Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) Alternatives
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) is one of our top laptops picks of 2026 ($2,049 · 4.8/5), but it is not the right buy for everyone. Below are the closest comparables in the same category, ranked by how strong a case they make against the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) for typical buyers.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3)
At $1,571.25 the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3) costs $477.75 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.7/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)
At $1,499 the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) costs $550 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.7/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
At $1,249 the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) costs $800 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.7/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
At $849 the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) costs $1,200 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)
At $1,413.76 the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) costs $635.24 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
At $879.99 the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) costs $1,169.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro
At $689 the Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro costs $1,360 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Acer Swift Go 14 OLED
At $759.99 the Acer Swift Go 14 OLED costs $1,289.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16
At $1,399.99 the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16 costs $649.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
ASUS ROG Strix G16
At $1,949.99 the ASUS ROG Strix G16 costs $99.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
At $709.99 the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 costs $1,339.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Samsung 16" Galaxy Book5 Pro
At $1,428 the Samsung 16" Galaxy Book5 Pro costs $621 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15-inch)
At $1,388 the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15-inch) costs $661 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Lenovo Yoga 7i
At $1,059.88 the Lenovo Yoga 7i costs $989.12 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Microsoft Surface Laptop (Snapdragon)
At $1,569 the Microsoft Surface Laptop (Snapdragon) costs $480 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.2/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405)
At $1,339 the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) costs $710 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.2/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1
At $999.99 the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 costs $1,049.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.2/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
HP OmniBook X Flip 16
At $879 the HP OmniBook X Flip 16 costs $1,170 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.2/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
At $1,519 the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) costs $530 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.1/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Acer Aspire Go 15
At $649.99 the Acer Aspire Go 15 costs $1,399.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.1/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Lenovo IdeaPad 1
At $449.99 the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 costs $1,599.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 4.1/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
At $679.99 the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 costs $1,369.01 less than the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) while still scoring 3.7/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5).
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4)
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4) sits $320.99 above the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) at $2,369.99 and earns a 4.7/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
Samsung 16" Galaxy Book6 Ultra (Intel Core Ultra 7)
The Samsung 16" Galaxy Book6 Ultra (Intel Core Ultra 7) sits $1,446.33 above the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) at $3,495.33 and earns a 4.5/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) sits $250.99 above the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) at $2,299.99 and earns a 4.4/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) sits $310.99 above the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) at $2,359.99 and earns a 4.4/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
Dell XPS 14
Priced within a few dollars of the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) at $2,049 with a 4.2/5 rating, the Dell XPS 14 is the closest direct comparable in the category.
Razer Blade 14 (2025)
The Razer Blade 14 (2025) sits $1,650.95 above the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) at $3,699.95 and earns a 4.2/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
Still want the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5)?
Read the full review and current price.
Back to the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) Review