Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025 Revealed

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. After extensive research and hands-on testing, I've curated a list of top MacBook alternatives that excel in performance, portability, and design. Let's dive into the best options available.

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

When searching for a MacBook alternative, it's essential to consider several key factors. The ideal laptop should be lightweight, highly portable, powerful, equipped with a superior screen, and boast a battery life that lasts a full workday. Drawing from my extensive reviews over the past year, I've selected laptops that meet these criteria and can effectively replace a MacBook, whether you're looking for a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 device.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16

The Best MacBook Alternative

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

2The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as an exceptional Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Its lightweight design and impressive performance make it a joy to use and carry around.

See it at Best BuySee 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 while still offering great battery life
• Stunning 3K OLED touchscreen
• Surprising gaming performance

CONS

• Can get hot

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is the top choice for those seeking a MacBook Pro alternative, especially if you need a larger screen. Its slim and lightweight build doesn't compromise on power, making it ideal for productivity and demanding creative tasks like 4K video editing. The laptop's design is not only functional but also visually stunning, featuring a Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The attention to detail, such as the ventilation area composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, adds to its premium feel.

Powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, the Zenbook S 16 delivers top-tier performance across various tasks, including gaming. While it may not match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still offers excellent battery life, lasting around 15 hours at 50-60% screen brightness. Connectivity is robust, 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 only notable drawback is its tendency to get hot, but this can be mitigated by using it on a desk. Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is a fantastic MacBook alternative that offers a compelling blend of performance, portability, and design.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED

Best Budget MacBook Alternative

### Acer Swift Go 16

0The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED offers a high-resolution screen, excellent battery life, and a sleek design at a budget-friendly price.

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 an excellent budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Air. Its 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, which is remarkable for its price point. The laptop is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, offering sufficient performance for everyday productivity and light creative work, with the added benefit of a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) for AI functionality.

However, its budget pricing comes with compromises in memory and storage, with only 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. This configuration may limit multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing. If your usage is limited to a few programs at a time, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a great choice for accessing its excellent screen and portable design without breaking the bank.

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 stellar alternative to the MacBook Air, offering superior performance, a stunning screen, and multi-day battery life in a sleek package.

See it at AsusSee 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 looking to replace their MacBook Air. While it shares similarities with the Zenbook S 16, the S 14 stands out with its Intel Core Ultra processor, which offers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities. Its lightweight design, weighing just around 2.5 pounds, makes it incredibly portable, and its battery life can last multiple days with intermittent use.

The 14-inch 2.8K OLED display is a highlight, offering vibrant visuals and HDR gaming capabilities. Despite not having a dedicated graphics card, it can handle AAA games like Baldur's Gate 3 with adjusted settings. The Zenbook S 14 is a compelling MacBook Air alternative that doesn't compromise on performance or portability.

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 the ideal choice for those seeking a MacBook Pro 14 alternative. It combines a compact design with powerful performance and impressive battery life. The Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU ensures it can handle gaming demands, while its lightweight build at 3.2 pounds makes it even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three configurations, the TUF Gaming A14 offers flexibility with AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPUs and 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The entry-level model with the Ryzen 7 8845HS delivers excellent performance, often surpassing Apple's M3 in multicore tasks. The laptop's cooling system is notably quiet and efficient, minimizing thermal throttling.

While the dedicated GPU impacts battery life, using Advanced Optimus can extend it to around 10 hours on the processor alone. The main drawback is its higher price, especially for the 32GB RAM version, but for those who need Windows and can't compromise on performance, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent choice.

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, offering versatility and power in a portable package.

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

• OLED display is excellent
• Very portable and easy to carry through the day
• Snappy performance
• Great accessories (including the Surface Pen)

CONS

• Single-day battery
• App compatibility is still expanding (though is fairly extensive already)

For creative professionals and those seeking versatility, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a standout 2-in-1 alternative to the MacBook. Its Snapdragon X processors offer efficient performance, making it suitable for creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. The device's battery life lasts around 10 hours, sufficient for a full day of work, and supports fast charging.

The Surface Pro 11 can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of expandable storage, making it a powerhouse for those who need it. The 13-inch display is available in both LCD and OLED variants, offering crisp visuals for productivity and entertainment.

The main challenge is app compatibility due to its ARM-based processors, but the compatible app library is expanding. If you need a versatile and portable device, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an excellent choice.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

Choosing the right MacBook alternative involves considering several key factors to ensure the laptop meets your needs. Here's what to look for:

Processor: Opt for a processor with at least six cores, preferably eight, for smooth performance. Aim for the highest clock speed possible, with at least 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 to ensure smooth multitasking and future-proofing. While 8GB might suffice for basic tasks, it's the bare minimum and may lead to quicker obsolescence.

Storage: Depending on your usage, 256GB might be enough if you rely on cloud storage, but 512GB is a more practical minimum, with 1TB being ideal for those working with large files or games.

Display: A minimum resolution of 1080p is essential, with higher resolutions offering crisper visuals. Consider OLED displays for superior picture quality, but be mindful of potential burn-in over time.

Form Factor: Pay attention to the laptop's weight and size, as even a small increase can impact portability. Consider whether a touchscreen or 2-in-1 functionality is necessary 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 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?

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 generally a better choice.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

The choice between a MacBook and a PC depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and offer unique software like Logic Pro. PCs, however, provide a more open ecosystem with a broader range of software and better gaming capabilities.