Best MacBook Pro alternatives in 2024 – our top picks
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If you are looking for the best MacBook Pro alternatives, then we have you covered right here.
The MacBook Pro is Apple’s premium portable computer, combining excellent performance and attractive aesthetics. The 2023 MacBook Pro comes with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, both of which are quite powerful and would handle any task you throw at them. Plus, the MacBook comes with a Liquid Retina XDR display, which has high brightness levels and delivers stunning picture quality.
So when you look for a MacBook Pro alternative, you should look at laptops that come with powerful processors, decent graphics cards, and good displays with high resolution. For instance, some of the best Intel 13th gen laptops come with NVIDIA RTX 4000-series GPU, which should deliver speedy performance, along with great graphics.
With that being said, there are several exciting alternatives available that can match the MacBook Pro’s capabilities and looks. To help you find the right device, we have rounded up what we think are some of the best MacBook Pro alternatives.
Products at a Glance
How we picked
We’ve used all our expertise to choose what we think are the best MacBook Pro alternatives. We’ve made these choices based on how closely their specifications line up with those of the MacBook Pro models, in addition to price points, screen, battery life, and aesthetics. We’re always looking out for the latest releases in order to keep this guide as up-to-date as possible, so you can see the newest laptops from the market’s leading brands. Check back soon for more updates.
Product Reviews
- 14-inch QHD+ display
- NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card
- 240Hz refresh rate
- 10-hour battery life
If you want the best alternative to the MacBook Pro 14, then you should check out the Razer Blade 14, which we think is one of the best Razer laptops that you can buy right now.
The laptop packs in the latest AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU that is built on the new Zen4 architecture, so you can expect the laptop to handle demanding tasks smoothly. Plus, you get the NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card with 16GB VRAM, which should deliver high quality graphics for your games as well as content.
The variant that we have selected comes with 16GB RAM, which should be sufficient to speed up multitasking and reduce loading times. Further, you get 1TB SSD storage, which should be enough for most users.
On the outside, the laptop sports a 14-inch QHD+ display, which should deliver stunning, detailed visuals. Plus, the laptop offers a 240Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for giving you a stutter-free gameplay with all your AAA games.
- NVIDIA RTX 4080 graphics card
- Intel Core i9-13900HK processor
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Expensive
If budget is not a concern, then you should check out the Alienware X16 R1, which we think is a great alternative to the latest MacBook Pro.
The Alienware laptop sports a 16-inch display with a QHD+ resolution, which should deliver stunning visuals for your video games and other content in general. Plus, the display offers a 240Hz refresh rate, so you can expect the laptop to give you smooth, stutter-free gameplay for your AAA titles. Further, the laptop is compatible with G-Sync, which should further ensure a smoother experience.
Much like some of the best Alienware gaming laptops, this one, too, comes with the latest Intel Core i9-13900HK processor, which should give you speedy and efficient performance.
Paired with it, you have the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 with 12GB of GDDR6 memory, which should deliver stunning visuals, even at higher graphical settings. Further, the laptop also features NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, which lets you switch between integrated and dedicated graphics with just a click.
- Large 16" screen with 165Hz refresh rate
- 2K graphics supported by its RTX 3060 GPU
- Intel Core i7 processor
- Weighs over 6 pounds
If you want a budget alternative to the MacBook Pro, then you should check out the Dell G16 7000 laptop, which we think deserves to be on the list of best laptops under $1000.
The laptop comes with a 16-inch display, which should give you a bit more viewing space than a standard 15.6-inch display. Plus, much like some of the best 16-inch laptops, this one, too, has a QHD resolution, which should deliver better picture quality than an FHD laptop. Further, the laptop offers a 165Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient to give you smoother gameplay.
Under the hood, the laptop has an Intel Core i7-12700H processor, which may be last-gen, but it is still sufficiently powered up to handle multitasking as well as resource-intensive tasks. Further, you get an NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics card, which is enough to run most games at 1080p settings.
The base model comes with 1TB SSD and 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which is more than enough for most users looking for the best MacBook Pro alternative on a budget. Still, you can upgrade both storage and RAM depending on your requirements and budget.
- 17.3-inch 4K display
- Intel Core i7-13700H processor
- 64GB RAM
- Heavier than MacBook Pro
If you’re searching for the best mid-range MacBook alternative, then you should check out the 2023 HP Envy laptop – and we think it should be one of the best 17-inch laptops for business purposes.
This laptop is powered by the Intel Core i7-13700H processor, which is certainly a strong processor for a mid-range laptop, and you can expect it to handle demanding tasks well. Also, the HP Envy 2023 uses the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics card, which should handle less demanding games or tasks without an issue.
Further, the HP Envy variant that we have selected houses 64GB of DDR4 RAM and 4TB SSD, which means you can smoothly run multiple applications and enjoy fast boot-ups and data transfers.
On the outside, the laptop sports a 17.3-inch display with 4K resolution, which should give you clear and detailed visuals. Plus, the laptop has an IPS screen with low blue light technology, which should prevent eye fatigue during nighttime use.
- Powered by the Intel Core i9-13900H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU
- 16-inch QHD display
- Weighs more than MacBook Pro
If you’re a creator and looking for the best MacBook Pro alternative, then the MSI Creator M16 is certainly worth considering – and we think it’s one of the best laptops for video editing.
To start with, this laptop has a 16-inch QHD+ display, which should deliver clear picture quality and vivid colors for large-screen editing. Plus, you get the Flip-n-Share feature with a 180° screen rotation, which should give you some flexibility.
Under the hood, the laptop features an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU processor paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU – a combination that should tackle demanding games and programs with ease. On top of that, you get 64GB DDR5 RAM along with 2TB SSD, which should provide quick speed for everything from boot-up to data transfers to application loading times.
To maintain optimal temperatures, the laptop features the Cooler Booster 5 thermal system, which has 2 fans, 6 heat pipes, and thermal paste – so you can expect the device to remain cool even under pressure.
How to pick the best MacBook Pro alternative
Here are some pointers to consider while shopping –
Budget
It is important to consider the MacBook model that you want to find an alternative to. If you want something to match the latest MacBook Pro 16, then you will be looking at high-end alternatives, like some of the best laptops under $3000. On the other hand, if you are looking to find a more mid-range replacement, then you can check out some of the best laptops under $2000.
Operating System
A key consideration when choosing a MacBook Pro alternative is the operating system used. The laptops in our guide use Windows, which can take some getting used to for a MacOS user. The MacOS is generally considered simpler and more user-friendly, while Windows is a bit more complex and customizable. Users should expect a mild learning curve when transitioning from one to the other.
Screen
The 2023 MacBook Pro sports a Liquid Retina XDR display, which delivers stunning visuals. For Windows laptops, you can consider getting a QHD or 4K resolution to get good picture quality. For instance, you can check out some of the best 4K laptops, which should deliver high resolution for your games and media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a laptop as good as MacBook Pro?
While the MacBook Pro is a great portable computer, it has some stiff competition on the market. Its combination of performance and sleek look is tough to match, but there are a number of laptops that can match it on these fronts. You can find some of its top competitors in this guide.
Is MacBook Pro obsolete?
The MacBook Pro is regularly updated, with new models released every couple of years. The latest iteration, powered by the Apple M3 chip, was released in November 2023. Apple does tend to move on from supporting older models quickly, and anything released prior to 2015 is considered obsolete.
Our Verdict
If you want a powerful 14-inch alternative to the MacBook Pro, then we’d suggest looking at the Razer Blade 14. The laptop sports a 14-inch QHD+ display, which should deliver stunning visuals. Plus, you get a 240Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient even for competitive gaming. On the inside, you get an NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card along with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU, which is a combo that should handle any task thrown at it. While the battery life is not as long as the MacBook Pro, you do get up to 10 hours of use on a single charge.