Installing Windows on Mac using Boot Camp is the best choice when you need performance. If you want to play some Windows-only games or run some heavy-duty Windows apps, this option is the best. As we said earlier, there are some downsides. #2 Windows on MacBook Pro using VirtualBox. Making a virtual machine inside your Mac will let you run. The Huawei MateBook X Pro is one of the best, if not the best, Windows 10 laptops on the market today. This laptop is a great alternative to the Apple MacBook Pro thanks to its brilliant display.
Two years ago, I gave up on the MacBook Pro and started a journey to find the best laptop replacement. It wasn't easy, and I've tried more than 50 laptops to get here, but I've finally reached a point where I can tell you what to get, and what to avoid.
This is an ever-growing collection of MacBook alternatives, for those that need a high-end machine for their work, and expect the best out of their hardware. If you're looking for a new laptop for 2019, this is your ever-updated guide, and will describe why they might be best for you.
Specifically, this is targeted at people like developers (believe it or not, Windows is great for development now too) who typically need more out of a laptop. But, it's also relevant to anyone who needs more out of their machine, from illustrators looking for a MacBook replacement to those that just need something new.
The laptops recommended here all have a few things in common: their trackpads aren't terrible, they sport beyond Retina, 4K displays, and in general feel on-par or better to use than my 2017 MacBook Pro did. Let me know what you choose!
Best of: Surface Book 2
If you're a developer, creative, or both, Surface Book 2 is one of the best devices I've ever tried because it's so versatile. Eject the tablet from the keyboard and you've got a giant canvas for your ideas, or dock it and get raw power with an integrated GTX1060 graphics card on the 15-inch model.
I love the Surface Book 2 because it feels like a computer from the future, reducing the need to carry around a tablet and laptop in my bag. I have one powerful machine, in a beautiful form-factor, with a great keyboard, and all the ports I missed on the 2016 MacBook Pro.
It's worth nothing that the Surface Book 2 was last refreshed in November 2017, and is due for a refresh in late 2019 when Intel's next-generation chipsets arrive. Regardless, it's still my machine of choice, and if I was on the hunt for a new machine I'd choose the Surface Book 2 before anything else.
Across the board, Surface Book 2 is the best of both worlds, but it's a little more expensive as a result. Read on if you're looking for something different, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this machine to anyone looking for the best new laptop in 2019.
Read more: Our review of the Surface Book 2
Buy now:Surface Book 2
Ultra-light, just as powerful: Lenovo X1 Carbon
I've finally had an opportunity to take the retro Lenovo X1 Carbon for a spin, and I was blown away by how fantastic it is. If you're in the market for something ultra-light, without compromising on performance, this is for you.
Not only does the X1 Carbon have a real keyboard—squishy keys and all—the HDR display is a gob-smacker, and it's one of the few laptops I've tried in the 13-inch class that doesn't struggle with thermal throttling. Plus, it's Ubuntu dual-boot friendly out of the box. Audio editing software mac.
The best part? There's a built-in privacy filter, and you'll be able to throw the X1 Carbon in your bag and forget it's even there, so you can get work done all day long, no compromises.
Read more: Our review of the Lenovo X1 Carbon
Closer to home: Huawei MateBook X Pro
Still wish the glory days of the MacBook Pro were here? Huawei has your back with the MateBook X Pro. One of the most surprising machines I tried in 2018, the MateBook X Pro has everything you probably wanted out of a better Mac: it's got a great keyboard, gorgeous 4K display and killer performance to boot.
The best part? There's a built-in privacy filter, and you'll be able to throw the X1 Carbon in your bag and forget it's even there, so you can get work done all day long, no compromises.
Read more: Our review of the Lenovo X1 Carbon
Closer to home: Huawei MateBook X Pro
Still wish the glory days of the MacBook Pro were here? Huawei has your back with the MateBook X Pro. One of the most surprising machines I tried in 2018, the MateBook X Pro has everything you probably wanted out of a better Mac: it's got a great keyboard, gorgeous 4K display and killer performance to boot.
Huawei might have shamelessly stolen the design of the MacBook, but it's taken everything great about the MacBook and iterated on it. You've got a real, non-breaking keyboard, normal USB-A ports alongside the newer USB-C ones, it's ultra-thin, and adds a touchscreen. but what can't be beaten is the price: it's literally thousands cheaper than an equivalent Apple device.
Weirdly, the popup chin-mode webcam in the keyboard was initially a problem. but it's warmed on me as I realized that it was private by default, removing the need for a privacy slider or cover for the camera. If you don't want a convertible, this would be my machine of choice.
Mac os catalina macbook pro late 2013. Read more: Our review of the Huawei MateBook X Pro
Buy now: Huawei MateBook X Pro (13')
Raw power: Dell XPS 15'
The very first laptop I tried after switching from Mac was the Dell XPS 15' and it remains one of my favorite devices in the last few years, albeit in a slightly different category: walking the line between raw power and portability.
Dell's XPS line has some of the most beautiful, color accurate displays on the market, and these are designed to last years: you can service them yourself, upgrade the RAM or even replace the Wi-Fi card if it goes wrong. The company has come a long way from its beige-box days, and it shows.
If you need more CPU-power than most while avoiding the chunky gaming laptops that are available, the XPS 15-inch is a good fit: it's a little heavier and thicker than the other laptops here, but it makes up for it in sheer performance. This is because it has Intel's 'HQ' moniker, which means it's got a quad-core processor and higher wattage output than the average laptop.
Dell recently refreshed this machine and the newer versions are a great upgrade, so if you're the kind of person who wants the latest and greatest, jump for the 9570 model, which is linked below.
Read more: Our review of the Dell XPS 15'
Buy now: Dell XPS 15'
Light, cheap, portable: Surface Go
In late 2018 I tried the iPad Pro, which I desperately wanted to replace my portable workflow, but it left me wanting something more. Weirdly, the Surface Go filled this void and it's largely become my travel and on-the-go machine because it's able to do anything and the price is so compelling.
Here's the deal: Surface Go is a tiny 11-inch tablet from Microsoft that retails starting at just $349, but despite the price it's got a real Intel processor in it. That means you can do anything a normal laptop can do (albeit a little slower), but this thing fits in any bag because it's so small, and better still, there's a 4G LTE version for always-on connectivity.
I genuinely started out my review of this machine expecting to hate it, then realized part-way in that it's the computer I'd always wanted: just enough processing power to do any job, while allowing you to forget it's in your bag because it's so small.
If you're looking for something that might change your workflow entirely, this is it, but I'd recommend reading our review about the device to understand its limitations and drawbacks. Provided you go into it knowing what you'll be able to do and what will suck, it might just win you over as well.
Read more: Our review of the LTE Surface Go, and our longer review of the Wi-Fi Surface Go
Buy now: Surface Go with LTE / Surface Go without LTE
What to look forward to
There's lots of choice in the land of PCs these days, and I'm looking forward to a few new devices due for release in 2019.
So far, these are the devices I'm excited for and will try to get access to write about, as of January 2019:
- Huawei's new lower-priced MateBook laptop
- Razer Blade 15-inch 'advanced'
- HP's Spectre X360 OLED
Here's the machines I'm waiting to see if they'll be refreshed:
- Surface Laptop (it still doesn't have USB-C)
- Surface Pro (no USB-C either)
- Razer Blade Stealth
Even more choice
I can't list everything I tried here, but if you're still looking and not quite convinced, there are plenty of other great machines out there that you might like. Here's a few others to dig into:
- For gamers: look no further than the Razer Blade
- Something different: Eve V, a Surface Pro alternative
If I've missed anything or you'd love to see a review about a machine not listed here, let me know in the comments! I initially didn't know about the XPS line of devices and discovered them from user comments, so please let me know.
Last updated: August 2019.
What you need to install Windows 10 on Mac
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later
- Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
- iMac introduced in 2012 or later1
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
The latest macOS updates, which can include updates to Boot Camp Assistant. You will use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10.
64GB or more free storage space on your Mac startup disk:
- Your Mac can have as little as 64GB of free storage space, but at least 128GB of free storage space provides the best experience. Automatic Windows updates require that much space or more.
- If you have an iMac Pro or Mac Pro with 128GB of memory (RAM) or more, your startup disk needs at least as much free storage space as your Mac has memory.2
An external USB flash drive with a storage capacity of 16GB or more, unless you're using a Mac that doesn't need a flash drive to install Windows.
A 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro on a disk image (ISO) or other installation media. If installing Windows on your Mac for the first time, this must be a full version of Windows, not an upgrade.
- If your copy of Windows came on a USB flash drive, or you have a Windows product key and no installation disc, download a Windows 10 disk image from Microsoft.
- If your copy of Windows came on a DVD, you might need to create a disk image of that DVD.
How to install Windows 10 on Mac
To install Windows, use Boot Camp Assistant, which is included with your Mac.
1. Use Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows partition
Open Boot Camp Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. How to make a screenshot on macbook. Then follow the onscreen instructions.
- If you're asked to insert a USB drive, plug your USB flash drive into your Mac. Boot Camp Assistant will use it to create a bootable USB drive for Windows installation.
- When Boot Camp Assistant asks you to set the size of the Windows partition, remember the minimum storage-space requirements in the previous section. Set a partition size that meets your needs, because you can't change its size later.
2. Format the Windows (BOOTCAMP) partition
When Boot Camp Assistant finishes, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. If the installer asks where to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition and click Format. In most cases, the installer selects and formats the BOOTCAMP partition automatically.
3. Install Windows
Unplug any external devices that aren't necessary during installation. Then click Next and follow the onscreen instructions to begin installing Windows.
4. Use the Boot Camp installer in Windows
After Windows installation completes, your Mac starts up in Windows and opens a 'Welcome to the Boot Camp installer' window. Follow the onscreen instructions to install Boot Camp and Windows support software (drivers). You will be asked to restart when done.
- If the Boot Camp installer never opens, open the Boot Camp installer manually and use it to complete Boot Camp installation.
- If you have an external display connected to a Thunderbolt 3 port on your Mac, the display will be blank (black, gray, or blue) for up to 2 minutes during installation.
How to switch between Windows and macOS
Download Windows For Macbook
Restart, then press and hold the Option (or Alt) ⌥ key during startup to switch between Windows and macOS.
Learn more
Best Windows For Macbook Pro
Qr factory 2 9 16. Apple mac movie software. If you have one of these Mac models using OS X El Capitan 10.11 or later, you don't need a USB flash drive to install Windows:
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2017 or later3
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2015 or later3
- iMac introduced in 2015 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro introduced in late 2013
To remove Windows from your Mac, use Boot Camp Assistant, not any other utility.
For more information about using Windows on your Mac, open Boot Camp Assistant and click the Open Boot Camp Help button.
1. If you're using an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) or iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) or iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) with a 3TB hard drive and macOS Mojave or later, learn about an alert you might see during installation.
2. For example, if your Mac has 128GB of memory, its startup disk must have at least 128GB of storage space available for Windows. To see how much memory your Mac has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac. To see how much storage space is available, click the Storage tab in the same window.
3. These Mac models were offered with 128GB hard drives as an option. Apple recommends 256GB or larger hard drives so that you can create a Boot Camp partition of at least 128GB.
