There’s no laptop computer fairly just like the MacBook Pro proper now. No options on the Windows aspect can match the facility, effectivity, and battery life in a laptop computer of this dimension — and that’s not even mentioning the Pro’s premium options and design.
There are, nonetheless, a number of laptops that come shut, whereas undercutting it considerably in value. So, in the event you’re in search of a correct Windows various to the extra highly effective configurations of the MacBook Pro, and even only a cheaper laptop computer that may replicate a few of what the MacBook Pro can do, listed here are a number of stable choices to think about earlier than shelling out the money on a MacBook Pro.
HP Envy 16
The HP Envy 16 is among the cheaper laptops you should buy that may squeeze a ton energy underneath the hood. You can at present purchase a 2023 model of the Envy 16, which is the most recent mannequin, for $1,349 at Best Buy. Mind you, this comes with an RTX 4060, a Core i913900H, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. That’s fairly a robust piece of package for that value.
The design is pretty good too, with a silver steel chassis, an awesome keyboard and trackpad, and loads of ports. It’s lacking a full-size SD card slot, sadly, however the different ports you would possibly want are all out there, together with USB-A, which the MacBook Pro doesn’t have.
It’s barely thicker and heavier than the 16-inch MacBook Pro, weighing 6 kilos and measuring at 0.78 inches thick. You’re going to really feel that nearly complete further pound of weight whenever you carry this round. And, after all, the RTX 4060 is as excessive because the graphics go, which received’t get you near what the M3 Max can do. For the value, nonetheless, this could possibly be an awesome choice, particularly in the event you’re simply beginning out on the earth of content material creation.
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is available in each 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, and just like the HP Envy 16, it maxes out at an RTX 4060. The 14-inch mannequin, nonetheless, does a fairly job of emulating the 14-inch MacBook Pro, particularly the M3 Pro configuration. Unlike the Envy 16, the Slim Pro 9i is obtainable with an choice for a high-resolution, mini-LED display screen that does a great job of competing with the MacBook Pro’s glorious display screen. It doesn’t include each configuration just like the MacBook Pro does, however it’s additionally considerably cheaper.
The Slim Pro 9i additionally does a stable job of replicating the footprint and dimension of the MacBook Pro, practically matching it in thickness and weight. Again, being locked at an RTX 4060 means it might probably’t compete with the M3 Max, however the Slim Pro 9i is a good choice in order for you one thing cheaper that additionally comes with a implausible display screen.
Asus ProArtwork Studiobook 16
The Asus ProArtwork Studiobook 16 kicks up the efficiency from the earlier two choices, providing as much as an RTX 4070, which is a big bounce over the RTX 4060. It’s a bit robust to search out, nonetheless, because the RTX 4060 configuration is extra broadly out there. While the Studiobook 16 is a little more costly than the Envy 16 and Slim Pro 9i, it features a very spectacular 120Hz OLED display screen that will increase its worth. If you actually need to go loopy, there’s even a 3D model out there.
It ought to be famous that the Studiobook 16 is a bit chunkier than any of the opposite choices, coming in at 0.94 inches thick. It additionally has a thermal shelf on the again, making for a bigger footprint on the desk. In alternate, you get some nice efficiency, the aforementioned OLED display screen, and the distinctive Asus Dial, which might turn out to be useful for some functions and workflows.
Dell XPS 14
The Dell XPS 14 is the prettiest laptop computer on this listing, and it could be the one laptop computer that outdoes the MacBook Pro when it comes to design. Between the seamless haptic suggestions trackpad and the super-slick keyboard, the XPS 14 makes even the MacBook Pro look a bit outdated. The unbelievable OLED panel can also be a great rival to the MacBook Pro’s that provides touchscreen capabilities into the combination.
However, it might probably’t fairly compete with the MacBook Pro when it comes to efficiency, because it’s restricted to the RTX 4050 when it comes to graphics. It’s additionally pretty missing in ports, whereas going toe-to-toe when it comes to value. There’s additionally a bigger XPS 16 out there that provides higher efficiency with as much as an RTX 4060. We haven’t examined that one ourselves but, however it’s certain to be a serviceable various to the MacBook Pro, even when it might probably’t fairly compete towards the M3 Max.
I haven’t talked about battery life to date on this listing, and that’s as a result of none of those choices comes wherever near the MacBook Pro in that regard. Apple’s laptops practically double most of those in our battery checks, and that’s a facet of those machines that simply can’t be duplicated. The XPS 14, whereas providing respectable battery life contemplating the decision of the display screen, is not any totally different.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
There are loads of gaming laptops I might have included on this listing primarily based merely on uncooked efficiency. But when it comes to being a real MacBook Pro competitor, they didn’t actually make sense. Even choices just like the Razer Blade 16 or Alienware x16 that put design first have a tendency to stay out like a sore thumb in comparison with the opposite choices on this listing. However, the redesigned ROG Zephyrus G14 this 12 months has a really robust crossover enchantment that works for each players and creatives.
As far as having the ability to replicate the insane effectivity of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher choice. It matches the MacBook Pro when it comes to a premium construct, because it’s adopted an all-aluminum chassis this time round. It’s additionally dramatically elevated the dimensions of the touchpad, whereas lowering the thickness and weight of the general laptop computer. It’s now proper across the dimension of the MacBook Pro.
The new G14 additionally provides an unbelievable 120Hz OLED panel, whereas permitting for configurations of as much as an RTX 4070. In phrases of efficiency, that makes this the perfect general various to the MacBook Pro M3 Max. If you go for the bigger ROG G16, you’ll even get an choice for the RTX 4080. It’s as near the whole package deal that we’ve for a real various to the MacBook Pro proper now.
Editors’ Recommendations
