Quick notes
- The laptop features a stylish Pine Grey color scheme and a diamond-cut logo that adds a touch of sophistication.
- The ZenBook UX3402ZA packs a 63Wh battery, which ASUS claims can provide up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- Both the ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA and the Apple MacBook Air M1 are excellent ultraportable laptops that offer a combination of style, performance, and portability.
The world of ultraportable laptops has witnessed two formidable contenders emerge: the ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA and the Apple MacBook Air M1. Both devices boast sleek designs, powerful performance, and impressive battery life, making them highly desirable options for consumers. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences and similarities between these two laptops to help you make an informed decision about which one is the right choice for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA exudes elegance with its ultra-thin profile and lightweight aluminum chassis. It measures just 0.67 inches thick and weighs a mere 2.45 pounds, making it highly portable. The laptop features a stylish Pine Grey color scheme and a diamond-cut logo that adds a touch of sophistication.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 also impresses with its thin and light design. It is slightly thinner than the ZenBook at 0.63 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds. The Air’s unibody aluminum construction provides durability and a premium feel. It comes in three classic colors: Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
Display
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ZenBook UX3402ZA boasts a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. The OLED technology offers exceptional contrast ratios and vibrant colors, delivering a stunning visual experience. The display also supports HDR content and has a peak brightness of 550 nits.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 features a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. While it is slightly smaller than the ZenBook’s display, the Retina display offers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. It also supports True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the display’s color temperature to match the ambient lighting.
Performance
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ZenBook UX3402ZA is powered by an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, which features 12 cores and 16 threads. It is paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. This hardware combination provides fast and responsive performance for both everyday tasks and demanding workloads.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 utilizes Apple’s M1 chip, which is a custom-designed ARM-based processor. The M1 chip features 8 cores, with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. It also includes 8GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD. The M1 chip offers impressive performance and energy efficiency, making the Air suitable for a wide range of tasks.
Battery Life
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ZenBook UX3402ZA packs a 63Wh battery, which ASUS claims can provide up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. In real-world usage, you can expect to get around 8-9 hours of battery life with moderate use.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 is renowned for its exceptional battery life. It features a 52.6Wh battery, which Apple claims can provide up to 18 hours of battery life. In real-world usage, you can expect to get around 12-15 hours of battery life with moderate use.
Connectivity
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ZenBook UX3402ZA offers a wide range of connectivity options, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 4 ports, and a MagSafe 3 charging port. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
Operating System
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ZenBook UX3402ZA comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home. Windows 11 offers a modern and user-friendly interface, along with a wide range of software and applications.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 runs on macOS Monterey. macOS is known for its intuitive design, seamless integration with Apple devices, and a strong focus on security.
Price and Availability
ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA
The ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA is available for purchase at a starting price of $1,099.
MacBook Air M1
The MacBook Air M1 is available for purchase at a starting price of $999.
Final Verdict: The ZenBook UX3402ZA vs. MacBook Air M1
Both the ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA and the Apple MacBook Air M1 are excellent ultraportable laptops that offer a combination of style, performance, and portability. However, each device has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
If you prioritize display quality, performance, and connectivity, the ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA is a compelling choice. Its OLED display, powerful Intel processor, and versatile connectivity options make it a great all-rounder for both work and play.
On the other hand, if battery life, portability, and a premium build quality are your top priorities, the Apple MacBook Air M1 is the better option. Its exceptional battery life, thin and light design, and powerful M1 chip make it an ideal companion for students, travelers, and anyone who values portability.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. By carefully considering the key differences and similarities highlighted in this comparison, you can make an informed decision about which ultraportable laptop is the perfect fit for you.
What You Need to Know
Q: Which laptop has a better display?
A: The ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA has a larger and higher-resolution OLED display with better contrast ratios and colors.
Q: Which laptop is more powerful?
A: The ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA has a more powerful Intel Core i7 processor, while the MacBook Air M1 has a more energy-efficient Apple M1 chip.
Q: Which laptop has better battery life?
A: The MacBook Air M1 has significantly better battery life than the ZenBook UX3402ZA.
Q: Which laptop is lighter and more portable?
A: The MacBook Air M1 is slightly thinner and lighter than the ZenBook UX3402ZA.
Q: Which laptop has more connectivity options?
A: The ASUS ZenBook UX3402ZA has more connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI, and a microSD card reader.
Q: Which laptop has a better operating system?
A: Both laptops have excellent operating systems, Windows 11 on the ZenBook UX3402ZA and macOS Monterey on the MacBook Air M1. The choice depends on personal preference.
Q: Which laptop is better for gaming?
A: Neither laptop is particularly well-suited for gaming due to their integrated graphics.
Q: Which laptop is more durable?
A: Both laptops have durable aluminum chassis, but the MacBook Air M1’s unibody construction may provide slightly better protection against damage.