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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers a higher storage capacity and more RAM, which is beneficial for multitasking and storage-intensive tasks. Its OLED display promises vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it great for media consumption. The lightweight design and Windows 11 Pro operating system could be a plus for users preferring a Windows ecosystem or requiring certain Windows-specific software. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) runs on the Apple M2 chip with strong performance, especially in optimized applications, and is known for excellent software-hardware integration. The MacBook also promises a fanless design for silent operation and a higher resell value, which may appeal to users invested in the Apple ecosystem or seeking a quieter working environment. However, it has lower base storage and less RAM than the Zenbook, which could be limiting for some users. It runs MacOS, which could be a deciding factor if you prefer or require Mac-specific software. In conclusion, if you prefer Windows and need more storage and multitasking capabilities, go for the Zenbook S 13. If you want a silent laptop with robust performance and are invested in the Apple ecosystem, the MacBook Pro 13 could be the better option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Best in class portability
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.6
7.7
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
365.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
11.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
20.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
9.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 stands out for general use due to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and crisp OLED screen, which are balanced with decent portability and battery life, though it offers less storage than some might desire for extensive data or applications.
Engineering and Design
8.2
7.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers superior CPU power, more RAM, and a high-quality OLED screen, making it very suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 pairs the efficiency of the M2 chip with a solid GPU and an excellent IPS display, but has less RAM and storage, making it still good for engineering and design but not as robust as the ASUS for intense workloads.
Content Creation
8.5
7.9
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Screen Quality
8.1
7.6
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
365.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the MacBook Pro 13 both have excellent displays with sharp resolutions and bright panels, making text clear and colors vibrant, which is pleasant for daily tasks like browsing and video streaming. In engineering and design, both laptops offer wide color gamuts, providing accurate color reproduction crucial for professional photo editing and graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D work, their screens don't support high refresh rates, leading to less fluid motion compared to laptops designed specifically for these tasks, which may disappoint serious gamers or 3D animators.
Battery
11.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Best in Class
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,400
$1,219
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a price of $1,400 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) costs $1,219.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.5
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 excels in gaming and 3D tasks due to its capable Iris Xe graphics, while the MacBook Pro 13 is only fair because its M2 integration provides modest graphics performance and many popular games are incompatible with the MacOS operating system. Despite both laptops having similar screen refresh rates and resolutions, the superior GPU in the ASUS makes it more suitable for gaming and graphically intensive tasks.
Software Development
8.3
7.8
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook S 13 to be very good for software development, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
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How the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook S 13 | Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,400 | $1,219 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 8.5'' x 0.46'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.2 lbs | 3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.66" | 11.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.52" | 8.36" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1355U | Apple M2 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11 Hours | 20 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 63 Wh | 58.2 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 365 nits | 497 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 3 | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook S 13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | May 2023
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook S 13 or the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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