Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025 Revealed

As we usher in the new year, the excitement around the latest MacBooks, such as the stunning new MacBook Air, is palpable. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem but still crave the sleek design and performance of a MacBook, it's time to explore alternatives. Among the plethora of options, the Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as my top overall pick for a MacBook alternative.

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 aspiring to be a MacBook alternative must meet high standards. Key qualities to consider include being lightweight and ultra-portable, powerful, equipped with an excellent screen, and boasting a battery that lasts a full workday at the very least.

In curating this list, I've drawn from extensive reviews over the past year, selecting laptops that truly embody the essence of a MacBook replacement. Whether you're seeking a substitute for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative endeavors, these recommendations cover a range of needs.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16

The Best MacBook Alternative

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

2The Asus Zenbook S 16 is an outstanding Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, offering a perfect blend of portability and performance that's a joy to use.
See it at Best Buy
See it at Asus

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 excellent battery life
• Stunning 3K OLED touchscreen
• Surprising gaming performance

Cons:

• Can get hot

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is the ultimate MacBook Pro alternative, especially if you prefer a larger screen. Its slim profile and lightweight design don't compromise on 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.

Powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, this laptop boasts 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz, delivering exceptional performance across various tasks, including gaming. While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still offers impressive battery life, lasting around 15 hours at 50-60% screen brightness.

The design is nothing short of stunning, featuring a Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and resistance to fingerprints. The attention to detail, such as the ventilation area composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, underscores its premium status.

Connectivity is superior to 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 (2880x1880) supports multi-touch and dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion and efficient battery use.

The only notable drawback is that the laptop can get hot, but this is mitigated when used on a desk. Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 16 offers a compelling alternative to the MacBook Pro.

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 make this an affordable MacBook Air alternative.
See it at Acer

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 well under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a budget-friendly MacBook Air alternative that doesn't skimp on features. At just 3.53lbs, it's easy to carry, and its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution.

Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it's suitable for everyday productivity and light creative work, with a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) enhancing AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot. The budget pricing reflects its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage, which may limit multitasking and performance for more demanding tasks.

If your needs are modest and you're looking for a cost-effective option with a stunning screen and portability, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a great choice.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images

3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a formidable MacBook Air alternative, offering incredible performance, a great screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek design.
See it at Asus
See it at Best Buy

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 Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent choice for those seeking a MacBook Air alternative. It shares many similarities with the Zenbook S 16 but stands out with its use of the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, delivering high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities.

At just around 2.5lbs and less than half an inch thick, this laptop is incredibly portable. Its 14-inch screen might seem small, but its portability is a major advantage. The battery life is exceptional, lasting over 15 hours, making it ideal for extended use.

The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is another highlight, reaching up to 500 nits and offering excellent visuals, especially for HDR gaming. Despite lacking a dedicated graphics card, it handles AAA games well when settings are adjusted.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a top pick for a MacBook Air alternative, offering great performance at a reasonable price.

Asus TUF Gaming A14 – Photos

10 Images

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 an ideal MacBook Pro 14 alternative, offering a compact design, powerful performance, and impressive battery life. At 3.2lbs, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14, and its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU excels at gaming.

Available in three versions, you can choose between AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPUs and either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The Ryzen 7 8845HS model outperforms Apple's M3 in multicore performance, making it perfect for creative and power users.

While it has more fan noise than the MacBook Pro, it's still quieter than most gaming laptops and manages heat efficiently. With Advanced Optimus, battery life can last around 10 hours, ensuring a full workday's use.

The main challenge is its pricing, with the top model costing $1,699 for 32GB of RAM. However, for those who need Windows and can't compromise on performance, size, or weight, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is a strong alternative.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a versatile 2-in-1 that's perfect for creatives and daily use, offering excellent performance and portability.
See it at Amazon
See it at Microsoft

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 and easy to carry
• Snappy performance
• Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)

Cons:

• Single-day battery life
• App compatibility still expanding

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an exceptional 2-in-1 MacBook alternative, especially for digital artists. Its versatility extends to productivity and entertainment, making it a fantastic choice for a wide range of users.

Powered by Snapdragon X processors, the Surface Pro 11 offers efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. While its battery life tops out at around 10 hours, it supports fast charging, replenishing 80% in an hour.

With options for up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, it's a powerhouse. The 13-inch display comes in LCD or OLED variants, offering crisp visuals for work and play.

The main consideration is its app compatibility, as it uses ARM processors. While major creative and professional applications are supported, it's not yet 100% compatible with all software.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

When searching for a MacBook alternative, it's essential to consider several key factors to ensure the laptop meets your needs and matches the quality you expect from a MacBook.

Processor: Focus on the number of cores and clock speed. A minimum of six cores is recommended, with eight being ideal. Opt for the latest Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors for a true MacBook alternative.

Memory: Aim for at least 16GB of memory. While 8GB may suffice for basic tasks, 16GB ensures smooth multitasking and future-proofing.

Storage: Depending on your use, 256GB might be enough if you rely on cloud storage, but 512GB or 1TB is preferable for larger files and local storage.

Display: A 1080p resolution is the minimum standard. Higher resolutions offer better clarity, but consider the impact on performance for tasks like video editing. OLED displays provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight, screen size, and whether a touchscreen or 2-in-1 design 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's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs and AMD's HX AI series offer high performance, they still lag behind Apple in terms of efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

MacBooks can play many games, but the selection is limited compared to Windows gaming laptops. Games on Mac often aren't optimized as well as on PC, making MacBooks less ideal for avid gamers.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The choice between MacBook and PC depends on your specific needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and offer unique software like Logic Pro. However, PCs provide a more open ecosystem with a broader range of software and are the preferred platform for gaming due to extensive library access.