To decide between the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS Zenbook Flip S13, consider your priorities. The MacBook Pro typically offers a more seamless experience with other Apple devices and is preferred for its build quality and trackpad. It's also favored by creatives for multimedia work. The Zenbook Flip, being a 2-in-1, offers flexibility for tablet use and touch screen interactions. If high performance for engineering tasks and gaming is key, the Zenbook might hold an advantage. However, the MacBook Pro generally offers better battery life and might be more reliable over time. Considering portability, both are lightweight, but the Zenbook's ability to flip might add convenience. In terms of price, you'll find that the MacBook often carries a premium. Choose based on whether you value the macOS ecosystem and build quality, or the versatility and potential for higher performance with Windows-based applications on the Zenbook. 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 Flip S13
Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.6/10
7.9/10
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
372.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13's Retina display offers excellent resolution and brightness, which enhances the general use experience with sharp text and vivid images. For engineering and design, it covers a wide range of colors, making it great for color-sensitive work. However, its standard refresh rate limits its capability for smooth rendering in 3D applications, where higher refresh rates are crucial for fluid motion.
Battery
20.0 Hours
10.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has 10.5 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
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 costs $1,400.
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its efficient M1 chip and higher battery life makes it very good for everyday tasks and its silent operation enhances user comfort for general use; whereas the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 offers a sharper 4K touchscreen display and larger storage space which appeals to users who prioritize screen real estate and data space, coupled with its 2-in-1 feature making it versatile for different scenarios. Both are lightweight and have high-quality keyboards, but the MacBook Pro has a longer battery life while the Zenbook Flip boasts superior screen resolution and tablet functionality.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.3/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020), with its Apple M1 integrated graphics, may handle 3D tasks but not at the same level as true gaming laptops, and its lower refresh rate may hinder performance in fast-paced scenarios; consider that it won't run many popular games due to MacOS compatibility issues. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 also has integrated graphics which perform decently in gaming and 3D, but it may not match the performance of laptops with dedicated graphics cards, despite having a higher screen quality and a convertible form factor for flexibility.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
7.4/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its M1 chip provides efficient processing power suitable for engineering software and offers a high-quality Retina display for design work, while the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13, equipped with an Intel i7 and sharp 4K OLED screen, supports engineering tasks and delivers vibrant visuals for design, plus has the benefit of being a 2-in-1 convertible for added versatility. Both laptops come with sufficient RAM and feature GPUs that can handle moderate workloads, balancing performance and portability; however, for those prioritizing a tactile experience and less operating noise, the MacBook Pro's keyboard quality and reduced fan noise may be more appealing.
Content Creation
7.8/10
7.8/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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
7.8/10
7.6/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 to have excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip is an ultra-sleek 2-in-1 convertible. A gorgeous OLED screen and lightweight magnesium chassis make this convertible a traveller’s dream. Its SSD isn’t fast, but it won’t hold you back in everyday use. Its battery life also isn’t class leading, but it’s hardly off the pace. Overall, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED holds its head high in the premium convertible category and is a smaller alternative to the Spectre x360 13.5 and the Yoga 9i Gen 7."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
103,395
Recommendations made
22,403
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.