Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 vs ASUS VivoBook S 15 (S5507, Snapdragon X Elite)
The Verdict
Both laptops hit the same $1299 price point with distinct strengths. Apple's MacBook Air 15" M4 delivers exceptional portability at 3.3 lbs with its proven M4 chip, 18-hour battery life, and refined Liquid Retina display (500 nits, 2880×1864). ASUS VivoBook S 15 counters with a brighter 600-nit OLED screen (120Hz refresh), faster 1TB storage versus Apple's 256GB base, and the newer Snapdragon X Elite processor promising strong Windows ARM performance. The ASUS weighs slightly less (3.13 lbs), includes legacy USB-A ports, and offers superior display technology. However, Apple's ecosystem integration, MagSafe convenience, and mature M4 optimization give it an edge for creative professionals. Choose the MacBook Air for proven performance and longevity; select the ASUS for display quality and storage value if Windows suits your workflow.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 if…
- →M4 chip delivers massive performance leap over M3 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- →16 GB RAM standard — no more $200 upgrade from 8 GB
- →18-hour battery life is genuinely all-day
Buy the ASUS VivoBook S 15 (S5507, Snapdragon X Elite) if…
- →Excellent 3K 120Hz OLED display
- →All-day battery life thanks to ARM efficiency
- →Powerful 45 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ AI features
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
Pros
- M4 chip delivers massive performance leap over M3 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- 16 GB RAM standard — no more $200 upgrade from 8 GB
- 18-hour battery life is genuinely all-day
- Fanless design is completely silent under all workloads
- Gorgeous 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display for content consumption
Cons
- Still limited to 60Hz display — no ProMotion
- Only two Thunderbolt ports — both on the left side
- Base 256 GB storage is tight for a $1,299 laptop
- No HDMI or SD card slot — dongles still required
ASUS VivoBook S 15 (S5507, Snapdragon X Elite)
Pros
- Excellent 3K 120Hz OLED display
- All-day battery life thanks to ARM efficiency
- Powerful 45 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ AI features
- Lightweight for a 15.6-inch laptop
- Fanless-quiet operation under typical loads
Cons
- ARM compatibility issues with some x86 apps
- No Thunderbolt support
- Soldered RAM not upgradeable
- No SD card reader
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 | ASUS VivoBook S 15 (S5507, Snapdragon X Elite) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home (ARM) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.51 kg) | 1.42 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches | 352.6 x 225.9 x 14.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 0 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 70 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | OLED, 16:9 |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 2880 x 1620 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 600 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 12 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 |
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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 15" M4 or the ASUS VivoBook S 15 (S5507, Snapdragon X Elite).