After I commented on the ASUS Zenbook A14 not solely emulating the look of the MacBook Air, however exceeding its specs in a number of respects, I bought the prospect to spend a while utilizing the machine.
Whereas I’m actually not going to be making the change from macOS to Home windows, there are some things I’d like to see Apple replicate in future MacBooks …
Weight
The 13-inch MacBook Air is just not precisely a heavyweight, but it surely does weigh 2.7 kilos whereas the 14-inch Zenbook is available in at 2.2 kilos.
My very own machine is the 16-inch MacBook Professional, which implies each machines really feel mild to me, however having spent a little bit of time evaluating the texture of the 2, and I’d say that weight distinction is unquestionably noticeable – and would get extra noticeable the extra time you spend carrying it.
I’d like to see Apple obtain the identical weight-saving with the MBA.
Battery life
Battery life claims of Intel machines have been all the time works of fiction, however each Apple Silicon and Snapdragon processors do appear to truly dwell as much as their claims, at the least in splendid circumstances.
Everybody cites laptop computer battery life as “film playback,” which in fact means nothing, however real-life exams present that Apple Silicon Macs sometimes ship upwards of 75% of their claimed most throughout precise utilization. That would go away the MBA 13 delivering 13.5 hours. My exams of the ASUS demonstrated an identical proportion, so a full 24 hours.
Sure, we will argue that after you hit true all-day utilization, what does it matter? However it’s good to have margin for probably the most demanding use – plus the higher the preliminary lifetime of the battery, the longer you’ll have the ability to personal it whereas nonetheless getting all-day utilization, so for me extra is all the time higher.
Face ID/Home windows Hey
Macs nonetheless don’t supply Face ID, and to me that’s one of many options I actually need Apple so as to add. Face ID is simply seamless, in comparison with having to relaxation my finger on the ability button after it already woke from sleep simply by opening it.
The Zenbook has Home windows Hey – Microsoft’s equal of Face ID – and it additional added to my need for face recognition on MacBooks.
It labored precisely the best way I’d anticipate Face ID to work. Inside a second or so of waking (of which extra in a second), the Zenbook greeted me and let me in. It was a pleasure each time, and I used to be left feeling like reaching for the Contact ID button was just a bit outdated.
Trackpad quantity and brightness controls
The Zenbook has a very helpful function the place the left facet of the trackpad serves as a quantity management, whereas the suitable facet adjusts display screen brightness. Simply slide your finger up or down to regulate.
It’s a very handy, intuitive solution to make the changes. I really like Apple’s trackpad gestures, and this could make an excellent addition.
Different comparisons
I’d anticipated to favor the Zenbook’s OLED display screen over the MacBook’s IPS LCD one, however actually – Apple’s shows are so good I actually didn’t understand a distinction between the 2.
One space the place the MacBook simply beats the Zenbook is pace of waking from sleep. With an Apple Silicon Mac, it’s mainly instantaneous: open the lid and it’s instantly able to login. The Zenbook at instances took 4-5 seconds to wake, and it made it really feel slightly sluggish as compared. That’s in fact a Home windows challenge slightly than a Zenbook one, but it surely’s additionally a pointer to the advantages of Apple’s built-in {hardware} and software program.
The second largest win for the MacBook was the speaker high quality! The Zenbook’s tinny audio system are like going again in time 5-10 years in Apple phrases. I’d by no means declare that MacBook audio system have been ok for listening to music, however they’re utterly high quality for video use, whereas the Zenbook’s are … not.
However in fact the most important distinction of all is the OS. Home windows 11 is actually the slickest model thus far, but it surely nonetheless feels clunky and considerably ugly in comparison with macOS.
All the identical, it’s nice to see such spectacular competitors within the ultralight pocket book class, and I’m very a lot hoping Apple will reply within the areas the place the Zenbook shines.
Picture: 9to5Mac collage of pictures from ASUS and Kseniya Lapteva on Unsplash
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