These laptops are direct competition to Apple computers
The starting prices for the best MacBooks aren’t exactly cheap, but you’re paying for the premium experience of one of the best laptop brands. The devices are sleek and solid in design. Still, what if you don’t want to use MacOS? What if the Mac is not compatible with your favorite software? That’s where this guide to the best Macbook alternatives comes in.
The best alternative to a Macbook and the best laptop overall is Dell XPS 13 . It may not be as stylish as the Macbook, but it offers speed and performance while remaining relatively light. You will also find other alternatives in our list from Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft.
Laptops similar to Macbook
Dell XPS 13 9310 (Recommended)
Dell XPS 13 9310
With a premium lightweight design and solid performance, the Dell XPS 13 is one of the best overall MacBook alternatives.
The last model Dell XPS 13 It is based on 11th generation Core i5 and i7 processors. Meanwhile, Apple’s MacBook Pro 13 features Apple’s new internal M1 processor at the lower price levels and up to a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor at the higher price levels. The MacBook Air now also includes the M1 chip without Intel-based configurations.
Design-wise, the latest XPS 13 is 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 though, as you won’t notice any significant difference when taking them from one place to another.
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 4 TB 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 offers 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 also include touchscreens with UHD + resolution.
If you want an alternative to Apple’s larger 16-inch MacBook Pro, the XPS 15 from Dell it’s a good combination. Starting at $ 1,149, it features 10th Gen 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 1TB PCIe-based SSD. Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $ 2,399.
Asus ZenBook 13 UM325 laptop
A beautiful display, stunning keyboard, and premium design make the UM325 an attractive MacBook alternative.
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 for typing and a large trackpad reminiscent of the MacBook. Its screen is technically lower resolution at 1080p, but like an OLED panel, the colors pop and everything looks beautiful on it.
However, the UM325 isn’t just about looks. It includes a Ryzen 5 or 7 processor, neither of which is far behind for heavy duty tasks. You can max memory to 16GB and get up to 512GB SSD. The 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 a very MacBook-like experience, making it a perfect alternative.
ThinkPad X1 Nano
A compact design and impressive keyboard make the X1 Nano an excellent choice for writers.
For a compact alternative that offers the same premium feel and performance as the MacBook, the ThinkPad X1 Nano’s Lenovo is the way to go. It’s a 13-inch screen, so it’s on par with the thinness of the MacBook Air. It is also very light. And with a 2160×1350 display that supports Dolby Vision, photos and videos look great on it.
Other than 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’s not the best workstation, but it should provide solid performance for everyday users or even professional users.
The big selling point of the ThinkPad X1 is that it has the same keyboard as all the other X1 products. Lenovo’s X1 series has been a consistent leader in this category, so it’s exciting to see it with a slim and lightweight design. That means this computer is great for writers, journalists, or anyone who sends a lot of emails. If writing is an important part of the experience for you, that’s why you need to look at the X1 Nano.
Latop Razer Book 13
Minimal design and stellar performance make the Razer Book 13 a standout competitor.
Razer has been making quality gaming laptops for years, but even though their Stealth laptops were quality products, they weren’t really productivity-focused alternatives to MacBooks. Now we have the Razer Book 13 , a new laptop intended for premium laptops like the MacBook.
Unlike most of its products, the Razer Book forgoes having a discrete graphics card in favor of thinness and portability. The Razer Book comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 and 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 beats Apple’s product 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 a microSD card reader.
If you’re a Razer fan but want something more productivity-oriented, the Razer Book 13 is an attractive option.
HP Specter x360 14
Premium from top to bottom, the HP Specter x360 14 is a sensible MacBook replacement.
The HP Specter x360 13 was one of the best laptops and the Specter x360 14 this year continues that tradition. This model has a larger 13.5-inch screen and a 3: 2 aspect ratio designed for productivity. The base model comes with a 1920 × 1280 IPS display with anti-glare brightness, but which can be upgraded to a 3000 × 2000 OLED display for a more vivid picture. It also comes with 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD with 16GB of Intel Optane memory.
The Specter x360 14 looks gorgeous too, and it comes in a premium natural silver or darker Nightfall Black. It’s a bit bigger than the competitors, but that adds a bigger screen and more keyboard space. The x360 14 also has a variety of modes depending on what you want to do with it, and it even beats 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 (2020)
With a premium design and lots of I / O, the Envy 15 is a great premium laptop at a great price.
HP’s Envy series has always been a competitor to top-of-the-line products from Dell and Apple, but they are generally a bit more affordable. The same goes for the HP Envy 15 . It’s a sleek-looking device that packs a ton of power under the hood, so users save money without sacrificing quality or performance.
You can also add a GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card, which will really power up creatives. It’s a better experience than simply relying on the processor, and it’s still cheaper than the XPS 15.
The Envy 15 is also a bit more robust than the competition, but it comes with improved connectivity. The Envy 15 includes an HDMI port, two USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 ports, and two USB-A plugs, as well as a microSD card reader.
All that said, you get a lot more for a significant discount with the Envy 15.
LG Gram 16
An incredibly thin and light profile combined with a large screen make the LG Gram 16 the definitive alternative to the MacBook Pro 16.
If you are more used to laptops with larger screens, you will be looking for an alternative to the MacBook Pro 16. For that, we recommend the LG Gram 16 . It’s a big, powerful laptop that still maintains an ultra-slim profile.
In fact, the LG Gram is the world’s lightest 16-inch laptop at just 2.62 pounds. It maintains that thinness while still having great battery life and delivers 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 range, but it’s still a competent working device.
As the MacBook Pro 16 ages and becomes less desirable, the LG Gram 16 is even more attractive thanks to its lightweight design and modern components.
HP Elite Dragonfly Max
With exceptional features and 5G connectivity in a small package, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max is the ultimate MacBook alternative for professionals on the go.
The HP Elite Dragonfly The original was our favorite business computer in 2020, thanks in large part to its luxurious design and LTE connectivity. This year, HP has upped the ante by launching two Dragonfly models: Dragonfly G2 and Dragonfly Max.
Of the two, we like the Dragonfly Max the most. You’re already spending quite a bit of money on either one, and the Max has the best features. The Dragonfly Max comes with the expected upgrade of the 10th to 11th generation Intel processors and Thunderbolt 4, but it also increases the memory set to 32GB. The first Dragonfly had an LTE connection, but Dragonfly Max and G2 now include 5G.
The max also has a few features that the G2 doesn’t, like a more robust internal mic setup, a better 5MP webcam, and a lovely new Sparkling Black color.
HP gives us all of this while offering the same beautiful display, incredible performance, and incredible battery life as the original. It’s a great option for those looking for a MacBook alternative with a 5G option.