As we kick off the new year, the launch of the sleek new MacBook Air has once again spotlighted Apple's offerings. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem like me, it's time to explore some stellar alternatives. My top pick overall? The Asus Zenbook S 16, which offers an impressive blend of 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 that claims to be a MacBook alternative must meet stringent standards. Key qualities I considered include lightweight design, exceptional portability, robust performance, a top-notch screen, and battery life that lasts a full workday at least.

In curating this list, I drew on extensive reviews from the past year and beyond, selecting laptops that truly stand up as MacBook replacements. Whether you're looking to substitute the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or need a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work, I've got you covered.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16

The Best MacBook Alternative

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

2The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as a premier Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly easy to carry and a delight 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 emerges as the top alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, particularly for those needing a larger screen. Its slim profile and lightweight design don't compromise on performance, making it ideal for productivity and demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's also one of the most visually stunning laptops I've ever reviewed.

The heart of this system is the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, boasting 12 cores and 24 threads with a max clock speed of 5.1GHz, ensuring peak performance across various tasks, including gaming.

While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still offers impressive battery life. With the screen at 50-60% brightness, I achieved around 15 hours of use, perfect for a full day's work.

The laptop's design is captivating, featuring a Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The attention to detail, such as the ventilation area above the keyboard with over a thousand meticulously milled holes, underscores its premium nature.

Connectivity surpasses the MacBook with dual USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, and an SD card reader, all capable of video transfer and powering the laptop. Additionally, it includes a headphone jack and an HDMI-out port.

The 500-nit OLED display with 2.8K resolution (2880x1880) is breathtaking, supporting multi-touch and dynamically adjusting between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth visuals without sacrificing battery life.

The only downside is the potential for the laptop to get hot, a minor trade-off for its extensive capabilities.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0A stunning OLED screen, excellent battery life, and a sleek, portable design at an affordable price pointSee 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, boasting an impressive screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable package.

At just 3.53lbs, it's easy to carry throughout the day. The 16-inch screen's 3200x2000 resolution is remarkable for its price point.

It's powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, which is a generation behind but still handles everyday productivity and light creative work well. It includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and Microsoft Copilot support.

Its budget pricing reflects its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage, which may limit multitasking and handling larger files like video edits. However, for users focusing on single applications at a time, it's a worthy compromise for its excellent screen and portability.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1Surpass the MacBook Air with the ZenBook S14, featuring incredible performance, an outstanding screen, multi-day battery life, and a stunning 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 counterpart to the Zenbook S 16, serving as a superb MacBook Air alternative. Though similar, the S 14 distinguishes itself with distinct features.

It uses the latest Intel Core Ultra, offering high performance and surprising gaming capabilities. During my review, it excelled in Adobe Premiere Pro, Microsoft Excel, and even casual browsing and gaming.

Weighing just around 2.5lbs and less than half an inch thick, its portability is unmatched. Its 14-inch screen might seem small, but its ease of carry made it a favorite.

Battery life is phenomenal, lasting multiple days with intermittent use, and achieving over 15 hours in formal tests.

The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is stunning, reaching up to 500 nits, perfect for HDR gaming despite lacking a dedicated graphics card.

Overall, it's an exceptional MacBook Air alternative at a competitive price.

Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos

10 Images4. 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 compact size, powerful performance, quiet operation, and impressive battery life. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 ensures top-notch gaming performance, and at 3.2lbs, it's lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three configurations with AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and 16GB or 32GB of RAM, the TUF Gaming A14 excels in performance. 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 powerful laptops and runs cooler, preventing thermal throttling.

Battery life, affected by its dedicated graphics card, can last around 10 hours on the processor alone, easily covering a workday.

The main drawback is its cost, with the top model priced at $1,699. Still, for those committed to Windows without sacrificing performance, size, or weight, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent choice.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0This versatile 2-in-1 is perfect for artists and offers enough power and efficiency to serve as an excellent 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)For creatives needing more than a traditional laptop, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the perfect MacBook alternative in a 2-in-1 form factor. Its versatility makes it ideal for both productivity and entertainment.

Equipped with the latest Snapdragon X processors, similar to Apple's M-series chips, it offers the Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite with 10 or 12 CPU cores, delivering excellent performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Battery life lasts around 10 hours, with fast charging capabilities.

With options for up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, and a choice between LCD and OLED displays, it's a powerhouse. The 13-inch, 2880x1920 resolution screen is crisp and vibrant.

The primary challenge is app compatibility due to its ARM processor, though the library of compatible apps is expanding rapidly.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Choosing the right MacBook alternative involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets your needs:

Processor: Opt for at least six cores, preferably eight, and the highest clock speed possible. Aim for an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, avoiding anything more than a generation old unless your needs are minimal.

Memory: A minimum of 16GB of RAM is recommended for smooth multitasking and longevity.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB may suffice if you use cloud storage, but for local storage, aim for at least 512GB, with 1TB being ideal for larger files.

Display: Ensure a resolution of at least 1080p. Consider OLED panels for superior picture quality, but be mindful of potential burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the weight, screen size, and whether a touch screen or 2-in-1 functionality is necessary.

Macbook Alternatives FAQ

What is the best M3 and M4 competitor?

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 are strong contenders, though Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

MacBooks can run games, but their library of compatible titles is smaller than Windows gaming laptops, and many games are not optimized for Mac.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

It depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and offer unique software like Logic Pro. PCs, however, offer a more open ecosystem with a wider range of software, especially for gaming.