Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025: What to Buy

It's a new year, and that means the release of new MacBooks like the stunning new MacBook Air. If you're a fan of the MacBook's sleek design but are deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem, it's time to explore some compelling alternatives. My top overall pick is the Asus Zenbook S 16, a laptop that offers a fantastic balance 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 aspiring to be a MacBook alternative must meet a high standard. Key qualities I considered include being lightweight and highly portable, powerful, equipped with a great screen, and boasting a battery that lasts at least a full workday.

In selecting these laptops, I drew on my extensive reviews over the past year to identify those that best embody the qualities needed to serve as a MacBook substitute. Whether you're seeking a replacement for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative tasks, I have recommendations for you.

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 exceptional 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 highly portableHigh performance with excellent battery lifeStunning 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performance CONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the premier alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, particularly if you need a larger screen. It's thin, light, yet a powerhouse capable of handling everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's also one of the most visually appealing laptops I've ever reviewed.

The core of the system is its processor, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which is the company's highest performance AI processor. With 12 cores and 24 threads, it reaches a max clock speed of 5.1GHz, delivering top performance across a variety of tasks, including gaming.

While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still offers fantastic battery life. At 50-60% screen brightness, it lasts around 15 hours, ensuring it can power through your day and beyond.

The laptop's design is stunning, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and fingerprint resistance. Small touches like the ventilation area above the keyboard, composed of over a thousand individually milled holes, highlight its premium quality.

Connectivity exceeds 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 standout feature, with a 500-nit OLED display at 2.8K resolution (2880x1880). It supports multi-touch and dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion and excellent battery life.

The only downside is that it can get hot, but this is mitigated by using it on a desk, making it an acceptable trade-off for its numerous advantages. It's truly a fantastic laptop.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a high-resolution screen, long 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 displaySleek, light, and portable Excellent battery lifeCONSLimited memory and storagePriced under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a cost-effective alternative to the MacBook Air, boasting a superb screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable package.

At just 3.53lbs, it's easy to carry. The 16-inch screen with a 3200x2000 resolution is unexpected at this price point, offering exceptional visual quality.

It's powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, which, while a generation old, still provides ample performance for daily productivity and light creative work. It includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and Microsoft Copilot support.

The budget pricing is also reflected in its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage. While the storage is sufficient for most users, the limited memory may hinder multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing.

If your usage is limited to a few programs at a time, this laptop is an excellent choice for accessing its superb screen and portable design at a budget-friendly price.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 surpasses the MacBook Air with its superior performance, stunning screen, multi-day battery life, and elegant design. 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 powerfulExcellent battery lifeEnhanced gaming performanceBeautiful OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14 is a worthy MacBook Air replacement, sharing similarities with the S 16 but offering unique features that make it an excellent choice.

It uses the latest Intel Core Ultra processor, delivering high performance and surprising gaming capabilities. Whether editing in Adobe Premiere Pro, working in Excel, or browsing online, it's consistently fast and responsive. It's also cooler and more portable than the S 16.

Weighing only about 2.5lbs and less than half an inch thick, it's incredibly easy to carry. Its portability is so good that I often forgot I had it with me.

Battery life is exceptional, lasting over 15 hours in testing, making it ideal for extended use.

The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is another highlight, reaching up to 500 nits and offering vibrant HDR gaming, even without a dedicated graphics card.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is an outstanding MacBook Air alternative, offering top-notch performance 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 replacement for the MacBook Pro 14, offering a compact, powerful, and quiet design with impressive battery life. It's also lighter than the MacBook Pro 14 at 3.2lbs.

Available in three configurations, you can choose between AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processors, with 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The entry-level model's performance outpaces Apple's M3 in multicore tasks, making it suitable for creatives and power users.

The A14's cooling system is quieter than most gaming laptops and maintains lower temperatures, reducing thermal throttling concerns.

While the dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card impacts battery life, using Advanced Optimus can extend it to around 10 hours, sufficient for a full workday.

The main drawback is its cost, with the top configuration reaching $1,699. However, for Windows users who need high performance without sacrificing portability, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent choice.

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 offers enough power and efficiency to serve as a reliable daily driver.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 exceptionalHighly portable and easy to carryExcellent performance Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)CONSSingle-day batteryApp compatibility still expanding (though already extensive)For creative professionals, the traditional laptop may not suffice. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers MacBook-like benefits in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor, perfect for digital artists. It's also a great choice for productivity and entertainment.

Powered by the latest Snapdragon X processors, the Surface Pro 11 is one of the first systems to use an ARM processor akin to Apple's M-series chips. Choose between Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite for 10 or 12 CPU cores, offering efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Battery life lasts around 10 hours, with fast charging capabilities.

The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with up to 1TB of expandable storage and up to 64GB of RAM, making it a powerful device. The 13-inch display is available in LCD or OLED, with a resolution of 2880x1920, providing crisp visuals.

However, the Snapdragon processors' different technology means not all applications are instantly compatible. An app emulation layer helps, and the compatible app library is expanding, but it's not yet 100% complete, so consider this before purchasing.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

With many laptops claiming to be MacBook alternatives, it's crucial to focus on key features to ensure you find one that meets your needs.

Processor: Focus on the number of cores rather than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, for a MacBook alternative. Higher clock speeds are also beneficial; consider at least 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 memory. While 8GB might suffice initially, it's the bare minimum, and 16GB ensures smooth multitasking and future-proofing.

Storage: Your storage needs depend on your usage. If you rely on cloud storage, 256GB might be enough, but 512GB is a safer minimum, with 1TB preferred for working with large files or storing extensive media.

Display: Opt for at least a 1080p resolution to ensure a modern laptop. Higher resolutions enhance visual quality but may impact performance with tasks like video editing or gaming. OLED displays offer superior picture quality but require care to avoid burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and size. Even a slight increase in weight can be noticeable daily. Also, consider the screen size, touchscreen capabilities, and whether a 2-in-1 form factor suits 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 high-performance alternatives like Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series, they don't yet match Apple's efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

MacBooks can run many games, but the selection is limited compared to Windows gaming laptops. Games are often less optimized for Mac, making Windows a better choice for avid gamers.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The choice between MacBook and PC depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications due to their processing power, efficiency, and portability. However, PCs offer a more open ecosystem with broader software availability, especially for gaming, where the vast Steam library and other platforms are accessible.