ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The real choice here is the system: the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch runs macOS. Beyond that, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has more memory and has more storage, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has a sharper screen.
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Key differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch runs macOS. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Memory ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED wins
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Storage ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED wins
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has four times the storage: 1 TB against 256 GB.
- OLED screen ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED wins
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has an OLED screen, with true blacks and richer colour than the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's LCD.
- Sharpness Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's screen is sharper: 2.5K against Full HD.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You watch a lot of films and video, or edit photos: its OLED screen has true blacks and rich colour.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You do demanding work: its Apple M1 has the power for photo and video editing.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED leads on performance, the screen and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc 140T | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 13 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 | — |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has a slightly bigger screen: 14" against 13.3". The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has an OLED screen, has a touchscreen and has a slightly bigger screen, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has a sharper screen.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 400 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 | None |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Pen standard | MPP 2.0 | — |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 75 Wh | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | 65 W | 30 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.28 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 312.4 x 220.1 x 14.9 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | — | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Durability | US MIL-STD-810H | — |
| Colour | Ponder Blue | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Ponder Blue, Jasper Gray, Foggy Silver | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI and USB-A and has Wi-Fi 7, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, both support charging and DisplayPort, up to 40Gbps), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS), 1x 3.5 mm combo audio | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | — | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ahead on extras.
It has a sharper webcam, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | backlit chiclet, 1.4 mm key travel, Copilot key | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Face | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | precision touchpad | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | Harman Kardon stereo speakers | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | built-in array microphone | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | Supported (sold separately) | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, Windows Hello face recognition | Touch ID |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Model number | UX3405CA-QL192W | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |