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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MacBook Pro 13 (2020) will offer you a seamless experience if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize build quality and customer support. Its performance is well-suited for general use, and creative tasks benefit from its color-accurate display. However, the Zenbook 14X OLED stands out with its vivid OLED screen which is great for media consumption and tasks that benefit from true-to-life colors. The Zenbook also typically comes with a variety of ports for connectivity and could be more cost-effective. For demanding engineering software or games, either machine may not be ideal, but the Zenbook could edge out with possibly better heat management. You'll find the MacBook Pro more portable due to its smaller form factor, but the Zenbook's lightweight design is also a contender. Ultimately, your decision should be guided by your specific needs, budget, and preference for either the MacOS or Windows operating system. 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 Pro 13 (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.6
8.6
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
376.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 features a high-resolution Retina display with bright and vivid colors that make it excellent for general use and engineering where the sharpness and color accuracy are key. Its color gamut coverage caters well to design professionals requiring precise color representation. However, it falls short for 3D applications due to its standard refresh rate, which isn't ideal for the smooth motion often necessary in gaming or 3D modeling.
Battery
20.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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
$1,249
$825
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED costs $825.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.5
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
376.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) provides a great balance for general use with a capable CPU and ample RAM for multitasking, while its high-resolution IPS screen delivers clear visuals and excellent color accuracy, all packaged in a highly portable design with long battery life. The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED stands out with its vivid OLED screen for deep blacks and vibrant colors, higher storage capacity, and a powerful CPU suitable for more demanding tasks, though the trade-off is a heavier build and shorter battery life compared to the MacBook Pro.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.5
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
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 Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a lower screen refresh rate, which makes it less ideal for smooth 3D visuals, and although its GPU performs reasonably, many popular games are incompatible with macOS. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED offers a higher refresh rate screen for more fluid graphics in games and 3D applications, plus a capable integrated GPU, but it won't match gaming-dedicated GPUs for more demanding gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.7
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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
7.8
7.6
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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.
Software Development
7.8
7.5
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED are both good for software development.
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 Pro 13 (2020) and the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) | ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,249 | $825 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | 12.7'' x 8.9'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3 lbs | 3.44 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.67" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.88" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | Intel i5-13500H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 20 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58.2 Wh | 70 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 376 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 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 Pro 13 (2020)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
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 Pro 13 (2020) 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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