Apple’s MacBook lineup is undoubtedly popular, but it comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking for a MacBook alternative that won’t break the bank, there are a plethora of options available. We’ve compiled a list of the 11 best MacBook Pro alternatives for 2023. Whether you’re looking for a Windows laptop with a trackpad like the MacBook or an Apple M1 PC equivalent, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top picks for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air alternatives:
1. HP Envy x360 – Ideal for work, home, and school
The HP Envy x360 is a solid MacBook Air alternative that is perfect for work, home, and school. It features a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen display, AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. Additionally, it is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card that is capable of smoothly handling tasks such as light gaming and 3D design work.
Key Features
- Versatile 360-degree hinge for easy switching between laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes
- Backlit keyboard for easy typing in low-light
- Bang & Olufsen dual speakers for a high-quality audio experience
- Nightfall Black Aluminum Color
- Windows 11 Home Operating System
- FHD display with brilliant colors and impressive graphics
2. Lenovo Yoga 9i – A brilliant OLED screen, a curvier design
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a premium 2-in-1 laptop that boasts a brilliant OLED display and a curvier design than its predecessor, the Yoga C940, and is one of the reasonably priced MacBook alternatives. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. The laptop also features a built-in stylus and a rotating soundbar that provides a better audio experience.
Key features
- Comfortable Keyboard
- Long Battery Life
- Innovative Rotating Soundbar Built into Hinge
- 1080p Touch Display with Accurate Details and Colors
- Garaged Stylus with a New Elastomer Tip
- Glossy Screen with a lot of Glare in Brighter Rooms
- Sturdy but Not as Sleek Design as Other Premium Models
- Good Port Selection for a Thin Laptop
- 4,096 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity Stylus
- 12th-gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU
3. Dell XPS 17 – Closest to Apple’s flagship in design quality
The Dell XPS 17 is the closest you can get to Apple’s flagship laptop in terms of design quality. It features a 17-inch FHD+ display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. The laptop also has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card that can handle heavy-duty tasks like video editing and gaming.
Key features
- Height: Front height 8.67 mm (0.34 in.)
- 1TB Samsung P9A1 PCIe Gen 4 SSD
- Four Thunderbolt 4 ports
- UHS-III SD Card reader
- Combo analog audio jack
- Best-in-class display with excellent brightness and color accuracy
4. Razer Blade 14 – Premium thin and light gaming laptop
If you’re looking for a premium thin and light gaming laptop that’s comparable to MacBook Pro, the Razer Blade 14 is an excellent option. It features a 14-inch QHD display, AMD Ryzen 9 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. In addition to that, the laptop is equipped with a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card capable of smoothly running even the most resource-intensive games.
Key features
- Vapor chamber cooling
- THX Spatial Audio technology
- Customizable per-key RGB lighting
- Wi-Fi 6E support
- Aluminum unibody design
5. Dell XPS 9315 – Windows equivalent of Apple’s MacBook Air
The Dell XPS 9315 is the Windows equivalent of Apple’s MacBook Air. It features a 13.4-inch FHD+ display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. It has an amazing battery life of up to 14 hours and comes with a fingerprint reader for added security.
Key features
- ErgoLift hinge for a seamless typing experience and improved cooling
- Harman Kardon-certified quad-speaker audio system
- IR camera for fast and secure facial recognition login with Windows Hello
- Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-A/C ports for versatile connectivity options
- Stylish and durable design with precision-engineered metal chassis
- Windows 10 Pro operating system with built-in Cortana and Microsoft Office suite
6. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 – OLED main touchscreen with stylus
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is a unique laptop that features an OLED main touchscreen and a secondary display called ScreenPad Plus. The laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16-32 GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. It also includes a stylus that can be used on the touchscreen, which puts it in the list of MacBook Pro 16″ alternatives with the Windows Operating system.
Key features
- Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro
- Free upgrade to Windows 11
- 4K OLED touchscreen display
- Backlit chiclet keyboard with Num-key, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities
7. Microsoft Surface Laptop – Apple MacBook Pro m2 max alternative
The Microsoft Surface Laptop is a great alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro M2 Max. It features a 14.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. It comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card that can handle heavy-duty tasks like video editing and gaming.
Key features
- Laptop and portable studio in one
- Adapts to users’ needs for work, school, or play
- Can transform from a laptop to an angled stage, and then into a portable canvas
- Large Precision Haptic touchpad
- Wake-on-touch capability
- Surface Slim Pen 2 compatibility
- Customizable through the Surface app
- Support available through communities or a support agent
- Powerful enough to run circles around renders, tackle complex data, and sketch stunning 3D visualizations
8. Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X – Cheaper laptop than MacBook
The Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X is a cheaper laptop than MacBook that offers decent configuration and features. It features a 14-inch FHD display, AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. It has a long battery life of up to 15 hours and comes with an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card.
Key features
- Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for enhanced security
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
- Two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, and a headphone jack
- 720p HD webcam and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Lightweight and slim design with a starting weight of 1.5kg
- Long battery life of up to 12 hours with Rapid Charge Pro technology
9. HP ZBook Studio 16 G9 – Apple M1 Max Mac Alternative
The HP ZBook Studio 16 G9 is a great alternative to the Apple M1 Max Mac and is an HP laptop comparable to MacBook Air. It features a 16-inch UHD display, Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. It has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX A5000 graphics card that can handle heavy-duty tasks like 3D design work and gaming.
Key features
- Thunderbolt 4 ports for rapid data transfer and charging
- Optional HP Sure View Reflect technology for enhanced privacy and security
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity options
- MIL-STD 810H certified for durability and reliability
- HP ZCentral Remote Boost for remote collaboration and access to workstation power
10. ASUS VivoBook Pro – Excellent laptop for creators
The ASUS VivoBook Pro is an excellent laptop for creators who want a lightweight and portable device with a good screen. It features a 15.6-inch UHD display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. The laptop also has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card that can easily take care of light gaming and 3D design work.
Key features
- USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support for fast data transfer and charging
- Harman Kardon certified speakers with Smart Amplifier technology for an immersive audio experience
- ErgoLift hinge design for comfortable typing and improved airflow
- Windows Hello facial recognition for easy and secure login
11. Dell XPS 13 – M1 MacBook alternative
The Dell XPS 13 is an excellent alternative to the M1 MacBook. It features a 13.4-inch FHD+ display, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. The battery life of the laptop is of up to 16 hours. It has a decent configuration and comes with a fingerprint reader for added security.
Key features
- Fingerprint reader for secure login and purchases
- The laptop is furnished with Thunderbolt 4 ports, which offer speedy data transfer and charging capabilities
- It features Wi-Fi 6 technology, providing swift and dependable wireless connectivity
- It has a backlit keyboard that enables comfortable typing in various lighting conditions
- Dolby Vision and CinemaColor for a stunning visual experience
- Long battery life with up to 14 hours of use on a single charge
- Environmentally friendly materials and packaging with ENERGY STAR certification
The Bottom Line
If you want to save a buck and find cheaper MacBook alternatives that fit your budget, you can’t go wrong with any of the laptops mentioned above. These top picks for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air alternatives have good battery life, good GPU, and are perfect for 3D/2D design work.
Whether you want a laptop that looks sleek and professional or one that has awesome design and features, there’s a solid MacBook alternative for every need and budget. From the HP Envy x360 to the Dell XPS 17, the Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X to the ASUS VivoBook Pro, these 11 laptops are the best MacBook Pro competitors in the USA right now!
