ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) is the premium pick here, thanks to its stunning 14" 3K 120Hz OLED display that outshines the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024). The MacBook Air's M3 chip is a powerhouse, boasting hardware-accelerated ray tracing that crushes the Intel Core Ultra 5 in graphics performance. If you’re into gaming or heavy video editing, this could tip the scales, especially since the ASUS struggles with reflections due to its glossy screen. Let's dive into the specifics and see which laptop suits your needs best.
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ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
| Criterion | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(15)Amazon | ★4.9(2,424)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) |
Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores) | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) |
AI Engine | Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS) | 16-core Neural Engine |
Cooling | Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation) | Passive (Fanless silent design) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz) | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | No (Unified Memory architecture) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) | No (Soldered) |
Display Size | 14.0" | 13.6" |
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 (3K) | 2560 x 1664 (Native) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) |
Screen Type | OLED (Touchscreen; Glossy; SGS Eye Care Display) | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 400 nits (SDR); 600 nits (HDR Peak) | 500 nits |
Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | Wide color (P3) |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) | US English (Magic Keyboard) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (White) | Yes (Ambient light sensor) |
Biometrics | IR Webcam (Windows Hello Face Authentication) | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD IR camera with privacy shutter | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
USB Ports | 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 4-cell Li-Ion (75 Wh) | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) |
Charger | 65 W USB-C Adapter | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) |
Weight | 1.28 kg (2.82 lbs) | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Ponder Blue) | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | macOS (Sonoma or later) |
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ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen with verified HDR brightness
- • Excellent battery life (75 Wh) for a 14-inch laptop
- • Premium all-metal build that is extremely lightweight (2.82 lbs)
- • Full Thunderbolt 4 support + USB-A and HDMI (rare in this thinness class)
✗ Cons:
- • Glossy screen handles reflections poorly in bright environments
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded later
- • Fingerprint magnet chassis (Ponder Blue colorway)
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- • First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
- • Completely silent fanless operation
- • Exceptional build quality with a bright 500-nit P3 display
- • MagSafe 3 charging frees up both Thunderbolt ports for peripherals
✗ Cons:
- • Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB)
- • Limited to 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion 120Hz)
- • Zero user-upgradeability for RAM or storage
- • Thermal throttling can occur under sustained heavy workloads due to lack of fans
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Which one is better?
Grab the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if you need a super-fast chip for graphics tasks - it's significantly lighter at just 2.75 lb.
Who should buy each?
Choose the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) if: you want a stunning 14" 3K OLED display, need excellent battery life for all-day use, or prefer a wider selection of ports.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you require lightning-fast performance for gaming or video editing, prefer a fanless design for silent operation, or need to connect two external monitors in clamshell mode. (13.6" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) excels if you value stunning 120hz oled touchscreen with verified hdr brightness. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) is better if you prioritize significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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