Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 vs ASUS ROG Ally X
The Verdict
Comparing these devices reveals fundamentally different product categories masquerading under the same classification. Apple's MacBook Air M4 delivers a premium ultrabook experience with exceptional build quality, featuring recycled aluminum construction, a vibrant 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display at 2560x1664, and the efficient M4 chip paired with 16GB RAM. Battery life reaches an impressive 18 hours, making it ideal for productivity and content creation. Conversely, ASUS ROG Ally X is a gaming handheld device with a compact 7-inch 1920x1080 display and 120Hz refresh rate, powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with 24GB RAM. Its 3-10 hour battery life and portable form factor suit mobile gaming over traditional computing tasks. For traditional laptop work, the MacBook Air M4 is vastly superior with better productivity software, faster everyday performance, and superior battery longevity. However, for gaming enthusiasts seeking a premium portable gaming device, the ROG Ally X excels at a lower price point. Choose based on your actual needs: professional computing versus handheld gaming.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 if…
- →M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- →16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- →Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally X if…
- →Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- →24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- →1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4
Pros
- M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- 16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
- 18-hour battery life rivals the 15-inch model
- Fanless, completely silent operation
Cons
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion or high-refresh option
- 256 GB base storage requires upgrading for most users
- Only two Thunderbolt ports limits connectivity
- 13.6-inch screen feels cramped for multitasking
ASUS ROG Ally X
Pros
- Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- 24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- 1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
- Two USB-C ports allow charging while connecting accessories
- Improved ergonomic grips and button layout over original Ally
Cons
- Heavier at 678 g due to the larger battery
- Same Z1 Extreme chip — no generational performance leap
- Removed microSD slot compared to original ROG Ally
- IPS LCD still lacks OLED contrast and HDR capability
- $799 puts it close to full laptop pricing territory
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 | ASUS ROG Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 678 g |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | 3-10 hours (game dependent) |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 80 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 7 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | — |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | — | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.2 |
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.
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