I tried two incredible MacBook Pro alternatives running Windows 10 - here's how they compare

For the longest time, if you needed a laptop for Getting Things Done, the simplest solution was to buy a MacBook Pro from Apple.

Yes, it's expensive, but there's been little else in that "power user" range just works the way it has - especially with its stellar keyboard, world-class trackpad, long battery life, and gorgeous display.

Right now, however, things aren't as clear cut.

It's been more than a year since Apple updated the MacBook Pro line. A potentially significant update is coming, but in the meantime, a handful of Windows 10 devices have emerged as genuine alternatives in that high-end, pro-level bracket. (Microsoft's own Surface Book is one, Lenovo's Yoga 900 is another.)

For the past month, I've been using two newer contenders: the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, and the Vaio Z Flip. Though they both come with very real tradeoffs compared to the pure accessibility of the Pro, they also do things that any Apple machine simply cannot. They do have their differences, though - so I put them head-to-head.

If you're on the fence about buying a new power notebook, it's worth waiting and seeing what exactly Apple has up its sleeve. But if you don't want the new macOS to nudge you into Apple's ecosystem, or you just want to try something different, here's a good look at what's premium on the other side.