The best MacBook Pro alternatives deliver powerful performance, premium build quality and creative-focused features without locking you into Apple's ecosystem. Whether you're put off by the MacBook's price tag, prefer Windows for your workflow, or simply want more flexibility, here are some exceptional alternatives that can match or even exceed what Apple offers.
We're laptop experts, and we've spent years testing laptops from Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, Microsoft and others to find machines that truly compete with the MacBook range. From creative powerhouses with cutting-edge graphics cards to ultra-portable business machines that rival the MacBook Air, these laptops prove you don't need an Apple logo for premium performance.
The best alternatives for MacBook Pro
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Best overall MacBook Pro alternative
The ASUS ProArt P16 (2025) represents the pinnacle of what a Windows laptop for creatives can achieve. It pairs AMD's latest Ryzen AI processor with NVIDIA's RTX 5070 GPU to deliver performance that rivals – and in some cases exceeds – the MacBook Pro M3 Max in graphics-intensive workflows. The 16-inch OLED touchscreen is a particular highlight, offering 3K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate and measured colour accuracy that hits 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
What really sets the ProArt P16 apart for us, though, is its focus on creative professionals. The included Creator Hub software provides AI-powered workflow optimisations, and comes bundled with a three-month Capcut subscription. The touchscreen makes it ideal for digital artists who want hands-on control, while the colour accuracy and brightness make it a video editor's dream.
With up to 64GB of RAM and exceptional thermal management (despite some fan noise), this laptop handles everything from 3D rendering to 4K video editing with impressive smoothness. While it's expensive and the proprietary power port is a minor annoyance, the ProArt P16 delivers the kind of creative-focused experience that Windows users have been waiting for.
Read more: ASUS ProArt P16 (2025) review
Best MacBook Pro alternative under $1,000
The Acer Nitro V15 proves you don't need to spend MacBook money to get solid creative performance. While this gaming-focused laptop lacks the refinement of premium alternatives, it delivers where it counts: raw processing power at an accessible price point. The Intel Core i7 and RTX 5060 combination punches well above its weight class, handling photo editing, video work, and even some 3D rendering tasks with competence.
The 165Hz display is responsive and bright at 300 nits, though the colour accuracy won't satisfy professionals who need precise colour work – measuring just 50% of the DCI-P3 gamut and 66% sRGB. You'll definitely want an external monitor for colour-critical work.
The laptop's bulk (over 2kg) and aggressive cooling fans won't win design awards, but the generous port selection including USB4, HDMI, and Ethernet makes it practical for studio use. Battery life tops out around six hours, which is respectable for a budget gaming laptop. If you're a student, freelancer, or hobbyist who needs graphics horsepower without breaking the bank, the Nitro V15 delivers impressive value.
Read more: Acer Nitro V15 review
Best Microsoft
Microsoft and Apple's rivalry is legendary, and it's not just about software, as Microsoft also makes some fine hardware these days as well. The Surface Laptop 7 is a great example, running on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that put it in competition with Apple's M chips.
It also boasts Apple's Copilot+ features – essentially the manufacturer's name for new generative AI features that it desperately wants you to use and love. You may care about these; you may not. Either way, the Surface Laptop 7 is an excellent laptop.
In our tests, the 12-core Snapdragon routinely outpaced the eight-core M3 (which makes sense), and the design and display of the Surface are sleek with a premium feel. Battery life lasts comfortably all day – though the integrated Adreno GPU is limited, and rules out 3D rendering or high-intensity gaming.
Read more: Surface Laptop 7 review
Best powerful MacBook Pro alternative
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is an uncompromising powerhouse that puts performance above all else. Equipped with Intel's top-tier Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA's flagship RTX 5090 graphics card, this laptop delivers benchmark scores that rival desktop workstations. In testing, it achieved some of the highest Cinebench and Premiere Pro scores we've ever recorded, making it ideal for professionals tackling intensive 3D work, high-resolution video editing, or complex motion graphics.
The aggressive, RGB-laden design won't appeal to everyone, but the engineering underneath is serious. The 240Hz IPS display measured 99% DCI-P3 coverage with 488 nits brightness, and the generous port selection includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports for blazing-fast data transfer.
The laptop's 3.4kg weight firmly establishes it as a desktop replacement, and the three-and-a-half-hour battery life confirms it. Some intermittent stability issues during testing and aggressive fan noise under load are worth noting, but for creatives who need absolutely no compromises in performance and can stomach the premium price tag, the Area-51 represents the peak of what Windows laptops can achieve.
Read more: Alienware 16 Area-51 review
Best overall MacBook Air alternative
The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition is Windows' most compelling answer to the MacBook Air, combining premium build quality with genuine portability. At just 1.14kg and 17mm thin, it's remarkably easy to carry, while the all-metal construction and MIL-standard certification ensure it can handle the rigours of daily commuting. The 14-inch OLED display is a standout feature, delivering pin-sharp 3K resolution, 120Hz smoothness, and 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage.
Where the ThinkPad truly excels is in everyday productivity. The keyboard is superb – among the best you'll find on any laptop – and the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor handles office tasks, photo editing, and light video work without breaking a sweat. The integrated Arc GPU means this isn't for heavy 3D rendering or gaming, but for designers, writers, and creative professionals who prioritise mobility over raw power, it's an excellent choice.
Battery life comfortably lasts a full workday, and the inclusion of cutting-edge WiFi 7 makes it future-proof. The limited ports (two USB-C Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and headphone jack) will require dongles for some users, but for a thin-and-light business laptop that doesn't compromise on screen quality or build, the ThinkPad X9 delivers.
Read more: Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition review
How to choose the best MacBook alternatives
Choosing the right MacBook alternative starts with assessing your specific creative needs. If you work primarily with 3D rendering, motion graphics or intensive video editing, prioritise laptops with dedicated NVIDIA RTX graphics cards : the RTX 5070 or 5090 will handle professional workloads that would challenge even Apple's M-series chips in GPU-dependent tasks.
For photographers and graphic designers, display quality could matter most. Look for OLED panels with 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage and high brightness (400+ nits) to ensure accurate colour reproduction. Touchscreen support can be invaluable for digital artists who want hands-on control of their work.
Portability versus power is the eternal trade-off. Desktop replacement laptops like the Alienware Area-51 deliver uncompromising performance but weigh over 3kg with poor battery life. Ultra-portable options under 1.5kg sacrifice raw power but offer all-day battery life and genuine mobility; ideal if you work across multiple locations.
Budget is crucial too. Gaming laptops often provide excellent value, packing powerful processors and graphics cards at lower prices than creator-focused machines, but they may lack colour-accurate displays and come with gamer aesthetics. Also consider whether you need features like Thunderbolt connectivity, large amounts of RAM (32GB+), and fast SSD storage for your specific workflow. Finally, don't overlook build quality: premium materials and MIL-standard durability testing indicate a laptop that will survive years of professional use.
How we test MacBook alternatives
At Creative Bloq, we want to find the best possible products for our readers, which is why we thoroughly test and review a wide range of creative products for artists, designers, illustrators, editors and more.
How we test products, like the best MacBook alternatives, is we get hands-on with product to fully test its features, performance and other capabilities. For example, when testing a MacBook alternative, we'd look into every area of the products, including its construction, screen size, display and quality, responsiveness, battery life, price, and much more. As we're comparing it to a MacBook, we'll have also got our hands on a MacBook so we can compare the two, to see how the product excels or falters in comparison.
All our reviews are written by experts in the field of tech, art and design, and who use these products daily... so they really know what they're talking about! Our guides and reviews are updated on a regular basis, because we believe in honestly and transparency. If our opinions have changed in any way or a newer and better product has launched, you'll be the first to know.
For more information on testing, head over to how we test at Creative Bloq.
MacBook alternatives: frequently asked questions
Which PC feels like using a Mac?
If you're after that quintessential Mac experience on Windows, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition comes closest. At just 1.14kg with an all-metal chassis, it matches the MacBook Air's premium feel and portability. The OLED display rivals Apple's Retina quality, and the keyboard is genuinely excellent – arguably better than recent MacBook offerings.
Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 is another strong contender, with its sleek aluminium design and refined trackpad delivering that polished aesthetic Apple is known for. The ASUS ProArt P16, despite its creative focus, also impresses with its solid build quality and attention to detail. All three prioritise the kind of thoughtful engineering and premium materials that make MacBooks feel special, just running Windows instead of macOS.
Why would you get a PC over a Mac?
The key word is choice. With a Mac, you very much have to play things Apple's way, with limited scope for customisation and a fairly narrow selection of products – a MacBook Pro isn't that dissimilar to a MacBook Air, when you get down to it. PCs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, with options from an abundance of manufacturers including Dell, Microsoft, HP, Alienware and many, many more.
It's also worth noting that if you want a laptop with a touchscreen, that can also be used as a tablet, PCs are the only game in town. Apple does not currently offer a MacBook with a touchscreen. There are rumours this may change, but for now, 2-in-1s are an exclusively PC domain.
