Windows software and compatibility on MacBook hardware used to be the dream. Many make that dream a reality by running Parallels Desktop, which lets you run Windows 11 on supported Macs.
With the recent unveiling of the MacBook Air M5, Parallels highlighted how the new laptop from Apple pairs nicely with the virtualization software:
Is the MacBook Air M5 the best Windows laptop for $1,100?
I understand that this question may sound like I'm trolling, but there was a point in time at which a MacBook running Parallels was a better bargain than a similarly priced Windows laptop. But that was the last decade. I was curious if the argument could still be made in 2026.
Years ago, Windows laptops were often criticised for their plastic bodies, poor build quality, and frustrating trackpads. All of those have improved dramatically over the years, meaning the best Windows laptops are beautiful, reliable, and well-built.
But back in the day, MacBooks had better designs and build quality than many Windows laptops. Somewhat surprisingly, Windows ran quite well on MacBooks, though results varied on the exact method you used.
Fast forward to 2026, and the landscape for running Windows on MacBooks has changed. The native Boot Camp method went away when Apple shifted away from Intel chips.
But Microsoft authorized Parallels Desktop for the Arm-optimized versions of Windows 11 last year, and support has continued since then. The MacBook Air M5 has options with up to 32GB of RAM, meaning you can allocate quite a bit of memory for Parallels Desktop.
You need to split RAM between macOS and Windows, making MacBooks with 8GB of RAM suboptimal for running Parallels Desktop. With options starting at 16GB of RAM and ranging up to 32GB, those seeking to run Windows and macOS on a MacBook have better options.
So, with a faster processor, more available RAM and storage, and Windows 11 on Arm being authorized to run on Apple Silicon, is the MacBook Air M5 the best Windows laptop for $1,100?
With the Snapdragon X2 series of chips on the way, the Windows laptop landscape will shift again, and this year's MacBook Air will gain new competition.
Sean Endicott, News Writer
The short answer is no. You can pick up a premium Windows laptop for between $1,100 and $1,200 easily these days. The Surface Laptop 7, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, and ASUS Zenbook A14 are good examples.
Some comparable Windows laptops in that price range are available thanks to sales. Others have affordable starting prices. But the MacBook Air M5 was just announced, so it's difficult to make an — ahem — apples-to-apples comparison.
You also have to take into account that Parallels Desktop requires a subscription. Those start at $50 per year, but you'll want a more expensive subscription to get the best experience.
With the Snapdragon X2 series of chips on the way, the Windows laptop landscape will shift again, and this year's MacBook Air will gain new competition.
Of course, if you want to play PC games, a Windows laptop is going to provide a much better experience. I don't think anyone could have ever argued that a MacBook was a better gaming laptop than a comparable Windows laptop.
But even if you're focusing on productivity and creativity, the best Windows laptops have surpassed the MacBook M5 Air running Parallels Desktop.
Using Parallels Desktop on a MacBook provides excellent flexibility, and there are certainly use cases for it, but Microsoft and PC makers have put to rest the question of "Is the MacBook Air M5 the best Windows laptop for $1,100?"
🗨️ Is it worth getting a MacBook Air and running Parallels Desktop instead of getting a Windows PC?
While the MacBook Air M5 is an impressive laptop with better specs at the entry-level and an improved processor compared to its predecessor, I think it falls short of claiming the title of best Windows laptop when paired with Parallels Desktop.
Do you think the flexibility of having both macOS and Windows on one machine still carries weight in 2026, or has the the rise of premium Windows hardware made the debate obsolete? Share your thoughts below and let us know which side of the fence you're on.
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