The MacBook Pro 16, specifically the M3 Pro or M3 Max 16-inch option, presents a serious challenge to comparable Windows laptops. It’s incredibly powerful, especially considering its remarkable battery life and quiet operation under load. While no Windows laptop can currently match that exact profile, there are still solid alternatives to the MacBook Pro. Their battery life might be weaker and they may get hot and loud, but in some cases, they offer stronger overall performance. If you’re seeking a premium, relatively portable powerhouse, but want to stay with Windows, here are your best options.
The MacBook Pro 16 reversed several decisions Apple made with its MacBook lineup over the years. First, it eliminated the Touch Bar, a feature that few people used or enjoyed. Second, it abandoned the pursuit of ultimate thinness, adding a few millimeters to accommodate more ports. Apple had already replaced the malfunction-prone butterfly keyboard, which felt like typing on wood, with a new Magic Keyboard featuring scissor switches – the best you’ll find on a laptop today. But that’s not all. The current MacBook Pro 16 utilizes up to the Apple M3 Max CPU, an ARM-based processor that ranks among the fastest mobile chips for creative applications. To achieve similar performance from a Windows machine, you need to configure one of Intel’s highest-end mobile CPUs, like the 14th-gen Core 9i-14900HX, paired with a high-end discrete GPU. While the MacBook Pro 16 is expensive when fully maxed out, it sets a standard for laptop design and build quality. You also can’t forget the excellent mini-LED display and the unmatched Force Touch touchpad. Overall, it’s a tough machine to beat, but the following laptops give it a run for its money.
The Razer Blade 16 is as sleek as any laptop you’ll find outside of the MacBook Pro 16. Its all-black exterior and chiseled aesthetic rival Apple’s best in terms of industrial design. It’s just as solid, with that same feeling of being carved from a single piece of metal (which it is). If you’re seeking a laptop that feels like a MacBook Pro 16, then the Razer Blade 16 is your best choice. At the same time, the Razer Blade 16 can deliver performance that rivals the MacBook Pro 16 with its M3 Max CPU – and in many cases surpasses it. The Razer comes with a 14th-gen Core i9-14900HX, a very fast 55-watt CPU with 24 cores (eight Performance and 16 Efficient) and 32 threads. When configured with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, the Razer Blade 16 will breeze through applications like Adobe Premiere Pro. Apple’s M3 Max chipset benefits from CPU optimizations that speed up video encoding and decoding processes, but the RTX 4090 accelerates the same tasks. And, that RTX 4090 will give you better gaming performance than Apple’s machine could ever dream of. You’ll also have the option of a 16.0-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2460 x 1600) OLED display that not only produces vibrant colors and deep blacks, but also runs at an impressive 240Hz. All this makes the Razer Blade 16 as much a gamer’s dream laptop as a creator’s, something the MacBook Pro 16 can’t match.
Dell’s XPS 16 boasts the most distinctive design of any laptop on this list. It’s constructed of CNC machined aluminum in the lid and chassis bottom, featuring sleek lines that are a bit more extravagant than the MacBook Pro 16’s simpler lines. Open it up, and you’ll discover ultramodern – and controversial – features like a zero-lattice keyboard, a row of LED function keys, and a hidden haptic touchpad in an all-glass palm rest. The XPS 16 is built as solidly as the MacBook Pro 16 while being a more streamlined and arguably more attractive machine. The XPS 16 is a new machine that can be configured with a 45-watt Intel Core Ultra 9 185H chipset with 16 cores (six Performance, eight Efficient, and two Low Power Efficient) and 22 threads, and up to an RTX 4070 GPU. In addition, up to 65GB of RAM and 4TB of fast SSD storage can be configured. However, the XPS 16, while expensive, is less costly at the high end. And you’ll have a Windows laptop that will still be faster in its gaming performance while also providing solid creative application support. You’ll also get a 4K+ OLED display that will please creators and an overall design that’s just as excellent as Apple’s best.
If you want fast performance for less, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 is an excellent option. It’s thousands less, even less expensive than the XPS 16, and yet it offers very fast performance. It’s not quite as fast or long-lasting as the MacBook Pro 16, but still fast enough for demanding creators. It provides the usual excellent ThinkPad build quality and keyboard, and enough RAM and storage to be more than fast enough. Its design is conservative yet still attractive. You can choose the Core Ultra 9 185H chipset and an RTX 4060, which is a lower rung of GPU than the XPS 16 offers but with a lot more power and so better overall performance. The laptop is built around an excellent 16-inch mini-LED display and offers more connectivity than any of the other laptops on this list. For an all-around laptop that currently represents the top of Lenovo’s performance lineup, the Yoga Pro 9i 16 is a strong competitor.
Asus is best known for some of its unusual and highly focused designs, and its ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED is aimed directly at the same creative market as the MacBook Pro 16. The laptop has an equally solid and quality build, but stands out with the Asus Dial next to the touchpad that offers a unique way to control creative applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. The ProArt Creator Hub offers an array of special features for controlling colors and apps. Performance is provided by a fast 45-watt Core i9-13900HX with 24 cores (eight Performance and 16 Efficiency) and 32 threads mated with up to an RTX 4070. It’s a fast laptop for video and photo editing, and can play some games while it’s at it. The keyboard and touchpad are also very good, making for a well-rounded laptop. The 16.0-inch 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED display is also second to none. If you want a creator’s laptop using the Windows platform, you can’t go wrong with the ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED.
