Asus ZenBook 13 UX325 vs MacBook Air M1: The Battle of the Ultraportables

In the realm of ultraportable laptops, two titans clash: the Asus ZenBook 13 UX325 and the MacBook Air M1. Both devices boast exceptional portability, sleek designs, and powerful performance. But which one reigns supreme? Let’s delve into their key differences and determine the victor in this epic battle.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus ZenBook 13 UX325 exudes sophistication with its diamond-cut edges, brushed aluminum chassis, and royal blue hue. Its compact dimensions (11.9″ x 8.1″ x 0.5″) and featherweight of 2.5 pounds make it effortlessly portable.

The MacBook Air M1, on the other hand, embraces a minimalist aesthetic with its unibody aluminum design and the iconic Apple logo. Available in silver, gold, and space gray, it measures 11.97″ x 8.41″ x 0.61″ and weighs 2.8 pounds.

While both devices are well-built, the ZenBook 13’s slimmer profile and striking design give it a slight edge.

Display

The ZenBook 13 UX325 features a 13.3-inch OLED NanoEdge display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Its HDR support and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut deliver vibrant and accurate images. The display boasts a 16:9 aspect ratio, making it ideal for multitasking and media consumption.

The MacBook Air M1’s 13.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels offers stunning visuals. Its P3 wide color gamut and 500 nits of brightness ensure exceptional image quality. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides ample vertical space for productivity tasks.

In terms of display quality, the MacBook Air M1 takes the lead with its higher resolution, wider color gamut, and impressive brightness.

Performance

The Asus ZenBook 13 UX325 is powered by Intel’s 11th-generation Core i5 or i7 processors, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. This configuration provides solid performance for everyday tasks, web browsing, and office applications.

The MacBook Air M1, however, features Apple’s groundbreaking M1 chip, which has 8 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores. This combination delivers exceptional performance, handling demanding tasks like video editing, photo manipulation, and coding with ease.

In terms of raw performance, the MacBook Air M1 is the clear winner, offering significantly faster speeds and more efficient multitasking.

Battery Life

The ZenBook 13 UX325 boasts a 67Wh battery that promises up to 16 hours of battery life. In real-world use, you can expect around 10-12 hours of usage on a single charge.

The MacBook Air M1’s 49.9Wh battery claims to provide up to 18 hours of battery life. In practice, you can expect around 14-16 hours of usage, depending on your workload.

While the MacBook Air M1 has a smaller battery capacity, its optimized M1 chip and efficient power management give it a slight advantage in battery life.

Connectivity

The ZenBook 13 UX325 offers a comprehensive range of ports, including two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, an HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. This wide selection of ports ensures compatibility with various peripherals.

The MacBook Air M1, on the other hand, has a more limited selection of ports. It features two USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a MagSafe 3 charging port.

While the ZenBook 13’s wider port selection offers greater flexibility, the MacBook Air M1’s Thunderbolt 4 ports provide faster data transfer speeds.

Features

The ZenBook 13 UX325 comes with a host of useful features, such as a fingerprint sensor for secure login, a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light conditions, and a NumberPad 2.0, which transforms the touchpad into a numeric keypad for quick data entry.

The MacBook Air M1 offers a more streamlined feature set, including a Touch ID sensor for secure authentication, a Magic Keyboard with improved key travel, and a Force Touch trackpad with haptic feedback.

While both devices offer a solid set of features, the ZenBook 13’s NumberPad 2.0 and backlit keyboard give it a slight edge in functionality.

Price

The Asus ZenBook 13 UX325 starts at $999 for the base model, while the MacBook Air M1 starts at $999 as well. However, the MacBook Air M1 offers a more powerful M1 chip and a higher-resolution display for the same price.

Verdict

In the battle of the ultraportables, the MacBook Air M1 emerges as the superior choice. Its exceptional performance, stunning display, impressive battery life, and compact design make it the ideal laptop for professionals, students, and anyone who values portability and power.

While the Asus ZenBook 13 UX325 offers a solid alternative with its sleek design, comprehensive port selection, and useful features, it ultimately falls short in terms of performance and display quality.

Beyond the Comparison

Asus ZenBook 13 UX325: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Sleek and stylish design
• Lightweight and portable
• Comprehensive port selection
• Useful features (fingerprint sensor, backlit keyboard, NumberPad 2.0)

Cons:

• Limited performance compared to the MacBook Air M1
• Lower-resolution display

MacBook Air M1: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional performance with the M1 chip
• Stunning high-resolution display
• Impressive battery life
• Compact and lightweight design

Cons:

• Limited port selection
• Higher price than the ZenBook 13 UX325

Quick Answers to Your FAQs

1. Which laptop has a better display?

The MacBook Air M1 has a higher-resolution display with a wider color gamut and higher brightness.

2. Which laptop has better battery life?

The MacBook Air M1 has a slight advantage in battery life due to its optimized M1 chip and efficient power management.

3. Which laptop is more portable?

Both laptops are highly portable, but the ZenBook 13 UX325 has a slightly slimmer profile and weighs less.

4. Which laptop has more features?

The ZenBook 13 UX325 offers a wider range of features, including a fingerprint sensor, backlit keyboard, and NumberPad 2.0.

5. Which laptop is better for gaming?

Neither laptop is ideal for gaming due to their integrated graphics.