The Best MacBook Alternatives You Can Buy in 2025

A new year brings new MacBooks, like the stunning new MacBook Air. But if you're a Windows loyalist, don't despair! Plenty of excellent alternatives exist, and my top pick is the Asus Zenbook S 16.

TL;DR - Top MacBook Alternatives:

Asus Zenbook S 16

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Acer Swift Go 16

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Asus Zenbook S 14

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Asus TUF Gaming A14

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Microsoft Surface Pro 11

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A true MacBook alternative needs several key features: lightweight portability, substantial power, a stunning screen, and all-day battery life. This list highlights laptops excelling in these areas, based on extensive reviews.

Whether you need a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1, I've got you covered.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16: The Best MacBook Alternative

Asus Zenbook S 16

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a superb Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Incredibly portable and a delight to use.

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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 Zenbook S 16's AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU (12 cores, 24 threads, 5.1GHz) delivers exceptional performance for productivity and creative tasks, even handling 4K video editing with ease. Battery life is fantastic, reaching approximately 15 hours under moderate usage. Its Ceraluminum lid is both durable and fingerprint-resistant. Connectivity is superior to the MacBook, with dual USB-C, USB-A, SD card reader, headphone jack, and HDMI.

The 2.8K (2880x1880) 500-nit OLED display is breathtaking. Its adaptive refresh rate (60Hz/120Hz) ensures smooth visuals without sacrificing battery life. While it can run hot, this is mitigated by placing it on a desk.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED: Best Budget MacBook Alternative

Acer Swift Go 16

A beautiful OLED screen, great battery life, and a thin and light design—all at a budget-friendly price.

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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.

Priced under $1000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a remarkable 16-inch 3200x2000 OLED display and all-day battery life in a lightweight package. While its Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU is a generation older, it’s still sufficient for daily tasks and light creative work. Its integrated NPU enhances AI functionality. The 8GB RAM and 512GB storage are its main limitations.

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3. Asus Zenbook S 14: Best MacBook Air Alternative

Asus Zenbook S 14

The Zenbook S14 boasts incredible performance, a great screen, multi-day battery life, and a beautiful chassis.

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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 Zenbook S 14, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, is incredibly fast and efficient. Its portability is remarkable at only 2.65 pounds. The 2.8K (2880x1800) 500-nit OLED display is stunning, even for HDR gaming. Battery life easily exceeds 15 hours.

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4. 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 a powerful and quiet option, even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14. It offers choices of AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPUs, with 16GB or 32GB of fast RAM. The Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU enables excellent gaming performance. While the dedicated GPU impacts battery life, Advanced Optimus helps optimize power consumption. The higher-end configurations are pricey.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11: Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Ideal for artists, this 2-in-1 offers power and efficiency for daily use.

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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; Snappy performance; Great accessories (including the Surface Pen).

Cons: Single-day battery; App compatibility is still expanding.

The Surface Pro 11, with its Snapdragon X processors, offers a versatile 2-in-1 experience. It's powerful enough for creative apps like Photoshop and Premiere Pro. While battery life is around 10 hours, it supports fast charging. Configurable with up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, and a crisp 2880x1920 display. App compatibility is improving but not yet complete.

Choosing the Best MacBook Alternative

Consider these factors when selecting a MacBook alternative:

• Processor: At least 6 cores (8 preferred), high clock speed, latest generation (Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 5 or better).
• Memory: 16GB minimum (8GB is the bare minimum).
• Storage: 256GB (sufficient for cloud storage users), 512GB minimum (preferred 1TB for large files).
• Display: 1080p minimum, higher resolutions are better but more resource-intensive; OLED offers superior quality but may have burn-in risk.
• Form Factor: Consider weight, screen size, touchscreen, and 2-in-1 functionality.

Macbook Alternatives FAQ

What is the best M3 and M4 competitor? Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 and AMD's HX AI series offer comparable performance, though Apple's chips still lead in efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming? No, Windows laptops offer far better gaming compatibility and performance.

Is a MacBook better than a PC? It depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and portability, while PCs offer broader software compatibility and better gaming options.