Get the App
Better experience on mobile
From budget-friendly daily drivers to premium powerhouses, these top picks deliver MacBook-level battery life, build quality, and features at better value.
Tired of paying a premium for Apple's ecosystem lock-in, limited ports, and non-upgradable hardware? In 2025, Windows laptops powered by Snapdragon X Elite, Intel Core Ultra Series 2, and AMD Ryzen AI have closed the gap on MacBooks, offering comparable battery life exceeding 20 hours, stunning OLED displays, and superior customization options. Whether you're a student, professional, or creator, these alternatives provide the sleek design and power you crave without the Apple tax.
We scoured the latest releases from CES 2025 and hands-on tested dozens of models to curate this list. Our selection criteria prioritized real-world battery endurance, M3/M4-level performance in apps like Adobe Suite and coding tools, premium aluminum chassis, high-resolution touchscreens or OLED panels, and value across budgets. We focused on ARM-based Copilot+ PCs for efficiency and x86 for compatibility, ensuring diversity in form factors from ultrabooks to 2-in-1s.
Expect options from under $800 for everyday use to $2,500 flagships for pros. We've included a Top Pick for all-around excellence, a Budget Pick that punches above its weight, an Editor's Choice for innovation, plus specialized picks for gaming, work, and more. Let's dive into the best MacBook alternatives that could make you ditch macOS for good.
The Surface Laptop 7 nails the MacBook aesthetic with its premium Alcantara or metal finish, touchscreen OLED option, and insane 22+ hour battery life that surpasses the MacBook Air M3. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite, it handles multitasking, AI tools, and light creative work effortlessly with 45 TOPS NPU acceleration. At a lower price than comparable MacBooks, it's the seamless Windows upgrade for most users.
For under $850, the Swift Go 14 delivers MacBook Air-like thinness (under 0.6 inches), a vibrant 2.8K OLED screen, and 18-hour battery on Intel's Lunar Lake chip—perfect for web, docs, and streaming without breaking the bank. It includes Thunderbolt 4 ports and a capable NPU for Copilot+ AI features. This is the entry-level alternative that feels premium.
Editor's Choice for its revolutionary modularity—swap ports, GPU, RAM, and even the mainboard like LEGO for MacBook users frustrated by soldered components. The 16-inch QHD+ display and Ryzen AI power crush creative workflows, with upgradability ensuring longevity past 2030. It's the sustainable, hackable Windows laptop that redefines value.
Gamers rejoice: this 14-inch powerhouse matches the MacBook Pro 14's portability with an RTX 4070 GPU, 3K OLED 120Hz screen, and Ryzen AI for 4K gaming at 60+ FPS plus AI-enhanced streaming. Battery lasts 10+ hours in productivity mode, far better than gaming laptops of old. It's the slim beast for creators who game too.
Business pros get legendary ThinkPad durability, TrackPoint, and a carbon-fiber chassis lighter than the MacBook Pro, paired with Lunar Lake for 24-hour battery and enterprise-grade security. The 14-inch 2.8K OLED option rivals Retina sharpness for spreadsheets and video calls. Unmatched keyboard and MIL-SPEC build make it the workhorse alternative.
Convertible fans love this gemstone-cut aluminum 2-in-1 with a 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen, stylus support, and 360-degree hinge for tablet mode—more versatile than any MacBook. Core Ultra power and 17-hour battery handle note-taking, sketching, and presentations flawlessly. Premium audio and ports make it a creative multitool.
Outlasting the MacBook Pro M4 with 25+ hours of video playback, this ultrathin Snapdragon X Elite laptop boasts a 14.5-inch 3K OLED touchscreen and cosmic blue anodized finish for style points. AI features shine in productivity, and it's Copilot+ certified for seamless Windows integration. The ultimate portable for all-day unplugged use.
Compare key specs and features of all our recommendations side-by-side
| Product | Recommendation | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15-inch, Snapdragon X Elite) Rank #1 | 🏆 Top Pick | N/A | Check price |
Acer Swift Go 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V) Rank #2 | 💰 Budget Pick | N/A | Check price |
Framework Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370) Rank #3 | ⭐ Editor's Choice | N/A | Check price |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025 AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370) Rank #4 | — | N/A | Check price |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Rank #5 | — | N/A | Check price |
HP Spectre x360 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V) Rank #6 | — | N/A | Check price |
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite) Rank #7 | — | N/A | Check price |
