The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is less expensive and better suited for gaming and engineering tasks with higher performance components like a more robust main processor and graphics unit, more RAM, and a high refresh rate display. This makes it great for intensive gaming and demanding software applications. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life than the ASUS Zenbook 13, which is lighter, more portable, and has an OLED display that offers better color accuracy and contrast, making it suitable for general use and tasks where display quality is paramount, like photo editing. The Zenbook 13 also has a slightly better portability score, indicating its advantage in mobility over the Gaming A16. 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 ASUS TUF Gaming A16
Good for gaming and AI
Very good battery life
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 13
Excellent portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.2/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16, featuring a higher-tier GPU and a screen capable of a high refresh rate, provides a more fluid and visually rich gaming experience, in contrast to the ASUS Zenbook 13, which, although it has a vibrant OLED screen, includes an integrated GPU with lower performance and a standard refresh rate, making it less optimal for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
7.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for engineering and design, though the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is better suited for engineering and design due to its higher RAM capacity, more powerful dedicated GPU, and larger screen with a higher refresh rate which can be advantageous for rendering and multitasking, whereas the ASUS Zenbook 13, while more portable with its lighter weight and smaller size, has less RAM, relies on integrated graphics, and has a smaller standard refresh rate display making it less optimal for resource-intensive tasks despite its higher screen resolution and color accuracy.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
7.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
378.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook 13 for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook 13 leads in screen quality due to its higher resolution and brightness, presenting content more clearly and vibrantly. Engineering and design users would favor the Zenbook as well, given its wider color gamut coverage, ensuring more accurate color reproduction crucial for such tasks. However, both laptops may fall short for gaming and 3D applications, as their screens don't prioritize high refresh rates, which are essential for smooth visuals and fast-paced action.
Battery
12.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 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
Good
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has excellent portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$838
$890
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $838 and the ASUS Zenbook 13 costs $890.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is well-suited for general use due to its powerful CPU and ample RAM, which ensure smooth multitasking and efficient performance, while its IPS screen with high refresh rate provides a clear and fluid visual experience. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook 13, with its more portable and lightweight design, also meets general use needs with a high-quality OLED screen for vivid colors and contrast, complemented by excellent battery life for extended use on the go. Both laptops offer sufficient storage and possess qualities such as good keyboards and speaker systems, but prioritize different aspects of user experience—the A16 leans towards performance and screen quality while the Zenbook capitalizes on portability and battery efficiency.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.6/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 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
7.3/10
7.3/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.4/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the ASUS Zenbook 13 compare to other laptops
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the ASUS Zenbook 13
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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