Top MacBook Alternatives for 2025: What to Buy

As we usher in the new year, the latest MacBook Air has captured the attention of many tech enthusiasts. However, if you're deeply rooted in the Windows ecosystem and hesitant to switch, there are excellent alternatives to consider. My top pick among these is the Asus Zenbook S 16, which stands out for its impressive features and performance.

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 a MacBook alternative must meet stringent criteria. It should be lightweight, highly portable, powerful, equipped with a superior screen, and boast a battery life that lasts a full workday. In compiling this list, I've drawn on my extensive reviews over the past year to identify laptops that truly rival the MacBook. Whether you're seeking a replacement for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creative work, I have recommendations to suit your 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. 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 premier alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro, especially if you need a larger screen. It's remarkably thin and light, yet a 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 AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, which is the company's top-tier AI processor, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz. This processor excels in a variety of tasks, including gaming, as it's also used in high-end Windows gaming handhelds.

While it doesn't match the efficiency of Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it still delivers impressive battery life. With the screen at 50-60% brightness, I achieved around 15 hours of battery life, which should comfortably last through a full day of work.

The laptop's design is stunning, featuring a new Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The attention to detail, such as the ventilation area above the keyboard composed of over a thousand tiny milled holes, underscores its premium quality.

Connectivity surpasses 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 external monitor connections.

The screen is a highlight, boasting a bright 500-nit OLED display with a 2.8K resolution (2880x1880) and multi-touch support. It dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz for smooth motion while maintaining excellent battery life.

The only notable drawback is that the laptop can get hot, but this is mitigated by using it on a desk. Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is a fantastic choice.

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 on a budgetSee 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 under $1,000, the Acer Swift Go 16 OLED is an affordable alternative to the MacBook Air, offering a high-quality screen and all-day battery life in a highly portable package.

Weighing just 3.53lbs, it's easy to carry throughout the day. The 16-inch screen boasts an impressive 3200x2000 resolution, which is remarkable for its price point.

Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, it's a generation behind 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-friendly price is partly due to its 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage. While the storage is adequate for most users, the limited memory may restrict multitasking and performance with more demanding tasks like video editing.

If you're not planning on heavy multitasking, this laptop offers an excellent screen and portability at a great value.

Asus Zenbook S 14 – Photos

13 Images3. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best MacBook Air Alternative

### Asus Zenbook S 14

1The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a compelling alternative to the MacBook Air, offering superior performance, a stunning screen, multi-day battery life, and a sleek 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 powerfulGreat battery lifeImproved gaming performanceGorgeous OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14 is an excellent choice for those looking to replace a MacBook Air. While it shares similarities with the Zenbook S 16, it stands out with its Intel Core Ultra processor, which offers high performance and surprisingly good gaming capabilities.

At just 2.65lbs and less than half an inch thick, it's incredibly portable. Its 14-inch screen initially seemed small, but its portability quickly won me over.

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

The 2.8K OLED display (2880x1800) is another highlight, reaching up to 500 nits and delivering stunning visuals, especially for HDR gaming. While you may need to adjust settings for optimal performance, it's impressive for a laptop without a dedicated graphics card.

Overall, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a top-notch MacBook Air alternative at a competitive 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 those seeking a MacBook Pro 14 alternative. It's compact, powerful, and quiet, with impressive battery life. Its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU makes it a great option for gaming, and at 3.2lbs, it's even lighter than the MacBook Pro 14.

Available in three configurations, you can choose between the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, with either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The RAM's speed gives it a performance edge over competitors like the MSI Stealth 14. The entry-level model with the Ryzen 7 8845HS is remarkably fast, often outpacing Apple's M3 in multicore performance, making it suitable 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, reducing the risk of thermal throttling.

The dedicated graphics card impacts battery life, but using Advanced Optimus can mitigate this, allowing the laptop to last around 10 hours on the processor alone.

The main challenge is its price, with the top model costing $1,699. However, if you need Windows and don't want to compromise on performance, weight, or 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 perfect for artists and offers 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)For creative professionals, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 device, making it an excellent MacBook alternative. Its design is perfect for digital artists, but it's also a great choice for productivity and entertainment.

Powered by the latest Snapdragon X processors, it's 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, offering 10 or 12 CPU cores for efficient performance in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Battery life lasts around 10 hours, sufficient for a full day of work, with fast charging capabilities.

The Surface Pro 11 is a powerhouse, with storage options up to 1TB and RAM up to 64GB. The display is available in LCD or OLED variants with a 2880x1920 resolution, providing crisp visuals for various tasks.

The main challenge is app compatibility due to the Snapdragon processors' different technology. While an emulation layer helps, not all applications are fully compatible yet, so it's important to consider this 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 crucial, with at least six cores recommended, and eight preferred. Aim for the highest clock speed possible, ideally with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, and avoid processors more than a generation old unless your needs are minimal.

Memory: Opt for at least 16GB of memory to ensure smooth multitasking and future-proofing. While 8GB might suffice initially, 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 better minimum, with 1TB preferred for those working with large files or storing extensive media.

Display: A minimum resolution of 1080p is essential, with higher resolutions offering crisper images. OLED panels provide superior picture quality but require care to prevent burn-in.

Form Factor: Consider the laptop's weight and screen size, as well as whether a touch screen 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 MacBook and 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 wider range of software and better gaming support.