Affordable MacBook Pro Alternatives To Consider

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Are you on the market for a new laptop? Looking for something with power, stamina, plenty of storage, and sleek design? Intrigued by a MacBook Pro but can’t justify the price tag? We don’t blame you. 

With prices on food, gas, housing, and everything in between increasing in 2022, now is probably not the best time to drop thousands of dollars on a top-of-the-line Apple laptop. Instead, consider an affordable MacBook Pro alternative. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s our guide to the most worthy MacBook Pro alternatives.

What does a MacBook Pro Offer?

If you want a laptop that compares to a MacBook Pro, let’s break down what the MacBook Pro offers in terms of power, battery life, and other features. Here’s the breakdown depending on the model you want.

• Size: Available in 13-, 14-, or 16-inch screens
• Processor: M1, M1 Pro, or M1 Max processors
• RAM: 8GB or 16GB RAM
• Storage: 2T or 8T of storage
• Weight: 3, 3.5, or 4.7 pounds
• Battery: 17-, 20-, or 21-hour battery life

What are the best MacBook Pro alternatives?

Many consumers like the MacBook Pro for its powerful processor, vivid color display, sleek design, long battery life, and ample storage. The only downfall is its hefty price tag, starting at $1,299 for the 13-inch model and $1,999 for a 14-inch model. If you want a bigger screen at 16-inches, you can expect to pay at least $2,499.

If that doesn’t quite fit in your budget for a new laptop, don’t worry. There are several MacBook pro alternatives including a few under $1,000 that offer comparable features to the sought-after MacBook Pro. 

1. Dell Inspiron 5410

With a price tag coming in several hundred dollars less than the cheapest MacBook Pro model, you get a lightweight, portable device that also doubles as a tablet. For the price, you get a solid-performing 2-in-1 that can get most computing tasks done just fine. If you’re used to working in Windows, the Dell Inspiron 5410 is the closest model to a MacBook Pro 13-inch model you can get at a cheaper price.

• 14-inch screen
• Intel Core i7 processor
• Windows 10 operating system
• 2-in-1 capability
• 16GB or 32GB RAM
• 512GB or 1T SSD
• 3.17 pounds
• 7-hour battery life

2. HP Spectre x360

Although this alternative comes in at just over $1,000, it’s a worthy competitor to the MacBook Pro. The HP Spectre x360 offers ample storage, battery life, and 2-in-1 capability that doubles as a touchscreen tablet while providing ultimate portability. It may not be the powerhouse of a MacBook Pro, but you’ll get a beautiful, versatile laptop that will still perform great for day-to-day tasks.

• 13-inch touchscreen
• Intel Core i5 processor
• Windows 10 operating system
• 2-in-1 capability
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• 2.86 pounds
• 12.5-hour battery life

3. Apple MacBook Air

You may not want to invest in a MacBook Pro, but what about a MacBook Air? If you prefer working on Macs and you still want the quality of an Apple computer, a MacBook Air provides the same processor, which can handle a lot of photo and video editing.  The main difference is that the MacBook Air is designed to be more compact and lightweight, which means less memory and power compared to the Pro. If you don’t need that extra juice, the MacBook Air will serve just fine for your everyday needs at a much lower price.

• 13-inch screen
• M1 processor
• macOS operating system
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB or 512GB SSD
• 2.8 pounds
• 18-hour battery life

4. Asus ZenBook 13 OLED UM325

The ASUS ZenBook 13 OLED UM325 is a thin and lightweight laptop that is just as powerful as it is beautiful. You get a stunning display with its 13-inch OLED screen, incredible battery life of up to 16 hours, and military-grade durability for those who are a little more clumsy than others. The ASUS Zenbook 13 is a worthy alternative to the MacBook that combines portability, a modern design, and impressive processing power into one device, all for less than $1,000.

• 13-inch OLED screen
• AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor
• Windows 10 or 11 operating system
• Up to 16GB RAM
• Up to 1TB PCIe SSD
• Large trackpad with integrated, illuminated numeric pad
• 2.45 pounds
• 16-hour battery life

5. HP Envy x360 13

When looking for a two-in-one alternative to the MacBook Pro, the HP Envy x360 13 is a great choice for its high-performance 11th Gen i5 processor and high-definition screen. What’s more eye-turning is the crisp visuals for gaming with its Iris Xe graphics card. Whether you’re watching a movie, gaming, or doing simple internet surfing, you’ll be more than impressed with its capabilities.

• 13-inch IPS touchscreen
• Fingerprint reader
• AMD Ryzen 5 4500U or Intel 11th generation Core processor
• Windows 11 operating system
• 8GB memory
• 256GB PCIe SSD
• 2.9 pounds
• 10-hour battery life

6. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

Do you mainly use your computer for editing photos? This alternative may be your best bet. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 offers a rich color display and a solid processor that works seamlessly for those looking to edit media. At well under $1,000 you get a lot of bang for your buck if you’re looking for an everyday laptop that can handle your most basic tasks.

• 13.5-inch touchscreen
• AMD Ryzen 5, AMD Ryzen 7, Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
• Windows 10 operating system
• 8GB or 16GB RAM
• 128GB or 256GB SSD
• 2.79 pounds
• 11.5-hour battery life

7. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook

At under $600, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook is the cheapest of the alternative options we’re recommending, but it still provides some great features. Although it offers smaller memory and storage space than the MacBook Pro, you still get a responsive, versatile device that can handle your work and play tasks. If you have no need for additional storage, this is an extremely budget-friendly option.

• 13-inch touchscreen
• 2-in-1 option
• Intel Core i3 processor
• Chrome OS operating system
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB eMMC
• 3 pounds
• 11-hour battery life

Is it worth buying a MacBook Pro in 2022?

If it’s within your budget, Macs are generally worth the investment as they are well-built and offer solid performances even for basic models. After all, Macs typically last at least five years before a noticeable change in performance. If cared for properly, you can get up to 10 years out of them.

But if price is an issue, you can do just as well with other alternatives that still provide great performance and last you just as long.

Always Do Your Research for the Best Deals

Our best advice is to do your research, determine what you’re willing to spend, what you’re willing to compromise in terms of features if you choose a more affordable model, and whether a MacBook Pro is worth the investment or not. 

If you’re lucky, you may find a laptop deal on a pricier model that provides you with the power, stamina, and battery life you’re looking for in a higher-quality model at the same price. If you don’t need a new laptop right away, you can always wait to see what Black Friday deals pop up in November. Or, set a Deal Alert to get updates on when there is a sale on a laptop you want.