Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro vs ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024)
Updated Apr 2026
The Verdict
Both laptops excel in portability and build quality, each catering to different user priorities. Apple's MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro features a superior Liquid Retina XDR display with 1600 nits brightness and 24GB unified RAM, delivering exceptional performance for creative professionals—its 22-hour battery life and M4 Pro's 16-core GPU justify the $1999 price tag. ASUS Zenbook S 14 counters with a stunning 3K OLED touchscreen, lighter 1.2kg chassis, and double the storage (1TB vs 512GB) at $600 less, though its Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and 16GB RAM fall short for demanding workloads. MacBook Pro dominates creative tasks and gaming; Zenbook S suits productivity and everyday computing. For professionals needing sustained GPU power, choose MacBook Pro. Budget-conscious users and Windows loyalists should select the ASUS.
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Pros
- Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
- Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
- Long battery life around 22 hours
- Three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed I/O
- Excellent build quality and speakers
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Base RAM bumped to 24 GB raises entry cost
- Notch in display divides opinion
- No cellular or touchscreen option
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 Pro 14" M4 Pro | ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.60 kg | 1.20 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum with Ceraluminum lid |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 311.2 x 219.3 x 14.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 22 hours wireless web | Up to 14 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 72 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 14.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | 3K OLED anti-glare touch |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 550 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB | 1 TB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU | 8-core (4P+4LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
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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 Pro 14" M4 Pro or the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024).