Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M3 MacBook Air delivers exceptional value at $1099, combining efficient performance with an excellent 18-hour battery life and vibrant 500-nit Liquid Retina display. ASUS Zenbook S 14 counters with a superior 3K OLED 120Hz touchscreen (550 nits), double the storage (1TB vs 256GB), more RAM (16GB vs 8GB), and stronger multi-threaded performance via Intel Core Ultra 7. However, the Zenbook's battery life trails at 14 hours, and its $300 price premium feels steep for modest real-world gains in typical productivity tasks. MacBook Air's M3 remains efficient enough for office work, creative projects, and daily computing. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing battery life and ecosystem integration, the MacBook Air wins decisively. Professionals needing maximum display quality, storage, and processing headroom should consider the ASUS despite higher cost. Recommendation: Choose MacBook Air M3 for value and longevity; select Zenbook S 14 only if OLED display and expanded storage justify the expense.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 if…
- →Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- →Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- →Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
Buy the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) if…
- →Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- →Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- →Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Pros
- Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- Supports two external displays with lid closed
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM increasingly limiting
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower speeds
- No high-refresh display
- Limited port selection
ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024)
Pros
- Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
- Solid all-day battery endurance
- Thoughtful design with excellent hinge mechanism
Cons
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series slower than H-class for heavy workloads
- RAM and SSD are soldered — no upgrade path
- Only one USB-A port
- Glossy OLED touch surface catches fingerprints
- No SD card reader
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.20 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum with Ceraluminum lid |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 311.2 x 219.3 x 14.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 14 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 72 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 14.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | 3K OLED anti-glare touch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 550 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 1 TB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 8-core (4P+4LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
Related Comparisons
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" M3 or the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024).