Highlights
- At the heart of the MacBook Air M1 lies the revolutionary Apple M1 chip, a marvel of engineering that combines a powerful 8-core CPU, an integrated 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine.
- The MacBook Air M1 starts at a price of $999, offering a compelling value proposition for those seeking a premium ultrabook with exceptional performance, long battery life, and a sleek design.
- The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED has a starting price of $799, making it a more budget-friendly option while still delivering solid performance, a vibrant OLED display, and a decent battery life.
In the realm of ultraportable laptops, the MacBook Air M1 and ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED stand as two formidable contenders, each promising a blend of sleek design, powerful performance, and long battery life. As you embark on the quest for your ideal ultrabook, let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two exceptional devices, weighing their strengths and weaknesses to determine which one emerges victorious.
Design and Build Quality: Aesthetics and Durability
MacBook Air M1:
The MacBook Air M1 exudes an aura of sophistication with its sleek unibody aluminum chassis, available in a trio of elegant colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. Its compact form factor and a mere 2.8 pounds of weight make it a breeze to carry around, whether you’re navigating a bustling campus or a crowded coffee shop.
ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED embraces a more vibrant aesthetic, featuring a slim profile and a choice of four captivating colors: Indie Black, Gaia Green, Resolute Red, and Dreamy White. Its aluminum-magnesium alloy construction strikes a balance between durability and portability, weighing in at a respectable 3.97 pounds.
Display: Visual Feast or Practicality?
MacBook Air M1:
The MacBook Air M1 boasts a brilliant 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Its IPS panel delivers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making it a joy to watch movies, edit photos, or work on creative projects. However, the display’s glossy finish can be prone to reflections in brightly lit environments.
ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED steals the show with its stunning 15.6-inch OLED display, boasting a resolution of 2880 x 1620 pixels. This panel offers exceptional contrast ratios, deep blacks, and incredibly vivid colors, making it ideal for content creators, graphic designers, and anyone who appreciates exceptional visuals.
Performance: Powerhouse vs. Efficiency
MacBook Air M1:
At the heart of the MacBook Air M1 lies the revolutionary Apple M1 chip, a marvel of engineering that combines a powerful 8-core CPU, an integrated 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This formidable combination delivers blazing-fast performance for everyday tasks, demanding creative applications, and even light gaming.
ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED is powered by the 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, a capable quad-core CPU with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.2GHz. Accompanying this processor is the NVIDIA GeForce MX350 discrete graphics card, providing a noticeable boost in graphical performance for video editing, 3D modeling, and casual gaming.
Battery Life: Endurance Champions
MacBook Air M1:
The MacBook Air M1 sets the standard for battery life, boasting an incredible endurance of up to 18 hours on a single charge. This exceptional longevity allows you to work, study, or create all day without the anxiety of finding a power outlet.
ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED offers respectable battery life, lasting up to 9 hours on a single charge. While not as impressive as the MacBook Air M1, it still provides ample power for a full day‘s work or study.
Operating Systems: Familiarity vs. Flexibility
MacBook Air M1:
The MacBook Air M1 runs on macOS Big Sur, Apple’s proprietary operating system known for its user-friendly interface, seamless integration with other Apple devices, and a wide selection of optimized software. However, macOS may not be as compatible with certain Windows-based applications and peripherals.
ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows 10 Home, the ubiquitous operating system renowned for its versatility, compatibility with a vast array of software and peripherals, and a familiar user interface for many users.
Price: Value for Your Investment
MacBook Air M1:
The MacBook Air M1 starts at a price of $999, offering a compelling value proposition for those seeking a premium ultrabook with exceptional performance, long battery life, and a sleek design.
ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED has a starting price of $799, making it a more budget-friendly option while still delivering solid performance, a vibrant OLED display, and a decent battery life.
Which One Should You Choose?
The MacBook Air M1 and ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED are both excellent ultraportable laptops, each catering to different needs and preferences. If you prioritize portability, long battery life, and a premium build quality, the MacBook Air M1 is an ideal choice. However, if you seek a larger display, more powerful graphics performance, and a more affordable price tag, the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED is a compelling alternative.
Beyond the Comparison: Additional Considerations
Portability:
The MacBook Air M1’s ultra-compact form factor and lightweight design make it the ultimate choice for those who value portability above all else.
Display Quality:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED’s stunning OLED display outshines the MacBook Air M1’s Retina display in terms of contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles.
Performance:
While the MacBook Air M1 delivers exceptional performance for everyday tasks and creative applications, the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED’s dedicated graphics card provides an edge in graphically demanding tasks.
Battery Life:
The MacBook Air M1’s unmatched battery life makes it the clear winner in this category, providing all-day endurance on a single charge.
Operating System:
The choice between macOS and Windows depends on your personal preference, software compatibility needs, and familiarity with each operating system.
Price:
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED offers a more budget-friendly option, while the MacBook Air M1 commands a premium for its exceptional performance and sleek design.
FAQs: Addressing Your Queries
1. Which laptop is better for students?
Both the MacBook Air M1 and ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED are excellent choices for students, offering a blend of portability, performance, and battery life. However, the MacBook Air M1’s longer battery life and macOS’s optimized software ecosystem may give it a slight edge for academic use.
2. Can I use the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED for gaming?
Yes, the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED’s NVIDIA GeForce MX350 graphics card can handle casual gaming and some less demanding AAA titles at medium settings. However, it’s not intended for hardcore gaming or running the latest AAA games at high settings.
3. Which laptop is better for video editing?
The ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED’s larger display and dedicated graphics card make it a better choice for video editing, especially if you work with high-resolution footage or use graphics-intensive editing software.
4. Can I upgrade the RAM or storage on the MacBook Air M1?
No, the RAM and storage on the MacBook Air M1 are soldered onto the logic board, making upgrades impossible. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right configuration at the time of purchase.
5. Does the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED have a webcam?
Yes, the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED features a built-in 720p webcam, suitable for video conferencing and online classes.
Final Thoughts: Unveiling the Victor
The MacBook Air M1 and ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED are both outstanding ultraportable laptops, each excelling in different areas. The MacBook Air M1 captivates with its sleek design, exceptional performance, and unmatched battery life, making it a superb choice for those who prioritize portability and productivity. On the other hand, the ASUS Vivobook S15 OLED impresses with its larger OLED display, dedicated graphics card, and more affordable price tag, making it an excellent option for content creators, casual gamers, and those seeking a versatile ultrabook. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget.