The 10 Best MacBook Air Alternatives in 2024

Here is a list of the best MacBook Air Alternatives on the market today. The MacBook Air M2 is one of the best small, thin, and light Apple laptops. However, if you are looking for a non-Apple Windows laptop option, we have compiled a list for you with pricing and feature comparison.

MacBook Air is a top choice for many professionals because of the hardware support, premium aesthetics as well as the power to get great results in performance. Many people search for alternatives to MacBook Air that are available in the market.

The MacBook Air Alternatives are strikingly similar to the flagship models of MacBook Air available on the market. Most of the available alternatives have advanced specifications, which makes them a top choice.

Finding the best MacBook Air Alternatives from a handful of models available might be a difficult choice. This is simply because you can always look for multiple parameters. To help you with this, we’ve come up with a list of the best MacBook Air Alternatives available in the market today.

MacBook Air Market Trends

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) Why one should buy an alternative laptop to MacBook Air?

Answer: The prime and foremost reason behind people buying an alternative laptop to MacBook Air is the Operating system.

People who feel more comfortable using and interacting with the Windows OS are more likely to prefer a Windows laptop over a MacBook. Windows provides a lot of free features whereas, for enjoying the same features in MacOS, you need to pay a certain amount.

Q #2) What is the ideal storage capacity that your laptop must have?

Answer: Whether it is for gaming purposes or for professional work, while buying a laptop you need to look for the storage capacity that comes with it. Storage plays an integral part of the laptop and it really affects its performance on a huge scale.

A storage capacity of 1 TB is ideal for a laptop. Some people require a lot of storage capacity in order to save their files, in that case, they can use an external hard drive.

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Q #3) Is it really important to have a backlit keyboard on your laptop?

Answer: While buying a laptop, one of the most crucial aspects that every buyer should look for is a backlit keyboard. A backlit keyboard enables you to type smoothly and easily in dark rooms without any issues at all. Even if there is a power cut, you can just work on your laptop without having the need of an external light source.

Q #4) What is that one special factor that distinguishes a MacBook Air and its alternative laptops?

Answer: The most striking factor that really changes your decision from buying a MacBook Air to buying its alternative laptop is the gaming aspect. MacBook Air is not built for heavy gaming uses, it can only allow you to render videos up to a certain level.

For gaming and high-level editing purposes, you require a more powerful GPU that can provide you more FPS while gaming. The MacBook Air alternatives have a wide range of GPUs that are really powerful and can give you the best gaming experience.

Q #5) What are the other factors that one must look for before buying a MacBook Air alternative laptop?

Answer: There are many factors that affect the purchase decision of a laptop. Factors like processor, RAM, design, cooling system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, supported video resolution and audio quality play an important role in deciding the right product.

Q #6) What laptop to buy instead of MacBook Air?

Answer: There are several options to pick out if you want to buy an alternative to MacBook Air. But it is important to match the specifications and the hardware components that are needed to do so.

Here are some of them:

• HP Elite
• Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6
• Microsoft Surface
• Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop
• Samsung 15.6-Inch Galaxy Book2 Pro Laptop

Q #7) Is Macbook Air still worth buying?

Answer: Of course it is! MacBook Air M1 is definitely one of the best things that you can look to have as your primary laptop. If you are a user who requires some advanced graphics and hardware support, the Apple MacBook Air with the M2 and M1 chip is equally worth buying. It comes with better speakers, a design and a decent hardware platform.

Features that the MacBook alternative must have:

• Operating System: MacBook uses MacOS, which is compatible with most of the software on which the device is running. There are two major options for you, either it is a Windows OS or Linux. Having either of them would do, but it must have all the latest updates.
• Screen and Display: One reason why users show their commitment towards MacBook is because of the amazing screen and display. The number of ports and pixels makes it much more efficient to use. The screen, display quality and speed are very important aspects of every alternative.
• Storage and RAM: Another important feature that any decent alternative must have is powerful RAM and storage support. Memory capacities of 12 GB and 16 GB are common and equally important for storage space.
• Battery Life and Power: Battery Life and power are two important aspects of power and battery life. Good battery life and power are equally important because it allows you to get suitable portability while working.

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List of Top MacBook Air Alternatives

Some remarkable alternatives to MacBook Air:

1. Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6
2. ASUS Zenbook
3. Microsoft Surface
4. Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop
5. Samsung 15.6-Inch Galaxy Book2 Pro Laptop
6. HP Elite
7. RazerBook 13 Laptop
8. HP Spectre x360 GEM Cut 13.3-Inch FHD Touch Laptop
9. HP Envy x360 Convertible
10. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2

Comparison Table of the Best Alternatives to a MacBook Air

Detailed reviews:

#1) Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6

Best for gaming laptops that perform with high fps and accuracy. It comes with great results.

The Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 is known for its performance with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U mobile processor. In fact, you can enjoy the portability of this device as it is light in weight and thin in design. I like the fact that it allows you to use Alexa on your PC and you can ask Alexa to check your calendar, answer questions, play music, create lists, and do more.

Apart from that, this device has Windows Hello with a Fingerprint Reader that keeps the PC secure. With this PC, you will have great connectivity options, including USB Type C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort, USB charging port, and HDMI 2.0 with HDCP support.

With the DTS audio dual front-facing speakers, you will be able to play back videos, stream music, and optimize bass response. This has a backlit keyboard which will help you to work even during the nighttime.

What we like:

• Equipped with NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti GPU
• 16 GB DDR4 RAM
• Features Wi-Fi 6 technology
• It comes with a backlit keyboard
• Windows 10 Home Operating system

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Ergonomic design
• Great built quality
• Alexa supported the system

Cons:

• Certain glitches may occur

Ratings: 4.9/5

Price: It is available for $780.72 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of Acer for a price of $780.72. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: Acer Swift X

#2) ASUS Zenbook

Best for gaming and graphic designing.

While I was looking for a good Macbook alternative, I found out that the ASUS Zenbook is a fantastic option. It is thinner in design, light in weight, and quite compact, making it easy to carry.

What I like about this product is the higher capacity of the battery which runs for 15 hours approximately. This will let you restore the battery power for around 60% within just 49 minutes.

Apart from that, with the laptop, you will have a bright as well as a clear four-sided NanoEdge display. It has slim bezels and will help you to create a 90% screen-to-body ratio that will give you a better immersive viewing experience.

What is more interesting is that you can connect to other external devices faster. Yes! The device comes with two USB Type C, and USB Type A, along with full-size HDMI. This comes with ASUS NumberPad 2.0 having an increase in the keyboard size. Overall, this laptop is built to give military-grade durability and has undergone a punishing test regime.

Features:

• Ultra slim design
• Radeon Vega 7 Graphics card
• 16 GB RAM with 1TB PCIe SSD storage
• Windows 11 Pro OS
• Pine grey color

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• It has a cool and ergonomic design
• Great battery life
• User-friendly UI

Cons:

• The touch screen feature is missing in this laptop

Price: It is available for $999.99 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of ASUS for a price of $749.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: ASUS Zenbook

#3) Microsoft Surface

Best for an excellent choice for corporate professionals. This device supports great software support. This is also the best cheaper MacBook Air alternative.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 can easily transform from a laptop to a tablet to a very portable studio. You can pair the device with a colorful Surface Type Cover and a pen to enhance the overall experience. This laptop is available in two different color shades Platinum color and Matte Black color.

What I like about this laptop is the battery life of around 10.5 hours. This will give you the experience of using it for longer periods and days with a huge load. In fact, it can charge up to 80 percent within an hour with the fast charge feature.

This comes with both USB C and USB A ports that will let you connect to displays, docking stations, and other accessories.

Features I like:

• Features a 12.3 inch HD display
• Equipped with Intel Core i3 processor
• 4 GB RAM
• 128 GB SSD storage
• Battery life of up to 10.5 hours

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Touch screen feature
• Great connectivity
• It has a standout design

Cons:

• Heating issues may arise in certain product units

Ratings: 4.8/5

Price: It is available for $539.00 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of Microsoft for a price of $799.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: Microsoft Surface

#4) Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop

Best for people who want to work with streaming video. You can get impressive hardware support.

The Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop comes with a 13.4 inches UHD screen size. You like the build-up of this device as it is constructed using a carbon fiber palm rest and machined aluminum. This comes with a four-sided InfinityEdge display that will give you a stunning 16:10 ratio.

The device runs on Windows 11 which will make it easier and more efficient for you to use and has everything you need.

Apart from that, I like the fact that it is light in weight, looks sleek and stylish, and is easy to carry. The battery life of this laptop is quite good for moderate usage. With this device, you will have the intelligence and the speed of 11th Gen Intel Core processors along with Intel Iris Xe graphics.

The device comes with a lid sensor that will let you open the lid as well as power it up in milliseconds. This product has a fingerprint reader that will let you log in with a single touch.

What we like:

• 13.4-inch Ultra HD display
• Thin and light design
• Equipped with 8 GB DDR4 RAM
• Latest Wi-Fi 6 technology
• Windows 11 Home OS

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Awesome performance
• Superb cooling system
• It comes with a lid sensor

Cons:

• The battery life of this device is a point of concern

Ratings: 4.7/5

Price: It is available for $1,031.09 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of Dell for a price of $1,099.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: Dell XPS

#5) Samsung 15.6” Galaxy Book2 Pro Laptop

Best for a premium performance laptop that offers great reliability. It comes with a combination of 512 GB SSD and 16 GB RAM.

If you are looking for an alternative to Macbook, then check out the Samsung 15.6” Galaxy Book2 Pro Laptop. I found out that this laptop is pretty powerful and works amazingly faster with the processor present. What is more interesting is the long-lasting battery that will run for around 21 hours.

Apart from that, you will get the experience of excellent detail and jaw-dropping color on an enchanting AMOLED screen. The screen size is around 15.6 inches, which gives a 33% brighter viewing experience than the others. The best thing about this device is the 2 in 1 design that has a 360 degrees hinge to let you use it as a laptop and a tablet.

The device comes with enhanced security that will have control over all your files. You can expect to have a fingerprint scanner for further safety. It has a seamless second screen that expands your productivity to a great extent.

Features:

• Equipped with 12th Gen Intel core i7 processor
• Lightweight body
• 15.6-inch display
• 16 GB RAM
• Features 512 GB SSD storage

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Really awesome built quality
• Battery life is superb
• Great design

Cons:

• Issues related to the technical aspect of this device may arise

Ratings: 4.6/5

Price: It is available for $1,300.99 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of Samsung for a price of $1,149.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: Samsung

#6) HP Elite

Best for a budget-friendly alternative for students. It has all the important specifications and hardware support.

The HP Elite is a great alternative to MacBook Air if you are looking for a desktop that delivers all the essential features for end users and IT departments. What I like about this product is the lightweight and thin design that looks compact and portable enough to travel with.

Apart from that, the desktop offers wide connectivity options including USB 2.0, VGA, DisplayPort, RJ-45, line out, line-in, microphone or headphone jack, and more.  The best thing about this device is that it comes with 32 GB RAM along with 1 TB of SSD storage. Hence, you can easily store everything you want to store securely.

In fact, the device comes with 16 inches FHD display that will give you a great viewing experience. I like the battery power of this laptop that runs for a longer period with heavy usage.

What Features we like the most:

• Windows 10 Pro OS
• AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U Processor
• It has a clock speed of 4.7 GHz
• Comes with 32 GB RAM
• 1 TB SSD storage facility

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Amazing 16-inch FHD display
• Equipped with AMD Radeon 680M Graphics
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Technical issues may arise sometimes

Ratings: 5.0/5

Price: It is available for $180.00 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of HP for a price of $200.98. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: HP Elite

#7) RazerBook 13 Laptop

Best for a complete gaming laptop that provides great results.

The RazerBook 13 laptop comes with a powerful 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor. This will give you one of the best performances that you expect from your laptop. I like the fact that it is designed to increase visual clarity but doesn’t compromise on weight or the portability factor.

You will have a 13.4 inches full HD touch display with 4-sided thin bezels having an aspect ratio of 16:10. Apart from that, it is pretty light in weight and built, keeping in mind portability combined with productivity. In fact, the laptop has the agility and speed of the Evo Platform, which makes the device pretty responsive.

The laptop is known for its universal connectivity options as it has a full-size HDMI 2.0 port to let you connect all other external devices.

The device comes with a vapor chamber cooling system that will let the device stay cool and stable. I like the THX Spatial Audio that will give you advanced 7.1 surround sound and you will have a higher precision level. The best thing is the Razer Chroma keyboard that will let you show off your style using the individually RGB backlit keys.

Features I like:

• Intel Core i7-1165G7 Quad-core processor
• 13.4-inch Full HD+ display
• 16 GB RAM with 256 GB storage
• Chroma RGB lighting
• Mercury white color

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Equipped with vapor chamber cooling
• Amazing audio quality
• Cool and sleek design

Cons:

• Issues with the keyboard may arise in certain product units

Price: It is available for $1,549.97 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of Razer for a price of $1,149.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: RazerBook

#8) HP Spectre x360 GEM Cut 13.3” FHD Touch Laptop

Best for a complete gaming laptop that provides great results.

The HP Spectre x360 GEM Cut 13.3” FHD Touch Laptop comes with a 13.3 inches full HD touch screen of good quality. It offers you a resolution of 1920 x 1080p and has hands-on control along with IPS technology. You will get wide viewing angles for a greater experience. This comes with a stylus that will work with this laptop, just like a tablet or notebook.

Apart from that, you can expect to have 16 GB SDRAM storage capacity along with Bang and Olufsen Quad speakers that will let you have great audio quality. In fact, with a 64 GB ultra slim tech warehouse LLC USB flash drive, you can store whatever files and data you want.

You will have super speedy and good networking connectivity options with the WiFi 6 AX 201 as well as Bluetooth 5 combo. With this laptop, you can expect to have power delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C along with Thunderbolt 3, and more connectivity options.

What we like:

• 13.3-inch display size
• Full HD touch display
• Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor
• Nightfall black color
• Windows 10 Home Operating system

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Equipped with a fingerprint reader
• It comes with a stylus
• Great efficiency

Cons:

• Overheating problems may arise

Price: It is available for $1,459.00 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of HP for a price of $1,149.00. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: HP Spectre

#9) HP Envy x360 Convertible

Best for a cinematic experience with an edge-to-edge FHD touchscreen.

The HP Envy x360 Convertible is nicely built and offers great durability. This is a premium-built laptop that weighs only 2.95 pounds and is quite portable in nature. I like the touchscreen display that comes with 400 nits of brightness and offers a great viewing experience.

Apart from that, it has an innovative 360 degrees design that will let you use the laptop in four different ways. The laptop comes with 15.6 inches FHD display with perfect color and high definition. In fact, the product comes with a 720p camera that isn’t impressive like the 4K one but works decently.

The laptop is equipped with higher AMD Radeon graphics to give you the best performance. It has around 8 GB of RAM along with a 512 GB SSD so that you can store anything that you wish including all data, files, videos, images, and more.

Features I like:

• It has a convertible design
• Equipped with AMD Radeon graphics
• 8 GB RAM with 512 GB SSD
• This laptop comes in a nightfall black color
• AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Smooth and interactive UI
• Designed ergonomically
• Awesome performance

Cons:

• Problems with the convertible design may arise

Price: It is available for $758.00 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of HP for a price of $629.99. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: HP Envy

#10) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2

Best for high-speed and multitasking which is good for programmers.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 comes with a 4th Gen AMD Ryzen 5 4500U 6 Core processor that will offer you a higher performance level. What I like about this laptop is that at this price point, you will have a SODIMM slot to expand RAM and it supports 32GB of DDR4 memory.

Apart from that, this device has a great I/O with Thunderbolt 4 connector, two USB Type-A ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, along with an HDMI connector. I like the fact that it comes with a solely dedicated NumPad as well as a backlight and a Red Nipple.

The battery life is quite sustainable and works for more than 6 hours with constant web browsing and video playback. It comes with a 15.6 inches full HD IPS panel that offers a comforting viewing angle, a decent pixel response time, along with a useful contrast ratio.

Features:

• Bluetooth connectivity supported
• Latest Wi-Fi technology
• AMD Ryzen 5 4500U 6 Core processor
• 16 GB RAM with 512 GB storage capacity
• Great picture quality

Technical Specifications:

Pros:

• Multitasking feature
• Fast and interactive user-interface
• Ethernet LAN port present

Cons:

• Technical glitches can occur in some devices

Price: It is available for $1,048.74 on Amazon. The products are also available on the official site of Lenovo for a price of $1,179.95. You can also find this product available at multiple e-commerce stores.

Website: Lenovo ThinkPad

Conclusion

The best MacBook AiIf you want a great product, consider MacBook Air Alternatives with impressive hardware.lternatives are built to provide you with impressive results. You can get premium aesthetics as well as important hardware interfaces.

While reviewing, I found that the HP Elite is the best MacBook Air Alternative available in the market. It comes with an Intel Core i5 3.1-GHz processor along with a storage of 1 TB HDD and 8 GB RAM.

Some other alternatives are Acer, Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6, Microsoft Surface, Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop, and Samsung 15.6-Inch Galaxy Book2 Pro Laptop.

Here are our final recommendations:

• Best Overall: ASUS Zenbook
• Best Laptops like MacBook Air: Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6
• Best alternative to MacBook air in Budget: Microsoft Surface

Research Process:

• Total time to research this article: 30 Hours
• Total products researched: 31
• Top products shortlisted: 10