As the new year rolls in, so does the excitement for new MacBooks, such as the stunning MacBook Air. If you're like me, deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem but intrigued by the MacBook concept, it's time to explore alternatives. One standout option is the Asus Zenbook S 16, which I've chosen as my top overall pick for its impressive features and performance.

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 replace the MacBook must meet stringent criteria. Essential qualities include lightweight design for portability, powerful performance, a high-quality screen, and a battery life that lasts at least a full workday. My selection of laptops for this list is based on extensive reviews over the past year, ensuring they meet these standards to serve as true MacBook alternatives, whether you're looking to replace the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or seeking a versatile 2-in-1 device for creative work.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16

The Best MacBook Alternative

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

2The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as an excellent Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly portable and a pleasure to use, making it a top choice for those seeking a high-end laptop experience.

See it at Best BuySee it at Asus

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 undoubtedly the best alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro today, especially for those who need a larger screen. It's not only super thin and light but also a powerhouse capable of handling everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's one of the most beautiful laptops I've reviewed.

The core of the system is the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, which boasts 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz, delivering 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, lasting around 15 hours at 50-60% screen brightness.

The laptop's design is striking, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. It includes thoughtful details like a ventilation area composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes above the keyboard, adding to its premium feel.

Connectivity surpasses 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 screen is a bright 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution, supporting multi-touch and dynamically adjusting between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion and extended battery life.

The only drawback is that the laptop can get hot, but this issue is mitigated when used on a desk, making it a worthwhile compromise for its numerous advantages.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a stunning screen, long battery life, and a slim design, all at a budget-friendly price.

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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

Priced well under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an affordable alternative to the MacBook Air, featuring a high-resolution 16-inch OLED screen and all-day battery life in a portable package.

Weighing just 3.53lbs, this laptop is easy to carry throughout the day. The screen's 3200x2000 resolution is impressive for its price point, making it a surprising value.

Equipped with Intel's Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it handles day-to-day productivity and light creative work well, despite being a generation old. It also includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and Microsoft Copilot support.

The budget pricing comes at the cost of memory and storage, with only 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which may limit multitasking and handling larger files. However, if you work within a few programs at a time, this trade-off allows 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

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 offers a compelling alternative to the MacBook Air with its superior performance, stunning screen, multi-day battery life, and elegant 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 smaller counterpart to the Zenbook S 16 but stands strong as a MacBook Air replacement. It uses the latest Intel Core Ultra CPU, offering high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities.

Weighing around 2.5lbs and less than half an inch thick, its portability is unmatched. Its 14-inch screen initially raised concerns about size, but its ease of carrying won me over.

With over 15 hours of battery life, it's ideal for extended use. The 2.8K OLED display is breathtaking, particularly for HDR gaming, though you may need to adjust settings for optimal performance.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a stellar MacBook Air alternative, available at a competitive price.

Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos

10 Images

4. 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 choice for replacing the MacBook Pro 14, offering a compact design, powerful performance, and impressive battery life. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU handles gaming with ease, and at 3.2lbs, it's lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three configurations, you can choose between AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPUs and 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The entry-level model with Ryzen 7 8845HS outperformed the MacBook Pro 14's M3 in multicore performance, making it ideal for creative and power users.

While it may have more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's quieter than most gaming laptops and remains cooler, minimizing thermal throttling. Battery life lasts around 10 hours on the CPU alone, and Advanced Optimus helps manage power usage efficiently.

The main drawback is its price, with the top model reaching $1,699 for 32GB of memory. However, for those committed to Windows without sacrificing performance, size, or weight, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is a strong alternative.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is perfect for artists and professionals, offering powerful performance and versatility in a 2-in-1 form factor.

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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)

For creative professionals, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers the benefits of a MacBook in a versatile 2-in-1 design, ideal for digital art. Its Snapdragon X processors, similar to Apple's M-series chips, provide efficient performance for creative applications.

While battery life tops out at around 10 hours, fast charging can replenish 80% in about an hour. Configurable up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, it's a powerhouse. The 13-inch OLED or LCD display offers crisp visuals, perfect for productivity and entertainment.

The challenge lies in app compatibility due to the ARM-based Snapdragon processors. While many major applications are supported, it's not yet 100% compatible, something to consider before purchasing.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Navigating the plethora of MacBook alternatives requires attention to key features to ensure the laptop meets your needs:

Processor: Focus on processors with at least six cores, preferably eight, and opt for the highest clock speed possible. Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors are recommended, avoiding anything more than a generation old.

Memory: Aim for at least 16GB of RAM, with 8GB being the minimum to avoid quick obsolescence. Higher memory ensures smooth multitasking and performance.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB might suffice if you use cloud storage, but 512GB is a better minimum, with 1TB preferred for larger files like videos and games.

Display: Choose a resolution of at least 1080p. Higher resolutions enhance clarity but may strain resources for video editing or gaming. Consider OLED displays for superior picture quality, though they require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size, along with touch screen and 2-in-1 capabilities if you need them for future use.

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 offer strong competition. However, Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

MacBooks can run many games, but they have fewer compatible titles and less optimization compared to Windows gaming laptops, making them less ideal for avid gamers.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The choice depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and efficiency, but PCs offer a broader software ecosystem, especially for gaming, due to their widespread adoption and optimization.