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Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
This configuration is out of stock.
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 13, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
When choosing between the Apple MacBook Air and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, consider that the MacBook Air offers a balance of portability and sufficient performance for everyday tasks with a longer battery life, benefiting users who prioritize convenience and light office work on the go. In contrast, the ROG Zephyrus G14, while more expensive, delivers superior performance suitable for gaming, 3D rendering, and engineering software, at the expense of heavier weight and potentially shorter battery life, making it ideal for users who require a powerful machine for more demanding applications. Give Feedback
At the time of writing the Apple MacBook Air (2020) cost $750 and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) cost $1,899. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) has dropped in price by $600.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.6
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Air, with its integrated graphics, isn't built for high-end gaming or 3D rendering, and its typical screen refresh rate is suitable for general use but lacks the smooth visuals demanded by gamers; its high screen quality is a plus, but many popular games are not compatible with macOS. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is equipped with a dedicated GPU and high-refresh-rate screen, enhancing performance and visual smoothness for gaming and 3D tasks, while still offering a capable CPU and screen quality, but it may come with a higher price tag and less portability.
Engineering and Design
7.3
8.3
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
The MacBook Air offers a balance of performance with its capable CPU and sufficient RAM for general engineering tasks and is known for a high-quality screen, comfortable keyboard, and solid build, but the integrated GPU may fall short for more graphics-intensive applications. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, equipped with a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated high-end GPU, excels in more demanding engineering software and gaming, at the expense of being heavier and potentially noisier during heavy use.
Content Creation
7.8
8.3
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) 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
7.5
7.9
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the MacBook Air's high-resolution Retina display offers vibrant colors and sharp images, while the ASUS ROG's display, although vivid and bright, prioritizes fast refresh rates that are more noticeable in gaming. For engineering and design, professionals favor the MacBook Air for its wide color gamut ensuring accurate color representation, but the ASUS ROG also excels with a similarly wide color range and professional-grade color accuracy. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the ASUS ROG's higher refresh rate provides smoother motion and responsiveness, which is crucial for these tasks, but the MacBook Air's lower refresh rate results in less fluid motion, making it less suitable for fast-paced 3D environments.
Battery
15.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 has 12 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.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$1,299
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has a price of $1,000 and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) costs $1,299.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
12.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air offers a balance of performance and portability, suited for everyday tasks with a high-quality screen, long battery life and a lightweight design, whereas the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 provides superior CPU and RAM capabilities for more demanding applications, but with reduced portability due to its focus on higher-end specs which may also impact battery life. While both have excellent screen quality and sufficient storage, the ASUS may have an edge on gaming or creative tasks but potentially at the cost of increased operating noise and heat.
Software Development
7.7
7.7
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both good for software development.
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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2020) and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) compare to other laptops
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Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2020) | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,299 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2020 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.63'' | 12.2'' x 8.7'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.8 lbs | 3.3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.24" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.66" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 73 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | April 2023
"The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 offers an impressive package. Asus improves the performance of the new 2023 ROG Zephyrus G14 considerable and offers a very powerful 14-inch notebook with plenty of performance for gamers and content creators. The high-quality chassis is unchanged from last year, but is now equipped with the latest and greatest from AMD as well as Nvidia. The Mini-LED panel also puts up a convincing performance in pretty much every regard, even though the MacBook Pro 14 still offers superior brightness values. The panel works extremely well for gaming and the included color profiles offer very accurate colors."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2020) or the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
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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.
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.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
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