It's a new year, and with the release of the stunning new MacBook Air, it's natural to consider switching if you're a fan of the MacBook's sleek design but are deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem. Fortunately, there are excellent alternatives that offer similar functionality and style. My top pick? The Asus Zenbook S 16, which stands out as an impressive MacBook alternative.

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 MicrosoftTo truly replace a MacBook, any alternative must meet rigorous standards. Key considerations include being lightweight, highly portable, powerful, boasting a great screen, and offering a battery life that lasts a full workday. Based on extensive reviews and testing, here are the laptops that best meet these criteria, suitable for replacing the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or even serving as a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16

The Best MacBook Alternative

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

2The Asus Zenbook S 16 is an exceptional Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly easy to carry and a delight to use every day.

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 premier alternative to the MacBook Pro, especially for those who prefer a larger screen. Its thin and light design doesn't compromise on processing power, making it ideal for everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. Its beauty is undeniable, making it one of the most visually appealing laptops I've encountered.

The heart of the system is the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This powerhouse handles a multitude of tasks efficiently, including gaming, thanks to its use in high-end Windows gaming handhelds.

While it doesn't match Apple's M3 or M4 chips in efficiency, the Zenbook S 16 still offers impressive battery life. At 50-60% screen brightness, it delivers around 15 hours, ensuring it can last through a full day of work and beyond.

The design is stunning, featuring Asus's new Ceraluminum lid, which combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The attention to detail, like the ventilation area composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, emphasizes its premium nature.

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 for connecting external monitors.

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

However, the Zenbook S 16 can get hot, which is its primary drawback compared to the MacBook. Setting it on a desk mitigates this issue, making it a minor trade-off for its many 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, great battery life, and a slim 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

The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an affordable alternative to the MacBook Air, featuring a high-resolution screen and all-day battery life in a portable package. At just 3.53lbs, it's easy to carry, and its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution.

Despite its budget pricing, it doesn't skimp on performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU handles day-to-day productivity and light creative work well, supported by an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality.

The budget pricing reflects its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the memory limits multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing. However, for users working in a few applications at a time, this trade-off is worth it for access to its excellent screen and portability.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 rivals the MacBook Air with its incredible performance, stunning screen, multi-day battery life, and elegant design.

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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 yet equally impressive alternative to the Zenbook S 16, making it an excellent MacBook Air replacement. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra CPU, delivering high performance and surprising gaming capabilities.

Weighing just 2.65lbs and less than half an inch thick, its portability is unmatched. Its 14-inch screen initially seemed small, but its ease of carrying won me over.

The battery life is exceptional, lasting multiple days with intermittent use and over 15 hours in formal testing. The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is stunning, reaching up to 500 nits and excelling in HDR gaming, despite lacking a dedicated graphics card.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic MacBook Air alternative at a reasonable price.

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 replacement for the MacBook Pro 14. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with impressive battery life and the ability to handle gaming thanks to its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. Weighing just 3.2lbs, it's even 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 version we tested was exceptionally fast, with the Ryzen 7 8845HS often outpacing Apple's M3 in multicore performance. The HX 370 version promises even better performance.

The A14's cooling system is notably quiet and efficient, minimizing thermal throttling issues. While the dedicated graphics card affects battery life, using Advanced Optimus can extend it to around 10 hours, sufficient for a full workday.

Pricing is a challenge, with the top configuration 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 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 versatile enough for daily use, offering excellent performance and portability.

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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

• Excellent OLED display
• 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 alternative to the MacBook, ideal for creatives and daily productivity. It uses the latest Snapdragon X processors, offering efficient performance for creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Battery life lasts around 10 hours, suitable for a full day's work, with fast charging capabilities. The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, making it a powerhouse. The OLED display option offers exceptional clarity and color accuracy.

However, the Surface Pro 11 faces challenges with app compatibility due to its ARM processor, though the library of compatible apps has expanded significantly.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Navigating the vast array of MacBook alternatives requires focusing on key criteria to ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs:

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

Memory: A minimum of 16GB is recommended to ensure smooth multitasking and future-proofing. While 8GB might suffice initially, it's the bare minimum.

Storage: Consider your usage. For cloud-based work, 256GB may be enough, but for local storage, opt for at least 512GB, with 1TB being ideal for large files and applications.

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

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and size, as well as features like touchscreens and 2-in-1 functionality for future 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. Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series offer high performance, but Apple remains unmatched in efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

MacBooks can play many games, but they have fewer compatible titles and less optimization compared to Windows gaming laptops. They're not the best 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 and offer unique software, while PCs provide a broader ecosystem, more software options, and better gaming capabilities.