Best MacBook alternatives for 2021: great Mac replacements

published 25 January 2021

Everyone wants a MacBook, right? We wouldn’t say no to one but then you look at the price. And realise their keyboards are thinner and crispier than an After Eight mint (well, the older models are). Oh, and you’ll probably have to carry around a big adapter if you dare to use your old mouse.

Suddenly Apple MacBooks don’t look quite so rosy and the best MacBook alternatives is now what you are really after.

UPDATE: We have spent time with the Huawei Matebook 14 2020 and it is a stunning laptop, more than worthy of being in our best MacBook alternatives guide.

Let’s level with you: we still love MacBooks. But Windows alternatives are often a better buy, particularly if you want a chunky-feel keyboard or are out to spend less money.

Here we've tested and selected some of the finest MacBook alternatives around, ones that match the MacBook for price and specs, albeit with a Windows spin to things.

Here are today’s top options. Upvote the one you’d buy if we put a grand in your pocket.

Best MacBook alternatives

to its fantastic CPU performance, you won't want for a more power or better battery from the thing. Looks-wise it's a delight, too. The aluminium alloy chassis is super sleek and we love the slightly boxier display. It does take a little getting used to, if you have been working solely on a 16:9 display but it's certainly an improvement. If you have an Huawei phone, then the Huawei Share tag functionality works well. Having an HDMI slot is welcomed. Security wise, the fingerprint scanner is a great addition and we had no qualms with the all-day battery in our tests. The Huawei MateBook 14 2020 is a brilliant laptop all round.

If you're looking for a MacBook alternative because you have a tight budget, this isn't the laptop for you – it's around the same price as Apple products. But if you're hunting for a new laptop that doesn't have an apple stamped on it for other reasons, then it's worth spending some time with the new Microsoft Surface 3 laptop.The latest in Microsoft's Surface range, the laptop has a slim and stylish look and it's available in 13.5” and new 15” touchscreens. It has improved speed and performance (thanks to a Intel’s latest 10th-generation Core i5 or Core i7 processors), as well as better battery life over previous Surface laptops.