It's a new year, and that means the release of new MacBooks like the stunning new MacBook Air. If you're like me and appreciate the MacBook concept but are deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem, it's time to explore alternatives. Fortunately, there are many excellent laptops out there, with the Asus Zenbook S 16 topping my list as the best overall choice.

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 MicrosoftChoosing a laptop to replace a MacBook requires meeting high standards. Key qualities include being lightweight and highly portable, relatively powerful, equipped with a great screen, and boasting a battery life that lasts at least a full workday. My selections for this list are based on extensive reviews over the past year, focusing on those that truly stand up to the MacBook's reputation. Whether you're looking to replace a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or need a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work, 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. Its sleek design makes it 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 performanceCONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is undoubtedly the best MacBook Pro alternative, particularly if you need a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light yet packed with processing power, making it ideal for productivity and demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's one of the most visually appealing laptops I've reviewed.

The core of the system is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, offering top-tier performance with 12 cores, 24 threads, and a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor also supports gaming, similar to those used in high-end Windows gaming handhelds.

While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still delivers remarkable battery life. With the screen at 50-60% brightness, I achieved around 15 hours of battery life, which should comfortably see you through a workday.

The design is eye-catching, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and resistance to fingerprints. Small touches like the ventilation area above the keyboard, composed of over a thousand meticulously milled holes, add to its premium feel.

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.

The screen is a standout feature with a bright 500-nit OLED display at 2.8K resolution (2880x1880), supporting multi-touch for versatile input options. It can dynamically switch between 60Hz and 120Hz, ensuring smooth motion while preserving battery life.

The only potential downside is that it can get hot, but this is mitigated by using it on a desk. This minor drawback is a fair trade-off for the laptop's overall excellence.

2. 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 slim, lightweight 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 displaySlim, light, and highly portableExcellent battery lifeCONSLimited memory and storagePriced under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an affordable alternative to the MacBook Air, boasting a high-quality screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable design.

At just 3.53lbs, it's easy to carry throughout the day. The 16-inch screen features an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, a surprising feature at this price point.

It's powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, a generation older but still capable of handling daily productivity tasks and light creative work. It includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and Microsoft Copilot support.

Its budget-friendly price is due in part to its memory and storage configuration, with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for smaller files, the limited RAM may hinder multitasking and more demanding tasks like video editing.

If you're not planning to engage in heavy multitasking, this laptop's excellent 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 outshines the MacBook Air with superior performance, an excellent screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek 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 powerfulExceptional battery lifeEnhanced gaming performanceStunning OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14, while similar to the Zenbook S 16, offers unique advantages that make it an excellent MacBook Air replacement. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra CPU, which delivers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities.

Weighing just around 2.5lbs and less than half an inch thick, it's incredibly portable. Its 14-inch screen might seem small, but its portability and performance make it a standout choice.

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 screen is a 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) with up to 500 nits of brightness, perfect for HDR gaming. While you may need to adjust settings for optimal gaming performance, it's an impressive feature for a productivity and creative laptop.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a top pick as a MacBook Air alternative, offering excellent performance at a reasonable 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 choice for those looking to replace 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. At 3.2lbs, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three configurations, you can choose between an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and either 16GB or 32GB of fast RAM. The entry-level model with the Ryzen 7 8845HS performed exceptionally well, often surpassing Apple's M3 in multicore performance, which is crucial for creative professionals. The HX 370 version is even faster, enhancing its suitability as a MacBook Pro 14 alternative.

While it may have more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's significantly quieter than most other high-performance laptops. Its cooling system is also more efficient, reducing the risk of thermal throttling.

Battery life is affected by the dedicated graphics card, but Advanced Optimus can help by only activating the RTX 4060 when necessary. On the processor alone, it lasts around 10 hours, sufficient for a full workday.

The main challenge is its pricing, with the top model with 32GB of memory costing $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 MacBook Pro 14 alternative.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is perfect for artists but also powerful and efficient enough 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 offers excellent qualityHighly portable and easy to carry throughout the dayResponsive performanceExcellent accessories (including the Surface Pen)CONSSingle-day battery lifeApp compatibility still expanding (though already extensive)For creative professionals, the traditional laptop might not suffice. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers MacBook-like benefits in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor, ideal for digital artists. Even if you're not a creative, its adaptability makes it a great choice for productivity and entertainment.

Powered by the latest Snapdragon X processors, similar to Apple's M-series chips, the Surface Pro 11 offers choices between the Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite, with 10 or 12 CPU cores. These processors provide efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator. Battery life reaches around 10 hours, enough for a full day of work, with fast charging capabilities.

This generation of the Surface Pro is a powerhouse, configurable with up to 1TB of storage and 64GB of RAM. The display is available in both LCD and OLED variants with a 2880x1920 resolution, ensuring crisp visuals for productivity and entertainment.

A challenge for the Surface Pro 11 is app compatibility due to its ARM processor. While an emulation layer helps, not all applications are fully compatible yet. However, the library has expanded to include most major creative and professional applications.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

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

Processor: The number of cores is more important than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, and opt for the highest clock speed available. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor from the latest generation should be your baseline.

Memory: A minimum of 16GB of RAM is recommended for smooth multitasking and longevity. While 8GB might suffice for basic tasks, it's the bare minimum today.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB may be enough if you primarily use cloud storage. However, for larger files, 512GB is the minimum, with 1TB being ideal.

Display: Avoid anything less than 1080p resolution. Higher resolutions offer crisper images but may impact performance during video editing or gaming. OLED displays provide superior quality, but require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the weight and screen size. A touch screen or 2-in-1 design might be beneficial 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 are strong competitors, though they don't yet match Apple's efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

While MacBooks can run some games, the selection and optimization are limited compared to Windows gaming laptops. If gaming is a priority, a Windows laptop is the better choice.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The answer depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications due to their power, efficiency, and some exclusive software. However, PCs offer a more open ecosystem, greater software availability, and better gaming options.