Best Macbook Pro Alternatives for Graphic Design in 2022

Which MacBook Pro Alternative Should You Buy? The Macbook Pro is one of the best industry-standard laptops for Graphic design.  Its reputation since its launch has been outstanding with a sleek and fantastic design and build. Additionally, it is mighty and reliable thanks to its high-end features.

A desktop graphic design computer is the most popular choice for most designers. However, if you prefer a windows operating system, there are some excellent and powerful Macbook Pro Alternatives you can opt for.

The Best MacBook Pro Alternatives for 2022

1. Dell XPS 15 (2020) Best Macbook Pro Alternatives
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 The best from Windows
3. Asus VivoBook S15 is the best budget
4. Dell XPS 13 best MacBook Air alternative
5. HP Envy 15 The best value for money
6. HP Spectre x360 14 The best 2-in-1 MacBook Pro alternative
7. LG Gram 16 MacBook Pro alternative with the best Battery life
8. Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502 Most Powerful
9. HP Elite Dragonfly Max best professional MacBook Pro alternative

Dell XPS 15 (2020): Best MacBook Pro Alternatives

Best Macbook Pro Alternatives

Dell XPS 15 Specifications

• Processor: Core i5 – i7
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
• RAM: 8GB – 64GB
• Screen: 15.6″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 15.6″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
• Storage: 256GB – 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Body Build and Screen

After years of Dell creating the same design for their laptops, the Dell XPS 15 is created with an exceptional design. It not only boasts of the stylish overall design but also the sleek, slim body, rivaled only by the Macbook Pro.

The sleek design syncs with the soft touch keyboard, giving users an incredible experience as they type on the Laptop. The keypad is 62% larger compared to their previous laptop designs. This guarantees minimal to no hand fatigue when using.

With the keyboard, you can instantly scroll, zoom in or out, and switch between apps by using finger gesture controls. The body-to-screen ratio is at 92%. This is made possible by thin bezels that ensure easy portability of the laptop.

Screen and Resolution

The DELL XPS 15 laptop guarantees a 16: 10 aspect ratio for the display compared to previous versions offering an aspect ratio of 16:9. Combining these modern features and a bigger display size ensures content is far more precise and crisp. This makes it a perfect alternative to a Macbook Pro.

With many screens at your disposal with full HD of 1,920-by-1,200-pixel, you can apply split screen mode switching from watching and working to playing for hours.  On the flip side, it lacks a touchscreen option.

Performance

The DELL XPS 15 offers excellent performance for any graphic designer level. First, it is packed with a 10th Generation Core i7 processor, with a core i5 alternative. Both these 2 processors are more than what you need to run any graphic design application without issues.

DELL XPS 15 is also supported by a large 32 GB RAM and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX Graphics card. These allow you to run different tasks simultaneously without problems.

Storage

As a graphic designer or artist, anywhere from 512 GB is enough. In our review of the best computer for graphic design, we explained the difference between HDD and SSD memory types. SDD is better. The DELL XPS15 comes with 256 GB to 2 TB storage space plus an additional SD card slot you can use to boost your storage.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

The best Windows MacBook Pro alternative

• Display: 15 Inches PixelDisplay
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB
• CPU: Quad Core Intel Gen 11th Core i7
• Storage: 256GB SSD, 512GB SSD, 1TB SSD
• Graphics: AMD RYZEN

Microsoft continues to be the closest competitor and the best alternative to non-iMac fans. This Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 has a lot in common with the Macbook Pro, and it is undeniably a powerful laptop that can be matched with Macbook Pro.

Buying a Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 gives you loads of flexibility as far as customization is concerned. You can continually expand the storage and RAM and even customize the processor.

Now on the performance, Macbook Pros were created for creative works; power should not be compromised for such tasks. For that reason, Apple features M1 Max and M1 Processors.

On the other hand, Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 might not handle creative work efficiently because it was mainly created for office and classwork. However, this doesn’t mean that Surface Laptop 4 isn’t a good alternative.

With the Ryzen Graphics and the processors, there is a lot you can accomplish with Surface Laptop 4. The XE Graphics can enable you to perform some video editing, but don’t expect the same performance you get from a Macbook Pro.

The display of Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 comes in 15 inches, big enough to give you a better view. We love how portable the laptop is, lighter than the Macbook Pro, making it a better option for users looking for portability.

Asus VivoBook S15

Best Budget MacBook Pro alternative

• Display: 15.6-Inch ( 1920×1080)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• GPU: Intel UHD Graphics

If you’re searching for a budget-friendly alternative to the Macbook Pro, then the Asus Vvobook S15 might be the best pick. Although the laptop has nothing on Macbook Pro, it is a good one with an average performance.

Starting with the design, the Asus Vivobook has an incredibly stylish design, including all-rounded speakers.

The performance of the Asus isn’t bad, but it doesn’t do much when it comes to creative works. We tried opening multiple Google Chrome tabs, up to 80 tabs, and still managed to play an ultra-high HD video on Youtube.

Under the slim design, you get an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM that manages to run the Google Chrome tabs effortlessly.

Although we might call this laptop an average performer compared to Macbook Pro, it still beats heaps of laptops in the market regarding its performance.

We tried to test the laptop against Yoga and c740, and we noted that Asus Vivobook S15 did better regarding video transcoding and data transfers.

After the tests, we noted that the Vivobook battery went down after about eight hours which isn’t bad.

 Dell XPS 13 OLED

Best MacBook Air alternative

• CPU: 11th Generation Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 32GB
• Screen: 13.4″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 13.4″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
• Storage:  2TB

Build Design

If you want a laptop that gives you top-notch performance and you’re not a Mac OS fan, then this Dell XPS 13 Oled laptop might be a great pick. This laptop’s sleek design makes it ultra-portable perfect for someone who works remotely.

A bulky laptop is a thing of the past, and thankfully, this Dell XPS 9310 just weighs 1.27KG. The chassis of this Dell laptop is silver in color, just like most Macbook pros.

Display

This Dell XPS 13 laptop has one of the most stylish displays in the market, and thus it has loads of advantages over most of its competitors. With a borderless display and slim bezels, this laptop is irresistible.

The laptop has a 91.5% screen-to-body ratio, so you can imagine how stylish this piece of beauty looks.

Below the display, you will find a tiny 720p webcam, but we feel the placement wasn’t a good idea. Imagine having a meeting, and the camera is just below your nose. Dell could have done better.

The display comes at 300% zoom, and Windows 10 is set to a dark theme which helps extend your battery life. The zoom makes icons appear too large and might not appeal to everyone.

This Oled screen offers 400 nits of brightness, a bit lower than IPS displays with 500 nits. Overall, the screen displays stunning, vivid, and rich colors with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. If you’re looking for a laptop that delivers razor-sharp images, then with Dell XPS 9310 Oled laptop, you have that and more.

Performance

When we measure the performance of the XPS 13 OLED against the Macbook Air on a single core, we realize that Dell is left behind by 18%.

However, with simple tasks like document creation and photo editing, the performance just feels the same between Dell and MacBook Air. The laptop surpassed our expectations regarding graphics performance powered by Iris XE Graphics.

Battery

Dell XPS does have powerful battery life, perfect for people who work remotely. We tested the battery by working on-screen brightness of 50%, and most of the idle time, the Wi-fi was on, and we were amazed this machine went for approximately 9 hours.

HP ENVY 15

Specifications

• Display: 15.6-Inch
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD

HP ENVY 15 is a clever Macbook Air alternative, especially for creatives. Last year HP remembered the needs of content creators with the ENVY 15, which features powerful specs yet comes at a mindblowing price.

The manufacturer did a good job maintaining the design with the bold logo. HP ENVY 15 has an aluminum chassis with a metallic finish that gives it an elegant look.

When you flip the laptop, you meet a display with a super thin side and tip bezels and a thick one at the bottom. On top of the display lies an HD webcam that enables you to hold your virtual meetings.

ENVY 15 has a 15.6-inch display with 1920×1080 resolution and a screen ratio of 16:9 with a pixel density of 142 PPI. The image quality is top-notch; we couldn’t help but admire the vivid and bright colors displayed.

With storage of 512GB SSD and RAM of 12GB, you get a flawless performance, especially if you’re handling office work. The NVIDIA GeForce Graphics card also enables you to do video editing and the most creative work efficiently. 

HP SPECTRE ×360 14

Best 2-in-1 MacBook Pro Alternative

Specifications

• Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-i7
• Display: 13.3-Inch
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620-Iris Xe
• Storage: 256GB Pcle NVMe M2 SSD- 2TB Pcle NVMe M2 SSD

You might need to check out this meticulously crafted laptop if you’re looking for the best 2-in-1 alternative for Macbook Pro.

HP Spectre x360 14 has loads of specs ideal for creatives, all thanks to its expandable core processor, RAM, and storage that helps reboot the laptop super fast.

Unlike ENVY, this laptop comes with a broad keyboard, making it super easy and comfortable typing.

This convertible laptop comes with a super responsive rechargeable pen that is smooth to draw and lightweight; great for creative projects.

Spectre has a 13.3-inch screen (4K touchscreen) that delivers bright, crisp, clear images and detailed visuals needed for smooth operation. If you love working in dark places, this laptop will be helpful thanks to its backlit keyboard that enables you to type under low-light environments.

LG Gram 16

Best MacBook Pro Alternative With The Best Battery Life

Specifications

• Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Iris Xe Graphics
• RAM: 16GB LPDDRX
• Screen: 16-Inch ( 2560×1600)
• Storage: 1TB SSD

If your problem is performance, you might need to shop for other laptops. LG didn’t put much consideration into performance.

However, that’s not the deal breaker. This laptop still has more incredible features. The laptop has a 16-inch display, large enough for multitasking especially using split screen options. Its side bezels are slim and thus offer a stunning design.

Its lightweight nature caught our attention because you can easily carry the laptop everywhere in your backpack.

Connectivity is an essential factor when purchasing a laptop.  Luckily LG Gram comes with multiple input/output options that make it easy to connect your laptop to other devices.

If you feel the performance is not serving your purpose, you can easily upgrade your Gram 16. The laptop has an empty M.2 2280 SSD within the chassis.

When we tested the laptop on heavy processing tasks like gaming and video editing, we realized that the laptop was struggling. But you can also opt for a model with an external RTX 2060 GPU, and you’re sorted.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502

Very Powerful Laptop

Specifications

• Display: 15.6 Inches
• Memory: 1TB HDD
• CPU: Core i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• Graphics Card: Dedicated

The Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU205 is a powerful alternative to Macbook Pro. Although the laptop carries powerful features, it can’t be compared to Macbooks features, but it can give Apple a harsh edge.

First, ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502 comes at an amazingly fair price that makes it irresistible. The laptop also has an attractive display, although we feel the manufacturer could have made it brighter.

ROG Zephyrus is the best choice if you’re a gamer looking for a laptop that can handle complex titles.

With its powerful performance from the 10th Gen Intel Core i7 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, this laptop handles complex office and creative tasks effortlessly. 

Our only problem with this laptop is overheating, especially when playing demanding games. And the only explanation we could come up with was its body was slim.

HP Elite Dragonfly Max

The best professional MacBook Pro alternative

Specifications

• Display Size: 13. 3 inches
• CPU Model: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Operating System: Windows Pro
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620

HP Elite Dragonfly Max is an excellent professional laptop that can also handle a few games smoothly.

The Dragonfly Max comes in a slim, gorgeous design, is lightweight, and is smaller than most laptops we have reviewed. This laptop features a 5MP webcam and a mix of 5G, this laptop is the best for holding professional virtual and zoom meetings.

But we did notice some flows with this laptop too. Unlike some HP models, Dragonfly lacked the shortcut keys to end videos.

We tested the laptop for photoshop using old applications like Creative Cloud, and we noticed that the laptop performed despite being somewhat stressed.

What should be included in a MacBook Pro alternative?

Performance

As mentioned earlier, the Macbook Pro is a high-performing laptop. This fast processing is made by a powerful M1 processor and chipset technology. Additionally, it has a dedicated, powerful Graphic Processing unit that easily makes multitasking and running complex programs.

When you add this to a large 8 GB and above RAM, the power is more than enough for most tasks such as Graphic Design, Gaming, or Photo editing.

When going for a Macbook Pro alternative, a core i7 or core i5 processor with a dedicated GPU and large RAM of around 8 GB is recommended.

Screen and Display

The Macbook Pro features a screen size from 13 to 16 inches. Although most alternatives match the screen size, the resolution and display on the Macbook pro are unique and may be difficult to achieve on most alternatives or even independent monitors.

For example, the Macbook Pro 16 features a Liquid Retina XDR Display, making the display crisp and clean. Although most alternatives will have a decent resolution, the 8K resolution on this screen is a hard pass for most of the alternatives and may not be achieved. For a good display, we recommend an OLED display over LED screen technology that is common on most Macbook Alternatives.

 Battery Life

All Mac Pros have excellent battery life, which is where they beat their competitors. These machines have large batteries, and their M1 SoC tech is super efficient.

If you’re looking for a laptop that will last you long hours without being plugged in, then the Ryzen 6000 series CPU from AMD will do. Another incredible alternative is the Alder Lake CPU because it is super powerful and can last you a good bunch of hours.

Build Quality

Apple still reigns when the question of build quality pops up. However, the company does have two competitors up its sleeve; Dell and Razor.

These two brands have models with a hefty price tag, and their craftsmanship is on another level. Although there are other laptops with good build quality, they do not come close to Macbook’s stylish build and quality.

Which MacBook Pro Alternative Should You Buy?

The best alternative for a Macbook Pro laptop that you can buy is the Dell XPS 15 (2020).  The laptop is packed with powerful features but is, unfortunately, expensive.

 If you do not mind a slightly smaller 13-inch screen and want an alternative that is cheaper but equally effective, then Dell XPS 13 is the laptop for you.

MacBook Pro vs. Windows Laptops

The difference between Macbook Pro and a Windows laptop depends on the user preferences. While there are die-hard fans of MacBooks, some users have decided to go broad and choose from thousands of Windows laptops. While choosing your ideal laptop, ensure that your needs come first so you won’t regret it after a short while.

The Best MacBook Pro Alternatives for 2022

1. Dell XPS 15 (2020) Best Macbook Pro Alternatives
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 The best Windows MacBook Pro alternative
3. Asus VivoBook S15 is the best budget MacBook Pro alternative
4. Dell XPS 13 best MacBook Air alternative
5. HP Envy 15 The best value for money
6. HP Spectre x360 14 The best 2-in-1 MacBook Pro alternative
7. LG Gram 16 MacBook Pro alternative with the best Battery life
8. Asus ROG Zephyrus M15 GU502 Most Powerful
9. HP Elite Dragonfly Max best professional MacBook Pro alternative

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