The 5 Best Alternatives to MacBook Pro Laptops
I am frequently asked about the best laptops that can be used instead of the MacBook Pro. The flagship laptop of Apple is undeniably powerful and beautiful; however, numerous alternatives are available in the market that can cater to your specific needs… and your pocket.
This guide will discuss five top options to consider if you don’t want to buy a MacBook Pro, each with unique characteristics and strengths.
If you are a designer, a heavy user, or just looking for a fast notebook, this article is definitely for you.
So, without further ado, let’s start with our five favourite alternatives to MacBook Pro laptops!
1. Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 is a serious contestant in the premium laptop industry.
With an almost bezel-less display and compact design, this computer doesn't fail to impress on the inside. It has up to 32GB RAM, Intel's latest i-series processors, and a super speedy SSD.
Regarding battery life, the XPS 15 shines above most competitors – boasting up to 12 hours of power on just one charge! This makes this device perfect for anyone who leads an active lifestyle or travels frequently.
Furthermore, there are many ways that you can personalise your own XPS 15 by picking different specifications that suit your needs and wallet best.
- 32GB DDR5 4800MHz RAM, 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD; 13th Gen Intel 10-Core i7-13620H (10-core 16 threads, base clock speed 2.4GHz, max turbo to 4.9GHz, 24MB L3 Cache)
Pros:
- Almost borderless display
- Fast performance thanks to new powerful Intel chips
- Long-lasting battery life
- Options for customisation at purchase
Cons:
- Sometimes more expensive than some MacBook Pros
- Fewer ports are available when compared to other alternatives
2. Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 could be your laptop if you are a designer or a gamer. This computer has a beautiful design and high-quality hardware. The Razer Blade 15 is powered by advanced NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, which allows it to handle any creative or gaming software.
It is not only powerful but also – stunning.
The display of this model is 4K OLED, providing a wide colour gamut, deep blacks and a high contrast ratio that makes it great for editing photos/videos, creating 3D models and other graphic tasks.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- More Power, More Cores: The 8-Core 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H processor provides the ultimate level of performance with up to 5. 1GHz Max Turbo.
- Studio Ready: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super with Max-Q Design (8GB GDDR6 VRAM) graphics is up to 25% faster than the original RTX 20 Series with more cores and higher clocks.
Pros:
- Great productivity due to the latest NVIDIA GPU performance
- Ability to work with visual content on a gorgeous 4K OLED screen
- Good-looking premium design
- Versatile device suitable both for work and play
Cons:
- Higher price tag compared to MacBook Pro laptops
- Battery life is shorter than some other similar devices
3. HP Spectre x360
If you’re looking for a more flexible laptop option, consider the HP Spectre x360.
This 2-in-1 convertible laptop can change from a traditional notebook into a tablet-like device by just flipping the screen.
The Spectre x360 is powered by the latest Intel Core processors, ample RAM and fast SSD storage under the hood. The display also stands out with its impressive 4K OLED panel that offers excellent colour accuracy and contrast ratios.
Furthermore, privacy and data protection-minded individuals will find this laptop attractive since it has several security features, such as a fingerprint reader.
- 【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】16GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 512GB PCIe NVME M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer
- 【Processor】Intel Evo platform 12th Generation Core i7-12700H (8 Efficient-cores, 6 Performance-cores, 20 Threads, 24MB Intel Smart Cache, Base Frequency at 1.7GHz, Up to 4.7GHz at Max Turbo Frequency) with Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 【Dazzling Display】16-inch diagonal, 3K+ (3072 x 1920), multitouch-enabled, IPS, edge-to-edge glass, micro-edge, antireflection Corning Gorilla Glass NBT, Low Blue Light
Pros:
- Versatile design converts between two modes: laptop mode/tablet mode.
- High-resolution screen (3840×2160 pixels) that supports touch input too
- Powerful performance thanks to having an up-to-date CPU installed inside it, which can handle demanding tasks quickly.
- Multiple physical locks on various parts of the computer
Cons:
- It could be priced higher than MacBook Pro models having similar specifications/features.
- Battery life might last less compared to some other competing models.
4. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
If you’re after the most productivity and multitasking prowess on a laptop, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is an excellent alternative to the MacBook Pro.
It has two high-resolution displays – a main 4K OLED panel and a secondary ScreenPad Plus display above the keyboard.
The ScreenPad Plus can be used for many things, such as managing your open apps or giving creative tools and productivity apps their space. You’d expect this dual-screen system to be handy for power users, digital artists or anyone who likes having lots of windows open at once.
Beneath the surface, it’s powered by the latest Intel Core i-series processors and Nvidia RTX graphics, ensuring fast performance with any workload.
But how does it fare against Apple’s offering? Let us check:
- Multi-Screen Versatility — Find the mode that best suits your task and seamlessly switch between them. Expand your workspace with Dual Screen or Desktop Mode, share content effortlessly in Sharing Mode, or snap everything back into one for Laptop Mode
- Everything-Built-In Portability — At 3.64 lb and a mere 0.57” thin, the DUO elevates portable dual-screen setups to the next level. With a detachable Bluetooth keyboard and built-in kickstand, you can take the Zenbook DUO just as you would with any laptop — plus a FHD IR front camera
- Powerfully Productive — The Zenbook DUO delivers powerful performance and AI-ready features on Windows 11. The ultra-fast Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor with Intel AI Boost NPU paired with Intel Arc graphics, enhances tasks with AI capabilities. With 1TB SSD storage and 32GB LPDDR5x RAM, you can explore more seamlessly
Pros:
- Innovative dual-screen design
- Powerful performance with the latest Intel and NVIDIA hardware
- Exceptional multitasking capabilities
- Stunning 4K OLED primary display
Cons:
- It can be significantly more expensive than a MacBook Pro
- It may be more complicated to set up and use effectively
5. LG Gram 17
The LG Gram 17 is an excellent substitute for the MacBook Pro if you value portability and long battery life.
Even though it has a large 17-inch screen, this laptop is very light; it weighs less than three pounds. Therefore, it is perfect for people who always take their laptops because they travel, work, or are productive.
Beneath its surface, the Gram 17 boasts the most recent Intel Core processors, RAM enough to carry out any task smoothly, and SSD storage that responds quickly when summoned.
However, what astounds people about this computer is its battery life, which can stay alive for as long as eighteen hours without plugging in even once!
For this reason, anyone who works remotely or spends many hours away from wall sockets needs an LG Gram 17 as their companion.
- Ultra-Thin, And Super Lightweight – LG gram Pro is the ideal productivity partner. For a powerful, 17” laptop, gram Pro is super thin, yet at just over 3 lbs, surprisingly lightweight so you can work, stream and play from virtually anywhere your day takes you.
- Windows 11 Home – Windows 11 brings you closer to what you love. Pursue your passions and maximize your productivity with the new Windows 11. Built with tools to help you multitask, think, create, and connect—all designed with simplicity and intuition in mind.
- A Huge 17” Screen to Envision Your Vision – LG gram Pro's spacious 17” IPS screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio makes your work and play come to life. The non-reflective display helps maintain your focus. And with color expression that covers up to 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, on-screen visuals are clear and vibrant, even when viewed from a wide viewing angles.
Pros:
- It is very light considering its size (17 inches)
- It can last up to 18 hours without charging
- Sleek design made of premium materials
- Fast performance thanks to powerful intel components
Cons:
- Its resolution may not be as high compared to some of its competitors
- Few configuration options are available when pitted against other brands
Exploring the Alternatives to MacBook Pro Laptops
Ultimately, what you need and want most determines the best alternative to MacBook Pro.
Suppose you are looking for a robust creative workstation, a flexible 2-in-1 convertible laptop or an easily portable machine with outstanding battery life. In that case, there is an option available which will meet all your needs.
When deciding which will enhance your productivity levels and creativity skills, consider each option’s advantages and disadvantages carefully.
Rather than sticking with what we know so well, let us learn about these other great substitutes’ strengths, too!
FAQs
What distinguishes the MacBook Pro from the Dell XPS 15?
These are the significant differences: operating system (macOS for MacBook Pro and Windows for XPS 15), processor options (Intel versus AMD), and display technology (Retina versus OLED). Additionally, the XPS 15 usually has more customisation choices and a broader range of ports.
Is it advisable to use the Razer Blade 15 for work and gaming?
Yes. There is no better option for professional and gaming uses than the Razer Blade 15. It is equipped with powerful NVIDIA graphics, a high-quality screen and a premium build, making it versatile enough to handle demanding creative tasks and play the latest games without any problem.
How does the HP Spectre x360’s 2-in-1 design compare to traditional laptops?
The Spectre x360’s unique hinge allows greater flexibility by enabling different modes, such as tablet or tent modes, making it perfect for note-taking during lectures, sketching ideas while watching movies, etc.
What are some advantages of a dual-screen setup on the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo?
Multitasking becomes much easier with this setup since you can always open all your tools on the second screen. This way, the main monitor remains clear for primary tasks.
Which is lighter, the LG Gram 17 or MacBook Pro, and how do their battery lives compare?
The LG Gram 17 is much lighter than the MacBook Pro, weighing less than three pounds against four to five pounds. On battery life, however, the LG Gram can last up to eighteen hours on a single charge, while the Macbook Pro averages around ten to twelve hours per full charge.
Which of these alternatives best suits creative professionals such as photographers or video editors?
If you are a photographer or videographer, any machine on this list will serve your needs. Still, the Razer Blade 15 would be ideal due to its powerful graphics card coupled with a 4K OLED display, which makes editing images/videos very smooth. On the other hand, if productivity is critical, then the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo would come top because of two screens that can be used concurrently for different purposes.
Can any of these match MacBook Pro’s build quality and attention to detail?
Although all products listed here boast premium built quality plus excellent finishing touches, none rival the Macbook Pro in design finesse or craftsmanship. However, Dell XPS 15 and Razer Blade 15 are just a few steps in perfectionism shown during construction.
How do pricing/value propositions differ between these alternatives and MacBook Pro?
Pricing varies significantly among these models, with some being quite expensive, like the Asus Zenbook. In contrast, others offer better performance/features per dollar spent, such as the LG Gram 17. It is, therefore, vital that you carefully consider what each option brings to the table by your needs plus budgetary allocations before settling for any machine
In terms of hardware and longevity, which alternative will be the safest in the future?
It is difficult to say that one option is more future-proof than all others due to the rapid evolution of technology and hardware. However, models with current high-speed processors, sufficient storage space and RAM, and solid build quality are likely to remain productive for longer—an example being the Dell XPS 15 or Asus ZenBook Pro Duo.
Is there any alternative among these that can offer the same seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem as the MacBook Pro?
The extent of Apple’s MacBook Pro's compatibility with other devices within its ecosystem cannot easily be matched by any other product. For instance, iPhones, iPads, and even Apple watches function much better this way than they do when coupled with Windows-based machines. Some laptops running on Windows OS may allow for integration between Android gadgets or cloud service platforms but usually lack smoothness associated with interconnectivity in an Apple environment.
Are there any additional notable MacBook Pro alternatives not mentioned here?
Other noteworthy options, such as the Microsoft Surface Book 3, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon or Acer Predator Helios 300, could be considered. Different users have various needs, so each laptop has unique features and capabilities suitable for other use cases.
Last update on 2025-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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