MacBooks are often stellar laptops , if a tad on the pricy side . Whether it ’s the cost or just a desire to move on from MacOS , there are plenitude of MacBook alternatives on the grocery store in 2024 . Here are the well Apple dupes we ’ve examine .
If you ’re wondering how we decide what to put on this list , it ’s all ground on testing from the veteran experts that bestow to sure Reviews . We put laptops through their pace by using them for around two hebdomad , to get a true discernment of what it would be like to be a regular user of any given gimmick . Then , to formalize manufacturer claims , we conduct industry - standard benchmarking tests , sometimes with specialist equipment , to make certain everything is ship - shape before comparing them with rival machine . Key features like the typewriting experience , the quality of the screen and battery life are all like an expert quiz .
There is no one - size - fits - all root when it come to laptop however , with some user need an ultra - portable machine for productiveness and others needing something that can handle video redaction workloads – as well as plenty more criteria to fulfil in between . For this MacBook alternative guide , we ’ve incubate both sides of the Apple laptop coin , leave alternatives for the thin - and - visible radiation Air laptop as well as dupes for the powerful Pro machines .
Want to search the good laptop around beyond devices that provide a direct counterpoint to MacBooks ? Well , we ’ve get those guide too . Be certain to take a look at ourbest laptop , good ultrabook , best scholarly person laptopandbest budget laptopround - ups if nothing catch your interest here . Though , if you are palpate diffident about your decision to look elsewhere than Apple , we do also have a fully - testedbest MacBookguide .
Best MacBook alternatives at a glance
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How we test
get a line more about how we prove laptop computer
Every laptop computer we go over goes through a series of undifferentiated check designed to gauge key things including chassis timber , performance , screen quality and battery life .
These include courtly synthetic benchmark and written mental testing , plus a serial publication of real globe check mark , such as how well it play the most oftentimes used apps .
We also make certain to use every laptop computer we review as our primary twist for at least a hebdomad to ensure our reassessment is as accurate as possible .
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
Pros
Cons
Acer Swift Edge 16
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (2023)
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
Trusted Score
TheAsus Zenbook 14 OLEDis our pick for the best laptop computer you could nibble up if you ’re looking for an alternative to the 13 - inchMacBook Air M2 .
The Zenbook line has been one of the best grasp in the macrocosm of Windows laptops for the preceding few year now , arguably replace the Dell XPS series at the top of the wad during its trial and tribulations . But the Zenbook S 13 OLED had a rocky edition last year and that left the doorway overt for the slenderly bombastic Zenbook 14 OLED to take centre stage .
This unexampled manakin is one of the first laptops to sport Intel ’s new Core Ultra buffalo chip ( codenamed Meteor Lake ) . The promise of the chips in this range made for thin and light equipment was to provide strong productiveness might along with the ability to splash around in some graphically intensive work , like basic video redaction . Not only that , but strong stamp battery living was a key assurance too . Essentially , a Windows laptop computer that extend something close to a MacBook Air . Well , the Asus Zenbook 14 organic light-emitting diode delivers , providing huge productivity capacity and the ability to dabble in some gaming and originative workload comfortably . And , it all comes in a surprisingly thin and unaccented figure .
The 15 mm thickness and 1.29 kilogram make this a portable curiosity , and its fashionable palpebra only add together to its fashion breaker point too . But , the most eye - catching feature is the delicious 14 - inch OLED display . With a 2880×1800 resolution and 120Hz , it offers plenty of detail and a solid refresh rate for a smooth experience . The OLED engineering means your sidereal day - to - twenty-four hours , whether gambling , watching videos or editing , looks marvellous .
Previously , having all this backpack into tenuous Windows laptops would ’ve pull up stakes many concerned that the battery animation would take a serious hit . But , the Zenbook 14 organic light-emitting diode manages around 13 hour of lite productiveness use , signify you should well make it through a full day .
reader : Stuart AndrewsFull Review : Asus Zenbook 14 OLED critique
Few laptop computer can sincerely tussle with the excellentMacBook Air 15 - inchand that means , to get some of the Apple gimmick ’s key selling points but on a Windows gimmick , you ’ll be expect to make some compromise . We conceive theAcer Swift Edge 16is your undecomposed wager . It has some shortcomings but in terms of a bounteous - concealment yet portable and powerful simple machine , this is a strong 15 - inch MacBook Air alternative .
The Swift Edge 16 is a striking laptop in many shipway . like a shot , you ’ll notice how gravid yet lean it is . Despite its size , it ’s unusually prosperous to choke up around , especially due to its low 1.23 kilo weight – you just might want a adult udder . The low weight does n’t stand for it finger cheesy at all though , with a magnesium - aluminium admixture being the material that enables this alone form .
avowedly , the Acer ca n’t keep up with the Air in the sense that Apple ’s laptop can go without fan , while the Swift Edge 16 does have periodic meretricious ace when pushed . However , the carrying into action is pleasingly impregnable . It ’s an idealistic simple machine for those with demanding productivity want , who also need a big screen for a good amount of multi - tasking . The battery life is n’t stunning , derive in at 8 time of day , but you should be capable to manage beyond a full twenty-four hour period of low - demand work .
The large presentation is signally impressive , as it needs to be when it ’s such a big part of this machine , physically and metaphorically . The board come in at a crisp 3.2 K resolution and can cope up to a 120Hz refresh pace . It ’s an OLED panel too , meaning colours are rich and bold . The multimedia experience is hinder by some dissatisfactory speakers , meaning it does fall brusk of the MacBook Air ’s excellent capabilities in that area .
Reviewer : Adam SpeightFull Review : Acer Swift Edge 16 review
Choosing aMacBook Pro 14 - inchalternative is no mean feat , with it being up there as one of the very best laptops around , but theAsus Zenbook Pro 14 organic light-emitting diode ( 2023)is one of the few automobile suitable of a comparison .
A requisite for a 14 - inch Pro is telling power that aviate in the face of portability , and the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED does just that . Its combination of an Intel Core i9 - 13900H CPU and RTX 4070 central processor cause for a potent team - up that can undertake challenging professional and originative work load , like call for editing and 3D modelling . Then , unlike a MacBook , these eyeglasses allow this non - gaming laptop computer to cosplay as just that whenever you ’d like , with substantial video game prowess .
Of course , it ca n’t equal the power that a MacBook Pro is capable to pop the question when not plugged in and the barrage fire life falls inadequate of its rival but on top of gaming capabilities , you ’re also getting a luxurious OLED panel to soften the blow . The 2880 x 1800 OLED display , with telling accurate colours , makes this ideal for photo and video editors .
Like Asus ’ impressive play laptops , the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED has feature a keyboard with raft of traveling and feedback . The MacBook Pro 14 - column inch keys are strong performing artist but Asus has Apple beat with bags of travel and a hugely comforting dog .
Reviewer : Andrew WilliamsFull Review : Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED ( 2023 ) followup
A great deal of laptops arrogate to be a viable alternative to Apple ’s most hefty MacBooks but few are up to the job . TheLenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16hits all the right note , with a dose of play world power for honest measure too .
Just like the bombastic MacBook Pro , the Yoga Pro 9i can be configured with a Mini LED 16 - inch display . This display can get impressively bright and offers up a solid up to 165Hz to englut gamers too . The colours are lush and accurate . Whether you ’re multi - tasking , play or doing some redaction work , this is a sumptuosity all - rounder of a screen .
The capable exhibit is back up by a virile combination of an Intel Core i9 - 13905H CPU and RTX 4070 computer graphic flake . For productivity , this machine wo n’t even fare close to flinching , so you ’re well served there . To really take advantage of this power station , you ’ll be delving into AAA game , which this laptop computer can perform up there with the unspoilt of them . The Yoga Pro 9i carry off to keep up with the much more play - focusedAlienware M16 in much of our examination , despite its wider priorities . you’re able to do some severely acute editing on this twist too .
Admittedly , the Yoga Pro 9i does n’t have press clipping - edge looks , deposit with a plan in keeping with the “ Yoga ” batting order . Nevertheless , you get a dosage of luxury from the all - atomic number 13 physical body , a thin 18.2 mm and 2.23 kg weight . It is far from the light laptop around but you ’re get a lot of power , and the rounded corners make this comfortably to carry around too .
reader : Adam SpeightFull Review : Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i review
With its impressive 15 - 60 minutes battery bench mark , theSamsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360is our favourite MacBook Air alternative for battery sprightliness .
The Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is the a la mode version of Samsung ’s flagship 360 - hinge laptop , offering an Intel Core Ultra performance boost with the same familiar invention .
The laptop design is tremendously thin with a stylish all - metal chassis , a big and responsive trackpad and a keyboard that , though fill , stay a bit shallow . It ’s also reasonably lightweight at just 1.66 kilogram . The spacious 16 - in display sits on a 360 - flexible joint , allowing the laptop computer to transform into a pad with a nimble folding . It also come pack with an S Pen , which we find to be comfortable and antiphonal .
The port choice is also above fair , with two Thunderbolt 4 ports , one USB - A 3.2 , a HDMI 2.1 , and a headphone laborer . That said , we would have liked to see a memory card reader for Maker .
There ’s also a Full HD webcam , though there is no Windows Hello login lineament with Samsung prefer to stick with a fingerprint sensor on the power clit instead . The speakers , meanwhile , extend poor execution for a luxury - price laptop computer .
The bright 3 K AMOLED display offers wonderfully crisp colours , while its eminent 120Hz refresh rate check browsing feel smooth and fluid . The screen is well - become to short gaming , hit the books and originative work having received strong benchmarking scores , include 100 % sRGB , 100 % Adobe RGB , and 100 % DCI - P3 .
The new Intel Core Ultra french-fried potatoes are paired with 16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of memory board . We found the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 performance to be mixed , dealing with demanding workloads seamlessly most of the clip with the episodic stutter in the form of overweening fan stochasticity or hobbling execution when pushed . Likewise , we found the gaming public presentation to be prosperous when playing low - demand games , but setting will have to be comprised for AAA titles .
eventually , there ’s the barrage life which we found to be impressive at 15 60 minutes in our battery bench mark , comfortably make it through an intensive twenty-four hour period ’s piece of work and beyond and making it a competitor for theMacBook Airin this regard .
Reviewer : Adam Speight
Full Review : Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
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The good MacBook choice for students will bet on the requirement of your division . originative study will likely require a laptop with a consecrate graphics card while those focus on essay writing can perfect on productiveness and portability . For the latter , the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i ( 2022 ) is your good option .
iPad pill are now staggeringly equal to devices and will be great for college if the apps you need are uncommitted on iPadOS . For some apps , you ’ll need MacOS and consequently , a MacBook .
A key disadvantage of MacBook laptops , when liken with alternatives , is a deficiency of support for gambling . Windows machine offer far wide-eyed access to games and peachy gaming capabilities overall .
