the most powerful Dells around.
One feature that is hard to get going is the card reader. Apart from that, it works great. All the other main features work perfectly fine. Here is the associated Hackintosh Installation Guide.
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Conclusion:
If you are a gamer and want a fast machine that doesn’t get heat up easily you should definitely buy this one. But, its cost is a bit higher so you got to check your budget before buying this.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Z50-70
Don’t confuse the Lenovo Z50-70 with the Lenovo Y50-70 both of them are different laptops with different capabilities.
This one is a slightly older model with older hardware but it is a faithful beast and Mac OS High Sierra works perfectly on it.
Also, it has highly upgradable form factors so while older, you can put the newest kit in there quite easily.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4510U Processor 3.10GHz (4th Gen)
- RAM: 8 GB
- Display size: 15.6″ (Full HD 1080p)
- Graphics Card: NVidia 820M 2GB Graphics Card
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
- Weight: 5.29 lpounds
Hackintosh Support:
We’re not going to sugar coat it, looking at other reports, you will experience some hurdles but once you overcome them you will find native power management, a fully functional touch-pad and crystal clear audio.
There’s reports of WiFi not working well. In this event, you need to replace the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 with the Broadcom BCM943602BAED.
Check out this guide to Sierra Laptop Guide to the Lenovo Z50-70 using Clover UEFI when it comes to the nitty gritty.
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Conclusion:
If you want a good all-rounder at a reasonable price, this is the one to go for. Decent battery but it drains quite fast if you overload the CPU.
4. HP ProBook 450 G3
If you are a tech lover then you will know about the HP ProBook series very well which are considered as the best in the tech market.
The HP ProBook 450 G3 has modified its series specs to take the ProBooks to the next level.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6200U (2.3Ghz)
- RAM: 8 GB
- Display size: 15.6″ (Full HD 1920 x 1080)
- Graphics Card: Integrated Intel HD Graphics 520
- Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Weight: 4.56 pounds
Well-designed processor with an upgraded RAM
Well, this spec will definitely attract the tech lovers and they will know about that stuff either. It comprises of Intel Core i7-6500U with the range of 2.50 GHz -3.10GHz processor and the RAM of 8GB DDR4. 4M cache memory is also integrated in it. SATA Storage of 1 TB 5400 rpm make it more eminent.
Multiple Ports:
Let’s assume your current laptop has the following:
- two USB 2.0 ports
- two USB 3.0 ports
- headphone jack
- microphone combo jack
- RJ-45 port
- HDMI port
- VGA port
…will you ever complain for the number of ports again?
Designed for mobility:
So, it is designed for the mobility as its working style is with strong 15.6-inch HP ProBook 450 with a new gravity black LED cover.
Well-displayed HD screen:
This product comprises of 15.6-inch displayed screen which is having Intel HD Graphics 520 and HD webcam. Intel HD Graphics 520 represents the images or image pixels in a modified form which is basically representing the screen in HD format which helps to prevent the pixel burst in the screen. Screen has no issues on Hackintosh too. Max resolution supported is 1920 x 1080.
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Conclusion:
In a nutshell, I would like to say that you guys should think about having this product as your previous one is simply unsuitable for your Hackintosh needs. As I have used this one so I would recommend this laptop. Hackintosh Installation Guide
5. Acer Aspire E5-571P
The Aspire E5-571P is a fantastic addition to the list. In short, it packs a punch and supports Hackintosh pretty damn well.
It’s also one of the best value machines on this list.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4210U 1.70 GHz (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.70 GHz)
- RAM: 4 GB
- Display size: 15.6″ HD widescreen LED-backlit (1366 x 768)
- Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 4400
- Wi-Fi: 802.11bgn
- Weight: 8 pounds
Hackintosh Support:
So guys what is so extra ordinary in this laptop? The thing is you can conveniently shift to a Window or Mac in the matter of hours, without having to spend thousands of dollars for enjoying Mac, just install MacOS and off you go.
Good graphical representation:
Its graphic representation may not be perfect but it is good enough to provide HD streaming of videos. It supports Intel HD 4400 graphics which will do a good job in representing HD videos and games with less intensity of graphics. Max supported screen resolution is 1366 x 768.
Epic Multitasker
You can work with multiple windows open at a same time – this is a beast. We streamed 4 tabs 1080p videos and played a game of League of Legends without any machine sweats.
Conclusion:
Futureproof specs, strong multitasking power, faithful reputable brand. This is also a winner. For when it comes to it check out the following Hackintosh Installation Guide
6. Asus Zenbook UX305FA
The Asus Zenbook UX305FA is perhaps one of the most impressive laptops which lies in the budget range for the budget-oriented users. ASUS has indeed some of the finest laptops in their ensemble.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5 (2.3 GHz)
- RAM: 8 GB
- Display size: 13.3-Inch Screen (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 5300
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
Processor:
Powered by Intel’s 8th Generation processor, the i5-8520U is going to ensure multitasking is never an issue.
Graphics:
Impressive. Colors are extremely vivid and made more pleasant by the UHD graphics.
Anti-Glare HD display:
The FHD and UHD display makes this laptop easy to use and doesn’t cause any inconvenience to the users. With HD 1920 x 1080 resolution and an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel that offers wide viewing angles and good color, this is a great display. An anti-glare finish keeps the reflections to a minimum which is an added benefit.
Security Features:
With an embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, LoJack and Intel Anti-Theft technology very beneficial for tracking your system.
That’s not all! It comes with a built-in case-lock slot along with a one-year warranty. Making it one of the most secure laptops!
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Conclusion:
With a high community rating (almost 5 stars) and mid-market pricing – this is perfect for the budget consumer.
There are tutorials available on the internet to enable Mac OS to run easily on the Zenbook.
As far as the issue of the Intel wireless not working is concerned, you can easily replace the chip with a Broadcom replacement or you can use an external adapter. Here’s the Hackintosh Installation Guide for when it comes to it.
7. Lenovo G50-70
If you’re shopping for a laptop loaded with features without spending too much, consider the G50-70.
In essence, it’s well built and has solid hardware which is highly compatible with Mac OS.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i3-4030U 1.9 GHz Processor
- RAM: 6 GB
- Display size: 15.6-Inch HD (1366 x 768) Display
- Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 4400
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n
- Weight: 4.63 pounds
System Performance:
The notebook’s system performance scores are certainly influenced by its on-board graphics as well as by its increased 8 GB of memory.
Storage Capacity:
1TB SSHD/500GB SSD makes this laptop ultimately the best laptop in the economical price range.
16-inches Wide HD display:
The Wide High Definition display is something which makes this laptop stand out amongst the rest.
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Conclusion:
Overall this laptop is a good laptop with some of the best features. Here’s the Hackintosh Installation Guide
8. HP Probook 450 G3
The HP Probook 450 G3 has stepped forward as a complete package with the reliable hardware and well-built body with all the required specs.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5 2.3 GHz Processor
- RAM: 4 GB
- Display size: 15.6-Inch HD (1920×1080 pixels)
- Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 5200
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
Ease of Use:
The HP series of laptops have plentiful help regarding their use of becoming Hackbooks, and the HP 450 is no exception.
Processing Power:
Its Intel Core i7 4702MQ, 2.5 GHz processor ensures the fast speed of this device with unhindered performance which won’t fail to impress you.
Impressive Graphics:
The remarkable picture quality of this probook makes it all the more alluring to use due to the feature of Intel HD 4400 graphics. Amazing, isn’t it? Maximum screen resolution of the device is 1366×768.
Storage Capacity:
500 GB SSD storage option makes this ProBook stand out amongst all the other ProBooks in the market!
Wide and Clear Display:
The 16 inch facilitating display makes it a pleasure to see and be seen.
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Conclusion:
Even though there are some bugs and glitches, all can be resolved. Before starting with this device you can easily watch the tutorial and can easily install Hackintosh on your laptop. It’s a pretty economical laptop with all the required specs.
Here’s your Hackintosh Installation Guide
9. Lenovo Ideapad u430
In a nutshell, this Ideapad model is not resource hungry at all and it works with High Sierra perfectly.
Key Specifications
- CPU: 4th Gen Intel Core i7-4500U Processor
- RAM: 4 GB
- Display size: 14-Inch (1600 x 900 pixels)
- Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 4400
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
Processor:
The Lenovo IdeaPad is available with a powerful i7 4500U but can also be ordered with an i5 or i3 variants. The stock model comes with 4 GB of DDR3 RAM but can also be ordered direct with 8 GB of RAM.
Storage and Display:
There are different storage options including SSHD, SSD and HDD. The Ideapad comes with 900p and 1080p display with standard 14-inch screen. This laptop machine also has a fabulous display resolution of 1600 x 900.
Ultra-book:
The Ideapad is being branded as the ultra-book which means it would get all the best build qualities. The best build quality accompanied with the compliment of OS X makes the best match. The ultra-book provides the users an unforgettable experience.
Easy to use:
The best thing about the Ideapad is the Hackintosh. The Hackintosh can be easily installed on the laptop. There are no complicated pre-requisites for the installation of the Hackintosh. This user friendly feature earns the rank of the most liked laptop in the list of Hackintosh users.
Best Build quality:
The Ideapad u430 is branded and called as the ultra-book. There are some key features that this laptop gets because of this very name. The best quality production and finish is ensured so that the users can experience the best work on the best finished products. The laptop is able to run Hackintosh effectively so it ought to have a nice quality finish.
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Conclusion:
The Ideapad is a nice choice. Let’s face it, I mean so many power and specification options along with good OS X performance. The ultra-book is made with precision and it provides a decent performance for the money. Hackintosh Installation Guide
10. ThinkPad X220
Hands down, this is the BEST Hackintosh Laptop for starters.
The beauty of this notebook is it’s very upgradeable, many in the Hackintosh community have bought this then swapped out the video cards, bought more ram and a decent SSD – then you have a device which basically rivals the 2015 MacBook Pro line.
It’s not the prettiest of laptops but it remarkably solid and has a fantastic keyboard.
Key Specifications
- CPU: Intel i5 2.5GHz up to 3.2GHz
- RAM: 4 GB
- Display size: 12.5″
- Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 3000
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 B/G
- Weight: 3.31 pounds
Hackintosh Support:
No need to worry, this is one of the most common models for installing MacOS on and the results are just amazing. When it comes to it we recommend that you follow this ThinkPad X220 High Sierra installation guide for a clean installation. This is also highly compatible with Linux, making it an extremely versatile choice.
Making sure the community were in agreement, we posed the question on Reddit:
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Conclusion:
If you’re looking to get your feet wet without too much initial expense, this one is for you.
Final Verdict from Author:
So, that is it for Top 10 Best Hackintosh Laptops 2019. You’re pretty well aware of all the ins and out guys till now. So let me give you my expert opinion about all the discussed devices. Because going for a product without knowing it is a stupid decision indeed. Don’t make up your mind unless you know everything about the product, because it’s so hard to change a decision once you’ve made it. So without waiting further, Dell Inspiron 15 7559 is the laptop on top buddies, let’s go for it offering tribute to its high-end features and fabulous quality. Second device competing in the war of Hackintosh compatible devices is Asus Zenbook UX305FA which has appealed many customers with its attractive features, long battery life and fast processing and that’s not all, consumer satisfaction level with the product is also just great.
Lenovo Z50-70 is another device you must look into guys. Its outstanding specifications and storage options are bound to impress you. Consumers who have used this specific laptop are also pretty well satisfied. Lenovo G50-70 is an example of “All that glitters is not gold”. Although the mentioned features are just outstanding but the quality is too low and it has happened to be a non-durable laptop. It’s up to you, go for the best one guys. Don’t fall into the pit of design and visual attractions.
Best Laptops For Hackintosh 2021 – Buying Guide
What is Hackintosh?
Don’t fret by the complicated name of Hackintosh, it’s basically a hacked or modified version of simple laptop. But why would somebody transform an ordinary hardware? The answer is quite simple, to run Mac OS and this kind of laptop is called Hackintosh.
How’s it possible?
Well the question is quite legitimate pals. It wasn’t possible a few years back since Apple hardware were purely unique and different. Apple devices nowadays aren’t 100% different from simple hardware. But that doesn’t mean it’s a piece of cake, you do have to read and learn a lot. But what if you find a device in which customization needs are very minor? That surely can reduce the burden on your shoulders. Yes peeps, we’re gonna recommend some prolific laptops which can be transformed to make them support Mac OS.
Why Hackintosh instead of Apple device?
That’s a childish question I’ll say dudes, who is unaware of the sky high prices of Apple devices? You’re getting it right boys, cost is the reason behind the whole drama. Two high-quality laptops with stupendous features can be bought in the price of one Macbook. So why not enjoy the charms and benefits of Mac OS for absolutely nothing?
Is it just plug and play thing?
Hey buddies, don’t think of it as a plug and play thing, be realistic and be ready for the bugs you’re gonna experience while running Mac OS on your beloved laptop. Wait, what if I give you some magical tips for the successful and unhindered execution of Mac OS on your personal machine? That does sound pretty soothing. Open your eyes fellas and look at the things which must be associated to your laptop to make it able for Mackintosh kind of thing.
- It must possess contemporary Intel processors, AMD processors are simply incompatible, so change your processor first to even think about a Hackintosh pc.
- It must be able to work with OS X Yosemite and later.
- Cost should be significantly less than Mac book, otherwise it’s a stupid act.
- A guide should be available for installation of Mac OS on that device with all the exceptions handled.
- There should be open forum for the discussion of general issues which arise during the installation of Mac on that laptop
Some Problems in Hackintosh
Nobody is perfect in the world guys and running behind perfection is like running behind delusion. Hackintosh systems aren’t perfect. Even after satisfying all the things necessary in your pc to make it Mac compatible, you might have to bear the pain of your wifi card issue or Bluetooth or in some cases fingerprint scanner. Some Hackintoshers have dual boot functionality, to switch between operating systems in the event of issues.
What we’re gonna do here is discussing the best ever laptops on which running Mac can be easy and efficient. Don’t complain too much about the missing bits and pieces guys because you can’t get the whole assembly in a price 60% less than the original Macbook. But one thing is for sure, if running Mac using Hackintosh is the last option you’ve got, then you can’t have more efficient and reliable laptops meeting the objective.
4 Best Hackintosh Laptops in 100 Seconds:
Why Hackintosh?
Obviously, the biggest benefit of this hack is compatibility with Mac OS. But running Mac on this sort of hardware isn’t as simple as you think, so we have included links to the relevant installation guides on each of our suggestions.
Having a Hackintosh laptop (or a Hackbook) is a smart decision. It means not paying out of your ass for functionality restrictive Apple products when it’s not necessary.
More to read:
Best Ethernet Adapter for Nintendo Switch
Last update on 2023-06-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I hope you love our product recommendations! Just so you know, Protechlists may collect compensation and commission from the links on this page! If there is anything we can improve, please let us know!
what is hackintosh , i’ve just hear.
hackintosh = regular laptops that can able install osx as same as Mac?
A hackintosh is simply any non-Apple hardware that has been made or “hacked” to run Mac OS X.This could apply to any hardware, whether it’s a manufacturer-made or personally built computer.
Some genuinely interesting information, well written and broadly user pleasant. Thank you!
Thanks Seamus. We try to keep it plain and simple, yet informative. Keep in touch 🙂
Great post, I’m about to give a try to the DELL XPS 13 9350, that widely superseeds the Macook 12 (better connections, more CPU, 16Gb RAM, etc… notwithstanding the design and weight of course), I have failed so far at stabilizing a hackintosh laptop, we’ll see ho it goes following the Tonymacs guide 😉
Thanks for your appreciation. Yes, this GUIDE will be very useful in stabilizing your Hackintosh laptop. Any more questions, get in touch or email me directly 🙂
Please be aware that the New XPS 13 (9360) with Kaby Lake (7th gen. intel) cannot currently be Hackintoshed. Apple has no machines with Kaby Lake yet! Also, the New XPS 13 has a new WiFi card which is not Broadcom – therefore will likely need replacing.
Is there any of these laptops that can be upgraded to 24 or 32GB RAM, so that I can have a Mac running with more memory? Right now, Mac’s product line has a huge hole in it – only the iMac (with a monitor) and the Mac Pro (desktop) support more than 16GB RAM. Can you imagine that?
This is the primary reason I’m considering a Hackintosh. Any help is much appreciated.
Hi Troy, if you’re on a budget I would recommend the ThinkPad X220, it’s renowned for it’s easy upgradability (if that’s a word!).
We have a bank of plenty of guides. If you need linking to these let me know. In any case, here’s one of the best resources: http://x220.mcdonnelltech.com/
Let us know how you get on!
I genuinely appreciate your piece of work, Great post.
Thanks for your kind words. It’s one of my great passions in life, I hate Apple products but love the Operating System. I want others to embrace it too. Any questions, get in touch again.
Hey, I Have
HP 15 r204ne, Core i5 5th Generation, 4GB Ram, Nvidia GeForce 820m (2GB),
is it compatible for seirra?.
Hi Muhammad, thanks for getting in touch.
Assuming you mean the HP 15, we’ve always used the following guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/hackintosh/comments/8njqft/can_i_install_high_sierra_on_an_hp_15r015dx/
Reportedly, the trackpad and keyboard both work fine, which is always good! On High Sierra btw.
Let us know how you get on. And if you need direct assistance, jamie@protechlists.com is my email. Contact me anytime 🙂
hello!,I love your writing very so much! share we be in contact extra about your article.
I need a specialist on this area to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Taking a look forward to look you.
Hi Terry, happy to help. Just use the contact form or contact me directly on jamie@protechlists.com if you need any more help.
We’re always looking for feedback on laptops, gaming laptops specifically. So if you have any suggestions for the team – I can pass that on 🙂
Take care.
You are listing some laptops that are discontinued.
An SSD drive is a must today, the article does not even mention this.
Good point. We will actually revise the list to include 8th Gen Processors too. We just done a review on the new XPS 15, the 9570. Check that out.
Thanks for this feedback though, SSDs are the way forward.
Hi, this article was really enlightening, as this moment i am reading this great educational article here at my residence. Can you do a guide in 2019 too? I’m probably going to get one next year.
Hi Peter! Thanks for your comment. Yes, we will aim to update this every 2 months, or everytime we get a nudge from our readers that the list needs updating. Cheers.
What does “licensed window” mean? That’s gibberish to me. Do you mean is has a Windows OS license? They all have that. You also say “hackintosh supported” there is no such thing. The very definition of a hackintosh is macOS on unsupported hardware. I tried it on a Dell desktop and it worked surprisingly well. But it is still an unsupported configuration.
Hi Dale! Thanks for highlighting this to us. We removed the licensed window part. Too much coffee! And you’re right, nothing is Hackintosh supported – ultimately, it’s a “Hack” in place. When we mean Hackintosh supported, we mean elements of the build are more likely to work. However, that’s slightly ambiguous, so we’ve changed it in the article.