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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
If you are torn between Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H), this breakdown is for you. We compare specs, pros, and cons so you can decide confidently.
Ratings: 4.9★ vs 4.6★
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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)
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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)
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Comparison: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
★4.6(15)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy | ★4.6(15)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache |
Graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS) |
Cooling | Active (Dual fan cooling system) | Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) |
Display Size | 14.2" | 14.0" |
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 (Native) | 2880 x 1800 (3K) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:10 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) | OLED (Touchscreen; Glossy; SGS Eye Care Display) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) | 400 nits (SDR); 600 nits (HDR Peak) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3); True Tone | 100% DCI-P3 |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US Standard (QWERTY) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes (White) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | IR Webcam (Windows Hello Face Authentication) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FHD IR camera with privacy shutter |
USB Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 4-cell Li-Ion (75 Wh) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 65 W USB-C Adapter |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) | 1.28 kg (2.82 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum (Ponder Blue) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | 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→
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→
Which one is better?
Overall, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch delivers better satisfaction. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness, M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis)
For value or versatility: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) (Stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen with verified HDR brightness, Excellent battery life (75 Wh) for a 14-inch laptop)
Conclusion
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch excels if you value class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) is better if you prioritize stunning 120hz oled touchscreen with verified hdr 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
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