The Apple MacBook Air (2022) offers greater portability and a higher battery life, making it well-suited for users who need a light and long-lasting laptop for general use. It also runs silently without a fan. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 is optimized for 3D rendering, machine learning, gaming, and engineering tasks due to its powerful AMD processor, Nvidia GPU, and higher RAM and storage capacity. However, it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, which makes it less ideal for on-the-go usage. The MacBook Air is also more affordable, while the ROG Strix G17 is somewhat more expensive but provides a significant boost in power for intensive tasks. 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 keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G17
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.4/10
8.4/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) offers fair performance for 3D tasks with its integrated Apple M2 GPU, but the screen's lower refresh rate of 60Hz falls short for fast-paced gaming and may not display 3D graphics as smoothly as dedicated gaming laptops. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 not only comes equipped with a high-end Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU that excels in handling intensive gaming and 3D requirements but also boasts a higher screen refresh rate of 240Hz, making for a much smoother visual experience, although its larger size and weight make it less portable than the MacBook Air.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
8.8/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.8/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Air is appreciated for its sharper screen and silent operation, making it suitable for design, but its performance is limited by lower memory and less powerful integrated graphics compared to the ASUS ROG Strix G17, which boasts a high-performance CPU and dedicated GPU, more RAM, and better gaming capabilities, though it is less portable and has a noisier fan. The ASUS, being bulkier and heavier, might not be as convenient for on-the-go engineers, but it's ideal for demanding tasks and 3D work, whereas the MacBook Air combines excellent build quality and portability, making it a good choice for design-focused professionals who value screen quality and a quiet environment.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
8.4/10
13.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
320.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G17 for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Air's high-resolution and bright display offers crisp visuals and comfortable viewing, whereas the ASUS ROG Strix G17's similarly impressive resolution and brightness ensure an enjoyable user experience. The MacBook Air's accurate color reproduction across various color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB makes it suitable for engineering and design professionals who need precise color representation, a capability matched by the ASUS, yet both fall short for 3D applications due to their lower refresh rates compared to models specialized for gaming. In contrast, laptops designed specifically for 3D work or gaming typically prioritize higher refresh rates, which are essential for smooth motion rendering but are less emphasized in these models.
Battery
15.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has 3 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
Poor
13.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$944
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $944 and the ASUS ROG Strix G17 costs $1,399.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) with its efficient Apple M2 CPU and lightweight design offers excellent portability and long battery life, which is ideal for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17's powerful AMD Ryzen processor and high RAM ensure strong performance for more demanding tasks but with decreased portability due to its larger size and shorter battery life. The MacBook's high-quality IPS screen with great color coverage suits everyday tasks, whereas the Strix's larger screen with a higher refresh rate appeals to users who prioritize gaming and content creation despite its heftier build.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.8/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G17 to be very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (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.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.7/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air (2022) to be very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 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 G17 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Asus ROG Strix G17 is an attractive but unbalanced gaming laptop. Its potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor excels in 1080p gaming, but playing at 1440p leaves the middling GeForce RTX 4060 GPU shouldering most of the burden. The display is exceptionally colorful, which is handy for content creators, but since this is a gaming laptop it would be better served with improved HDR capabilities. If battery life isn't a priority, the Strix G17 could serve as a designer by day and a gamer by night."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the ASUS ROG Strix G17
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.
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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