As we usher in the new year, the latest MacBooks, such as the stunning new MacBook Air, have hit the market. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem but still crave the sleek design and performance of a MacBook, it's time to explore some top-notch alternatives. One standout option is the Asus Zenbook S 16, which I consider the best overall pick.
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 Microsoft
When searching for a laptop to rival the MacBook, it's crucial to set a high standard. Key attributes to consider include lightweight design, portability, robust performance, a high-quality screen, and a battery life that can last through a full workday. Drawing from numerous reviews and experiences over the past year, I've curated a list of laptops that genuinely stand up to the challenge of replacing a MacBook, whether you're eyeing the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air, or seeking a versatile 2-in-1 for creative pursuits.
Asus Zenbook S 16
The Best MacBook Alternative
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
2The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as a compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly lightweight and a pleasure to use, making it an excellent choice for those seeking both portability and power.
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Product Specifications
- Display: 16" (2880 x 1800)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- GPU: AMD Radeon 890M
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
- Weight: 3.31 pounds
- Size: 13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"
- Battery life: Around 15 hours
PROS
- Thin, light, and exceptionally portable
- High performance while still offering great battery life
- Stunning 3K OLED touchscreen
- Surprising gaming performance
CONS
- Can get hot
The Asus Zenbook S 16 is an outstanding choice for anyone looking for a MacBook Pro alternative, particularly if you need a larger screen. Its slim and lightweight design belies its powerful performance, making it ideal for everything from productivity to intensive creative tasks like 4K video editing. This laptop's aesthetic appeal is unmatched, featuring a stunning design with a new Ceraluminum lid that's both durable and fingerprint-resistant.
The Asus Zenbook S 16 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, which boasts 12 cores and 24 threads, achieving a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor not only excels in productivity but also supports surprising gaming performance, thanks to its use in high-caliber 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, lasting around 15 hours with the screen at 50-60% brightness. Its design is both functional and beautiful, featuring over a thousand tiny individually milled holes in the ventilation area above the keyboard.
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. The 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution and multi-touch support provides a visually stunning experience, dynamically adjusting between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion and efficient battery use.
The only notable drawback is its tendency to get hot, which can be mitigated by using it on a desk. This minor issue is a small price to pay for the exceptional features this laptop offers.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a beautiful screen, excellent battery life, and a sleek, lightweight design at a budget-friendly price.
See it at Acer
Product Specifications
- Display: 16" (3200 x 2000), OLED multitouch
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- GPU: Intel Arc
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Weight: 3.53 pounds
- Dimensions: 14.02" x 0.59" x 9.55"
PROS
- High resolution OLED display
- Thin, light, and portable
- Great battery life
CONS
- Limited memory and storage
For those on a budget, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an impressive alternative to the MacBook Air. Weighing just 3.53 pounds, it's easy to carry and features a 16-inch screen with a remarkable 3200x2000 resolution, delivering exceptional visual quality at an affordable price.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, this laptop offers solid performance for everyday productivity and light creative work. Its built-in neural processing unit (NPU) enhances AI functionality and supports Microsoft Copilot. However, with only 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, it may struggle with multitasking and handling larger files.
If you're focused on single-tasking and appreciate a high-quality screen in a portable package, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an excellent choice.
Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos
13 Images
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 exceptional screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek design.
See it at AsusSee it at Best Buy
Product Specifications
- Display: 14" (2880 x 1800)
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- GPU: Intel Arc
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Size: 12.22" x 8.45" x 0.51"
- Battery life: 15+ hours
PROS
- Thinner, lighter, and more powerful
- Great battery life
- Improved gaming performance
- Gorgeous OLED touchscreen
CONS
- No microSD card reader
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a compelling MacBook Air alternative, sharing many similarities with the Zenbook S 16 but with distinct advantages. It's powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, which delivers high performance and surprising gaming capabilities. Its lightweight design at just 2.65 pounds and slim profile make it incredibly portable.
The Zenbook S 14's battery life is exceptional, easily lasting over 15 hours, making it suitable for multiple days of intermittent use. The 2.8K OLED display offers up to 500 nits of brightness, providing stunning visuals ideal for HDR gaming and creative work.
Despite its lack of a microSD card reader, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic choice for those seeking a MacBook Air alternative at a reasonable price.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos
10 Images
Asus TUF Gaming A14
Best MacBook Pro 14 Alternative
Product Specifications
- Display: 14” (2560 x 1600) IPS
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060
- RAM: 16GB to 32GB (7500MHz)
- Storage: 1TB
- Weight: 3.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.24" x 8.94" x 0.67" – 0.78"
PROS
- Impressive battery life
- Quiet, efficient cooling
CONS
- Expensive
The Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent alternative to the MacBook Pro 14, offering a compact, powerful, and quiet design with impressive battery life. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU ensures top-notch gaming performance, and at 3.2 pounds, it's lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.
Available in three configurations, you can choose between the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, along with 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The entry-level version with the Ryzen 7 8845HS offers strong performance, often surpassing Apple's M3 in multicore tasks, making it ideal for creative and power users.
The A14's cooling system is notably quieter than most gaming laptops, and its battery life, when using Advanced Optimus, can last around 10 hours on the processor alone. However, the higher-end models with 32GB of RAM can be pricey, starting at $1,699.
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, perfect for artists and versatile enough for daily use.
See it at Amazon See it at Microsoft
Product Specifications
- Display: 13-inch OLED or LCD touchscreen (2,880 x 1,920)
- CPU: Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite
- GPU: Integrated
- RAM: Up to 64GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB (expandable)
- Weight: 1.97 pounds
- Dimensions: 11.3” x 8.2” x 0.37”
PROS
- OLED display is excellent
- Very portable and easy to carry through the day
- Snappy performance
- Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)
CONS
- Single-day battery
- App compatibility is still expanding (though is fairly extensive already)
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a versatile 2-in-1 device that's ideal for creative professionals and anyone needing a portable and adaptable solution. Powered by the latest Snapdragon X processors, it offers efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
While its battery life tops out at around 10 hours, it supports fast charging, replenishing up to 80% in an hour. The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, and its 13-inch OLED or LCD display offers crisp visuals.
However, the Surface Pro 11's ARM-based architecture means not all applications are instantly compatible, although the app library continues to expand. This is an important consideration before purchasing.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
Navigating the vast array of MacBook alternatives can be daunting, but focusing on key factors can help you find the perfect fit. Here's what to look for:
Processor: Whether opting for Intel or AMD, aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, and the highest clock speed possible. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, ideally not more than a generation old, is recommended.
Memory: Choose a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking and longevity.
Storage: Depending on your needs, 256GB might suffice if you rely on cloud storage, but for larger files, 512GB or 1TB is preferable.
Display: Opt for a minimum of 1080p resolution. OLED panels offer superior quality but require care to prevent burn-in.
Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and size, as well as features like touchscreens and 2-in-1 functionality.
Macbook Alternatives FAQ
What is the best M3 and M4 competitor?
While Apple's M3 and M4 chips are renowned for their efficiency and power, Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs, and AMD's HX AI series CPUs provide strong competition. However, Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
MacBooks can run many games, but their game library is smaller and less optimized compared to Windows gaming laptops.
Is a MacBook better than PC?
The choice depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and have unique software, while PCs offer greater software variety, especially for gaming, and are more open ecosystems.
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