Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025 Revealed

It's a new year, and that means the release of new MacBooks like the stunning new MacBook Air. If you're like me and appreciate the concept of the MacBook but are too entrenched in the Windows ecosystem to switch, it's time to explore alternatives. There are plenty of excellent laptops to choose from, 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 that aims to be an alternative to the venerable MacBook must meet a high standard. There are several key qualities to consider. First, any MacBook alternative should be lightweight and highly portable. It should also be relatively powerful, feature a great screen, and have a battery that lasts at least a full workday.

In selecting the laptops for this list, I drew on the many reviews I've conducted over the past year and beyond, focusing on those that best meet the criteria to truly replace a MacBook. Whether you're looking for a replacement for the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air, or a 2-in-1 that offers similar benefits while also being suitable for art and creative applications, I have suggestions for you.

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. It's incredibly easy to carry 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 exceptionally portableHigh performance while still offering great battery lifeStunning 3K OLED touchscreenSurprising gaming performance CONSCan get hotThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the best alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro available today, especially if you need a larger screen. It's incredibly thin and light, yet a processing powerhouse capable of handling 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 its processor. Asus has equipped it with the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, the company's highest performance AI processor to date, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz, offering peak performance across a variety of tasks. This processor is also used in many top-tier Windows gaming handhelds, which contributes to its surprising gaming capabilities.

While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still delivers impressive battery life. With the screen set to 50-60% brightness, I measured around 15 hours of battery life. This can vary based on usage, but you can rely on the Zenbook S 16 to last through a full day and beyond.

The laptop's design is stunning, featuring Asus's new Ceraluminum lid, which combines ceramic and aluminum for an extra durable, fingerprint-resistant finish. There are many small touches that emphasize its premium nature, such as the ventilation area above the keyboard, which is composed of over a thousand tiny individually milled holes. While not strictly necessary, it adds to the laptop's aesthetic appeal.

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 for connecting to external monitors.

The screen is another highlight, featuring a bright 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution (2880x1880). It supports multi-touch, allowing you to choose your preferred input method. The screen can dynamically switch between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion while maintaining excellent battery life.

The only potential downside is that the laptop can get hot. This was the first model Asus used this ultra-premium design with, and it's the one area where it falls short compared to the MacBook. However, placing it on a desk alleviates this issue, making it a minor trade-off for all the benefits this laptop offers. It's truly fantastic.

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 priceSee 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 storageAt well under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is a budget-friendly alternative to the MacBook Air, offering a great screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable form factor.

Weighing just 3.53lbs, this laptop is easy to carry throughout the day. It features a 16-inch screen with an impressive 3200x2000 resolution. It's surprising to see such a high-quality display on a laptop at this price point, but that's exactly what you get here.

It also doesn't skimp on processing power, coming with Intel's Core Ultra 5 125H CPU. While a generation old, it still offers ample performance for everyday productivity tasks and light creative work. It includes a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) for enhanced AI functionality and support for Microsoft Copilot.

The budget pricing is partly due to its memory and storage configuration. The laptop comes with 8GB of memory and 512GB of system storage. While the storage is adequate if you're not working with large files, the 8GB of memory limits its multitasking capabilities and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing.

If you're not planning on such tasks and will only be working in one or two programs at a time, this trade-off allows you to enjoy its excellent screen and ultra-portable design.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1Move over MacBook Air, the ZenBook S14 offers incredible performance, a great screen, multi-day battery life, and a beautiful 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 may seem like a smaller version of the Zenbook S 16, but I have no hesitation in recommending both as MacBook replacements. While they share many similarities, the S 14 stands out in several ways, making it an excellent MacBook Air alternative.

Unlike the larger S 16, which uses an AMD CPU, the S 14 features the latest generation Intel Core Ultra. It offers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities. During my review, I was impressed by its performance across various tasks, from Adobe Premiere Pro to Microsoft Excel and even casual browsing on social media or YouTube. It was consistently fast and responsive. Additionally, it runs cooler than the S 16 and is even more lightweight and portable, though both are highly portable.

At just around 2.5lbs and less than half an inch thick at its thickest point, it's incredibly easy to carry. Its portability is so good that I often forgot I was carrying it and had to check my bag to ensure I hadn't left it behind. While I initially worried that its 14-inch screen might be too small, its portability won me over.

It also boasts outstanding battery life, capable of lasting multiple days with intermittent use. In formal testing, it achieved over 15 hours of battery life, which is exceptional.

The screen is another highlight, featuring a 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) that reaches up to 500 nits. It's particularly impressive for HDR gaming. While you may need to adjust resolution and settings for optimal frame rates, it's a reasonable trade-off for a laptop primarily designed for creative and productivity tasks.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is an outstanding 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 choice for replacing the MacBook Pro 14. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with impressive battery life. And when it's time to play games, its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU is more than up to the task. At 3.2lbs, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

There are three versions of this laptop available, offering choices between an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The RAM is faster than many competitors, such as the MSI Stealth 14, giving it a performance edge. We tested the entry-level version and were impressed by its speed. The Ryzen 7 8845HS is an extremely capable processor that often outperforms Apple's M3 in multicore performance, which is crucial for creatives and power users targeted by the MacBook Pro 14. While I didn't test the HX 370 version, it's significantly faster, making the TUF Gaming A14 an even better fit.

MacBook Pro fans appreciate its quiet and power-efficient operation. The A14 does have more fan noise, but it's significantly quieter than most other powerful laptops. In my review, I noted that Asus's cooling solution seemed almost magical, as it also kept the laptop cooler than most gaming laptops, preventing thermal throttling.

The presence of a dedicated graphics card does impact battery life, but this can be mitigated by using Advanced Optimus, which allows Windows to activate the RTX 4060 only when needed. On the processor alone, it lasts around 10 hours, easily covering a full workday.

The biggest challenge is its pricing. While the entry-level model suits many users, if you need 32GB of memory for applications like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, you'll need to opt for the most expensive version, increasing the price from $1,399 to $1,699. However, if you can't live without Windows and don't want to compromise on performance, weight, or size, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent alternative.

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0This 2-in-1 is particularly great for artists but has enough power and efficiency to serve as a great daily driverSee 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)If you're a creative professional, a traditional laptop might not meet your needs. That's where the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 comes in, offering many of the same benefits as the Apple MacBook in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor perfect for digital artists. Even if you're not a creative, its design makes it an excellent alternative for productivity and entertainment. I fell in love with it during my review earlier this year and still use it regularly for its portability and versatility.

Featuring 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 Snapdragon X Elite, offering 10 or 12 CPU cores, respectively. They run efficiently, providing great performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator. While their efficiency doesn't quite reach all-day battery life, topping out at around 10 hours, it's sufficient for a full day of work or school. If you do run out of power, the device supports fast charging, replenishing around 80% of its battery in about an hour.

The first generations of the Microsoft Surface had modest hardware, but that's no longer the case. You can configure the Surface Pro 11 with storage ranging from 256GB to 1TB, and memory from 16GB to 64GB. The storage is expandable via an easy-to-access panel behind its kickstand. The display is available in LCD or OLED variants with a resolution of 2880x1920 on a 13-inch screen. It's exceptionally crisp and looks great for everything from spreadsheets to streaming games via Nvidia GeForce Now.

The biggest challenge for the Microsoft Surface is its app compatibility. Because the Snapdragon processors use different technology than traditional x86 processors from Intel and AMD, not all applications are compatible. However, Microsoft has implemented an app emulation layer, and the compatible app library has expanded to include most major applications used by creatives and professionals. Still, it's not yet 100% complete, so it's worth considering before making a purchase.

How to Choose the Best MacBook Alternative

There's a vast array of potential MacBook replacements, each claiming to offer excellent performance and other features. To ensure you find a laptop that truly meets your needs, consider the following key factors:

Processor: The choice between Intel and AMD is less important than the number of cores. I recommend at least six cores, preferably eight. Depending on your usage, you might manage with fewer, but six cores is the minimum for modern tasks.

For a true MacBook alternative, opt for the highest clock speed available. Aim for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, and avoid anything more than a generation old unless your needs are basic. For text processing, a slower processor might suffice, but for video editing, it could be a limitation.

Memory: Choose a laptop with at least 16GB of memory. While 8GB might be adequate to start, it's the bare minimum and will become outdated quickly. 16GB ensures smooth program operation and multitasking without slowdowns.

Storage: The required storage depends on your usage. If you rely on cloud storage, 256GB might be enough, but it's considered small by modern standards. If you need more, 512GB is the minimum, with 1TB being preferable, especially if you work with large files like videos, store many photos and music, or download games.

Display: Don't settle for anything less than a 1080p resolution. Lower resolutions indicate an outdated laptop. Higher resolutions offer a crisper image but can strain system resources for video editing or gaming. Laptops typically come with LCD displays, but some feature OLED panels, which offer superior picture quality. However, OLED displays can be susceptible to burn-in over time, so take care not to leave static images on the screen.

Form Factor: An extra pound in weight might not seem significant on paper, but it can be noticeable when carrying the laptop daily. Consider the screen size, whether it has a touchscreen, and if it's a 2-in-1, as these factors can impact your daily use and future needs.

Macbook Alternatives FAQ

What is the best M3 and M4 competitor?

Apple's silicon is highly regarded for its efficiency and processing power. While Intel and AMD offer competitive options, Apple's chips still lead in efficiency and battery life. Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 CPUs are high-performance with good integrated GPUs and neural processors. AMD's HX AI series also offers strong performance, but as of now, no one matches Apple's efficiency.

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

While it's possible to play many games on a MacBook, the number of compatible titles is significantly lower than on a Windows gaming laptop. Additionally, many games are not optimized for Mac as well as they are for PC. Generally, MacBooks are not the best choice for avid gamers.

Is a MacBook better than PC?

This depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you work extensively with creative applications, many find the MacBook's processing power, efficiency, and portability advantageous. Some applications are exclusive to Mac, like Logic Pro. However, Windows PCs offer a more open ecosystem with a wider range of software, often optimized for Windows first due to its broader adoption. This is particularly true for gaming, where PC users have access to the extensive Steam library and other platforms, while Mac users have a more limited selection.