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As we usher in the new year, the allure of the latest MacBook Air is undeniable. Yet, for those of us deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem, finding a suitable alternative is crucial. Fortunately, there's no shortage of excellent options, and my top 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 Microsoft

Choosing a laptop to rival the MacBook is no small feat. It must be lightweight, highly portable, powerful, boast a superior screen, and have a battery that lasts a full workday. Drawing from my extensive reviews over the past year, I've selected laptops that meet these criteria and can truly stand in for a MacBook, whether you're looking to replace a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or need a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work.

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 pleasure to use, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a larger screen without sacrificing portability.
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 with great battery life
Stunning 3K OLED touchscreen
Surprising gaming performance

CONS

Can get hot

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is the top choice for those looking to replace the Apple MacBook Pro, especially if a larger screen is a priority. It's remarkably thin and light yet packs a punch with its AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads, and a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This powerhouse handles everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing with ease. Its battery life is impressive, lasting around 15 hours at 50-60% screen brightness, ensuring it lasts through a full workday.

The design is not only functional but also visually appealing, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. Connectivity is superior to 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 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution and multi-touch support offers a dynamic refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz, ensuring smooth visuals and excellent battery life.

The only notable drawback is its tendency to get hot, but this is mitigated when used on a desk, making it a minor trade-off for its many advantages.

Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a beautiful screen, great battery life, and a sleek, portable design at a budget-friendly price.
See it at Acer

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 excellent budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Air. It's lightweight at just 3.53 pounds and features a stunning 16-inch OLED screen with a 3200x2000 resolution, which is remarkable for its price point.

Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it's capable of handling day-to-day productivity and light creative work, thanks to its built-in neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality. However, its 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage may limit multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing. For users focused on single applications and appreciating a high-quality screen and portability, this laptop is a compelling choice.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images

Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a formidable MacBook Air alternative, offering superior performance, a stunning screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek 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 an excellent choice for those seeking a MacBook Air alternative. It's powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, offering high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities. Its lightweight design at just 2.65 pounds and slim profile make it incredibly portable, and its 14-inch 2.8K OLED display is a visual treat, especially for HDR gaming.

Battery life is exceptional, lasting over 15 hours, making it ideal for extended use. While it lacks a microSD card reader, its overall performance, portability, and screen quality make it a standout choice.

Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos

10 Images

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 the ideal choice for those looking to replace the MacBook Pro 14. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with impressive battery life. The Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU makes it a strong contender for gaming, and at 3.2 pounds, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three configurations, it offers flexibility with AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPUs and 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The entry-level model with the Ryzen 7 8845HS is fast and often outpaces Apple's M3 in multicore performance, making it suitable for creatives and power users. The cooling system is efficient, keeping the laptop cooler and quieter than most gaming laptops.

While the dedicated GPU impacts battery life, using Advanced Optimus can extend it to around 10 hours on the processor alone. The main drawback is its price, especially for the higher-end models, but for those who need Windows and can't compromise on performance, 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 perfect for artists and offers enough power and efficiency to serve as a great daily driver.
See it at Amazon See it at Microsoft

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
Snappy performance
Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)

CONS

Single-day battery
App compatibility is still expanding

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a versatile 2-in-1 that's particularly appealing to creative professionals. It offers the benefits of a MacBook in a form factor that's ideal for digital artists, but it's also suitable for productivity and entertainment. Powered by the latest Snapdragon X processors, it provides efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

While its battery life tops out at around 10 hours, it supports fast charging, replenishing 80% in about an hour. The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, and its 13-inch display is available in both LCD and OLED variants, offering crisp visuals.

The main challenge is app compatibility due to its ARM processor, but the compatible app library is expanding. For those needing a versatile and portable device, the Surface Pro 11 is a compelling MacBook alternative.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

When searching for a MacBook alternative, consider these key factors to ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs:

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

Memory: Choose a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking and longevity.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB might suffice if you rely on cloud storage, but 512GB or 1TB is recommended for those working with large files.

Display: A minimum of 1080p resolution is essential. Consider OLED panels for superior picture quality, but be mindful of potential burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the weight and size of the laptop, as well as whether a touchscreen 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's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series offer high performance, 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.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The choice depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and offer unique software, but PCs provide a more open ecosystem with better gaming support and a wider range of software.