Home News The Best MacBook Alternatives You Can Buy in 2025

The Best MacBook Alternatives You Can Buy in 2025

Author : Joseph Update : Mar 21,2025

A new year brings exciting new MacBooks, like the stunning new MacBook Air. But if, like me, you're deeply invested in the Windows ecosystem, switching isn't an option. Fortunately, there are fantastic alternatives! The Asus Zenbook S 16 is my top overall pick, but several other excellent laptops deserve consideration.

TL;DR - The Best MacBook Alternatives:

A worthy MacBook alternative needs several key features: lightweight portability, robust performance, a stunning screen, and all-day battery life. My selections, based on extensive reviews, cater to various needs—from MacBook Pro and Air replacements to 2-in-1 options for creative professionals.

1. Asus Zenbook S 16: The Best MacBook Alternative

Asus Zenbook S 16

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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, portable; high performance with great battery life; stunning 3K OLED touchscreen; surprisingly good gaming performance.

Cons: Can get hot.

The Zenbook S 16 excels as a MacBook Pro alternative, particularly if you need a larger screen. Its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU delivers exceptional performance for productivity and creative tasks, even handling 4K video editing with ease. The gorgeous design and long battery life are significant advantages. While it can get warm under heavy load, this is mitigated by placing it on a desk.

2. Acer Swift Go 16 OLED: Best Budget MacBook Alternative

Acer Swift Go 16

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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.

The Acer Swift Go 16 OLED punches above its weight class, offering a beautiful OLED screen and all-day battery life at a budget-friendly price. Its portability is a major plus. The limited RAM and storage are the main drawbacks, making it best suited for users with lighter workloads.

3. Asus Zenbook S 14: Best MacBook Air Alternative

Asus Zenbook S 14

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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 Zenbook S 14 is a compelling MacBook Air alternative, boasting incredible performance, a beautiful display, and exceptional battery life in an incredibly lightweight package. Its surprising gaming capabilities are a bonus.

Asus Zenbook S 14

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 a powerful choice for replacing the MacBook Pro 14, offering a blend of portability, performance, and quiet operation. Its dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU makes it ideal for gaming. The higher-end configurations are pricey, but the performance justifies the cost for demanding users.

Asus TUF Gaming A14

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11: Best 2-in-1 MacBook Alternative

Microsoft Surface Pro 11

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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; snappy performance; great accessories (including the Surface Pen).

Cons: Single-day battery; app compatibility is still expanding.

The Surface Pro 11 shines as a versatile 2-in-1, ideal for creative professionals. Its powerful Snapdragon processor and excellent display make it a strong contender. While app compatibility isn't fully comprehensive, it's rapidly improving, and the device offers exceptional portability and flexibility.

Choosing the Best MacBook Alternative

Selecting the right MacBook replacement requires careful consideration of several factors:

Processor: Aim for at least six cores (eight is preferred), with a high clock speed. Consider the latest-generation Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen processors.
Memory: 16GB of RAM is the minimum for smooth multitasking.
Storage: 256GB is sufficient for cloud-based workflows, but 512GB or 1TB is better for local storage of large files.
Display: At least 1080p resolution; OLED displays offer superior image quality but may be susceptible to burn-in.
Form Factor: Consider weight, screen size, touchscreen functionality, and 2-in-1 capabilities.

MacBook Alternatives FAQ

What is the best M3 and M4 competitor? Intel's Core Ultra 7 and 9 and AMD's HX AI series CPUs offer comparable performance, though Apple's chips still lead in efficiency and battery life.

Are MacBooks good for gaming? Not ideally; Windows laptops offer far better gaming compatibility and performance.

Is a MacBook better than a PC? It depends on your needs and preferences. MacBooks excel in creative applications and offer a streamlined ecosystem, while PCs provide greater software compatibility and gaming options.