Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025: What to Buy

As the new year unfolds, Apple has unveiled the latest MacBook Air, showcasing its sleek design and cutting-edge features. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem and hesitant to switch, there's no need to worry. There are numerous excellent laptops that can serve as worthy alternatives to the MacBook, and my top recommendation 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 a MacBook alternative must meet stringent criteria. Essential qualities include being lightweight and highly portable, offering robust performance, featuring an excellent screen, and providing battery life that lasts a full workday at minimum.

In compiling this list, I drew on my extensive reviews from the past year and identified laptops that best embody these criteria, effectively serving as MacBook replacements. Whether you're looking for a substitute for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative and artistic applications, I have 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 stellar Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly easy to carry and a delight to use, making it the perfect choice for those seeking a high-end laptop experience without switching to macOS.

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 maintaining excellent battery life
• Stunning 3K OLED touchscreen
• Surprising gaming performance

CONS

• Can get hot

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is currently the best alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, particularly if you need a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light yet packs a processing powerhouse capable of handling everything from productivity tasks to demanding creative work like 4K video editing. Its design is among the most aesthetically pleasing laptops I've ever reviewed.

At its core, the Zenbook S 16 boasts the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor delivers peak performance across various tasks and is also used in high-end Windows gaming handhelds.

While it may not 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 usage, ensuring it can last through a full workday and beyond.

The laptop's design is breathtaking, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. Subtle touches, like the ventilation area composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, underscore its premium quality.

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 connecting to external monitors.

The screen is a highlight, offering a 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution (2880x1880). It supports multi-touch and dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion while conserving battery life.

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

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a beautiful screen, long battery life, and a slim, lightweight design at a budget-friendly price, making it an excellent MacBook Air alternative.

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 affordable alternative to the MacBook Air. It boasts a 16-inch screen with a stunning 3200x2000 resolution, which is remarkable at this price point.

The laptop is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, a slightly older model that contributes to its budget pricing. Despite this, it offers ample performance for daily productivity and light creative work. It also features a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI capabilities and support for Microsoft Copilot.

Its budget-friendly nature is reflected in its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage. While the storage is sufficient for most users, the memory might limit multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing. However, if your workload is light, this laptop's exceptional screen and portability make it a compelling choice.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 is an outstanding 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 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, while similar to the Zenbook S 16, offers unique features that make it an excellent MacBook Air replacement. It uses the latest Intel Core Ultra CPU, which provides high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities.

Weighing just around 2.5 pounds and less than half an inch thick, the Zenbook S 14 is incredibly portable. Its 14-inch screen might seem small, but its portability is a significant advantage.

The laptop's battery life is exceptional, easily lasting multiple days with intermittent use. In 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 impressive for a laptop without a dedicated graphics card.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic MacBook Air alternative, offering a compelling blend of performance, portability, and value.

Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos

10 Images4. 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. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU makes it a formidable gaming machine, 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 options for 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 is remarkably fast, often outpacing Apple's M3 in multicore performance, making it perfect for creatives and power users.

While it may have more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's significantly quieter than most gaming laptops and maintains cooler temperatures, 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, sufficient for a full workday.

The main challenge is its pricing, with the top model reaching $1,699. However, for those who need Windows and can't compromise on performance, size, or weight, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent alternative.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an exceptional 2-in-1 alternative to the MacBook, ideal for artists and versatile enough for daily use.

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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
• Snappy performance
• Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)

CONS

• Single-day battery
• App compatibility is still expanding

For creative professionals, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 device, perfect for digital artists. Its design also makes it an excellent choice for productivity and entertainment. I was thoroughly impressed with its performance and versatility when I reviewed it earlier this year.

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 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's work, 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, both with a crisp 2880x1920 resolution, making it ideal 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, so it's important to check before purchasing.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Navigating the vast array of MacBook alternatives can be daunting. Here are key factors to consider to ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs:

Processor: Focus on the number of cores rather than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, and opt for the highest clock speed possible. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 from the latest generation is recommended.

Memory: Choose a laptop with at least 16GB of memory. While 8GB might suffice initially, it's the minimum and can lead to quicker obsolescence. 16GB ensures smooth multitasking and longevity.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB might be enough if you rely on cloud storage, but 512GB is a better minimum, with 1TB preferred for those working with large files or games.

Display: Opt for at least a 1080p resolution. Higher resolutions offer better clarity but can strain system resources. OLED panels provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size. A touch screen or 2-in-1 functionality might be beneficial depending on 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 like the Intel 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.