It's a new year, and that means the release of new MacBooks like the stunning new MacBook Air. If you're like me and appreciate the concept of the MacBook but are too entrenched in the Windows ecosystem to switch, it's time to explore alternatives. There are plenty of excellent laptops to choose from, and my top overall pick is the Asus Zenbook S 16.
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 that aims to be an alternative to the venerable MacBook must meet a high standard. There are several key qualities to consider. First, any MacBook alternative should be lightweight and highly portable. It should also be relatively powerful, feature a great screen, and have a battery that lasts at least a full workday.
In selecting the laptops for this list, I drew on the many reviews I've conducted over the past year and beyond, focusing on those that best meet the criteria to truly replace a MacBook. Whether you're looking for a replacement for the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air, or a 2-in-1 that offers similar benefits while also being suitable for art and creative applications, I have suggestions for you.
Asus Zenbook S 16
The Best MacBook Alternative
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
2The Asus Zenbook S 16 is an outstanding Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly easy to carry and a pleasure to use.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 is the best alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro today, especially if you need a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light, yet a processing powerhouse capable of handling everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's also one of the most beautiful laptops I've ever reviewed.
The heart of the system is its processor. Asus has equipped it with the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, the company's highest performance AI processor to date, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz, offering peak performance across a multitude of tasks. This processor is also used in many high-end Windows gaming handhelds, making it suitable for gaming as well.
While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still delivers fantastic battery life. With the screen set to 50-60% brightness, I measured around 15 hours of battery life. This can vary based on usage, but you can rely on the Zenbook S 16 to last through the day and beyond.
The laptop's design is stunning, featuring Asus's new Ceraluminum lid, which combines ceramic and aluminum for an extra durable, fingerprint-resistant finish. There are many small touches that emphasize its premium nature, such as the ventilation area above the keyboard, composed of over a thousand tiny individually milled holes. While not necessary, it adds to the laptop's aesthetic appeal.
Connectivity is superior to 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 for connecting to an external monitor.
The screen is a highlight, featuring a bright 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution (2880x1880). It supports multi-touch, allowing you to choose your preferred input method. The screen can dynamically switch between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion while maintaining excellent battery life.
The only drawback is that the laptop can get hot. This was the first model Asus used this ultra-premium design with, and it's an area where it falls short compared to the MacBook. However, placing it on a desk alleviates this issue, and it's a minor trade-off for all the laptop offers. It's truly fantastic.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0A beautiful OLED screen, great battery life, and a thin and light design on a budgetSee 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 a budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Air, offering a great screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable form factor.
Weighing just 3.53 pounds, this laptop is easy to carry throughout the day. It features a 16-inch screen with an impressive 3200x2000 resolution. It's surprising to see such a high-quality display on a laptop at this price point, but that's exactly what you get here.
It doesn't skimp on processing power either, coming with Intel's Core Ultra 5 125H CPU. While a generation old, it still offers ample performance for daily productivity tasks and light creative work. It also includes a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot.
The budget pricing is reflected in its memory and storage configuration, with 8GB of memory and 512GB of system storage. While the storage is adequate if you're not working with large files, the 8GB of memory limits multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing.
If you're not planning on such tasks and will only be working in a few programs at a time, this trade-off allows you to enjoy its excellent screen and ultra-portable design.
Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos
13 Images
3. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best MacBook Air Alternative
### Asus Zenbook S 14
1Move over MacBook Air, the ZenBook S14 offers incredible performance, a great screen, multi-day battery life, and a 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, while similar to the Zenbook S 16, stands out in several ways and makes an excellent MacBook Air replacement.
Unlike the S 16, which uses an AMD CPU, the S 14 features the latest generation Intel Core Ultra. It's high-performance and surprisingly good for gaming. During my review, I was impressed by its performance across various tasks, from Adobe Premiere Pro to Microsoft Excel and even social media browsing. It's also noticeably cooler than the S 16 and even more portable, though both are highly portable.
Weighing just around 2.5 pounds and less than half an inch at its thickest point, it's incredibly easy to carry. Its portability is so good that I often forgot I was carrying it and had to double-check my bag. While I initially worried about the 14-inch screen being too small, its portability won me over.
It also offers outstanding battery life, easily lasting multiple days with intermittent use. In formal testing, it achieved over 15 hours of battery life, which is exceptional.
The screen is another highlight, featuring a 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) that reaches up to 500 nits. It's perfect for HDR gaming, though you'll need to adjust settings for playable frame rates. Given it doesn't include a separate graphics card, this is a reasonable trade-off for playing AAA games on the go with a creative and productivity laptop.
Overall, this is an excellent MacBook Air alternative at a surprisingly reasonable price.
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 choice for replacing the MacBook Pro 14. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with impressive battery life. Plus, its Nvidia RTX 4060 processor is perfect for gaming. At 3.2 pounds, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.
Available in three versions, you can choose between an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The RAM is faster than many competitors, giving it a performance edge. We tested the entry-level version and were impressed by its speed. The Ryzen 7 8845HS frequently outpaces Apple's M3 processor in multicore performance, ideal for creatives and power users. While I didn't test the HX 370 version, it's significantly faster, making the TUF Gaming A14 an even better fit.
MacBook Pro fans appreciate its quiet and power-efficient operation. The A14 has more fan noise but is significantly quieter than most other powerful laptops. It's also cooler, reducing the risk of thermal throttling.
The dedicated graphics card impacts battery life, but Advanced Optimus helps mitigate this by only activating the 4060 when needed. On the processor alone, it lasts around 10 hours, easily covering a full workday.
The main challenge is its pricing. While the entry-level model suits many users, the most expensive version with 32GB of memory is necessary for apps like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, increasing the price from $1,399 to $1,699. However, if you need Windows without sacrificing performance, weight, or size, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent alternative.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0This 2-in-1 is especially great for artists but has enough power and efficiency to be a great daily driverSee 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)If you're a creative professional, a traditional laptop might not meet your needs. That's where the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 comes in, offering many of the same benefits as the Apple MacBook in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor perfect for digital artists. Even if you're not a creative, its design makes it a stellar alternative for productivity and entertainment. I fell in love with it during my review earlier this year and still use it regularly for its portability and versatility.
Featuring the latest Snapdragon X processors, the Surface Pro 11 is one of the first systems to use an ARM processor similar to Apple's M-series chips. You can choose between the Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite, offering 10 or 12 CPU cores. They run efficiently, providing great performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator. While battery life tops out at around 10 hours, it's enough for a full day of work or school. The device supports fast charging, replenishing around 80% of its battery in about an hour.
Unlike earlier generations, the Surface Pro 11 is a powerhouse. You can configure it with up to 1TB of storage and up to 64GB of memory, with expandable storage via an easy-to-access panel behind its kickstand. The display is available in LCD or OLED variants with a 2880x1920 resolution, offering exceptional clarity for both productivity and entertainment.
The main challenge is app compatibility. Because the Snapdragon processors use different technology than x86 processors from Intel and AMD, not all applications are compatible. However, an app emulation layer helps, and the compatible app library has expanded to include most major applications used by creatives and professionals. It's not 100% yet, so it's worth considering before purchasing.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
There's a vast array of potential MacBook replacements, each claiming to offer excellent performance and other criteria. To ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs, consider the following:
Processor: The number of cores is more important than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight. For text processing, a slower processor might suffice, but for video editing, higher clock speeds are crucial. Opt for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, and avoid anything more than a generation old unless your needs are minimal.
Memory: Choose a laptop with at least 16GB of memory. While 8GB might be enough to start, it's the bare minimum and will become outdated quickly. 16GB ensures smooth multitasking and future-proofing.
Storage: Your storage needs depend on usage. If you rely on cloud storage, 256GB might be sufficient, but it's considered small. For larger files like videos or games, aim for at least 512GB, with 1TB being ideal.
Display: Don't settle for less than a 1080p resolution. Higher resolutions offer crisper images but can strain system resources for video editing or gaming. OLED panels provide superior picture quality but are susceptible to burn-in, so take care with static images.
Form Factor: Consider the weight and size of the laptop, as well as whether you need a touchscreen or 2-in-1 functionality. An extra pound can make a significant difference when carrying it daily.
Macbook Alternatives FAQ
What is the best M3 and M4 competitor?
Apple's silicon is renowned for its efficiency and processing power. While Intel and AMD offer high-performance options like Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series, Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
While you can play many games on a MacBook, the number of compatible titles is limited compared to Windows gaming laptops. Games are often not optimized for Mac as well as for PC, making MacBooks less ideal for gaming.
Is a MacBook better than PC?
It depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks are excellent for creative applications due to their processing power, efficiency, and portability. However, PCs offer a more open ecosystem with more software options and better gaming support, especially through platforms like Steam.
