Popular Apple MacBook Air set the standard for years for what you could expect from $ 1,000 portable computer and gave you a great entry point into MacOS without having to pay for an iMac or MacBook Pro. However, PC makers have reached the Apple laptop and in some cases have gone beyond what is possible for an ultraportable laptop.
Despite having what is arguably the best computer operating system, Mac OS, Apple rarely offers the best value in core components (processor capacity, RAM and hard drive), battery life, ports and connections. And the Apple MacBook Air doesn’t offer a touchscreen option – a useful feature found on an increasing number of competing models, as well as on the hugely popular Apple iPad and iPad Pro.
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CNET laptop analysts choose their favorite 2020 laptops
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All six laptops highlighted below as alternative MacBook Air options cost almost as much as Apple’s MacBook Air, have a 13.3-inch or slightly larger screen, weigh less than 3 pounds (1.4 kg) and are reasonably simple and elegant. Each will be a valid alternative for a new MacBook. Check them out.
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If you are a Windows user and want a balance between portability, power and price, it is hard to find a better laptop than the XPS 13. Starting at $ 1,000, this lightweight laptop is attractive, easy to use, incomparably thin and offers a ton of configuration (and price) flexibility. In 2020, Dell placed a taller 13.4-inch screen, giving you a little more space to view your spreadsheets, but still managed to decrease your body size. That said, the taller screen also improves users’ web browsing and streaming experiences on this Dell laptop. Dell also makes a 15-inch version, starting at $ 1,000. Read our review of the Dell XPS 13 (2020).
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Renovated in late 2019, HP’s premium two-in-one looks like its predecessor until you see them next to each other and realize how much smaller the latest HP Specter x360 is. This device is also running a 10th generation Intel Core i7 that easily outperforms the latest generation model by running a similar configuration with an 8th generation Intel CPU. The HP Specter x360 has a battery that kept it running for more than 10 hours in our tests. Read our review of the HP Specter x360 13 (late 2019).
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Available regularly for less than $ 750, this slim 3-pound convertible is a solid choice for anyone who needs a laptop for office or school work. The all-metal chassis offers a premium look and feel and has a comfortable keyboard and a responsive and smoothly accurate touchpad. Although the device is light on extra features compared to its premium linemate, the C940, it does have one of Lenovo’s sliding shutters for your webcam, which offers privacy when you want it. And it has a long battery life. Read our review of the Lenovo Yoga C740 (14 inches).
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Featuring mobile processors from AMD’s Ryzen 4000 series, the Swift 3 is a remarkable bargain for anyone who needs a lightweight, low-cost laptop for work or school. This 14-inch laptop weighs just 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg), costs about $ 600 and has a processor performance that exceeds twice the price of laptops. As you might expect, some corners have been cut to keep the Acer Swift’s price low, but if price, performance and weight are your main concerns, this device will have it all for you. Read our review of the Acer Swift 3 (14 inch, 2020).