The starting prices of the best MacBooks aren’t exactly cheap, but you’re paying for the premium experience of a top laptop brand. The devices are elegant and solidly designed. Still, what if you don’t want to use MacOS? What if the Mac doesn’t support your favorite software? That’s where this guide comes in.
The best alternative to a Macbook, and the best laptop overall is Dell’s XPS 13. It may not be as sleek as the Macbook, but it delivers speed and performance while staying relatively lightweight. You’ll find other alternatives on our list as well from Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft.
The best MacBook alternatives
Dell XPS 13 9310
Dell’s latest XPS 13 model is based on 11th-generation Core i5 and i7 processors. Apple’s MacBook Pro 13, meanwhile, features Apple’s new in-house M1 processor on the lower price tiers and up to a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor on the higher price tiers. The MacBook Air now includes the M1 chip as well with no Intel-based configurations.
Design-wise, the latest XPS 13 measures 0.58 inches thick and weighs around 2.64 pounds. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is slightly thicker and heavier at 0.61 inches and 3.1 pounds while the MacBook Air is 0.63 inches thick and weighs 2.8 pounds. These are all just numbers, however, as you won’t notice any significant differences when toting them from place to place.
Under the hood, the Dell XPS 13 offers up to 32GB of system memory and up to 2TB of storage. The 13-inch MacBook Pro offers the same amount of system memory but up to 4TB of storage, depending on the CPU. The MacBook Air can be configured up to 16GB of memory and 2TB of storage.
Of the three, the Dell XPS 13 provides more connectivity with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a MicroSD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It even ships with a USB-C to USB-A adapter so you can connect an external keyboard or mouse. Some configurations include touch-based screens with a UHD+ resolution as well.
If you want an alternative to Apple’s larger 16-inch MacBook Pro, Dell’s XPS 15 is a good match. Starting at $1,149, it features 10th-generation Intel core i5 and i7 processors, up to a GeForce GTX 1650 Ti discrete graphics chip, up to 32GB of system memory, and up to a 1TB on PCIe-based SSD. Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,399.
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED UM325
If you’re looking for something with the premium design and build of a MacBook, the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED UM325 is the ultimate solution for you. It has a newly designed keyboard that is perfect to type on and a large trackpad reminiscent of the MacBook. It’s display is technically lower resolution at 1080p, but as an OLED panel colors pop and everything looks beautiful on it.
The UM325 isn’t just about looks, though. It packs either a Ryzen 5 or 7 processor, neither of which slouch for heavy tasks. You can max out the memory at 16GB and get up to a 512GB SSD. Ports are decent, if a bit limited with a USB Type-A, two USB-C ports, and an HDMI slot.
All of this adds up to an experience that is very similar to the MacBook, which makes it a perfect alternative.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
For a compact alternative that offers the same premium feel and performance as the MacBook, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Nano is the way to go. It’s a 13-inch display, so it is on par with the MacBook Air’s thinness. It’s also very lightweight. And with a 2160×1350 display that supports Dolby Vision, photos and videos look great on it.
Aside from that, it comes with the latest Tiger-Lake Intel Core i5/i7 processors, and it starts with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It isn’t the greatest workstation, but it should provide solid performance for everyday or even pro-sumer users.
The big selling point of the ThinkPad X1 is that it has the same keyboard as every other X1 product. Lenovo’s X1 series has been a constant leader in this category, so it’s exciting to see it in a thin and light design. That means this computer is ideal for writers, journalists, or anyone who sends a lot of emails. If typing is an important part of the experience for you, that’s all the reason you need to look at the X1 Nano.
Razer Book 13
Razer has been making quality gaming laptops for years, but even though their Stealth notebooks were quality products, they weren’t really productivity-focused alternatives to MacBooks. Now we have the Razer Book 13, a brand new laptop aimed to take on premium notebooks like the MacBook.
Unlike most of their products, the Razer Book forgoes having a discrete graphics card in favor of thinness and portability. The Razer Book comes packed with either an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7, and it has up to 14 hours of battery life. That gives it all the performance and battery power of the latest MacBooks, but the Razer Book has Apple’s product beat when it comes to ports. The Razer Book comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, an HDMI slot, as well as a headphone jack and microSD card reader.
If you’re a fan of Razer but want something geared more towards productivity, the Razer Book 13 is a compelling option.
HP Spectre x360 14
The HP Spectre x360 13 was one of the best laptops around, and this year’s Spectre x360 14 continues that tradition. This model has a larger 13.5-inch display and a 3:2 aspect ratio designed for productivity. The base model comes with a 1920×1280 IPS display with an anti-reflection gloss, but that can be upgraded to a 3000×2000 OLED display for a more vivid image. It also comes with 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD with 16GB of Intel Optane memory.
The Spectre x360 14 also looks beautiful, coming in a premium natural silver or a darker Nightfall Black. It’s a bit bigger than the competitors, but that adds the larger display and more room on the keyboard. The x360 14 also has a variety of modes depending on what you want to do with it, and it even beats out the XPS 13 in some tests.
The HP x360 looks and feels like a premium laptop, and it has the performance to back it up. That’s what makes it a great competitor to the MacBook.
HP Envy 15
HP’s Envy series has always been a competitor to Dell and Apple’s top of the line products, but they are usually a bit more affordable. The same is true of the HP Envy 15. It’s a slick looking device that has a ton of power under the hood, so users save money without sacrificing quality or performance.
You can also add in a GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card, which will really boost power for creatives. It’s a better experience than just relying on the processor, and it still comes in cheaper than the XPS 15.
The Envy 15 is also a bit chunkier than the competition, but that comes with improved connectivity. The Envy 15 packs an HDMI port, two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, and two USB-A plugs as well as a microSD card reader.
All that being said, you’re getting a lot more for a significant discount with the Envy 15.
LG Gram 16
If you’re more accustomed to laptops with larger displays, you will be looking for an alternative to the MacBook Pro 16. For that, we recommend the LG Gram 16. It’s a large and powerful laptop that still maintains an ultra-thin profile.
In fact, the LG Gram is the lightest 16-inch notebook computer in the world at just 2.62 pounds. It maintains that thinness while still having a great battery life and delivering solid performance from its Intel Tiger Lake Core i7. It doesn’t have a discrete graphics option, which is uncommon in this form factor and price bracket, but it is still a competent work device.
As the MacBook Pro 16 gets older and less desirable, the LG Gram 16 is all the more attractive thanks to its lightweight design and modern components.
HP Elite Dragonfly Max
The original HP Elite Dragonfly was our favorite business computer in 2020, thanks in large part to it’s luxurious design and LTE connectivity. This year, HP has upped the ante by releasing two Dragonfly models: the Dragonfly G2 and Dragonfly Max.
Of the two, we like the Dragonfly Max more. You’re already spending quite a bit of money on either, and the Max has the better features. The Dragonfly Max comes with the expected upgrade from 10th to 11th Gen Intel processors and Thunderbolt 4, but it also boosts the memory put to 32GB. The first Dragonfly had an LTE connection, but the Dragonfly Max and G2 now include 5G.
The max also has some features the G2 doesn’t, such as a more robust internal mic setup, a better 5MP webcam, and a lovely new Sparkling Black color.
HP gives us all of this while delivering the same gorgeous screen, incredible performance, and awesome battery life of the original. It’s a great option for those looking for a MacBook alternative with a 5G option.
Editors’ Recommendations
