Looking to upgrade your laptop but torn between the Asus Zenbook 14X and the MacBook Air M1? You’re not alone. With cutting-edge features and top-of-the-line specs, both laptops have their unique advantages. In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Why This Comparison Matters
Choosing the right laptop can significantly impact your daily productivity, gaming experience, or creative work. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a gamer, or simply looking for a reliable device for everyday use, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each option is crucial. In this post, you’ll find a thorough comparison of the Asus Zenbook 14X and MacBook Air M1, covering everything from design and display to CPU performance and battery life.
Review Overview
Both the Asus Zenbook 14X and MacBook Air M1 are highly acclaimed laptops that offer a mix of performance, design, and battery life. However, each one has its unique features that may better suit specific needs. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details.
Key Differences
While both laptops boast impressive specs, they differ in several key areas including build quality, operating system, and overall user experience. The Zenbook 14X runs on Windows, offering more flexibility in software choices and customization. On the other hand, the MacBook Air M1 operates on macOS, known for its seamless integration with other Apple products and intuitive user interface.
Case
The build quality of a laptop can significantly affect your user experience. The Asus Zenbook 14X features a sturdy aluminum chassis, giving it a premium look and feel. It’s also relatively lightweight, making it easy to carry around. In contrast, the MacBook Air M1 is known for its sleek, minimalist design and robust aluminum body. Both laptops offer durability, but the choice comes down to personal preference in aesthetics and brand loyalty.
Display
When it comes to display, both laptops shine in their own way. The Asus Zenbook 14X features a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880×1800, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. This makes it ideal for media consumption and graphic design work. The MacBook Air M1, on the other hand, sports a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560×1600. While it may not be as vibrant as an OLED, it offers excellent color accuracy and sharpness, making it perfect for photo and video editing.
Battery
Battery life is a critical factor for many users, and both laptops excel in this area. However, the MacBook Air M1 is renowned for its exceptional battery life, often lasting up to 15-18 hours on a single charge. The Asus Zenbook 14X offers respectable battery life as well, typically around 10-12 hours, depending on usage. If long battery life is a priority, the MacBook Air M1 might be the better choice.
Battery Life on Programming/Coding
For developers, battery life during programming and coding tasks is essential. The MacBook Air M1 performs exceptionally well here, allowing you to code for extended periods without needing a charge. The Asus Zenbook 14X also offers good battery life but falls slightly short compared to the MacBook Air M1. Both laptops can handle intensive coding software, but the MacBook Air M1 edges out with its efficiency.
Battery Life on Web Browsing
Web browsing is a common task for most users, and both laptops deliver excellent performance in this department. The MacBook Air M1 can easily last an entire day of web browsing, thanks to its efficient M1 chip. The Asus Zenbook 14X also offers strong battery life for web browsing, but it may not last as long as the MacBook Air M1. If you’re frequently browsing the web, the MacBook Air M1 offers a slight edge.
Battery Life on Full Brightness and CPU Intensive Tasks
When it comes to battery life under heavy usage, such as running the display at full brightness or performing CPU-intensive tasks, the MacBook Air M1 continues to impress. It maintains its efficiency, offering hours of usage even under demanding conditions. The Asus Zenbook 14X holds up well but may require a charge sooner than the MacBook Air M1 when pushed to its limits.
CPU
The CPU is the heart of any laptop, and both the Asus Zenbook 14X and MacBook Air M1 come equipped with powerful processors. The Zenbook 14X features an Intel Core i7 processor, providing excellent performance for a wide range of tasks. The MacBook Air M1, however, boasts Apple’s custom M1 chip, which offers remarkable speed and efficiency.
CPU Performance Comparisons
When comparing CPU performance, the MacBook Air M1 often comes out on top. The M1 chip is known for its incredible speed and efficiency, making it a powerhouse for both everyday tasks and more demanding applications. The Intel Core i7 in the Zenbook 14X is no slouch either, offering robust performance across the board. However, in head-to-head benchmarks, the M1 chip generally takes the lead.
Web Browsing Performance
For web browsing, both laptops offer smooth and responsive experiences. The MacBook Air M1’s efficiency ensures fast loading times and seamless multitasking. The Asus Zenbook 14X also performs admirably, handling multiple tabs and web applications with ease. While both laptops excel in this area, the MacBook Air M1’s optimized performance gives it a slight edge.
Photo and Video Editing
Photo and video editing require significant processing power, and both laptops are up to the task. The Asus Zenbook 14X’s Intel Core i7 processor and OLED display make it a strong contender for creative work. The MacBook Air M1, with its Retina display and powerful M1 chip, is also an excellent choice. In practice, both laptops handle photo and video editing with ease, but the MacBook Air M1’s efficiency and color accuracy give it a slight advantage.
Exporting 4K/8K Videos
When it comes to exporting high-resolution videos, speed and efficiency are crucial. The MacBook Air M1 excels in this area, thanks to its optimized architecture and powerful GPU. It can handle 4K and even 8K video exports with impressive speed. The Asus Zenbook 14X also performs well, but it may take slightly longer to export high-resolution videos compared to the MacBook Air M1.
Benchmarks
Benchmark tests provide a standardized way to compare the performance of different laptops. In various benchmark tests, including 3DMarks, Cinebench, and Userbenchmark, the MacBook Air M1 consistently scores higher. This is a testament to the efficiency and power of Apple’s M1 chip. The Asus Zenbook 14X, while still impressive, often falls slightly behind in these tests.
3D Marks
3DMarks is a popular benchmarking tool for assessing graphics performance. In 3DMarks tests, the MacBook Air M1’s integrated GPU often outperforms the Zenbook 14X’s Intel Iris Xe graphics. This makes the MacBook Air M1 a better choice for tasks that require strong graphics performance.
Cinebench
Cinebench is widely used to evaluate CPU performance, particularly in rendering tasks. The MacBook Air M1 consistently scores higher in Cinebench tests, showcasing its superior processing power. The Zenbook 14X, with its Intel Core i7, also delivers strong performance but lags behind the M1 chip in these specific tests.
Userbenchmark
Userbenchmark provides a comprehensive overview of a laptop’s performance across various tasks. Again, the MacBook Air M1 tends to score higher overall, highlighting its balanced performance and efficiency. The Asus Zenbook 14X performs well but often ranks slightly lower in these user-generated benchmarks.
Graphics Card
Graphics performance is crucial for gaming, design, and multimedia tasks. The MacBook Air M1 features an integrated GPU that delivers outstanding graphics performance. The Asus Zenbook 14X, equipped with Intel Iris Xe graphics, also offers solid performance but doesn’t quite match the MacBook Air M1’s capabilities. For those prioritizing graphics performance, the MacBook Air M1 is the better choice.
RAM and Storage
Both laptops offer ample RAM and storage options to meet various needs. The MacBook Air M1 comes with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. The Asus Zenbook 14X offers similar configurations, with options for up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. Both laptops provide fast, reliable performance, but the choice will depend on your specific requirements.
Sound
Sound quality is often overlooked but can significantly impact your overall experience. The MacBook Air M1 features stereo speakers with wide stereo sound, delivering clear and balanced audio. The Asus Zenbook 14X also offers good sound quality, with Harman Kardon-certified audio. Both laptops provide satisfactory audio experiences, but the MacBook Air M1’s speakers are often praised for their clarity and volume.
Connectivity
Connectivity options are essential for versatility and convenience. The MacBook Air M1 includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack, supporting various peripherals and accessories. The Asus Zenbook 14X offers a more extensive range of ports, including HDMI, USB Type-A, USB Type-C, and a MicroSD card reader. If connectivity options are a priority, the Zenbook 14X provides more flexibility.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Asus Zenbook 14X and the MacBook Air M1 ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. The MacBook Air M1 excels in performance, battery life, and overall efficiency, making it an excellent choice for most users. The Asus Zenbook 14X, with its versatile connectivity options and OLED display, is also a strong contender, particularly for those who need more flexibility.
Whichever laptop you choose, both the Asus Zenbook 14X and MacBook Air M1 offer exceptional value and performance. Evaluate your priorities, whether it’s battery life, display quality, or connectivity, and make an informed decision based on your specific requirements. Happy laptop shopping!
Here’s a detailed comparison table for the ASUS Zenbook 14X and MacBook Air M1, two highly regarded ultrabooks:
| Feature | ASUS Zenbook 14X | MacBook Air M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-12500H / i7-12700H (12th Gen) | Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 7-core/8-core GPU) |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR5 (Soldered) | 8GB / 16GB Unified Memory (Soldered) |
| Storage | 512GB / 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Integrated Apple M1 GPU (7-core/8-core) |
| Display | 14-inch 2.8K OLED (2880 x 1800) 90Hz, 100% DCI-P3 | 13.3-inch Retina Display (2560 x 1600), P3 color gamut |
| Battery | 63 WHr, Up to 10 hours | 49.9 WHr, Up to 15-18 hours |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home / Pro | macOS |
| Weight | Approx. 1.4 kg (3.09 lbs) | Approx. 1.29 kg (2.8 lbs) |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 2 x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.0, microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack | 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), 3.5mm audio jack |
| Keyboard | Backlit Keyboard with NumberPad 2.0 | Backlit Magic Keyboard |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Webcam | 720p HD Camera | 720p FaceTime HD Camera |
| Audio | Harman Kardon-certified Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Build Quality | Aluminum chassis | Aluminum chassis |
| Price Range | Starts around $1,200 | Starts around $1,000 |
