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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher resolution and touchscreen display, with more storage space out of the box, and don't mind a little extra weight, the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED could be the preferred option. It's also slightly more budget-friendly and offers higher screen refresh rates, which might be beneficial for smooth visuals. However, if you are looking for a machine with better battery life, lightweight design for easier portability, and silent operation due to its fanless design, the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is likely the better choice. The MacBook Air excels in build quality and general use performance, and it runs macOS, so if you're already within the Apple ecosystem or prefer it for its software, it could be the ideal choice. However, keep in mind that the MacBook Air's performance may not be as suitable for the most intensive engineering tasks as the ASUS. 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 Zenbook 14X OLED
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Software Development
8.0
7.5
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is very good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED 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.
Screen Quality
7.6
8.6
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
376.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED for software development, and content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both laptops offer high-resolution displays with excellent color accuracy and brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption. In engineering and design, they both provide wide color gamuts, ensuring precise color representation which is essential for professional creative work. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the lower refresh rates on these laptops may lead to less smooth visuals, which is less ideal compared to models with higher refresh rates designed specifically for these purposes.
Battery
15.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has 6 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
Very Good
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has very good 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 Zenbook 14X OLED has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$899
$825
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $899 and the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED costs $825.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.5
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
376.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) excels in portability and battery life, with a fanless design ensuring silent operation, while its high-quality screen and strong CPU provide an outstanding general-use experience. The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED offers a superior screen with higher resolution and touchscreen capability, accompanied by more storage and a robust CPU, which comes with reduced battery life and some increase in weight; therefore, users focused on screen detail and storage may find the ASUS more appealing, albeit with the tradeoff of needing more frequent charging and carrying a slightly heavier device.
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.5
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air, with its M2 GPU, is suitable for some 3D applications but lacks the variety of gaming titles available to Windows-based systems like the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED with its Iris Xe graphics. While the MacBook Air's lower refresh rate screen may limit some 3D experiences, the Zenbook's higher refresh rate OLED screen makes it better for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.5
7.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.9
7.6
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED 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.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$899 | $825 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 12.7'' x 8.9'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 3.44 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.67" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 8.88" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i5-13500H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 70 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 376 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
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 Zenbook 14X OLED
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | September 2023
"While one of the more budget-friendly configurations of the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED may make a compelling case as a top value pick, it’s difficult to be disappointed with the more expensive model we reviewed here. At its core, for all models, it’s a luxury-built laptop with extreme portability and a gorgeous OLED display. Our unit rocks with a snappy Core i9 processor for getting real work done, and the discrete GPU—even if it has a clear power ceiling—is a bonus for creative pros."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED
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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