← Back to Laptops
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 6, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Get the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch unless you want a stunning OLED display. The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) features a 2880 x 1800 resolution, but it can't match the MacBook's 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR display. The MacBook’s M3 Max processor delivers desktop-level performance in a portable design, making it a powerhouse for creators and professionals alike.
📱 Display: 14" vs 14.2"⚖️ Weight: 45.15 oz vs 56.79 oz💾 RAM: 16 GB vs 18 GB
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
★4.6
(15)•Amazon
Processor:Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache
Graphics:Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores)
AI Engine:Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS)
Cooling:Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation)
Check Amazon Price→
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9
(3,372)•Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Graphics:Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Active (Dual fan cooling system)
Check Amazon Price→
Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
14.0"
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
14.2"Winner
Refresh Rate
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
120 Hz
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
120 Hz (ProMotion)
Performance2 specs
RAMKey
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified MemoryWinner
Storage
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
512 GB or 1 TB SSD
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
4-cell Li-Ion (75 Wh)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Design1 specs
Weight
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
1.28 kg (2.82 lbs)Winner
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs)
Software1 specs
Operating System
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Windows 11 Home
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
macOS (Sonoma or later)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
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 Pro 14-inch
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
★4.6(15)Amazon
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
| Criterion | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(15)Amazon | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) |
Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores) | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) |
AI Engine | Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS) | 16-core Neural Engine |
Cooling | Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation) | Active (Dual fan cooling system) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz) | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) |
Display Size | 14.0" | 14.2" |
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 (3K) | 3024 x 1964 (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 XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz (ProMotion) |
Brightness | 400 nits (SDR); 600 nits (HDR Peak) | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) |
Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | Wide color (P3); True Tone |
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 | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) |
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) | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) |
Charger | 65 W USB-C Adapter | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter |
Weight | 1.28 kg (2.82 lbs) | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Ponder Blue) | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | macOS (Sonoma or later) |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Rating:★4.6(15)Amazon
Processor:Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache
Graphics:Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores)
AI Engine:Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS)
Cooling:Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation)
RAM:16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz)
RAM Upgrade:No (Soldered)
Storage:512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
Storage Upgrade:Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot)
Display Size:14.0"
Resolution:2880 x 1800 (3K)
Aspect Ratio:16:10
Screen Type:OLED (Touchscreen; Glossy; SGS Eye Care Display)
Refresh Rate:120 Hz
Brightness:400 nits (SDR); 600 nits (HDR Peak)
Color Gamut:100% DCI-P3
Keyboard Layout:US Standard (QWERTY)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes (White)
Biometrics:IR Webcam (Windows Hello Face Authentication)
Webcam:1080p FHD IR camera with privacy shutter
USB Ports:2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
Video Ports:1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Battery:4-cell Li-Ion (75 Wh)
Charger:65 W USB-C Adapter
Weight:1.28 kg (2.82 lbs)
Build Material:Aluminum (Ponder Blue)
Operating System:Windows 11 Home
✓ 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)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Rating:★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Graphics:Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Active (Dual fan cooling system)
RAM:18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory
RAM Upgrade:No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase)
Storage:512 GB or 1 TB SSD
Storage Upgrade:No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase)
Display Size:14.2"
Resolution:3024 x 1964 (Native)
Aspect Ratio:16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch)
Screen Type:Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones)
Refresh Rate:120 Hz (ProMotion)
Brightness:1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR)
Color Gamut:Wide color (P3); True Tone
Keyboard Layout:US English (Magic Keyboard)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes (Ambient light sensor)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint reader)
Webcam:1080p FaceTime HD camera
USB Ports:3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s)
Video Ports:1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones)
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Battery:72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Charger:70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter
Weight:1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs)
Build Material:100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure
Operating System:macOS (Sonoma or later)
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
- • M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis
- • Generous port selection including HDMI 2.1, SDXC, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports
- • Excellent build quality available in the new 'Space Black' finish (reduces fingerprints)
- • Battery life remains impressive despite high performance (up to 18 hours video playback)
✗ Cons:
- • Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- • No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
- • The notch at the top of the display cuts into the menu bar area
- • Under maximum load, the fans can become audible (though quieter than most PC laptops)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits brightness crushes the ASUS in visual quality. That said, grab the ASUS Zenbook if you want a lightweight laptop with a stunning OLED screen and save some cash.
Who should buy each?
Choose the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) if: you want a stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen for media consumption, need a lightweight laptop at just 2.82 lb, or prefer a more budget-friendly option.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you need the best display for photography and video editing, want a powerhouse for demanding applications, or require long battery life for professional use. (14.2" display, 56.79 oz weight)
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 Pro 14-inch is better if you prioritize class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.