As much as people love Apple’s Macbook Pro laptops, their cost is something that refrains people from buying it. And not only cost, but some people don’t understand MacOS that much, and given the fact that there are certain limitations to Macbooks, people turn towards Windows laptops. Factors like high performance, incredible battery, swift keyboards, and amazing design are what make Macbook Pros desirable. And if you are looking for something the same but at a reasonable rate, there are Windows laptops available that can take care of your needs.
With that in mind, we have created this post where we discuss the top five cheaper alternatives to Macbook Pro laptops.
Let’s get started.
#1 HP Spectre X360
When HP launched the Spectre X360 in 2019, it created a lot of hype, especially because it was compared to the mighty Apple Macbook Pro laptops. Similar to Macbook Pros, Spectre X360 comes in different screen sizes of 13 inches and 15 inches. And the best part is that they are relatively cheaper than Macbook Pro laptops.
HP Spectre X360 sports premium aluminum design and has its unique style. The dark ash silver color of Spectre X360 breaks the common color palette of numerous premium notebooks, and on top of that, it also adds a sleek copper luxe accent. Talking more about the design of HP Spectre X360, its body has sharp, diamond-cut edges that make the notebook stand out from Macbook Pro’s curved, soft corners. Furthermore, the notebook has an edge on color, and its side bezels are slightly slimmer.
HP Spectre X360 is a 2-in-1 touchscreen notebook and also comes with a stylus. This is the alternative for the Touch Bar that Macbook Pro offers. However, it is slightly heavier than the Macbook Pro.
Coming down to the ports, HP Spectre X360 features one HDMI port, one USB Type-A port, a microSD card slot, a headphone jack, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. This is a lot more than what you get in Macbook Pro. And when it comes to display, Spectre X360 boasts an OLED panel that looks more rich and bold.
The most notable feature of Spectre X360 is its keyboard. The keyboard features punchier feedback, deeper travel, and a full-size number pad. Last but not least, HP Spectre X360 is powered by the Intel Core i7-8565U processor that doesn’t match up with what Macbook Pro has to offer. But still, it is a great cheaper alternative.
#2 Razer Blade Stealth
If you really like Macbook Pro for its classic featureless-slab aesthetics, Razer Blade Stealth might prove to be a good cheap alternative that boasts similar design. Razer Blade Stealth sports a sleek, aluminum body that is attractive. Its weight and size are identical to Macbook Pro 13. While it has thick bezels, it is far slimmer on the sides, making it more visually appealing.
In terms of connectivity, Razer Blade Stealth includes a single Thunderbolt 3 Port, along with a USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 port and a pair of USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports. The most notable aspect of Razer Blade Stealth is its keyboard. The RGB backlit keyboard is a fantastic addition to the notebook that delivers optimum performance.
Its internal hardware is also impressive. The entry-level model of Razer Blade Stealth incorporates an 8th-gen quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 620 UHD graphics onboard. It is available in 16GB RAM and 256GM SSD variant, with a 1080p display. If you want to use this notebook for gaming and designing purposes, there is an option for an external graphic card as well. Using its Core v2 graphics enclosure, you can attach the external graphics card.
The high-end model of Razer Blade Stealth boasts 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. What’s impressive is that it comes with a 10th-gen quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and 4K display. On top of that, the laptop also includes a discrete Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics card.
Razer Blade Stealth is a far more compelling option if you are under budget and want similar and more functionalities than Macbook Pro.
#3 Dell XPS 13
Dell XPS 13 is one of the favorites among the consumers as it is not only the cheapest alternative to Macbook Pro, but you also get some fine features with it. To start with, Dell XPS 13 is an ultraportable laptop that boasts a sleek and stylish design and is crazy powerful.
After a lot of considerations, Dell has made some much-needed changes. For starters, it has finally shrunk down the chunky border for a near-bezel-less design. And the best part is that you get 12 hours of battery life.
And what’s surprising is that Dell XPS 13 weighs only 2.8 pounds, which is lighter as compared to Macbook Pro that weighs 3.1 pounds. The base model of Dell XPS 13 features 8GB RAM and 256GB internal memory with a 1GHZ Intel Core i5 processor. The 13.4-inch display has a 1920×1200 resolution.
The mid-tier model of XPS 13 has the same specs when it comes to RAM and internal storage. However, performance-wise, it uses a 1.3GHz Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Iris Plus GPU. And it comes with a 3840×2400 display panel.
The high-end model of Dell XPS 13 is pretty much the same as the mid-tier model. The only difference is that it comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. Dell XPS 13 sports a keyboard with larger keycaps, a bigger touchpad, and incredibly slim bezels. Most importantly, the Frost-White anodized aluminum finish makes Dell XPS 13 incredibly chic. When you open the lid, you get to enjoy the patented Arctic White glass-fiber weave. Nevertheless, the all-aluminum chassis is soft to touch and easy to clean.
Overall, Dell XPS 13 is a good alternative to Macbook Pro. You get all the necessary features you want for any type of work or entertainment purposes.
#4 Lenovo Yoga C940
The next Windows laptop in this list is Lenovo Yoga C940, a 2-in-1 notebook with a touchscreen. Slick design, vibrant display, and powerful PC performance are what make Lenovo Yoga C940 a cheap yet great alternative to Apple’s Macbook Pro. Yoga C940 looks sharp and has a bright display. You can flip the touchscreen into a tablet and work on the go. It also comes with a stylus for sketching and writing.
What’s unique is that it sports a full-sized USB-A port, complementing its two USB Type-C connections. The best part is that Yoga C940 can be fitted in a number of pads without cramping up its keyboard.
When it comes to its design, screen backlighting is one unique aspect that you will not see in many Windows laptops. And the audio quality is also decent. It comes in a 15.6-inch display and is powered by Intel Core 9th generation i7 processor. For gaming and designing enthusiasts, it sports Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics that guarantees seamless action. The larger screen, powerful processor, quality graphics, 16GB RAM, and 512GB internal memory make Lenovo Yoga C940 a beastly desktop replacement.
The all-aluminum body with flat sides and sharp edges gives it a futuristic look. While the squared-off edges give Lenovo Yoga C940 a hefty look, it is fairly light and thin for a notebook with discrete graphics. The rotating hinge doubles as a speaker, and the top bezel extends upward, leaving extra room for the webcam. This smart design approach makes Lenovo Yoga C940 an acceptable trade-off against Macbook Pro.
In practical terms, Lenovo Yoga C940 is a good investment if you are looking for a powerful laptop that you can use while on the go.
#5 Microsoft Surface Book
The last in our list is the Microsoft Surface Book, which is an ultimate tablet/laptop combo. Microsoft Surface Book is a performance-based laptop designed for heavy work. Microsoft has redesigned its Nvidia graphics chip in the keyboard base. You are sure to get improved graphics and longer battery life.
There are three versions of Microsoft Surface Book laptop, and its top-of-the-line variant is every designer’s dream because of its overall performance. It is powered by Intel Core i7 dual-core processor and comes with 16GB RAM and 1 TB internal memory. The 13-inch IPS touchscreen display goes well with both your fingers and the stylus. What’s interesting about Microsoft Surface Book is the Nvidia GTX 965M graphics with 2GB GDDR5 memory. It will surely make things interesting for you.
Microsoft Surface Book is perfect for most demanding jobs like video editing, coding, designing, and more. The keyboard is designed in a way that it makes sure that your wrists aren’t strained when doing typing work. The buttery soft buttons are nice to touch and give a much-needed depth.
It has a battery life of up to 8 hours. However, it may vary based on the tasks you are performing. Its design and features are sure to give Macbook Pro a head-to-head battle. Both Macbook Pro and Surface Book boast a professional look, but Microsoft Surface Book can give you all the necessary features at a reduced cost.
Conclusion
While there are other laptops as well that fit this category but these five are the best. You should do your own research and, based on your requirements and budget, decide what laptop you should buy.
