Find the best laptops for creatives that compete with the MacBook Pro in performance and design.
The MacBook Pro has long been a favorite among creatives, thanks to its sleek design, powerful performance, and impressive display. But, it can also be quite pricey, and some might find its limited port selection and lack of upgradeability frustrating. If you’re a creative professional looking for a powerful machine that doesn’t break the bank, there are plenty of excellent MacBook Pro alternatives available.
These alternatives offer similar performance and features but often come with a more affordable price tag, a wider range of ports, and more upgrade options. Whether you’re a photographer, video editor, graphic designer, or musician, there’s a powerful laptop out there that can handle your creative workflow without sacrificing your budget.
In this article, we’ll take a look at five of the best MacBook Pro alternatives for creatives. We’ll consider factors such as performance, display quality, portability, connectivity, and price.
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of which laptop is right for your creative needs and budget.
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| Dell XPS 15 |  |
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| HP Spectre x360 15 |  |
4.3 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenovo Yoga 9i |  |
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| Razer Blade 15 |  |
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Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 is a premium laptop that delivers powerful performance and a sleek design. It's a great choice for creatives who need a machine that can handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H or Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM: 8GB to 32GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512GB to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 3.5K OLED (500 nits) or 15.6-inch, 4K OLED (500 nits)
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful performance: The XPS 15 is powered by Intel's latest 12th-gen processors, which deliver impressive performance for demanding tasks.
- Stunning display: The XPS 15 features a beautiful OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Sleek design: The XPS 15 is a very thin and light laptop, making it easy to carry around.
- Long battery life: The XPS 15 offers excellent battery life, lasting for up to 8 hours on a single charge.
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive: The XPS 15 is a premium laptop, and it comes with a premium price tag.
- Limited port selection: The XPS 15 only has a few ports, which can be inconvenient for some users.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a powerful laptop for demanding tasks.
- You want a laptop with a stunning display.
- You need a laptop with excellent battery life.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You need a laptop with a lot of ports.
Bottom Line:
The Dell XPS 15 is an excellent choice for creatives who need a powerful and stylish laptop. It offers a stunning display, powerful performance, and long battery life. However, it's also very expensive, and it has a limited port selection. If you're looking for a premium laptop that can handle demanding tasks, the XPS 15 is a great option. However, if you're on a budget, or if you need a laptop with a lot of ports, you might want to consider other options.
HP Spectre x360 15
The HP Spectre x360 15 is a convertible laptop that's perfect for creatives who need a device that can double as a tablet. It's a stylish and powerful laptop that's great for both work and play.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H or Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM: 8GB to 32GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512GB to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 4K OLED (500 nits) or 15.6-inch, 4K IPS (400 nits)
Reasons to buy:
- Convertible design: The Spectre x360 15 can be used as a laptop or a tablet, making it versatile for different tasks.
- Stylish design: The Spectre x360 15 is one of the most stylish laptops on the market.
- Powerful performance: The Spectre x360 15 is powered by Intel's latest 12th-gen processors, which deliver impressive performance for demanding tasks.
- Excellent battery life: The Spectre x360 15 offers excellent battery life, lasting for up to 8 hours on a single charge.
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive: The Spectre x360 15 is a premium laptop, and it comes with a premium price tag.
- Touchpad issues: Some users have reported issues with the Spectre x360 15's touchpad.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a convertible laptop that can be used as a tablet.
- You need a stylish and powerful laptop.
- You need a laptop with excellent battery life.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You're concerned about touchpad issues.
Bottom Line:
The HP Spectre x360 15 is a great choice for creatives who need a versatile and powerful laptop. It's a stylish and well-built device that offers excellent performance and battery life. However, it's also very expensive, and some users have reported issues with the touchpad. If you're looking for a convertible laptop that can handle demanding tasks, the Spectre x360 15 is a great option. However, if you're on a budget, or if you're concerned about touchpad issues, you might want to consider other options.
Lenovo Yoga 9i
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a convertible laptop that's perfect for creatives who need a device that can double as a tablet. It's a stylish and powerful laptop that's great for both work and play.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H or Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM: 8GB to 32GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512GB to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 14-inch, 2.8K OLED (500 nits) or 14-inch, 4K OLED (600 nits)
Reasons to buy:
- Convertible design: The Yoga 9i can be used as a laptop or a tablet, making it versatile for different tasks.
- Stylish design: The Yoga 9i is a stylish and well-built laptop that's a great option for both home and on-the-go.
- Powerful performance: The Yoga 9i is powered by Intel's latest 12th-gen processors, which deliver impressive performance for demanding tasks.
- Excellent battery life: The Yoga 9i offers excellent battery life, lasting for up to 15 hours on a single charge.
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive: The Yoga 9i is a premium laptop, and it comes with a premium price tag.
- No Thunderbolt port: The Yoga 9i does not have a Thunderbolt port, which can be a deal-breaker for some users.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a convertible laptop that can be used as a tablet.
- You need a stylish and powerful laptop.
- You need a laptop with excellent battery life.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You need a laptop with a Thunderbolt port.
Bottom Line:
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a great choice for creatives who need a versatile and powerful laptop. It's a stylish and well-built device that offers excellent performance and battery life. However, it's also very expensive, and it doesn't have a Thunderbolt port. If you're looking for a convertible laptop that can handle demanding tasks, the Yoga 9i is a great option. However, if you're on a budget, or if you need a laptop with a Thunderbolt port, you might want to consider other options.
Find more on 5 Best MacBook Pro Alternatives 2024 Reddit Recommendations
Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 is a gaming laptop that's also a great choice for creatives. It's a powerful and sleek laptop that's perfect for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering.
Learn more about Best MacBook Pro Alternatives 2024 Based on Reddit Reviews
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12800H or Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
- RAM: 16GB to 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 144Hz FHD, 165Hz FHD, 240Hz FHD, or 360Hz FHD
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful performance: The Razer Blade 15 is powered by Intel's latest 12th-gen processors and NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards, which deliver impressive performance for demanding tasks.
- Sleek design: The Razer Blade 15 is one of the most stylish gaming laptops on the market.
- Excellent keyboard: The Razer Blade 15 has an excellent keyboard that's perfect for both gaming and typing.
- Excellent speakers: The Razer Blade 15 has excellent speakers that deliver clear and powerful sound.
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive: The Razer Blade 15 is a premium gaming laptop, and it comes with a premium price tag.
- Short battery life: The Razer Blade 15 has a relatively short battery life compared to other laptops on this list.
- No Thunderbolt port: The Razer Blade 15 does not have a Thunderbolt port, which can be a deal-breaker for some users.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a powerful laptop for demanding tasks.
- You want a stylish and well-built gaming laptop.
- You need a laptop with an excellent keyboard and speakers.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You need a laptop with long battery life.
- You need a laptop with a Thunderbolt port.
Bottom Line:
The Razer Blade 15 is a great choice for creatives who need a powerful and stylish gaming laptop. It offers excellent performance, a sleek design, and an excellent keyboard and speakers. However, it's also very expensive, it has a relatively short battery life, and it doesn't have a Thunderbolt port. If you're looking for a gaming laptop that can also handle demanding creative tasks, the Razer Blade 15 is a great option. However, if you're on a budget, or if you need a laptop with long battery life or a Thunderbolt port, you might want to consider other options.
ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 Duo
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 Duo is a unique laptop that features a secondary touchscreen display above the main keyboard. It's a powerful and innovative laptop that's perfect for creatives who need a lot of screen real estate.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H or Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- RAM: 16GB to 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 4K OLED (550 nits) or 15.6-inch, 4K OLED (600 nits)
Reasons to buy:
- Unique dual-screen design: The ZenBook Pro 15 Duo's second screen is a great way to increase productivity and creativity.
- Powerful performance: The ZenBook Pro 15 Duo is powered by Intel's latest 12th-gen processors and NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards, which deliver impressive performance for demanding tasks.
- Excellent display: The ZenBook Pro 15 Duo has a stunning 4K OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Excellent keyboard: The ZenBook Pro 15 Duo has an excellent keyboard that's perfect for both typing and gaming.
Reasons to avoid:
- Expensive: The ZenBook Pro 15 Duo is a premium laptop, and it comes with a premium price tag.
- No Thunderbolt port: The ZenBook Pro 15 Duo does not have a Thunderbolt port, which can be a deal-breaker for some users.
- Heat issues: Some users have reported heat issues with the ZenBook Pro 15 Duo's second screen.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You need a powerful laptop with a lot of screen real estate.
- You want a laptop with a unique and innovative design.
- You need a laptop with excellent performance and a stunning display.
Don't buy it if:
- You're on a tight budget.
- You need a laptop with a Thunderbolt port.
- You're concerned about heat issues.
Bottom Line:
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 Duo is a unique and innovative laptop that's perfect for creatives who need a lot of screen real estate. It's a powerful and well-built device that offers excellent performance and a stunning display. However, it's also very expensive, it doesn't have a Thunderbolt port, and some users have reported heat issues. If you're looking for a laptop that can handle demanding creative tasks and you're willing to pay a premium price for a unique design, the ZenBook Pro 15 Duo is a great option. However, if you're on a budget, or if you need a laptop with a Thunderbolt port, or if you're concerned about heat issues, you might want to consider other options.
Ultimately, choosing the best MacBook Pro alternative for your creative needs depends on your specific workflow, budget, and preferences. While Apple's machines offer a renowned ecosystem and powerful performance, the alternatives mentioned above provide compelling options for creatives looking for something different. Whether you prioritize power, portability, affordability, or specific features, there's a strong contender out there that can meet your needs.
Remember, it's essential to thoroughly research and consider your individual requirements before making a purchase. Don't hesitate to explore user reviews, compare specifications, and even try out a few devices in person if possible. The right device can significantly enhance your creative process and help you bring your ideas to life.
You can find more information on 5 Best MacBook Pro Alternatives 2024 Reddit Recommendations
Choosing a MacBook Pro alternative can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to explore new possibilities and find a device that aligns perfectly with your creative vision. With a wealth of innovative and powerful options available, the future of creative computing is bright and filled with exciting possibilities.
Embrace the diversity of the tech landscape and discover the perfect companion for your creative journey!
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