Can’t afford a MacBook Pro? These are your best alternatives

Dreaming of that shiny MacBook Professional however choking on the worth? You’re not alone. Apple’s artistic flagship is attractive certainly, nevertheless it’s eye-wateringly costly when you begin including RAM and SSD house. Thankfully, some worthy rivals supply stunning screens, sturdy efficiency and inventive aptitude for much less.On this article, I’ve rounded up the most effective real MacBook Professional options in 2025. Real in that they match the MacBook Professional in most respects, and even exceed it in lots of areas, regardless of being extra reasonably priced on the entire.Whereas they’re nonetheless fairly costly (these are premium laptops in spite of everything), there are reductions to be discovered for those who look arduous sufficient: test the worth widgets on this web page for assist with that. I am additionally anticipating all of those laptops will come down in value this Black Friday. That mentioned, for those who’re significantly in need of cash, test our information to the most effective low cost laptops as a substitute. And for those who’re set on a MacBook, see our greatest MacBook for college students information.The most effective MacBook Professional various overallImage 1 of 10(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)The most effective MacBook Professional various overallSpecificationsCPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12-core)GPU: Adreno integratedRAM: 16GB LPDDR5XScreen: 15in OLED 120Hz 100% P3Storage: 1TB SSD + MicroSDReasons to purchase+Superb OLED show +Glorious battery life+Tremendous-light for a 15-inch laptopReasons to avoid-Some app compatibility quirks-Not best for heavy renders-Barely plasticky Worth: The Vivobook S15 sells for round £1,199 / $1,299, which makes it an actual discount subsequent to a MacBook Professional 14″ M4 (£1,599 / $1,599) or a MacBook Professional 16″, which begins at £2,499 / $2,499. You get a bigger OLED display screen and comparable battery life for a whole lot much less.The place it beats the MacBook Professional: The show alone might win you over: our reviewer referred to as it “an excellent OLED canvas for on a regular basis creativity.” It’s vivid, quick and large, with a 120 Hz refresh charge that makes scrolling and sketching really feel pure. Add in marathon-length battery life and featherweight construct, and it is a sturdy possibility for cellular creatives looking for a giant display screen with out a huge value.The place it falls in need of the MacBook Professional: Home windows on ARM nonetheless has the odd quirk: some older artistic apps and plugins don’t but run natively. And for those who throw demanding 4K video or advanced After Results tasks at it, Apple’s M-series chips nonetheless dominate. Consider it as a wonderful digital sketchbook moderately than a Hollywood modifying suite.Learn extra: Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) reviewThe greatest finances MacBook Professional alternativeImage 1 of 8(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)The most effective finances MacBook Professional alternativeSpecificationsCPU: Intel i5-10210UGPU: Nvidia MX350RAM: 16GB DDR4Screen: 16.1-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080)Storage: 512GB SSDReasons to purchase+Premium feel and look+Crisp OLED display screen with deep blacks+Slim, gentle and quietReasons to avoid-No devoted GPU-Middling battery life-Restricted long-term supportPrice: You’ll discover the MagicBook Professional 14 for about £949 / $1,099, roughly half the worth of a MacBook Professional 14″ M4 (£1,599 / $1,599). Even Apple’s entry-level MacBook Air M4 begins at £999 / $999, with far much less storage and no OLED display screen. So the MagicBook punches significantly above its value level.The place it beats the MacBook Professional: In my evaluate, I praised Honor’s laptops for “premium design and glorious worth”, and I stand by that. Regardless of the reasonably priced value, you get a lush OLED display screen, loads of storage, and a premium metallic chassis that feels pricier than it’s. It’s excellent for graphic design, illustration, writing or gentle modifying.The place it falls in need of the MacBook Professional: Whenever you want severe muscle for duties like advanced video modifying, 3D rendering or massive Photoshop composites, this laptop computer will lag behind the MacBook Professional. Additionally, its battery life is okay however not epic, and macOS nonetheless has higher polish and longevity for artistic workflows. Nonetheless, for below a grand, it’s the most effective worth artistic laptop computer round.Learn extra: Honor MagicBook Professional 14 reviewThe greatest MacBook Professional various with a touchscreenImage 1 of 6(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Future/Ian Evenden)(Picture credit score: Microsoft )The most effective MacBook Professional various with a touchscreenSpecificationsCPU, NPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12-core), Qualcomm Hexagon (45TOPS)GPU: Adreno built-in (4.6TFLOPS)RAM: 32GB LPDDR5xScreen: 15in, 2496 x 1664 decision, 120Hz refresh rateStorage: 1TB SSD, MicroSDReasons to purchase+Touchscreen and pen help+Slim, elegant construct +Snappy and lightweightReasons to avoid-No discrete GPU-Restricted ports-Battery life trails Apple’s M-seriesPrice: The official value of Floor Laptop computer 7 lands round £1,329 / $1,599, making it barely cheaper within the UK, however on par within the US with the MacBook Professional 14″ M4 (£1,599 / $1,599). Third-party retailers have it less expensive although: simply $919.75 / £999 on Amazon at time of writing.The place it beats the MacBook Professional: That is the closest factor to a MacBook designed by Microsoft: minimalist, fantastically made, and quick. The distinction? You’ll be able to truly contact the display screen. The tall 3:2 ratio is gorgeous for modifying, writing and shopping, and the show’s accuracy makes it nice for photographers and designers. In brief, it looks like a MacBook that lastly acknowledges your fingers.The place it falls in need of the MacBook Professional: Efficiency-wise, that is extra MacBook Air than MacBook Professional. With out discrete graphics, it gained’t sustain with high-end artistic workloads, and battery life, whereas good, can’t match the all-day stamina of Apple’s silicon. For many creatives, although, it’s greater than sufficient, and that touchscreen makes it genuinely enjoyable to make use of.Learn extra: Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 7 reviewThe greatest MacBook Professional various for drawingImage 1 of 8(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)(Picture credit score: Microsoft)(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)(Picture credit score: Paul Hatton)The most effective MacBook Professional various for drawingSpecificationsCPU, NPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12-core), Qualcomm Hexagon (45TOPS)GPU: Adreno built-in (4.6TFLOPS)RAM: 32GB LPDDR5xScreen: 15in, 2496 x 1664 decision, 120Hz refresh rateStorage: 1TB SSD, MicroSDReasons to purchase+Ingenious folding hinge+Beautiful 120 Hz touchscreen +Floor Pen supportReasons to avoid-A bit heavy for travel-Restricted ports -Battery life dips below pressurePrice: The Floor Laptop computer Studio 2 begins round £1,949 / $1,999 for the RTX 4050 configuration. That’s barely above the MacBook Professional 14″ M4 base mannequin, which begins at £1,599 / $1,599, however Apple’s costs shoot previous £2,400 / $2,400 when you add extra RAM or SSD. So whereas the Studio 2 isn’t low cost, it undercuts an equivalently highly effective MacBook Professional setup by a whole lot.The place it beats the MacBook Professional: That is the laptop computer Apple refuses to make. The Studio 2’s tilting touchscreen turns it from laptop computer to sketchbook in a single transfer, and with pen help it’s an illustrator’s dream. Our reviewer referred to as it “fantastically engineered,” and that 120 Hz display screen makes drawing and retouching silky easy. In brief, it’s a correct hybrid; best for designers and artists who prefer to work hands-on moderately than mouse-first.The place it falls in need of the MacBook Professional: Battery life and thermal effectivity nonetheless favour Apple. The M4 MacBook Professional runs cooler and lasts far longer below load. And whereas Home windows has improved its artistic ecosystem, macOS nonetheless feels tighter and smoother for manufacturing work. The Studio 2 is an inspiring machine; simply don’t stray too removed from an influence socket throughout lengthy edits.Learn extra: Microsoft Floor Laptop computer Studio 2 reviewRound up of as we speak’s greatest offers