Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025: What to Buy

It's a new year, and with it comes the release of new MacBooks like the stunning new MacBook Air. If you're like me and appreciate the concept of a MacBook but are deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem, it's time to explore alternatives. There are numerous exceptional laptops available, and my top overall pick 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 aiming to be a MacBook alternative must meet high standards. Key qualities to consider include lightweight design, portability, strong performance, a high-quality screen, and a battery life that lasts a full workday at minimum.

In selecting laptops for this list, I considered numerous reviews from the past year and beyond, focusing on those that best fulfill these criteria to truly serve as MacBook replacements. Whether you're looking to replace the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or seeking a 2-in-1 for creative applications, 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 a premier Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly portable and a pleasure 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 performance CONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the best alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro available today, particularly if you need a larger screen. It's remarkably thin and light, yet powerful enough to handle everything from productivity to demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. It's also 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, Asus's highest performance AI processor, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor excels in various tasks, including gaming, as it's used in many top-tier Windows gaming handhelds.

While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still offers fantastic battery life. At 50-60% screen brightness, I measured around 15 hours of battery life, which should see you through a full day and beyond.

The laptop's design is breathtaking, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and fingerprint resistance. Small touches like the ventilation area above the keyboard, composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, emphasize its premium nature.

Connectivity surpasses the MacBook with dual USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, and an SD card reader. Both Type-C ports support video transfer and laptop charging. Additionally, there's a headphone jack and an HDMI-out port for connecting external monitors.

The screen is a highlight, boasting a 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 great battery life.

The only notable downside is that it can get hot, particularly as the first model with Asus's new ultra-premium design. However, placing it on a desk mitigates this issue, making it a worthwhile trade-off for its extensive benefits.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0With its beautiful OLED screen, excellent battery life, and sleek design, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Air.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 highly portable Excellent battery lifeCONSLimited memory and storagePriced under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a compelling alternative to the MacBook Air, featuring a top-notch screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable form factor.

At just 3.53 pounds, it's easy to carry throughout the day. Its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, which is surprising for a laptop at this price point.

Performance-wise, it's equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, a generation old but still capable of handling daily productivity and light creative work. It also includes a neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot.

The budget pricing reflects its memory and storage configuration, with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate, the 8GB of RAM limits multitasking and performance with demanding tasks like video editing.

However, if you primarily work with one or two applications at a time, this trade-off provides 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 outperforms the MacBook Air with its incredible performance, superb screen, multi-day battery life, and stunning design. 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 powerfulExcellent battery lifeEnhanced gaming performanceStunning OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14, while similar to the Zenbook S 16, offers distinct advantages and serves as an excellent MacBook Air replacement.

Unlike the S 16's AMD CPU, the S 14 features the latest Intel Core Ultra, delivering high performance and surprising gaming capabilities. It handled tasks from Adobe Premiere Pro to browsing seamlessly, and it runs cooler and is more portable than the S 16.

At just 2.5 pounds and less than half an inch thick, it's incredibly easy to carry. Its portability is so impressive that I often forgot I was carrying it. Despite concerns about its 14-inch screen size, its portability won me over.

Battery life is outstanding, easily lasting multiple days with intermittent use. In formal testing, it achieved over 15 hours, which is exceptional.

The screen is another highlight, with a 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) that reaches up to 500 nits. It's particularly impressive for HDR gaming, though you may need to adjust settings for optimal performance.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic MacBook Air alternative, available at a surprisingly 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 replacement for the MacBook Pro 14, offering a compact, powerful, and quiet design with impressive battery life. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU is perfect for gaming, and at 3.2 pounds, it's lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three versions, you can choose between an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, and either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The RAM is faster than many competitors, enhancing performance. We tested the entry-level model, which performed exceptionally well, with the Ryzen 7 8845HS often outpacing Apple's M3 in multicore performance, ideal for creatives and power users.

While it has more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's quieter than most other powerful laptops and runs cooler, minimizing thermal throttling.

Battery life is affected by the dedicated GPU, but Advanced Optimus helps mitigate this, allowing the laptop to last around 10 hours on the processor alone, easily covering a full workday.

The main drawback is its pricing. The entry-level model is suitable for many, but for apps like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve requiring 32GB of memory, the price jumps from $1,399 to $1,699. Still, for those who can't give up Windows and need performance, weight, and size, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent choice.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0This 2-in-1 is particularly well-suited for artists but offers enough power and efficiency to be a great daily driver for all users.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 exceptionalHighly portable and easy to carry throughout the dayResponsive performance Excellent accessories (including the Surface Pen)CONSSingle-day batteryApp compatibility still expanding (though extensive)For creative professionals, a traditional laptop might not suffice. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers the benefits of a MacBook in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor, perfect for digital artists. Even if you're not a creative, its design makes it a stellar alternative for productivity and entertainment.

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 X Elite, with 10 or 12 CPU cores, respectively. These processors offer great performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, with efficiency that provides around 10 hours of battery life, sufficient for a full day of work or school. Fast charging replenishes about 80% of the battery in an hour.

The Surface Pro 11 is a powerhouse, configurable with up to 1TB of expandable storage and up to 64GB of RAM. The display comes in LCD or OLED variants with a 2880x1920 resolution, providing exceptional clarity for various tasks.

The challenge with the Surface Pro 11 is its compatibility with certain applications due to its ARM processors. While it runs an emulation layer and supports most major creative and professional applications, it's not yet fully compatible with all software, which is worth considering before purchasing.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Choosing the right MacBook alternative involves considering several key factors to ensure the laptop meets your needs and performs as expected.

Processor: The number of cores is more important than the brand. Aim for at least six cores, preferably eight. For tasks like text processing, a slower processor might suffice, but for video editing, opt for higher clock speeds. Go for the latest Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors.

Memory: At least 16GB of RAM is recommended. While 8GB might be adequate initially, it's the minimum today and can lead to quicker obsolescence. 16GB ensures smooth multitasking and program performance.

Storage: Your needs will dictate the storage required. If using cloud storage, 256GB may be enough, but it's considered small. For larger files or local storage, aim for at least 512GB, with 1TB preferred.

Display: A minimum resolution of 1080p is essential. Higher resolutions offer crisper images but can strain system resources. OLED displays provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider weight and size, as even a small increase can impact portability. Also, think about screen size, touch capabilities, and whether a 2-in-1 design suits your future needs.

Macbook Alternatives FAQ

What is the best M3 and M4 competitor?

Apple's silicon is renowned for its efficiency and power. Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series are high-performance alternatives, but Apple still leads in efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

While gaming is possible on MacBooks, the selection of compatible games is limited compared to Windows laptops, and many games are not optimized for Mac.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The choice depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications due to their performance, efficiency, and portability. PCs offer a more open ecosystem with broader software availability, particularly for gaming.