“Once you go Mac, you never go back” is a catchphrase widely uttered by Apple fans. And to be fair, that is true to a large extent. The MacBook is the most iconic laptop of all time, whether it’s the Air or Pro series, and its combination of design and performance is hard to beat.
The times are a-changing though, and Windows laptop makers have caught up to the game in recent years, even if they’ve had to outright copy the original at times. If you’re thinking of making the switch from Mac to Windows for whatever reason, here’s a guide on similar laptops you should look out for:
HP EliteBook Folio
With its foldable function, UHD touchscreen, 4K display, and Bang & Olufsen-certified audio, the HP EliteBook Folio is without a doubt the MacBook’s biggest threat, and for good reason. This stylish 2-in-1 laptop is not only small, but it’s powerful too, with an Intel Core m7 CPU quicker than similar Apple and Samsung processing systems. It also doesn’t hurt that its aluminum body gives it a very premium look.
HP EliteBook Folio, $2,999, available via www8.hp.com/sg.
HP Spectre x360
Now here’s a laptop that can do what even the MacBook can’t: become a tablet. For that, you can thank hinges on the Spectre’s back that allow its screen to be propped against its keyboard in a reversed fashion. But that’s not all. HP’s latest premium touchscreen hyrid model has a whole lot of processing power to boot; it’s pretty much as good as a Mac with its Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 4K display, and 8GB of RAM.
HP Spectre x360, $2,299, available via www.harveynorman.com.sg.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
Like the HP Spectre, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga has hinges that allow it to be folded up into a full-on tablet – a feature that truly lets it live up to its yoga name. Besides that, this hybrid gadget also has long battery life and excellent graphics, plus an ultra-thin design. The cherry on top of the cake however has to be its built-in, rechargeable stylus that allows users to sketch or take notes wherever they go.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, $2,185, available via www3.lenovo.com/sg.
ASUS Zenbook UX330CA
Is ASUS’s Zenbook UX330 a classic case of copying the competition, in this instance the MacBook? Well, perhaps. But there’s no denying the sleekness of this laptop’s aluminum-allow unibody chassis, giving it a high-end look that’s as Mac as it gets. In terms of specs, users can look forward to a decent performing dual-core Intel Core i7-6500U processor that runs at 3.1Ghz, as well as a solid 8GB of RAM.
ASUS Zenbook UX330CA, $970, available via www.lazada.sg.
Microsoft Surface Book
When Microsoft declared three years ago that it would make a tablet that could replace your laptop, people were skeptical. Fast-forward to 2017, and the tech giant is having the last laugh. Its Surface Book is the culmination of everything we look for in a great gadget – it’s powerful, looks fantastic, and is multi-functional as both a laptop and tablet, making it better than even the best MacBook out in the market.
Microsoft Surface Book, US$1,499, available via www.microsoft.com/en-us/.
Acer Chromebook 14
If you’re looking for a dirt-cheap alternative to a Mac, you won’t go wrong with the Acer Chromebook 14. This shiny device not only looks like a legit MacBook Air, it’s also value-for-money considering its price tag – US$289 from Amazon at last check. But don’t expect great specs here, you’re not going to get that. What you’ll get instead is a decent performing laptop that has a good build and long battery life.
Acer Chromebook 14, US$289, available via www.amazon.com.
Dell XPS 13
Okay, fine. The Dell XPS 13 doesn’t exactly look like a MacBook, what with its black and rose gold colourway, although it is at least as powerful as one. Spec-geeks will be pleased to head that the XPS 13 runs on a dual-core 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-7500U CPU, while its 13.3-inch, QHD+ InfinityEdge touch display is a gem to behold, and not to mention, fantastic for going on those Netflix binges.
Dell XPS 13, $1,899, available via www.dell.com/sg.
Cover image taken from HP.
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