Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 vs ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
The Verdict
MacBook Air M2 excels as an ultraportable productivity machine with exceptional battery life (18 hours), weighing just 1.24kg with a sharp 2560x1664 Liquid Retina display. ASUS ROG Strix G16 targets gaming and content creation with a larger 16-inch 240Hz display, significantly more power via Intel i9-14900HX with 24 cores, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB storage versus M2's 8GB/256GB configuration. However, the ASUS sacrifices portability at 2.4kg and manages only 6 hours battery life, making it desk-bound. At $1099, the MacBook delivers superior value for everyday users prioritizing mobility and efficiency. The ROG Strix at $1599 justifies its premium through raw performance and expandability for professionals handling demanding workloads. Choose MacBook Air for travel and general computing; select ASUS for gaming, video editing, and stationary workflows.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 if…
- →Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- →MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- →1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
Buy the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) if…
- →RTX 4070 Laptop GPU handles 1440p gaming at high settings
- →240Hz 2.5K display is incredibly smooth for competitive gaming
- →90 Wh battery is large for a gaming laptop
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M2
Pros
- Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- 1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
- Liquid Retina display is brighter and slightly larger at 13.6 inches
- Fanless M2 chip handles 4K video editing silently
Cons
- 256 GB base SSD uses single NAND chip — notably slower writes than M1 Air
- 8 GB base RAM requires a $200 upgrade for serious work
- Still limited to one external display without workarounds
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion option
- Midnight color is a fingerprint magnet
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
Pros
- RTX 4070 Laptop GPU handles 1440p gaming at high settings
- 240Hz 2.5K display is incredibly smooth for competitive gaming
- 90 Wh battery is large for a gaming laptop
- Excellent thermal design with liquid metal compound
- 1 TB SSD with a second expandable slot
Cons
- Heavy and thick — not a portable daily driver
- No webcam — requires an external camera
- Fan noise under load is significant
- Battery life is short under gaming loads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum and plastic |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 13.94 x 10.35 x 0.92 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | IPS |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 240Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 24 cores (8P + 16E) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all ASUS products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 or the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024).