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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) comes at a higher price but provides significantly better performance for general use, engineering tasks, and 3D/machine learning applications compared to the Gateway 14.1". It has an Apple M1 chip, which gives strong performance and efficiency, resulting in a longer battery life of 15 hours for typical usage. The Gateway 14.1" is a budget-friendly option with an Intel Celeron processor, suiting basic tasks, but it may not handle more demanding applications as well. Both have IPS screens, but the MacBook Air offers a higher resolution and better color accuracy which is beneficial for creative work or entertainment. The MacBook is also lighter and has a more premium build quality, while the Gateway provides a variety of ports, including an HDMI port which the MacBook lacks. If you need higher performance and better display quality, and can afford a higher price, the MacBook Air is a strong choice. The Gateway would be suitable for basic tasks and those seeking a more budget-friendly 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 Apple MacBook Air (2020)
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 14.1"
- The Gateway 14.1" has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air (2020).
Key differences
General Use
7.6
5.6
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is better for general use because it has a more capable CPU and more RAM, which contribute to smoother multitasking and overall performance, and its high-quality screen, longer battery life, and lightweight design enhance portability and viewing experience. In contrast, the Gateway 14.1" has a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a lower-quality screen, which may result in slower performance, less efficient multitasking, and a less engaging visual experience, making it less suitable for varied daily tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.2
5.4
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) with its Apple M1 chip and 7-core GPU can handle 3D applications somewhat better due to a more powerful graphics processing unit. The Gateway 14.1" with an Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU falls short in gaming and 3D tasks, and coupled with the fact that many popular games are not compatible with macOS, the MacBook Air is also limited in gaming options compared to typical Windows laptops.
Engineering and Design
7.3
5.5
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is a better choice for engineering and design use due to its powerful Apple M1 chip and ample RAM, which ensure smooth multitasking and efficient running of design software; in contrast, the Gateway 14.1" has a less capable Intel Celeron processor and less RAM, which may hinder performance with demanding engineering applications. Additionally, the MacBook Air boasts superior GPU performance and a high-quality Retina display, both crucial for graphics-intensive tasks, while the Gateway's Intel UHD Graphics and lower-quality screen may not deliver the same level of detail and color accuracy needed for precise design work.
Content Creation
7.8
5.8
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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.
Software Development
7.7
5.8
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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.
Screen Quality
7.5
6.0
13.3in
SIZE
14.1in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air's screen boasts higher resolution and brightness, making it clear and vibrant for everyday tasks, while it also covers a wider range of colors, essential for precision in engineering and design work. The Gateway 14.1" offers a fair screen experience with adequate resolution and brightness for general tasks, but it falls short in the color department for professional design applications. However, for 3D work and gaming, both laptops lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion rendering, with the MacBook Air slightly outperforming due to its better resolution and panel quality.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Gateway 14.1" has 8 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
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.1in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and Gateway 14.1" both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Air (2020) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
5.1
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$99
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has a price of $1,000 and the Gateway 14.1" costs $99.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2020) and the Gateway 14.1" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2020) | Gateway 14.1" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $99 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2020 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.63'' | 13.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.8 lbs | 3.35 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 13.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.78" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 49.9 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14.1" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 208 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
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."
Gateway 14.1"
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | September 2021
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2020) or the Gateway 14.1"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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
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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
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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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