11 Best Macbook Air Alternatives For 2022

What are the best MacBook Air alternatives first?

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano, HP Pavilion Plus 14, HP Spectre x360 13.5, HP Envy 15 x360, HP Envy 16, HP Elite Dragonfly Max, HP Elite Dragonfly G3, Dell XPS 13 9310, ASUS ZenBook 13, LG Gram 16, and Razer Book 13.

The best MacBooks have starting prices that aren’t exactly low, but you’re getting a premium product from a renowned laptop manufacturer. The gadgets have a classy and sturdy design. What if, however, you decide against using MacOS? What if your preferred software is not supported by the Mac? This guide fills that need.

Let’s examine the top MacBook Air substitutes in this article.

Best Macbook Air Alternatives

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano

PROS

• Solid productivity performance
• Extremely light
• Good keyboard and touchpad
• Excellent battery life
• Very nice 16:10 display

CONS

• Bezels are a bit large

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Nano is the best choice for a portable replacement that provides the same high-end feel and performance as the MacBook. Since it has a 13-inch display, its thinness is comparable to that of the MacBook Air. In comparison to the 2.8 pounds of the MacBook Air, it weighs only 1.99 pounds, making it a very lightweight device. Moreover, images and videos look fantastic on the 2160 x 1350 display with Dolby Vision support.

In addition, it has Tiger-Lake Intel Core i5/i7 processors and comes standard with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Although it isn’t the best workstation, it should deliver reliable performance for regular or even PROSumer users.

Because it has the same keyboard as every other X1 product, the ThinkPad X1 Nano has a lot going for it. It’s exciting to see Lenovo’s X1 series in a thin and light design since it has consistently led this category. Compared to Apple’s Magic Keyboard, it has a deeper keyboard and offers a different feel that some typists find more comfortable. This means that anyone who sends a lot of emails, such as writers or journalists, should use this computer. You only need to consider the X1 Nano if typing is a crucial component of your experience. This model might be replaced on the list by the X1 Nano G2, a new model that will be released soon.

HP Pavilion Plus 14

PROS

• Spectacular 90Hz OLED display
• Class-leading build quality
• Excellent keyboard and touchpad
• Solid productivity performance
• Strong value at sale prices

CONS

• Review unit performance limited by throttling
• Poor battery life

The HP Pavilion Plus 14 is the best option for you if you’re looking for something with a MacBook’s high-end appearance and construction without paying the high price. When on sale, it costs $830 and has an all-aluminum chassis that is just as sturdy as laptops that cost much more.

Additionally, it has a 16:10 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED display that runs at 90Hz and a 45-watt 12th generation Intel Core i7-12700H processor. In a laptop that frequently costs less than $1,000, those are impressive components. In addition to having a great touchpad and keyboard, this device has USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI ports.

In a laptop that is stylish and well-made, you can get a better display and performance that is comparable to the equivalent MacBook for less money. Consequently, it is a strong rival to the MacBook.

HP Spectre X360 13.5

PROS

• Elegant aesthetic
• Excellent productivity performance
• Rock-solid build
• Superior keyboard and touchpad
• Stunning OLED display
• Surprisingly good battery life

CONS

• Creativity performance is lacking
• Slightly expensive

The most recent model of HP’s premium convertible 2-in-1s has reclaimed its position at the top of numerous best-of lists. The Spectre x360 13.5 maintains the predecessor’s sturdy construction, superb keyboard, and adaptable 2-in-1 features while sporting a toned-down gem-cut design that is rounder and more elegant.

The 13.5-inch, 3000 x 2000 OLED display is excellent, offering vibrant, accurate colors and extraordinarily deep blacks in a 3:2 aspect ratio that most closely resembles a piece of paper when used as a tablet in portrait mode. The Spectre x360 13.5 offers good productivity performance with Intel 12th-gen U-series CPUs and surprisingly long battery life for an OLED display.

The Spectre x360 13.5 offers a better display and a more adaptable design when compared to its closest MacBook rival, the MacBook Air M2. It is also just as well made.

HP Envy 15 X360

PROS

• Speedy eight-core Ryzen 7 CPU
• Classy, if bulky, design
• Function-packed keyboard

CONS

• No 4K screen option with AMD CPU
• Too heavy to hold in tablet mode

The HP Envy x360 is another excellent MacBook substitute. As long as you don’t mind the AMD version’s full-HD display (rather than 4K), HP’s Ryzen-based Envy x360 is a good option if you’re looking for a quick and affordable big-screen convertible. According to HP, the Envy line fills the void left by the Pavilion series’ lower price point and caters to creative customers. You can purchase an Envy x360 with an Intel or AMD processor, but Core i7-1165G7 machines are also available. These have a 4K AMOLED screen instead of a 1,920 by 1,080-pixel display and discrete Nvidia GeForce MX450 graphics instead of integrated graphics. This laptop boasts a sophisticated aesthetic in terms of design. Its keyboard also has a ton of features, but using this laptop has a few disadvantages. Ironically, one of them is the design. Unfortunately, compared to the majority of, it is a little bulky. Due to this, you should anticipate that it will be heavy as well, even when held in tablet mode. For some, this might be a little inconvenient. Last but not least, if you enjoy 4K streaming, it lacks a 4K screen option, which is obviously a huge letdown.

HP Envy 16

PROS

• Intel 12th-gen 45-watt CPU
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• Solid build quality
• Excellent keyboard and touchpad
• 16:10 WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS display at 120Hz

CONS

• A bit large and heavy

The top-of-the-line products from Dell and Apple have always been rivaled by HP’s Envy series, though they are typically a little less expensive. The HP Envy 16 is the same way. Users can save money with this sleek-looking, highly powerful device without compromising on quality or performance.

For an additional $1,750, you can add a GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card and a quick 45-watt Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, which will significantly increase power for creatives. In addition to being more enjoyable than relying solely on the processor, it is still less expensive than the XPS 15 and MacBook Pro 16.

Along with being a little chunkier than the competition, the Envy 16 offers better connectivity. Two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, a microSD card reader, and an HDMI port are all included on the Envy 15.

In spite of all of that, the HP Envy 16 offers a lot more for a sizable discount.

HP Elite Dragonfly Max

PROS

• Sure View Reflect screen
• Beautiful design
• Robust port selection

CONS

• Doesn’t ship with a pen
• Expensive

The Elite Dragonfly Max, another excellent alternative to the MacBook, is made by HP. Although it costs an additional $1,000, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max ultraportable laptop has an alluring combination of 5G, a 5-megapixel webcam, and a security screen that deters nosy seatmates. The Max will surprise you even more if you are familiar with the Elite Dragonfly G2. The Max only has a 1080p touch panel with HP’s Sure View Reflect, which makes the display opaque to anyone who is not directly in front of it with a touch of the F2 key, while the Elite Dragonfly G2 has a choice of 1080p or 4K resolution displays. The backgrounds are lovely and white in standard mode, and the colors are vibrant but not particularly vivid. The contrast is good, and the details are clear. Although the privacy technology appears to absorb about 700 of the claimed 1,000 nits of brightness and reduces viewing angles to a small portion of what they are on modern IPS panels, this isn’t a problem because, unlike the MacBook, this laptop can provide you with a wide range of ports. But the HP Elite Dragonfly Max is also on the priciest end of the spectrum.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3

PROS

• Solid build quality
• Attractive aesthetic
• Business-class security and privacy
• Intel 12th-gen CPUs with vPro
• 13.5-inch 3:2 WUXGA+ IPS display

CONS

• Expensive

In large part because of its opulent design and LTE connectivity, the original HP Elite Dragonfly was our favorite business computer in 2020. By introducing the Elite Dragonfly G3, a clamshell laptop that converts from a 2-in-1 to a traditional laptop format, HP has raised the bar this year.

Along with strong productivity performance, the Elite Dragonfly G3 offers Intel 12th-gen CPUs with vPro, enabled enterprise-level security, and management. The option for the 13.5-inch 3:2 WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280) Sure View privacy screen on this configuration provides the highest level of privacy by obstructing information from onlookers.

Excellent videoconferencing capabilities are provided by the 5MP webcam, and there is a great port selection. With Thunderbolt 4, you get two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and a full-size HDMI 2.0 port. Overall, compared to MacBooks, the Elite Dragonfly G3 is a better business option.

Dell XPS 13

PROS

• Streamlined design
• Tiny bezels all around
• 16:10 display adds to productivity
• Keyboard and touchpad are larger and excellent
• Solid productivity performance

CONS

• Connectivity is limited
• Battery life has been downgraded

The Dell XPS 13 (11th Gen) has strengthened its position as the best Windows Ultrabook currently available by switching to Intel’s Tiger Lake CPUs, making it more potent and battery-efficient than its predecessor. If you were tempted to purchase an XPS 13 earlier this year following its significant redesign (model 9300), it’s a good thing you held off. With the addition of Intel’s most recent chip, you can now enjoy all the features of the new laptop that we like. Tiger Lake processors are used in the new XPS 13 in place of Intel’s 10th Generation “Ice Lake” processors. The XPS 13 has always relied on integrated graphics rather than a separate GPU, but this edition now has the most recent Iris Xe technology from Intel, which replaces the Iris Plus graphics of the previous model. This laptop is praised for its slick design in terms of aesthetics. This is the one for you if you enjoy the MacBook’s aesthetic. The XPS 13 is an excellent ultraportable laptop with state-of-the-art computing hardware housed in a gorgeously designed and solidly constructed chassis. These are impressive accomplishments, even in the crowded market for premium ultraportable laptops. Apart from the different operating systems, it can be argued that the XPS 13 is currently a better option than the MacBook Pro for the majority of users because the latter is powered by outdated chips.

Asus Zenbook 13

PROS

• Gorgeous OLED display
• Decent CPU performance
• Phenomenal battery life

CONS

• No headphone jack
• Radeon graphics underperform

The Asus ZenBook 13 is for you if you think that a high-end laptop doesn’t have to be expensive. This $749 laptop, also known as the ZenBook 13 UX333FA, features a potent 8th Gen Core i5 processor, an absurdly long battery life, and a gorgeous casing. Compared to devices like the Dell XPS 13, this is hundreds cheaper. Other drawbacks do exist, though. Despite this, the ZenBook 13 is a reliable laptop with a fair price. Like many other high-end laptops, the ZenBook 13 is available in a variety of configurations, each of which is identified by an obscure model number. The most recent models, which go on sale this spring, will have OLED displays and the most recent AMD or Intel processors. There are additional configurations with Core i5, Core i7, and Ryzen 5 CPUs, as well as various memory and storage capacities. A recent test involved an Intel model using one of the newest “Tiger Lake” processors. With this, you can anticipate a respectable CPU performance. Its impressive battery life is praised by many users, and this feature makes it ideal for times when you need to use your laptop for a lot of work. However, since this laptop lacks a headphone jack, it might not be the best choice for you if your job requires you to participate in meetings or work with audio files.

LG Gram 16

PROS

• Has a giant screen but is very light
• Sleek design
• Looks slim on the outside

CONS

• No touchscreen
• Offers no configuration options

The Gram laptops from LG are unique in one way only. The more substantial they are, the more they stand out from the competition despite being made to be light. Never before has the argument been more compelling for purchasing a laptop with a large screen. The LG Gram 17 is the opening exhibit, featuring a stunning 17-inch QHD display. This laptop is prepared for 2022 with an Intel Core i7 processor from the 11th generation, an updated keyboard and touchpad, and a sophisticated black finish. It’s undoubtedly the best 17-inch laptop you can get if you’re neither a gamer nor a creator of multimedia content. Except for an incredible screen and a weight that seemed to defy gravity, LG’s original ultraportable didn’t have much to distinguish it from other devices. But a brand-new model for 2021 replaced the dreadful 2019 version. The sleek design and gorgeous QHD screen are still present, but LG has placed more emphasis on the rest of the user experience. This results in a more attractive laptop with the most up-to-date hardware from Intel and a long battery life, as well as a better keyboard and touchpad. From the outside, the Gram 17 doesn’t seem to be very big. The display lid’s thin-font Gram logo is embossed in silver, and the lid’s remaining expanse is made entirely of black magnesium alloy. It looks a lot better than the drab shell of the Gram 17 model, which had curled edges. It lacks touchscreen options, though, in contrast to other MacBook alternatives. There are no configuration options available either.

Razer Book 13

PROS

• Perfect port selection
• Fantastic design and build quality
• Performance is impressive
• Lovely 16:10 display

CONS

• Limited configurations
• Battery life isn’t great

For years, Razer has produced high-quality gaming laptops, but despite the quality of their Stealth notebooks, they weren’t really MacBook alternatives with a productivity focus. The Razer Book 13, a laptop designed to compete with high-end notebooks like the MacBook, is now available.

The Razer Book, unlike the majority of their products, forgoes a discrete graphics card in favor of thinness and portability. The Razer Book has an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and up to 14 hours of battery life. It has the same battery life and performance as the most recent MacBooks thanks to this, but the Razer Book outperforms Apple’s laptop in terms of ports. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader are all included with the Razer Book.

Theater Book 13 is a compelling choice if you love Razer but want something that is more focused on productivity.

Features For The Best Macbook Alternatives

If you want a laptop that can be used as a substitute for the MacBook Air, keep the following things in mind.

Battery Life

Running your laptop on its battery charge has an impact on the battery’s condition. Every laptop battery has a set maximum number of charge cycles before deterioration occurs. Still, a laptop battery will eventually run out of power no matter how powerful it is. You can use your laptop for a longer period of time by selecting one with a long battery life.

For the MacBook Air M1 and M2 on a single charge, Apple boasts an unusually long battery life. Whether or not that is the case, you should always look for a laptop with a strong battery before you buy. A single charge can power some laptops, such as the HP Spectre x360 and the Lenovo Thinkpad x1 nano, for more than six hours.

Screen/Display

A good laptop display offers a more favorable working environment. The most recent MacBook Air (M2) from Apple has a 13.6-inch IPS liquid retina display with a 2560 by 1664 native resolution and 224 pixels per inch. Working on the M2 will be a premium experience thanks to its 500 nits brightness and support for Apple’s Wide Color (P3), True Tone technology.

The Air alternatives listed below, in contrast, offer the same functionality in addition to a sharp, responsive wide touch screen. You may find it advantageous to wait for Apple to adopt touch display technology for PCs. Other MacBook Air alternatives combine the touch screen technology with an OLED display that has more pixels per inch and a wider viewing angle.

The most expensive Windows workstation laptops have 17-inch 4K screens. For animators or content creators, these systems combine a higher resolution, an OLED touch display, and pen features.

Despite this, you can choose from a wider range of screen sizes and displays among various Windows laptops.

Performance

The MacBook Air’s performance is impressive thanks to the Apple M2 chip, a significant improvement over the M1 chip’s single-core performance record. Some recent laptop generations, like the 12th generation, can, however, serve as excellent Air substitutes.

Select laptops with a distinctive GPU and the best Intel chips as MacBook alternatives.

Memory & Storage

A laptop’s internal specifications primarily revolve around its memory and storage capacities. To interpret the general storage rule, one does not necessarily have to be a “tech bro” or “woman in tech” Having more is always better!

A good laptop needs enough RAM to read and retrieve data for complex task processing. If your PC had more internal memory and storage capabilities, it would be simpler to manage and processes would multitask more quickly.

Furthermore, having enough RAM prevents overload-related system crashes and sporadic process crashes. Consider 8GB RAM as a possible compromise if you only need a MacBook replacement for basic computing needs. However, if you’re a professional, you shouldn’t even consider using a laptop with less than 16GB of RAM. Try to also choose laptops with higher storage space as well

Ports & Connectivity

Ports are the subsequent subject. With a few USB A ports, the average laptop user would be fine. This shouldn’t be said about professionals, especially those who frequently transfer large files. Thunderbolt and USB C ports are the de facto standard for slimmer, more recent laptop models. Professionals in the creative industries or designers favor these ports due to their notable data transfer speeds.

various USB-A, ethernet, and HDMI ports on numerous Windows laptops. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air only has 3 ports, so that cannot be said. These are the MagSafe-3-charging port, Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports,and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

As a result of the Air’s lack of variety in ports, your Windows laptop has an advantage. If you’re a photographer, keep an eye out for a laptop with these particular ports or even an SD card slot.

Overall Portability/Size

The MacBook Air laptops have an incredibly thin, light, and portable design that supports their feather-like weight. These laptops (M1 and M2) are the epitome of ultra-portability, weighing only 2.84 and 2.7 lbs, respectively. Fortunately, the Air can be compared to some other thin laptop options.

Trackpad And Keyboard Deck

The trackpad on Apple MacBook laptops is user-friendly, fluid, multifunctional, and multi-sensitive. In order to get the most out of your laptop, look for models with a simple trackpad. Particularly without a touch display, the best MacBook Air alternatives need to have a suitable trackpad and a comfortable keyboard.

Cost

Although the best Windows laptop also carries the pricey reputation, Apple computers have. In general, high-end technology is quite expensive, but in this instance, you could save a few hundred dollars.

Costs for the M1 and M2 models are $999 and $1,199 respectively. The best MacBook alternatives should cost about the same as that range, but a few hundred dollars less.

Frequently Asked Questions

The End

The MacBook Air is a superb laptop. However, it has some limitations, just like every other device. Despite the fact that many people adore the MacBook Air, the operating system’s differences from those of typical Windows laptops continue to irritate many people. Additionally, not everyone can afford to buy a MacBook Air. If you can get past that, can you afford the price of simple fixes?

A MacBook Air substitute is something to think about if you can’t afford one or would prefer to have a variety of options. We put together a list of the top laptop picks that might be of interest to you.

Finally, I want to thank you for reading.