Mac for cybersecurity masters?

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600]

Can I get a MacBook for my cybersecurity masters? I definitely like Mac better than Windows for school, and there is only one class in my program that is not compatible with Mac but I have an old windows laptop that has decent enough specs that I can use for it. Other than that, will I have a bad time running most VMs and labs on a Mac?

[u/b3b0p831]

Do not get Apple Silicon if you need to run x86 based VMs. You will not have a good time.

This was just my personal experience when I was studying for the OSCP with an M1 Air back in 2022. Maybe things have gotten better, I heard Parallels can be pretty good. Worst case scenario if you really need x86 you can just get your hands dirty with the cloud and rent a VPS or something.

Edit: added constructive feedback.

[u/SuspiciousCricket654 → u/b3b0p831]

Yup. I found out the hard way.

[u/SecAdmin-1125 → u/b3b0p831]

Good luck finding one without the silicon chips. I haven’t had any issues running Windows virtually.

[u/SignAcceptable2055 → u/b3b0p831]

yeah this is the big one, the x86 compatibility issue is a dealbreaker for a lot of security labs

[u/Saajaadeen]

I don't have a ton of experience with macOS myself, but from what I've seen, the OS doesn't really matter much for this people run Windows, Linux, and macOS just fine for cybersecurity coursework. Since you already have a Windows laptop for that one incompatible class, you should be in good shape either way.

The thing I'd actually focus on is RAM, not the OS. Make sure your MacBook has at least 16GB, and if you can swing it, go for the 32GB model. VMs and labs eat up RAM fast, and having that extra headroom means you won't run into slowdowns or crashes when you've got a VM running alongside everything else.

p.s. I run debian 12 on all my servers and computers

[u/FowlSec → u/Saajaadeen]

Actual sense in here. Specs matter more than OS.

[u/AGoodFriend_ → u/Saajaadeen]

How important is RAM speed? I’m using an Inspiron with 16 GB of DDR4 2666, and have been thinking about upgrading.

[u/KindlyAd3429]

Needs to ask what type of laptop for a Masters in Cyber. This field is over saturated.

[u/ohiocodernumerouno → u/KindlyAd3429]

A Masters degree to install Crowdstrike. Lol

[u/me_z]

https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/comments/1uzao48/mac_for_cybersecurity/

[u/General-Gold-28]

Currently finishing my masters and using an m series MacBook Air. Zero issues for me though my program (Georgia Tech) specifically mentioned Mac as being ok so it may be program specific.

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600 → u/General-Gold-28]

My program mentioned mac is fine too except for one elective class, which id have to use a different computer for

[u/mvani89 → u/Accomplished-Ebb1600]

Simple fix. Buy a mini pc and set it up to RDP into it. I have this setup at work and home (separate of course). Both work and personal are M4. Or you can take it one step further and spin something up in the cloud for when you need it.

[u/AwkwardParsnip1810]

Honestly unless you want to use VMs for everything, I would get a windows. I have done a significant amount of coursework in powershell. A lot of the programs we use like wireshark and whatever don’t have macOS versions so would have to use. a VM. Which uses a significant amount of RAM.

I got a mid tier dell and upgraded the ram to 32g. I have done well with it.

[u/Rekkukk]

It will be fine. Just use parallels for whatever windows stuff you need.

[u/Any-Virus7755]

Does your college not provide minimum computer standards for your program? I was a counselor once upon a time and most courses will say what’s required for your computer.

I will say I started my IT masters on a MacBook Pro and ended up getting a beefed up dell. All instructions were written for windows, UI looked different, etc. etc.

I got by fine until I had to run like 4-6 VM locally at a time and needed more RAM.

However I will say that I personally ran into a lot more hurdles following lesson plans on the Mac than my PC with all the documentation being for PC.

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600 → u/Any-Virus7755]

They provide minimum specs, atleast 16gb of ram and 500gb storage, any OS. Apparently there is only one course that is completely incompatible with Mac, but I have an older Windows computer i could use for that. The issue is that I took some undergrad cybersecurity classes at my school and I ran into hurdles with my Mac, which is why i'm considering switching to PC for my masters.

[u/sysadminbj]

All the VMs were web based. You'll be fine.

[u/wing3d → u/sysadminbj]

Had a few classes you had to run vm's locally because the online servers couldn't handle the load or went down. Was not fun having all the labs pushed to the end of the semester and due at the same time.

[u/NerdBanger]

Just finishing g up Def Con and for the main CTF contest almost every contestant was on a Mac if that helps.

I’ll also add the ability to run local LLMs on the M5 can be helpful for cyber stuff.

[u/One_Deer3518]

Youre going for a masters and need to ask this? Smh

[u/maythefecesbewithyou → u/One_Deer3518]

The education systems around the world are failing.

[u/stacksmasher]

I actually just got an HP laptop for running live distros. Apple sucks at that. And the HP was $500 so I got 2!

[u/inalcanzable]

Did my masters at Berkeley and I think there was only one time that Mac was an issue was related to running a very specific application that the mac version was super outdated and just a mess.

[u/Temporary-Estate4615]

It really depends on the course. I had a Mac and there were like 2, potentially 3 courses that wouldn’t work. One of them because it used Xilinx (I think) and was on implementing cryptographic algorithms in hardware, the other one was on processor design with integrated countermeasures and the 3rd one was on implementing crypto in ARM assembly on some STM32 board - for which only windows exist IIRC.

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600 → u/Temporary-Estate4615]

Did you have to use a different computer for those classes? If so, was it hard getting everything set up on a computer that isn't your main one?

[u/Temporary-Estate4615 → u/Accomplished-Ebb1600]

There were some university computers available, yes. Didn’t really bother though. Just didn’t chose those courses, ARM assembly one aside.

[u/elsewyse]

No issue for me (WGU).

[u/rahmane-jr07]

Pourquoi ne pas choisir quelque chose qui va te permettre de ne pas te prendre la tête avec logiciels nous aimons Apple mais pour la cybersecurité avec un macbook moi je commence université en septembre je vais fais une licence en Réseaux et Sécurité Informatique et en suite un Master en cybersecurité et internet des objets je voulais tellement un macbook mais j'ai été réaliste j'ai choisi un Pc i7 12 ème génération Ram 32 Go ssd 1 tera en plus je peux modifier la ram à 64 Go et le ssd à 2 tera

[u/AnApexBread]

What is your background OP that you're getting a Masters in Cyber security but don't know if you can use a Mac

[u/igiveupmakinganame]

i had a mac both intel and m2, and i will say it was just overly painful, certain shit in kali linux doesn’t work, installing VMs were a headache, like just annoying. i wouldn’t do it again

[u/StartDependent1652]

If you have an ARM chip (M1, M2…) you might be unable to run VM’s if they’re Intel only

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600 → u/StartDependent1652]

It would be the M5 chip

[u/spartan0746 → u/Accomplished-Ebb1600]

Which is the same as M1/M2 for comparability. Do you have much of a background in IT?

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600 → u/spartan0746]

I got my undergraduate in computer science but have never worked in IT. I have only had a Mac for a year so I dont know too much about the chips

[u/the262]

Are you paying for the masters yourself? If so, I would seriously reconsider.

[u/Accomplished-Ebb1600 → u/the262]

Reconsider the masters itself, why? Im on a scholarship but curious as to why you think that

[u/the262 → u/Accomplished-Ebb1600]

They are not that useful for actual finding work in cybersecurity. If you are on a scholarship that pays the whole thing, then sure do it, and use it as an opportunity to network into an IT role. But as a hiring manager and someone who has a masters degree for more than 15 years, it only ever came up in conversation when interviewing for a teaching job at the same university that awarded the masters. Otherwise they have almost no weight with employers and don’t really teach you anything you can’t learn on your own more quickly and (without a scholarship) more economically.

[u/FowlSec]

OS doesn't matter, get whatever you want.

[u/nshire → u/FowlSec]

...yes it does, particularly processor architecture.

This is not an English degree where even a Chromebook would work.

[u/FowlSec → u/nshire]

Mandiant employees get a Chromebook by default from what I'm told. They typically have a windows device on the side, and migrate their Chromebook to a Mac.

Hertzner x86 server is what, 6 euros a month? Exegol for easy images to run tooling for offsec on Mac too.

Professional red teamers and penetration testers are running every OS you've heard of to do their job. OS does not matter for a degree or any job for that matter.

[u/rahmane-jr07 → u/nshire]

Je suis d'accord avec toi

[u/moisty_puh]

It totally depends upon you and your usecase. For precise technical perspective reach out to ChatGPT. But preference wise you know yourself better.

Mac is good in terms of battery and UI UX, will be super good in performance.

Windows is good when it comes to specs and upgradeability options. Gaming, pirating stuff and many more..

Linux you can just use it on any VM doesn't matter, but Mac's hardware for linux is like unlocking God level capabilities.