As we usher in the new year, the allure of the latest MacBook Air is undeniable. However, for those of us deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem, finding a suitable alternative is crucial. Fortunately, there are several excellent laptops that can serve as worthy substitutes, with the Asus Zenbook S 16 standing out as my top 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 Microsoft
A laptop that aims to be a MacBook alternative must meet stringent criteria. It should be lightweight and highly portable, boast significant power, feature a superior screen, and offer battery life that lasts a full workday at the very least. In compiling this list, I've drawn on my extensive reviews from the past year to identify laptops that truly embody these qualities. Whether you're seeking a replacement for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work, I have recommendations to suit your needs.
Asus Zenbook S 16
The Best MacBook Alternative
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
2The Asus Zenbook S 16 emerges as a stellar Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly easy to carry and a delight 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 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 exceptionally portableHigh performance while still offering great battery lifeStunning 3K OLED touchscreenSurprising gaming performance CONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the premier alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, particularly for those who require a larger screen. Its slim and lightweight design belies its powerful performance, making it perfect for productivity and demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's one of the most visually appealing laptops I've ever reviewed.
The core of the system is the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, which is the company's top-tier AI processor, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor excels in a wide range of tasks, including gaming, as it's also used in high-end Windows gaming handhelds.
While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, the Zenbook S 16 still delivers impressive battery life. With the screen set to 50-60% brightness, I achieved around 15 hours of usage, ensuring it can last through a full day and beyond.
The laptop's design is breathtaking, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for enhanced durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The attention to detail, such as the ventilation area above the keyboard composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, underscores its premium nature.
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 external monitor connections.
The screen is a highlight, boasting a bright 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 maintaining excellent battery life.
The only notable drawback is that the laptop can get hot, a trade-off for its ultra-premium design. However, this issue is mitigated when used on a desk, making it a minor concern given the laptop's overall excellence.
Acer Swift Go 16 OLED
Best Budget MacBook Alternative
### Acer Swift Go 16
0A beautiful OLED screen, great battery life, and a thin and light design on a budgetSee 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 displayThin, light, and portable Great battery lifeCONSLimited memory and storage
Priced well under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an affordable alternative to the MacBook Air, offering a high-resolution screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable package.
Weighing just 3.53 pounds, this laptop is easy to carry throughout the day. Its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, which is remarkable for its price point.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it's a generation behind but still capable of handling daily productivity tasks and light creative work. It also includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot.
The budget-friendly pricing is reflected in its memory and storage configuration, with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the limited RAM may restrict multitasking and performance with more demanding applications like video editing.
For those who don't need to juggle multiple heavy applications, this laptop offers a compelling trade-off, providing access to its excellent screen and portability at a budget-friendly price.
Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos
13 Images
3. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best MacBook Air Alternative
### Asus Zenbook S 14
1Move over MacBook Air because the ZenBook S14 offers incredible performance, a great screen, multi-day battery life, and a beautiful 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 powerfulGreat battery lifeImproved gaming performanceGorgeous OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card reader
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent smaller counterpart to the Zenbook S 16 and a fantastic replacement for the MacBook Air. While sharing many similarities with its larger sibling, the S 14 stands out with its unique features.
Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, it delivers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities. During my review, it handled everything from Adobe Premiere Pro to Microsoft Excel with ease, never faltering in performance. It's also cooler and more portable than the S 16, weighing just around 2.5 pounds and less than half an inch thick.
Its portability is so impressive that I often forgot I was carrying it. Despite initial concerns about the 14-inch screen size, its ease of transport won me over.
The battery life is exceptional, lasting over 15 hours in formal testing, making it ideal for multiple days of intermittent use.
The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is another standout feature, reaching up to 500 nits and delivering stunning visuals, especially for HDR gaming. While you may need to adjust settings for optimal gaming performance, it's a reasonable compromise for a laptop primarily designed for productivity and creativity.
Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is an outstanding MacBook Air alternative, offering a compelling blend of performance, portability, and value.
Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos
10 Images
4. 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 coolingCONSExpensive
The Asus TUF Gaming A14 is the top 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 with its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. At just 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 higher speed gives it a performance edge over competitors like the MSI Stealth 14. The entry-level model with the Ryzen 7 8845HS impressed with its speed, often surpassing Apple's M3 in multicore performance, ideal for creatives and power users.
While it has more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's significantly quieter than most other powerful laptops. Its cooling system is also more efficient, 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-tier model with 32GB of RAM 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 alternative.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0This 2-in-1 is especially great for artists but has enough power and efficiency to be a great daily driverSee 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 excellentVery portable and easy to carry through the daySnappy performance Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)CONSSingle-day batteryApp compatibility is still expanding (though is fairly extensive already)
For creative professionals, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 device, making it an ideal MacBook alternative. Its design is perfect for digital artists, but it's also a great choice for productivity and entertainment. I was thoroughly impressed with it during my review and continue to use it for its portability and versatility.
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 Snapdragon X Elite, offering 10 or 12 CPU cores for efficient performance in creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
While its battery life tops out at around 10 hours, it's sufficient for a full day of work or school. The device supports fast charging, replenishing about 80% of its battery in an hour.
The Surface Pro 11 is a powerhouse, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB and RAM from 16GB to 64GB. The expandable storage and choice between LCD and OLED displays with a 2880x1920 resolution make it versatile for various tasks.
The main challenge is app compatibility due to its ARM processor. While an emulation layer helps, not all applications are fully compatible yet. However, the library of compatible apps has grown to include most major creative and professional tools.
How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative
Navigating the vast array of MacBook alternatives can be daunting. To ensure you find a laptop that meets your needs, consider the following key factors:
Processor: The number of cores is more important than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, for optimal performance. For a true MacBook alternative, opt for the highest clock speed available, such as 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. While 8GB might suffice initially, it's the bare minimum and can lead to quicker obsolescence. 16GB ensures smooth multitasking and future-proofing.
Storage: Your storage needs depend on your usage. If you rely on cloud storage, 256GB may be enough, but it's considered small by modern standards. For larger files or extensive local storage, aim for at least 512GB, with 1TB being ideal.
Display: Opt for a minimum of 1080p resolution. Higher resolutions offer crisper images but can strain system resources for tasks like video editing or gaming. OLED panels provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.
Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size. An extra pound can make a significant difference in daily portability. Also, think about whether you need a touchscreen or 2-in-1 functionality.
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, such as Intel's 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?
While MacBooks can run many games, 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 answer 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 and better gaming support, making them preferable for many users.
