The Best MacBook Alternatives You Can Buy in 2025
It's a new year, and that means the release of new MacBooks like the gorgeous 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, boast a great screen, and have a battery that lasts at least a full workday.
In selecting the laptops for this list, I drew on my extensive reviews from the past year and beyond, focusing on those that best meet the criteria to truly replace a MacBook. Whether you're looking for a substitute 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 recommendations.
Asus Zenbook S 16
The Best MacBook Alternative
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
2The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as a superb 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 top choice for replacing the Apple MacBook Pro, 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 visually appealing laptops I've ever reviewed.
The core 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, ensuring peak performance across various tasks. This processor is also used in many high-end Windows gaming handhelds, which contributes to its surprising gaming capabilities.
While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still delivers impressive battery life. With the screen set to 50-60% brightness, I measured around 15 hours of battery life, which should comfortably last through a full day and beyond, depending on your usage.
The laptop's design is stunning, featuring Asus's new Ceraluminum lid, which combines ceramic and aluminum for enhanced durability and fingerprint resistance. Small details, like the ventilation area above the keyboard composed of over a thousand individually milled holes, emphasize its premium nature.
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 for external monitor connections.
The screen is a highlight, boasting a bright 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution (2880x1880). It supports multi-touch, allowing for versatile input options, and dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion while maintaining excellent battery life.
The only notable drawback is that the laptop can get hot, a trade-off for its ultra-premium design. However, this issue is mitigated when used on a desk, making it a minor concern given the laptop's overall excellence.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a beautiful OLED screen, great battery life, and a slim, lightweight design at a budget-friendly price.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 affordable alternative to the MacBook Air, offering a high-quality screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable package.
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, which is surprising at this price point.
It doesn't skimp on processing power either, equipped with Intel's Core Ultra 5 125H CPU. Though a generation old, it's still capable of handling daily productivity tasks and light creative work. It also includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot.
The budget-friendly price is partly due to its memory and storage configuration, with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the 8GB of RAM may limit multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing.
However, if you're primarily working with one or two applications at a time, this trade-off allows you to enjoy 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
1The Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent alternative to the MacBook Air, offering superior performance, a stunning screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek 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, offers distinct advantages that make it an ideal MacBook Air replacement.
Unlike the S 16, which uses an AMD CPU, the S 14 features the latest Intel Core Ultra processor. It delivers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities. During my review, it handled everything from Adobe Premiere Pro to Microsoft Excel and social media browsing with ease, never faltering. It also runs cooler than the S 16 and is even more portable, weighing just around 2.5 pounds and less than half an inch thick.
Its portability is so impressive that I often forgot I was carrying it. Despite initial concerns about the 14-inch screen size, its ease of transport won me over.
The battery life is exceptional, easily lasting multiple days with intermittent use. In formal testing, it achieved over 15 hours of battery life, which is outstanding.
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 may need to adjust settings for optimal performance. Given its lack of a dedicated graphics card, this is a reasonable compromise for playing AAA games on the go.
Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent MacBook Air alternative, offering great value for its 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. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU excels at gaming, and at 3.2 pounds, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.
Available in three configurations, you can choose between an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, with 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 in multicore performance, ideal for creatives and power users. The HX 370 version is even faster, making the TUF Gaming A14 an even better fit.
While it has more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's significantly quieter than most other powerful laptops. Its cooling system is also more efficient, reducing the risk of thermal throttling.
The dedicated graphics card impacts battery life, but using Advanced Optimus can mitigate this, allowing the laptop to last around 10 hours on the processor alone, easily covering a full workday.
The main challenge is its pricing. The entry-level model is suitable for many, but if you need 32GB of RAM for applications like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, you'll need the most expensive version, increasing the price from $1,399 to $1,699. However, if you need Windows and don't want to compromise on 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
0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an excellent 2-in-1 alternative to the MacBook, particularly for artists, but also powerful and efficient enough 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, a traditional laptop might not suffice. That's where the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 excels, offering MacBook-like benefits 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 and still use it regularly for its portability and versatility.
Powered by 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, with 10 or 12 CPU cores, respectively. They offer great performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator. While their efficiency doesn't quite reach all-day battery life, topping out at around 10 hours, it's sufficient for a full day of work or school. The device also supports fast charging, replenishing around 80% of its battery in about an hour.
Unlike earlier generations, the Surface Pro 11 is a powerhouse, with storage options from 256GB to 1TB and RAM from 16GB to 64GB. The storage is expandable via an easy-access panel behind the 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 Snapdragon processors use different technology than x86 processors from Intel and AMD, not all applications are instantly compatible. However, an app emulation layer helps, and the compatible app library has expanded to include most major applications used by creatives and professionals. Still, it's worth considering before making a purchase.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
Navigating the vast array of potential MacBook replacements can be daunting, with each claiming to offer excellent performance and other key features. Here are some essential factors to consider to ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs and serves as a true MacBook alternative.
Processor: The choice between Intel and AMD is less important than the number of cores. I recommend at least six cores, preferably eight, though fewer might suffice depending on your usage. For a true MacBook alternative, opt for the highest clock speed possible, ideally an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, and avoid anything more than a generation old. For text processing, a slower processor may be fine, but for video editing, it could be a limitation.
Memory: Aim for at least 16GB of RAM. While 8GB might be sufficient to start, it's the bare minimum and will quickly become outdated. 16GB ensures smooth program operation and robust multitasking capabilities.
Storage: Your storage needs depend on your usage. If you rely on cloud storage, 256GB might be enough, but it's considered small by modern standards. For more space, 512GB is the minimum, with 1TB preferred, especially if you work with large files like videos, store many photos and music, or download games.
Display: Avoid anything below 1080p resolution, as lower resolutions indicate an outdated laptop. Higher resolutions offer crisper images but can strain system resources for video editing or gaming. Laptops typically come with LCD displays, but some feature OLED panels, which offer superior picture quality. However, OLED displays can be susceptible to burn-in over time, so take care to avoid static images.
Form Factor: An extra pound in weight might not seem significant on paper, but it can be noticeable when carrying the laptop daily. Consider screen size, touch screen functionality, and whether a 2-in-1 design suits your current or future needs.
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, they don't quite match Apple's efficiency and battery life. Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs are high-performance with good integrated GPUs and neural processors. AMD's HX AI series also offers strong performance, but Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
While it's possible to play many games on a MacBook, the number of compatible titles is limited compared to Windows gaming laptops. Additionally, many games are not optimized for Mac as well as for PC. If gaming is a priority, MacBooks are not the best choice.
Is a MacBook better than PC?
This depends on your needs and preferences. For creative applications, many find MacBooks exceptional due to their processing power, efficiency, and portability. Some applications are exclusive to Mac, like Logic Pro. However, Windows PCs offer a more open ecosystem with a wider range of software, often optimized for Windows first due to its broader adoption. This is particularly true for gaming, where PC users have access to a vast library of games on platforms like Steam, while Mac users have a more limited selection.
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