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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MacBook Air excels in portability and silent operation, with longer battery life, suitable for general use and tasks that benefit from its high-quality display. It will save you a bit on the cost as well. The ASUS ROG Strix G16, while heavier and has a shorter battery life, offers stronger performance for 3D tasks, machine learning, and engineering work. It also has better specifications for gaming due to its higher refresh rate display and dedicated graphics card, but expect to pay more compared to the MacBook Air. Both have backlit keyboards, but only the ASUS has customizable RGB lighting and additional ports like Ethernet. 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 (2022)
- Very good for software development
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.4
7.9
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is equipped with a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a high screen refresh rate of 165Hz, which makes it suitable for gaming and 3D applications, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) uses an integrated Apple M2 GPU with a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, offering a fair experience for 3D tasks but limited gaming compatibility, especially since many popular games do not run on MacOS. Additionally, the ASUS has a more powerful CPU and higher RAM, which are somewhat important factors for performance, but these features make the laptop heavier and less portable than the lighter and thinner MacBook Air, which also offers a higher-quality screen and longer battery life.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.3
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, designed for intense performance, outshines the Apple MacBook Air (2022) for engineering and design tasks due to its superior CPU, double the RAM, dedicated high-end GPU, and a higher refresh rate screen which is beneficial for detailed design work. While the MacBook Air offers excellent portability and silent operation, its integrated GPU and lower RAM make it less ideal for demanding engineering software, but its high-resolution screen and outstanding build quality can still adequately support less-intensive design tasks.
Screen Quality
7.6
7.5
13.6in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
291.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G16 for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Air's high-resolution Retina display provides crisp text and images, making it great for general use, and its wide color gamut ensures accurate colors for design tasks, but its modest refresh rate is not optimal for 3D applications. The ASUS ROG Strix G16, while offering a good resolution and a decent panel for everyday tasks and engineering software, lacks the superior color coverage professionals might need for precise color work, and its screen isn't designed for the high refresh rates required for the smoothest gaming and 3D experiences. Essentially, the MacBook Air excels in display clarity and color accuracy but falls short for 3D applications, whereas the ASUS is adequate for general and engineering use but not specialized for color-critical tasks or high-end gaming.
Battery
15.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 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
Excellent
Fair
13.6in
SIZE
16.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$839
$1,269
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $839 and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 costs $1,269.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.7
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
291.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) with its M2 processor and solid state drive offers smooth performance for daily tasks, a high-resolution screen, and a remarkable combination of long battery life and light weight, enhancing its portability. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 packs a more powerful CPU and GPU, double the RAM and storage for demanding applications and multitasking, but it's heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less convenient for on-the-go users.
Content Creation
7.9
7.9
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both good for content creation.
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
8.0
7.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air (2022) to be very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 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 Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$839 | $1,269 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 13.9'' x 10.4'' x 1.05'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 5.51 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 13.94" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 10.39" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i7-13650HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 291 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.3/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
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 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2022)
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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 Strix G16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marc Herter | March 2023
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the ASUS ROG Strix G16
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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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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