Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025: What to Buy

As the new year rolls in, so does the latest lineup of MacBooks, including the sleek MacBook Air. If you're like me, deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem but tempted by the MacBook's allure, it's time to explore other top-notch laptops that offer similar or even superior features. My top pick for an all-around MacBook alternative 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 serves as a MacBook alternative must meet a high standard. Key qualities I considered include lightweight design, high portability, powerful performance, a superior screen, and battery life that lasts a full workday. Drawing from extensive reviews over the past year, I've selected laptops that truly stand out as MacBook replacements, whether you're looking for a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or 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 stands out as a premier Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's effortlessly portable 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 exceptionally portableHigh performance while still offering great battery lifeStunning 3K OLED touchscreenSurprising gaming performance CONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the top choice for a MacBook Pro alternative, especially if you desire a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light, yet packs a punch with its processing power, making it ideal for productivity and demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. Its stunning design and high-quality build are among the best I've seen.

The laptop's performance is driven by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor handles a wide range of tasks efficiently, including gaming. While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still provides impressive battery life, lasting around 15 hours at 50-60% screen brightness, suitable for a full day's work.

The design features Asus's innovative Ceraluminum lid, combining ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The attention to detail, such as the ventilation area above the keyboard with over a thousand tiny milled holes, adds to its premium feel.

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. The 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution and multi-touch support offers a dynamic refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smooth visuals while maintaining battery life.

The only notable drawback is that the laptop can get hot, but this is mitigated by using it on a desk, making it a minor trade-off for its overall excellence.

2. 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 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 displayThin, light, and portable Great battery lifeCONSLimited memory and storageThe Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an excellent budget 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, it's easy to carry throughout the day. Its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, making it a standout choice for the price. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU provides ample power for daily productivity and light creative work, with a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) enhancing AI functionality.

The budget-friendly price is reflected in its 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the limited RAM may hinder multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing. However, if you're focused on using one or two applications at a time, this laptop offers a great balance of performance and affordability.

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 a compelling MacBook Air alternative, offering exceptional performance, a stunning 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 powerfulGreat battery lifeImproved gaming performanceGorgeous OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent MacBook Air alternative, sharing many features with its larger sibling, the Zenbook S 16. It uses the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, which delivers high performance and impressive gaming capabilities. During my review, it handled everything from Adobe Premiere Pro to browsing social media with ease, and it remained cooler than the S 16.

Weighing just 2.65 pounds and less than half an inch thick, the S 14 is incredibly portable. Its 14-inch screen might seem small, but its portability is a major advantage. The laptop's battery life exceeds 15 hours, making it ideal for extended use.

The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is a standout feature, reaching up to 500 nits and providing excellent visuals, especially for HDR gaming. While you may need to adjust settings for optimal performance, it's a reasonable compromise for a laptop primarily designed for creative and productivity tasks.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a top choice for a MacBook Air alternative, offering great 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 an outstanding choice for those seeking a MacBook Pro 14 alternative. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with excellent battery life and the ability to handle gaming with its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. 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 and the more powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, along with 16GB or 32GB of fast RAM. The entry-level model's performance often surpasses Apple's M3 processor in multicore tasks, making it suitable for creative professionals and power users.

The A14's cooling system is notably quiet and efficient, minimizing thermal throttling. Its battery life, while affected by the dedicated GPU, can still last around 10 hours with Advanced Optimus enabled, allowing for a full workday.

The main drawback is its pricing, with the top-tier model reaching $1,699. However, for those who need Windows and don't want to compromise on performance or portability, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent option.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an excellent 2-in-1 alternative to the MacBook, ideal for artists and versatile enough for daily use. 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 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 that's perfect for digital artists while also serving as an efficient daily driver. Its Snapdragon X processors, similar to Apple's M-series chips, provide fast and efficient performance in creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

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

While the battery life tops out at around 10 hours, it's sufficient for a full day's work, and the device supports fast charging. The main challenge is its compatibility with certain applications, though the library of supported apps is growing.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Choosing the right MacBook alternative involves considering several key factors to ensure the laptop meets your needs effectively.

Processor: The processor's number of cores is crucial; aim for at least six cores, preferably eight, and opt for the highest clock speed available. Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors are good starting points, and avoid anything more than a generation old unless your tasks are light.

Memory: At least 16GB of RAM is recommended for smooth multitasking and future-proofing. While 8GB might suffice initially, it's the bare minimum today.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB might be enough if you rely on cloud storage. For larger files or more local storage, 512GB is a minimum, with 1TB being ideal.

Display: Aim for a resolution of at least 1080p. Higher resolutions enhance clarity but can impact performance in demanding tasks. OLED displays offer superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size, as well as whether a touch screen or 2-in-1 functionality is beneficial for 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 alternatives, the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs, along with AMD's HX AI series, come close in performance but still lag behind 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 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 have exclusive software like Logic Pro, but PCs offer a more open ecosystem with a broader range of software, especially for gaming.