As the new year rolls in, Apple has unveiled the stunning new MacBook Air, sparking excitement among tech enthusiasts. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem and aren't ready to switch, there's no need to despair. The market is brimming with excellent alternatives that can satisfy your needs just as well. My top pick for an overall MacBook alternative is the Asus Zenbook S 16, which strikes a perfect balance between performance and portability.
TL;DR - The Best MacBook Alternatives:
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
4See it at Best Buy
### Acer Swift Go 16
2See it at Acer
### Asus Zenbook S 14
1See it at AsusSee it at Best Buy
### Asus TUF Gaming A14
0See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at Asus
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftA laptop claiming to be a MacBook alternative must meet high standards. Key qualities include being lightweight and highly portable, powerful, equipped with a superb screen, and having a battery life that lasts at least a full workday. In selecting these laptops, I've drawn on my extensive reviews over the past year to identify those that truly stand up as MacBook replacements. Whether you're seeking an alternative to the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work, I've got you covered.
Asus Zenbook S 16
The Best MacBook Alternative
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
2The Asus Zenbook S 16 emerges as an outstanding Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, offering a perfect blend of portability and performance that's a joy to use every day.See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880 x 1800)CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUAMD Radeon 890MRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight3.31 poundsSize13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"Battery lifeAround 15 hoursPROSThin, light, and exceptionally portableHigh performance while still offering great battery lifeStunning 3K OLED touchscreenSurprising gaming performance CONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as the premier alternative to the MacBook Pro, particularly for those who need a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light, yet packs a powerful punch, making it ideal for everything from productivity to demanding tasks like 4K video editing. Its stunning design and performance make it one of the most impressive laptops I've reviewed.
The heart of the system is the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, which boasts 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor not only handles productivity and creative tasks with ease but also performs surprisingly well in gaming scenarios, much like the top-tier Windows gaming handhelds.
While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, the Zenbook S 16 still delivers impressive battery life. With the screen set to 50-60% brightness, it lasts around 15 hours, ensuring it can get you through a full day and beyond.
The laptop's design is nothing short of stunning, featuring Asus's new Ceraluminum lid, which combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. Small details, like the ventilation area with over a thousand individually milled holes, underscore its premium quality.
Connectivity surpasses that of the MacBook, with dual USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, a headphone jack, and an HDMI-out port. The 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution supports multi-touch and dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth visuals without sacrificing battery life.
The only downside is that the laptop can get hot, though this is mitigated when used on a desk. Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is a fantastic choice.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0With a beautiful OLED screen, excellent battery life, and a slim, lightweight design, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Air that doesn't compromise on quality.See it at AcerProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (3200 x 2000), OLED multitouchCPUIntel Core Ultra 5 125HGPUIntel ArcRAM8GBStorage512GBWeight3.53 poundsDimensions14.02" x 0.59" x 9.55" PROSHigh resolution OLED displayThin, light, and portable Great battery lifeCONSLimited memory and storagePriced well under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an exceptional budget-friendly option that rivals the MacBook Air. It's remarkably light at just 3.53 pounds, and its 16-inch screen boasts a stunning 3200x2000 resolution, a feature rarely seen at this price point.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, this laptop handles everyday productivity tasks and light creative work with ease. It includes a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) that enhances AI functionality and supports Microsoft Copilot.
However, its budget pricing reflects in its memory and storage configuration, with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the limited memory may restrict multitasking and performance with more demanding applications like video editing.
If you stick to lighter workloads, this laptop offers an excellent balance of screen quality and portability at a very reasonable price.
Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos
13 Images
3. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best MacBook Air Alternative
### Asus Zenbook S 14
1The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a stellar alternative to the MacBook Air, offering superior performance, an excellent screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek, beautiful chassis.See it at AsusSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsDisplay14" (2880 x 1800)CPUIntel Core Ultra 7 258VGPUIntel ArcRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight2.65 poundsSize12.22" x 8.45" x 0.51"Battery life15+ hoursPROSThinner, lighter, and more powerfulGreat battery lifeImproved gaming performanceGorgeous OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a MacBook Air alternative. It shares many features with its larger sibling, the Zenbook S 16, but stands out with its unique attributes. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, it delivers high performance across a range of tasks, from video editing to gaming, all while maintaining a cool and lightweight profile.
At just 2.65 pounds and less than half an inch thick, it's incredibly portable, often slipping my mind that I'm carrying it. Its 14-inch screen initially raised concerns about size, but its portability quickly won me over.
The Zenbook S 14 also boasts exceptional battery life, easily lasting multiple days with intermittent use. In testing, it exceeded 15 hours, which is truly remarkable.
The 2.8K OLED display is another highlight, offering up to 500 nits of brightness and stunning visuals, especially for HDR gaming. While you might need to adjust settings for optimal performance, the ability to play AAA games on a productivity laptop is a significant advantage.
Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a top-notch MacBook Air alternative, offering incredible value and performance.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos
10 Images
4. Asus TUF Gaming A14
Best MacBook Pro 14 Alternative
Product SpecificationsDisplay14” (2560 x 1600) IPSCPUAMD Ryzen 7 8845HS to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUNvidia RTX 4060RAM16GB to 32GB (7500MHz)Storage1TBWeight3.2 poundsDimensions12.24" x 8.94" x 0.67" – 0.78"PROSImpressive battery lifeQuiet, efficient coolingCONSExpensiveThe Asus TUF Gaming A14 is the ideal alternative to the MacBook Pro 14, combining power, portability, and quiet operation with impressive battery life. It's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14 at just 3.2 pounds, and its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU ensures excellent gaming performance.
Available in three configurations, you can choose between the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, with RAM options of 16GB or 32GB. The faster RAM gives it an edge over competitors like the MSI Stealth 14. The entry-level model, equipped with the Ryzen 7 8845HS, offers multicore performance that often surpasses Apple's M3, making it perfect for creatives and power users.
While it's noisier than the MacBook Pro, the A14 is significantly quieter than most gaming laptops. Its cooling system is also remarkably efficient, preventing thermal throttling.
Battery life is impacted by the dedicated GPU, but using Advanced Optimus allows the system to switch to integrated graphics when needed, extending battery life to around 10 hours on the processor alone.
The main drawback is its price, with the top configuration costing $1,699. However, for those who need Windows and can't compromise on performance, size, or weight, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent choice.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an excellent 2-in-1 alternative to the MacBook, particularly for creatives, with enough power and efficiency to serve as a reliable daily driver.See it at Amazon See it at MicrosoftProduct SpecificationsDisplay13-inch OLED or LCD touchscreen (2,880 x 1,920)CPUSnapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X EliteGPUIntegratedRAMUp to 64GBStorageUp to 1TB (expandable)Weight1.97 poundsDimensions11.3” x 8.2” x 0.37”PROSOLED display is excellentVery portable and easy to carry through the daySnappy performance Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)CONSSingle-day batteryApp compatibility is still expanding (though is fairly extensive already)For creative professionals, the traditional laptop might not suffice. That's where the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 shines, offering the versatility of a 2-in-1 that's perfect for digital artists. Its Snapdragon X processors, akin to Apple's M-series chips, provide efficient and powerful performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
While it doesn't quite reach all-day battery life, topping out at around 10 hours, it supports fast charging, replenishing 80% in about an hour. The Surface Pro 11 is a powerhouse, with storage options up to 1TB and RAM up to 64GB. The display, available in LCD or OLED, boasts a crisp 2880x1920 resolution, ideal for both work and entertainment.
The challenge with the Surface Pro 11 lies in its ARM processor compatibility. While it uses an app emulation layer and supports most major applications, it's not yet fully compatible with all software, so it's worth considering before purchasing.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
Navigating the vast array of MacBook alternatives can be daunting. To ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs, consider the following key factors:
Processor: Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, for robust performance. Higher clock speeds are also crucial, with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 being good starting points. Avoid processors more than a generation old unless your needs are basic.
Memory: Opt for at least 16GB of RAM. While 8GB might suffice initially, it's the bare minimum and will lead to quicker obsolescence. More memory ensures smooth multitasking and longevity.
Storage: Depending on your use, 256GB might be enough if you rely on cloud storage, but for local storage, 512GB is a good minimum, with 1TB being ideal for large files and applications.
Display: Don't settle for less than 1080p resolution. Higher resolutions offer crisper images but can strain system resources. OLED panels provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.
Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size. A touch screen or 2-in-1 functionality might be beneficial for your needs, especially if you anticipate future requirements.
Macbook Alternatives FAQ
What is the best M3 and M4 competitor?
Apple's M3 and M4 chips are renowned for their efficiency and power. While Intel and AMD's latest offerings, such as Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series, come close in performance, they still lag behind in efficiency and battery life.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
MacBooks can run games, but their game library is significantly smaller compared to Windows gaming laptops. Additionally, many games are not optimized for macOS, making Windows a better choice for serious gamers.
Is a MacBook better than PC?
The choice between a MacBook and a PC depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications due to their processing power, efficiency, and portability, and some software is exclusive to macOS. PCs, however, offer a more open ecosystem with broader software availability, particularly in gaming, where the extensive Steam library and other platforms are accessible.
