Home 
Navigation
As we usher in the new year, the latest MacBook Air has captured the attention of many tech enthusiasts. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem and hesitant to switch, there are excellent alternatives to consider. My top pick among these is the Asus Zenbook S 16, which stands out 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 be a MacBook alternative must meet stringent criteria. It should be lightweight, highly portable, powerful, equipped with a superior screen, and boast a battery life that lasts a full workday. In compiling this list, I've drawn on my extensive reviews from the past year to identify laptops that truly rival the MacBook. Whether you're seeking a replacement for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work, I have recommendations to suit your needs.
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, offering 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 prefer a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light yet packs a powerful punch, making it ideal for productivity and demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. Its design is one of the most visually appealing I've encountered.
The laptop is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, which is the top-tier AI processor from Asus, boasting 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor excels in a wide range of tasks, including gaming, thanks to its use in high-end 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. With the screen at 50-60% brightness, I achieved around 15 hours of usage, ensuring it can last through a full day and beyond.
The laptop's design is stunning, featuring a new 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 individually milled holes, underscores 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, with a bright 500-nit OLED display at a 2.8K resolution (2880x1880). It supports multi-touch 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 its overall excellence.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a stunning screen, impressive battery life, and a sleek, portable 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, delivering a high-quality screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable package.
At 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 remarkable for its price point.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it's a generation behind but still offers ample performance for everyday productivity and light creative work. It includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot.
The budget-friendly price is partly due to its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the limited memory may hinder multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing.
For those who primarily work in one or two applications at a time, this laptop provides access to its excellent screen and portability at a great value.
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 a formidable alternative to the MacBook Air, offering superior performance, an excellent 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 choice for those seeking a MacBook Air alternative. While it shares similarities with the Zenbook S 16, it stands out with its unique features and is an ideal replacement for the MacBook Air.
Unlike the S 16, the S 14 uses the latest Intel Core Ultra processor, which delivers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities. During my review, it handled everything from Adobe Premiere Pro to Microsoft Excel with ease, never faltering in performance. It's also cooler and more portable than the S 16, weighing in at just 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 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is another highlight, reaching up to 500 nits and delivering stunning visuals, especially for HDR gaming. While you may need to adjust settings for optimal performance, it's a reasonable trade-off for a laptop primarily designed for productivity and creativity.
Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a top-notch 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 those looking to replace the MacBook Pro 14. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with impressive battery life. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU makes it a great option for gaming, and at 3.2 pounds, it's even 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, with either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The RAM's speed gives it an edge over competitors like the MSI Stealth 14. The entry-level model with the Ryzen 7 8845HS performed exceptionally well, often surpassing Apple's M3 in multicore performance, making it perfect for creatives and power users.
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.
The main challenge is its price, with the top model costing $1,699. However, for those who need Windows and can't 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 suitable as a daily driver for productivity and entertainment.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 offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 device, making it an excellent alternative to the MacBook. Its design is perfect for digital artists, but it's also a great choice for productivity and entertainment. I've been using it regularly since my review earlier this year and appreciate 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, offering 10 or 12 CPU cores for efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Battery life lasts around 10 hours, sufficient for a full day of work or school, with fast charging capabilities.
The hardware is robust, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB and RAM from 16GB to 64GB. The display is available in LCD or OLED variants with a 2880x1920 resolution, providing crisp visuals for various tasks.
The main challenge is app compatibility due to the Snapdragon processors' different technology. While an emulation layer helps, not all applications are fully compatible yet. However, the library of compatible apps has expanded significantly, covering most major applications used by creatives and professionals.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
Choosing the right MacBook alternative involves considering several key factors to ensure the laptop meets your needs and performs as expected.
Processor: The number of cores is more important than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, for optimal performance. For a true MacBook alternative, opt for the highest clock speed available, such as an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, and avoid processors more than a generation old unless your needs are minimal.
Memory: At least 16GB of memory is recommended to ensure smooth multitasking and future-proofing. While 8GB might suffice for basic tasks, it's the bare minimum and may lead to quicker obsolescence.
Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB might be enough if you rely on cloud storage, but 512GB is a more practical minimum, with 1TB being ideal for those working with large files or storing extensive media.
Display: A minimum resolution of 1080p is essential, with higher resolutions offering crisper images. OLED panels provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.
Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size, as well as whether a touch screen or 2-in-1 functionality is necessary for your needs.
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 and AMD offer competitive options, such as Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series, Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
MacBooks can run many games, but the selection and optimization are limited compared to Windows gaming laptops. If gaming is a priority, a Windows laptop is generally a better choice.
Is a MacBook better than PC?
The choice between MacBook and PC depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and offer unique software like Logic Pro. PCs, however, provide a more open ecosystem with a broader range of software and better gaming capabilities.
Latest Articles
Latest Games
