user75821: I need to be able to verify messages and check that funds in wallets are valid and that the claimed owner possesses the private keys (hence checking messages signed). 
I know that I need to be able to download and sync the whole blockchain so I will be getting at least a 1TB HDD. 
Are there any other things that would be really needed to run it smoothly? I was thinking of a laptop with an i7-6700HQ processor and 16GB of ram.
Will this cut it?

user38618: You can just use the pruning, which lowers the required storage size to 550 MB. Other than that, you don't need a strong computer. It can run on a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ without any problems (but it won't be able to keep a full mempool).

75821: <p>I need to be able to verify messages and check that funds in wallets are valid and that the claimed owner possesses the private keys (hence checking messages signed). </p>

<p>I know that I need to be able to download and sync the whole blockchain so I will be getting at least a 1TB HDD. </p>

<p>Are there any other things that would be really needed to run it smoothly? I was thinking of a laptop with an i7-6700HQ processor and 16GB of ram.</p>

<p>Will this cut it?</p>
 38618: <p>You can just use the pruning, which lowers the required storage size to <strong>550 MB</strong>. Other than that, you don't need a strong computer. It can run on a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ without any problems (but it won't be able to keep a full mempool).</p>
