The MacBook Air is a line of laptops developed by Apple Inc. The first MacBook Air was released in January 2008, and since then, it has gone through multiple updates and redesigns. The MacBook Air is a popular choice for people who want a portable and powerful laptop that can handle everyday tasks with ease.
Why Do People Even Like The Macbook Air?
Design
The MacBook Air has a sleek design and is incredibly thin and light. The current model, released in 2020, is just 0.63 inches (1.61 cm) thick and weighs only 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg). The laptop is made of aluminum, which gives it a premium feel and makes it durable. The MacBook Air comes in three different colors: gold, silver, and space gray.
Display
The MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display, which means it has a high pixel density and can display clear and sharp images. The display also supports True Tone technology, which adjusts the color temperature based on the ambient light in the room. This makes the display more comfortable to look at and reduces eye strain.
Performance
The MacBook Air is powered by Apple’s M1 chip, which is a powerful and efficient processor designed specifically for Macs. The M1 chip has eight cores, including four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. This allows the MacBook Air to handle demanding tasks like video editing and running multiple apps at the same time.
Battery Life
The MacBook Air has a long battery life and can last up to 15 hours on a single charge. This means you can use the laptop throughout the day without having to worry about running out of battery.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The MacBook Air features Apple’s latest keyboard design, which uses a scissor mechanism for more precise and comfortable typing. The keyboard is also backlit, which makes it easier to type in low light conditions. The trackpad is large and responsive and supports multi-touch gestures, making it easy to navigate the operating system and apps.
Ports
The MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, which support fast data transfer and can be used to connect external displays, storage devices, and other peripherals. The laptop also has a headphone jack, which is a feature that many newer laptops are starting to omit.
Are There Windows Laptops Better Than The Macbook Air?
While the MacBook Air is a fantastic laptop, there are other laptops on the market that may be better suited for your needs. Here are some tips on how to use laptops better than the MacBook Air.
Gaming Laptops
If you are an avid gamer, then a gaming laptop may be a better choice for you than the MacBook Air. Gaming laptops are designed with high-end graphics cards and powerful processors that can handle even the most demanding games. They also have features like high refresh rate displays and RGB lighting that can enhance your gaming experience.
Workstation Laptops
If you are a professional who needs a laptop that can handle complex tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and rendering, then a workstation laptop may be a better choice for you than the MacBook Air. Workstation laptops are designed with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and large amounts of RAM that can handle these tasks with ease. They also have features like high-resolution displays and color accuracy that are important for professionals.
2-in-1 Laptops
If you need a laptop that can also function as a tablet, then a 2-in-1 laptop may be a better choice for you than the MacBook Air. 2-in-1 laptops have screens that can be flipped or detached from the keyboard, allowing them to be used as tablets. They are ideal for tasks like note-taking, drawing, and presentations.
Budget Laptops
If you are on a tight budget, then a budget laptop may be a better choice for you than the MacBook Air. Budget laptops are designed to be affordable, but they still offer decent performance and features. They are ideal for tasks like web browsing, word processing, and watching videos.
Windows Laptops
If you prefer the Windows operating system over macOS, then a Windows laptop may be a better choice for you than the MacBook Air. Windows laptops offer a wider variety of hardware options, and they are often more affordable than Macs. They also offer compatibility with a wider range of software and peripherals.
What’s The Best Macbook Air Alternative?
Apple Macbook Air has set the bar for premium laptops, or those that are priced at $1,000 or higher. Macbook Air was also in itself an alternative to Macbook Pros, which were more expensive than the Air.
However, most of the newer laptops released over the last two or three years within the same price range as an Apple Macbook Air are competing right alongside the Macbook Air. Sometimes, they might even have an edge over the Macbook Air.
This list features the best Macbook Air Alternatives that have better specs and features than the Macbook Air itself. This list of Macbook alternatives isn’t arranged in any particular order.
LG Gram 16
As Powerful As The Macbook Pro Minus The Weight
First on this list of Macbook alternatives is the LG Gram 16, and it’s one of the strongest contenders here. It competes evenly against the Macbook Pro, but without being as heavy as the Pro.
The LG Gram 16 features a thin and light design with a lot of power underneath. You’re getting at least an Intel Core i7 processor, at least 16GB of RAM, and Intel Iris XE integrated graphics card.
You may not be able to play games on this beast, but it does a hell of a good job with office work, browsing, and some graphic design even.
Razer Book 13 (2021)
If Macbook Air Had Ports
Without a doubt, Razer has established itself as one of the most dominant and most popular brands of laptop in the industry right now. And while they primarily focus on gaming, their foray into the office productivity sector has not gone unnoticed. And for their entry into this list, we could’ve easily picked any of the Razer Blade laptops. But we digressed and went for their premium notebook called the Razer Book.
And given the size of the Razer Book, you’re not going to find a discrete graphics card installed on here. The Razer Book features an Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris XE integrated graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
The Razer Book comes with with a 13″4 touch display surrounded by thin bezels and a lightweight chassis that makes it the best mobile companion in the market.
Lenovo Yoga 9i
The Best 2-in-1 Laptop In The Market
When we’re talking about Macbook Air alternatives, we would’ve been hesitant to include the Yoga 9i series of laptops from Lenovo given their previous iterations’ lackluster performance. But the current generation of Yoga 9i has changed our minds, and it’s probably the best Macbook Air alternative under the 2-in-1 laptop bracket.
Under the hood, we get an Intel Core i7 processor and Intel XE graphics card, 512 SSD storage, and 16GB of RAM. The Lenovo Yoga 9i also features a 14″ UHD touch screen monitor, and a whole lot of ports. Did we mention that it also has an impressive battery life of at least 10 hours (average)?
You might equate the Lenovo Yoga 9i to the Microsoft Surface Laptop series, also a strong contender in the 2-in-1 laptop market. But the Lenovo Yoga 9i is relatively more affordable than the Surface Laptop, which also makes it a decent alternative.
Alienware x14 R1
A Powerful Macbook Air Alternative For Gamers
To have any gaming laptop on here on this list of the best Macbook Air alternatives would be cheating, but you might want to hear us out first.
It goes without saying that gaming laptops, regardless of brand, are automatically better Macbook Air alternatives primarily for their specifications. However, their mobility doesn’t give them an edge over the Macbook Air due to the poor battery life and large size.
But…
With the advent of 14-inch gaming laptops, people are now getting power and portability in one nifty gadget. And on this list of the best Macbook Air alternatives under the gaming laptop category, we have the Dell Alienware x14 R1.
Much like the Razer Blade series of laptops, Alienware is also one of the most recognizable brands of gaming laptops in the industry. They were known for not holding out on sheer size and power, and they made it clear that their users were not willing to compromise power for size. While they dominate the 15-inch and 17-inch gaming laptop market, they’re also trying to fight their way towards the 14-inch market dominated by the likes of the HP Spectre series, HP Envy series, and even Razer.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 features a powerful 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor, at least 16GB of RAM (upgradable), an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, and 1TB SSD. Like we said, Dell Alienware does not hold out on power even under such a small and lightweight chassis. It also has a decent battery life for a gaming laptop, meaning you can spend a couple of hours gaming without being plugged in. But then again, you don’t want to game just running on the battery.
Apple’s Macbook Air might have a difficult time keeping up with the likes of the Dell Alienware X14 R1. It’s just one of the best Macbook alternatives out there under the 14-inch gaming laptop category.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
Ultra Thin But Ultra Powerful
If you want something thinner than the Macbook Air, the Thinkpad X1 Nano, or the Dell XPS 13, then consider the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360.
And yes, this is considered by a lot of people as the best Windows laptop that’s just as portable as the Macbook Air M2 or other Macbook Air variants for that matter. Just because it’s thin doesn’t mean it lacks in power too.
Under the hood, you get Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and Intel Iris XE integrated graphics. The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 also features a 360-degree hinge that lets you turn this laptop into a tablet.
The Wrap Up
In conclusion, while the MacBook Air is an excellent laptop, it’s not necessarily the right choice for everyone. There are many great alternatives on the market that may be better suited for your needs, such as gaming laptops, workstation laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, budget laptops, and Windows laptops.
When choosing a laptop, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget. Think about what tasks you will be using the laptop for and what features are most important to you. Do your research, read reviews, and compare specs to find the best option for you.
Remember, the perfect laptop is one that meets your needs and fits within your budget. Don’t feel pressured to choose a certain brand or model just because it’s popular or trendy. With a little research and some careful consideration, you can find the perfect laptop for your needs, whether it’s the MacBook Air or one of the best Macbook Air alternatives on the list above.
James Stephenson
James is a gaming and tech enthusiast. He has been playing computer games since the Commodore 64 days in the 80s. He has worked as a Broadcast Engineer with BBC News and knows a thing or two about building, fixing, and playing with PCs.