Many professionals, especially those who are already devoted to Apple as a platform, turn to the MacBook Pro as their go-to laptop of choice. But what if you like Windows or want a laptop that can handle VR and gaming as well as Office, Final Cut, and Photoshop? You should refer to our list of some of the top MacBook Pro Alternatives for that.
What is a MacBook Pro?
The MacBook Pro is a series of laptops introduced by Apple in 2006 as a successor to the MacBook series. It is positioned as a high-end option for users who demand top-notch performance, elegant aesthetics, and advanced features. Over the years, the MacBook Pro has undergone various updates and improvements, making it one of the most sought-after laptops in the industry.
Key Features of MacBook Pro:
- MacBook Pros are renowned for their premium build quality, aluminum unibody design, and attention to detail. They have a sleek and minimalist appearance that exudes elegance.
- Apple’s Retina displays offer high-resolution visuals with excellent color accuracy and sharpness. They provide an immersive experience for tasks such as photo and video editing, graphic design, and content consumption.
- Equipped with powerful processors, ample RAM, and fast SSD storage, MacBook Pros deliver top-tier performance, making them ideal for resource-intensive tasks and multitasking.
- The integration of macOS and Apple’s ecosystem ensures a seamless experience across Apple devices. Features like Handoff, iCloud, and AirDrop allow smooth connectivity and data synchronization.
- MacBook Pros come with Thunderbolt ports that offer high-speed data transfer and enable users to connect external displays, storage devices, and other peripherals.
- The Force Touch trackpad and the latest Magic Keyboard provide precise input and a comfortable typing experience.
8 Best MacBook Pro Alternatives
1. Dell XPS 17
The Dell XPS series has developed into a competitor to Apple’s MacBooks.The Dell XPS 17 is a great MacBook Pro substitute for 2022. The XPS 17 really outperforms the MacBook Pro in terms of design. You get a sleek profile and an improved appearance that is more reminiscent of the earlier MacBook Air style. Despite having a camera at the top, the display has a stunning 1080p or 4K panel with thin bezels and none of it is notch-style.
The most recent hardware has also been added to the 2022 edition. You receive an NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU and an Intel Core i7 or i9 CPU from the 12th generation. It has four Thunderbolt 4 connections and storage and RAM combinations that may reach 8TB and 64GB, respectively. All in all, the XPS 17 competes with the larger 16-inch MacBook Pro and offers a tonne of performance.
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7 or i9
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3060
RAM: 64GB
Storage: 8TB
2. Razer Blade 16
The MacBook Pro is a laptop powerhouse, especially when it has the M2 Max installed. However, there is a MacBook substitute that is much more potent. The Razer Blade 16 has all the glitter and glamour of a MacBook Pro, but it features superior technology, such as an Intel Core i9-13950HX, an Nvidia RTX 4090, and 32GB of RAM, that can outperform the MacBook Pro in every test. You simply couldn’t do much better if you’re looking for a fantastic 4K laptop that can compete with the MacBook Pro.
Additionally, because a Windows 11 laptop is equipped with all of this hardware, you can play the finest PC games at their highest settings. You can have the best of both worlds with the Razer Blade 16 as a workstation and gaming laptop. Nothing this beast can’t chew through, maybe with the exception of your wallet.
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i9-13950HX
Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060 to Nvidia RTX 4090
RAM: 16GB to 32GB
Screen: 16” (1920 x 1200) IPS Touch to 16” (3840 x 2400) IPS
Storage: 1TB-2TB
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 combines elegant design with impressive performance. Its sleek profile and lightweight build make it a portable companion for professionals on the go. The Laptop 4 comes with both AMD Ryzen and Intel Core processors, allowing users to choose based on their specific requirements. With a vibrant PixelSense touchscreen and excellent battery life, the Surface Laptop 4 stands out as a compelling alternative to the MacBook Pro.
Specifications
CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB – 32GB
Screen: 13.5-inch/15-inch (2,498 x 1,664) touch
Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
4. HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that offers a convertible design with a touch-enabled display. This laptop is ideal for those who value both productivity and creativity. The Spectre x360 features a durable aluminum chassis, powerful Intel processors (up to Core i7 or i9), and a vivid 4K OLED display for vibrant visuals. Its 360-degree hinge allows users to transform it into tablet mode, making it perfect for artists, designers, and content creators.
Specifications:
CPU: 11th-gen Intel Core i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 – Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB – 32GB
Screen: 16-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) OLED touch
Storage: 1TB-2TB SSD
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5. Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X
Although Lenovo ThinkPad has some fantastic laptops, the Slim series is also worth considering. The Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X, a great Windows laptop that packs a powerful punch in a little package, is the brand’s second entry on this list.
AMD Ryzen 6000 series CPUs power the Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X. There aren’t many dedicated GPU alternatives because this is a slim and light laptop, however there is an NVIDIA RTX 3050 available. It has the power necessary to operate the 14.5-inch, 3,072 x 1,920, 120Hz display with 3K resolution. This is a decent MacBook Pro 14-inch substitute even if you won’t get a great gaming experience because of the lack of processing power.
Specifications:
CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 7 6800HS Processor
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 3050 4GB GDDR6 VRAM
RAM: Up to 32 GB LPDDR5 6400MHz
Screen: 14.5″ 3K (3072 x 1920) IPS, touchscreen
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
6. Asus Zenbook 14X OLED
The high-performance laptop in a small form factor is the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED. This laptop will set you back hundreds less than a similar MacBook and offers a clear HDR OLED touchscreen with a maximum brightness of 600 nits, which is less than the MacBook Pro but adequate for working on projects or watching movies. There are several connections on it, including two Thunderbolt 4 connectors, and the touchpad is comfortable to use.
The Asus Zenbook 14X OLED more than lives up to expectations in terms of performance, and it was an excellent fit for the M2 MacBook Pro. Although it only offers about eight hours of battery life as opposed to the MacBook Pro’s 22, it is significantly less expensive.
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX450 discrete graphics
RAM: 32GB
Screen: 14.5in OLED, 2880×1800, 16:10
Storage: Up to 1TB
7. Asus VivoBook S15
The Asus VivoBook S15 demonstrates that you can get a MacBook substitute that provides an equivalent level of performance and aesthetics to Apple’s best for a far lower price. Asus is one of the most reputable laptop manufacturers, and the VivoBook line demonstrates that the business can develop outstanding mid-range laptops in addition to pricey high-end products.
It has a great screen, a great keyboard, the ScreenPad touchpad, which provides additional functionality, and an ErgoLift hinge, which improves airflow and makes typing on the laptop more pleasant for a lower operating temperature. Additionally, it costs approximately half as much as many MacBooks, making it a great substitute if you want to cut costs.
Specifications:
CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9
Graphics: Intel UHD 620
RAM: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB 2400MHz DDR4
Screen: 15.6” LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS level wide-view technology
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe SSD
8. Google Pixelbook Go
Despite the fact that Chromebooks are often low-powered, inexpensive devices, the Google Pixelbook Go shows that they can compete with Apple’s laptops in terms of design and build quality. It has one of the greatest laptop keyboards we’ve ever used, significantly superior than the keyboard on previous MacBooks, and a battery life that exceeds any MacBook.
Even while the Pixelbook Go’s operating system, Chrome OS, isn’t as feature-rich as macOS, most software now have Chromebook-compatible versions. You can run Android apps as well, providing you access to a vast selection of imaginative software. Best of all, even though it’s a high-end Chromebook, the Pixelbook Go is still considerably less expensive than a MacBook, making it a fantastic option for anybody on a tight budget.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core m3 – i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD – 13.3-inch 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display
Storage: 64GB – 256GB
Conclusion
While the MacBook Pro has been a symbol of excellence in the laptop market, several alternatives offer impressive features and specifications that cater to different needs and preferences. Ultimately, choosing the perfect MacBook Pro alternative comes down to assessing your specific requirements, budget, and desired operating system. With an ever-evolving technology landscape, the laptop market continues to offer innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of users worldwide.
