As the new year ushers in exciting releases like the sleek MacBook Air, many of us who appreciate the elegance and performance of MacBooks but are deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem are on the hunt for compelling alternatives. The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as my top choice, offering a fantastic blend of style, power, 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 vying to be a MacBook alternative must meet rigorous standards. Essential qualities include being lightweight, ultra-portable, powerful, equipped with a superior screen, and boasting a battery that lasts through a full workday. My selections for this list stem from extensive reviews over the past year, pinpointing devices that excel in these crucial areas. Whether you need a replacement for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative pursuits, I have tailored recommendations.
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, boasting effortless portability and a delightful user experience. 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 premier alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, especially for those who desire a larger screen. It combines a super-thin and lightweight design with powerful processing capabilities, making it perfect for everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. Its stunning aesthetics make it one of the most beautiful laptops I've reviewed.
The core of its performance is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor delivers exceptional performance across a variety of tasks, including gaming, which is surprising for a laptop in this category.
While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, the Zenbook S 16 still offers impressive battery life. At 50-60% brightness, it lasts around 15 hours, ensuring it can easily power through a day's work.
The laptop's design is a work of art, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. Small details, like the intricate ventilation above the keyboard, showcase 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 vibrant 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution supports multi-touch, offering flexibility and excellent visual quality.
The only downside is that the laptop can run hot, a minor trade-off for its many advantages. Placing it on a desk mitigates this issue, making it a fantastic choice overall.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0Offering a beautiful OLED screen, great battery life, and a sleek, portable design at a budget-friendly price, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a compelling alternative to the MacBook Air. 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 delivers a high-quality screen and all-day battery life in a lightweight and portable package, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers.
At just 3.53 pounds, this laptop is easy to carry throughout the day. Its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, which is remarkable for a laptop in this price range.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it's a generation older but still offers ample performance for daily productivity and light creative work. It also features a built-in neural processing unit for enhanced AI functionality and Microsoft Copilot support.
However, its budget pricing means compromises in memory and storage, with only 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. This setup may limit multitasking and performance for more demanding tasks like video editing. For users who stick to lighter workloads, the trade-off is worthwhile for access to its excellent screen and portability.
Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos
13 Images
3. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best MacBook Air Alternative
### Asus Zenbook S 14
1Outshining the MacBook Air, the Asus Zenbook S 14 delivers exceptional performance, a fantastic screen, multi-day battery life, and a stunning design. 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 as a fantastic MacBook Air alternative with unique features and enhancements. It uses the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, offering high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities.
Weighing in at around 2.5 pounds and less than half an inch thick, it's incredibly portable. Its 14-inch screen may seem small, but its portability and outstanding battery life—over 15 hours—make it a top choice.
The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) reaches up to 500 nits and provides an amazing visual experience, especially for HDR gaming. Despite lacking a dedicated graphics card, it can handle AAA games at lower settings, making it a versatile choice for both productivity and entertainment.
At a reasonable price, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a stellar alternative to the MacBook Air.
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 MacBook Pro 14 replacement, offering a compact, powerful, and quiet design with excellent battery life. It's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14 at just 3.2 pounds.
Available in three configurations, it features either the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, with RAM options ranging from 16GB to 32GB. The fast RAM enhances performance, and the entry-level model impressed with its speed. The Ryzen 7 8845HS often outperforms Apple's M3 in multicore tasks, ideal for creatives and power users.
While it has more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's quieter than most gaming laptops and manages heat effectively. The Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU supports gaming without sacrificing battery life, which can last up to 10 hours on the processor alone.
The main challenge is its higher price, especially for the 32GB RAM version, which costs $1,699. Despite this, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent choice for those who need Windows without compromising on performance, weight, or size.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a versatile 2-in-1 device, perfect for artists and offering sufficient power and efficiency for daily use. 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 Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an ideal alternative to the MacBook, offering the versatility of a 2-in-1 device perfect for digital art. Its design also caters to productivity and entertainment needs, making it a versatile choice for all users.
Equipped with the latest Snapdragon X processors, it provides efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. While its battery life reaches about 10 hours, fast charging replenishes 80% of the battery in an hour.
The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage. The display options include LCD or OLED, both offering a sharp 2880x1920 resolution.
One consideration is app compatibility due to its ARM processor. While it supports most major applications, it's not yet at 100% compatibility, so it's essential to check before purchasing.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
Navigating the vast array of MacBook alternatives requires careful consideration of key features. Here's what to look for to ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs and serves as a worthy replacement.
Processor: Opt for at least six cores, ideally eight, for smooth performance. For high-demand tasks like video editing, aim for the highest clock speed available, such as Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors, and avoid models more than a generation old.
Memory: A minimum of 16GB of RAM is recommended for multitasking and longevity. While 8GB might suffice for basic tasks, it's the bare minimum and can lead to quicker obsolescence.
Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB may be enough if you rely on cloud storage, but 512GB to 1TB is preferable for local storage of large files like videos or games.
Display: Choose at least a 1080p resolution for a modern laptop. Higher resolutions enhance visual clarity but may impact performance in tasks like video editing or gaming. OLED displays offer superior picture quality but require careful use to prevent burn-in.
Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and size for daily portability. Also, assess whether you need touchscreen capabilities or the versatility of a 2-in-1 device.
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's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series offer strong performance, they don't yet match Apple's efficiency and battery life.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
MacBooks can run games, but the selection and optimization are limited compared to Windows gaming laptops, making them less ideal for avid gamers.
Is a MacBook better than PC?
The choice between MacBook and PC depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications due to their efficiency and power, but PCs offer a more open ecosystem with greater software availability, particularly for gaming.
