Choosing the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) provides better overall performance, higher screen resolution, and longer battery life; it's well-suited for tasks requiring higher computing power like 3D rendering, engineering software, or machine learning. However, it is more expensive. The ASUS R410MA is less costly, lighter, and still capable for general use and basic tasks such as web browsing, office work, or streaming media. Its lower resolution screen and less powerful processor make it less suitable for intensive tasks. If you prioritize high performance and better display quality and are willing to spend more, choose the MacBook Air. If affordability and basic functions are your main concern, go for the ASUS R410MA. 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 15 (2023)
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very 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 ASUS R410MA
The ASUS R410MA has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
5.5/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
501.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is good for general use, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is superior for general use with its powerful Apple M2 processor, more RAM, a high-quality IPS screen with better resolution, and longer battery life, all contributing to a smoother experience and crisper visuals.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
5.4/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
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 15 (2023) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The Apple MacBook Air features the Apple M2 with integrated 10-core GPU, which can handle 3D tasks more effectively than the ASUS R410MA's Intel UHD Graphics 600, which is not designed for intensive gaming or 3D applications. Both have screens limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, but the superior GPU in the MacBook compensates for this, while many popular games do not run on MacOS, the operating system of the MacBook, limiting its gaming capabilities.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
5.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is good for engineering and design, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is equipped with a more powerful M2 CPU and M2 GPU, higher RAM, and a superior IPS display with higher resolution, making it well-suited for the demands of engineering and design tasks, whereas the ASUS R410MA has a basic Celeron processor, lower RAM, and a lower quality TN display, which aren't adequate for such intensive tasks. Additionally, the MacBook's higher screen quality, including brightness and color coverage, provides a better visual experience necessary for design work, whereas the ASUS's poorer screen and graphics capabilities limit its effectiveness in these areas.
Content Creation
8.0/10
5.7/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the ASUS R410MA 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
8.1/10
5.6/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the ASUS R410MA 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
7.8/10
5.1/10
15.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the ASUS R410MA for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air boasts a high-resolution, bright display and excellent color accuracy that makes it great for general use and suitable for engineering and design tasks; however, its screen's refresh rate is lower, which isn't ideal for 3D work where smoother visuals are preferred. The ASUS R410MA, on the other hand, has a lower resolution and less bright screen which might make it less appealing for any use where clear, vibrant visuals are key, and like the MacBook Air, it suffers from a lower refresh rate not suited for gaming or 3D applications. Additionally, the poor color representation on the ASUS makes it less suitable for professional engineering and design work, where precise color matching is critical.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The ASUS R410MA has 8.5 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
10.0/10
5.1/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS R410MA has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$111
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the ASUS R410MA costs $111.
"The Apple MacBook Air 15 is boringly good. The new MacBook Air 15 is a very good, but also boring device, because apart from the larger screen and the higher price, there are no differences compared to the smaller MacBook Air M2 from last year. No new processor, no additional ports, just the usual basic hardware - but the overall package is extremely good and it simply works. Above all, the lack of fans is an aspect that should not be underestimated in everyday use. In our opinion, the Air could be a lot better, but Apple goes easy on itself here."
"The Asus Laptop L410 is a super-affordable PC, even among budget notebooks, compromising on the display and processing power to deliver a serviceable Windows machine with good battery life and useful ports. The build is reasonably solid, there’s a good mix of ports, battery life is long enough, and it can perform basic everyday tasks. On the flip side, the screen is poor, anything other than basic tasks is a tough ask, and it has little memory and even less storage."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the ASUS R410MA
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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