Asus Zenbook S 14 vs. MacBook Air M3: a surprisingly close comparison.
The MacBook Air M3 stands out as one of the best laptops, offering exceptional performance and long battery life. Meanwhile, the Zenbook S 14 features Intel's Lunar Lake chipset in the competition.
Apple's MacBook Air M3 stands out as one of the most prominent options in the ultrathin and lightweight laptop category, thanks to the power and efficiency of Apple Silicon chipsets. This model has surpassed many options in the Windows market, which have struggled to match its performance.
Recently, Intel has launched its new family of processors, known as the Core Ultra Series 2 or Lunar Lake, which promises a significant improvement in efficiency. One of the first devices to incorporate this chipset is the Asus Zenbook S 14. The question is whether it can compete with the MacBook Air M3.
Specifications and Configurations
Asus Zenbook S 14 (UX5406SA) vs. Apple MacBook Air M3
- Dimensions: Zenbook S 14 (12.22 x 8.45 x 0.47-0.51 inches) | MacBook Air (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches)
- Weight: Zenbook S 14 (2.65 pounds) | MacBook Air (2.7 pounds)
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Apple M3 (8 cores)
- GPU: Intel Arc 140V (8 cores) | 10-core GPU
- RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR5X | Up to 24GB LPDDR5X
- Display: 14.0 inches 2.8K OLED, 120Hz | 13.6 inches Liquid Retina (2560 x 1664)
- Storage: Up to 2TB NVMe SSD | Up to 2TB
- Ports: USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack | USB-C, headphone jack, MagSafe 3
- Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E
- Webcam: 1080p with infrared camera | 1080p
- Battery: 72 watt-hours | 52.6 watt-hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 | macOS Sonoma
- Price: Zenbook starting at $1,399+ | MacBook Air starting at $1,099+
Although some configurations of the Zenbook S 14 are already available, the reviewed model is priced at around $1,500, while the MacBook Air M3 offers various customization options, being more expensive when compared in similar configurations.
Design
The MacBook Air M3 stands out for its slim design and Apple’s usual build quality, made from a single piece of aluminum. On the other hand, the Zenbook S 14 also features an attractive design and uses a material called "ceraluminum" to achieve a balance between lightweight and durability. Both models allow for easy one-handed opening, though each presents different tactile sensations.
Regarding keyboards, the Zenbook has a quality one, while the MacBook Air offers Apple's acclaimed Magic Keyboard, which many users claim is the best on the market. As for touchpads, the MacBook Air has an excellent reputation with its haptic Force Touch, while the Zenbook's touchpad, though functional, feels a bit large.
Performance
Intel's Lunar Lake chipsets aim to compete directly with those from Apple. In performance tests, the MacBook Air M3 was faster in most benchmarks, with the exception of the Handbrake test where the difference was not significant. Overall, the MacBook Air shows significantly superior performance.
Display
The Zenbook S 14 offers a 14-inch OLED panel with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, producing vibrant colors and deep blacks. In comparison, the MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina IPS display. Both screens are high quality, though the Zenbook's OLED panel provides advantages for content creators.
Portability
Both laptops are highly portable, with the MacBook Air being the thinnest model on the market. The Zenbook S 14, though slightly thicker, maintains a similar range in dimensions and weight. Both devices also offer good battery life, but the MacBook Air M3 stands out for slightly better performance.
In summary, both laptops are excellent options. The Zenbook S 14 performs well thanks to its new chipset, and its attractive design makes it a solid choice. However, the MacBook Air M3 is faster, offers better battery life, and a superior keyboard experience, albeit at a slightly higher cost.
