Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 vs ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra) (2026)
Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3
M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.
Full Review
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra)
2.8K OLED 120Hz, Core Ultra 7, 32GB, Thunderbolt 4, 1.3kg, 67Wh. OLED Windows ultrabook.
Full ReviewAt a Glance
| Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra) | |
|---|---|---|
| 247Verdict Score | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Owner Rating | 4.7★ (3,600) | 4.5★ (3,600) |
| Verdict | Excellent | Excellent |
| Battery | 18 hours | 8-10 hours |
| Weight | 1.51kg | 1.3kg |
| Ports | 2x USB-C | Thunderbolt 4 x2 |
Quick Verdict
This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3: M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra): 2.8K OLED 120Hz, Core Ultra 7, 32GB, Thunderbolt 4, 1.3kg, 67Wh. OLED Windows ultrabook. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →
Pros & Cons Side by Side
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3
- 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display provides significantly more working space than 13-inch for coding, design and documents
- M3 performance identical to 13-inch MacBook Air — same battery life, same silence, bigger screen
- 18-hour battery handles extended travel days without charger anxiety
- Fanless design maintains silence even on demanding tasks unlike Intel alternatives
- macOS Continuity: AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, iPhone mirroring, Handoff across Apple devices
- £1,400 — £300 more than 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for screen size only
- 1.51kg is heavier than 13-inch at 1.24kg — noticeable daily commute difference
- Same two-port limitation as 13-inch — hub required for USB-A or HDMI
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra)
- 2.8K OLED 120Hz display at this price is extraordinary — Dell XPS charges more for a similar panel
- 32GB RAM at this price point is unusually generous — most competitors offer 16GB
- 1.3kg is lighter than most 14-inch Windows laptops
- Thunderbolt 4 ports enable dual 4K monitors and fast external storage
- ASUS ErgoLift hinge raises the keyboard for improved typing angle and airflow
- OLED burn-in risk with static taskbars and menu bars over years of use
- Intel Core Ultra battery life 8-10 hours trails MacBook Air meaningfully
- ASUS brand perceived as less premium than Dell XPS or Lenovo ThinkPad in enterprise
FAQ
Which is better, Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 or ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED?
This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3: M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra): 2.8K OLED 120Hz, Core Ultra 7, 32GB, Thunderbolt 4, 1.3kg, 67Wh. OLED Windows ultrabook. Choose based on your specific needs.
Is the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 worth the extra cost?
Yes — Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 scores higher at 9.2/10 vs 9.1/10.
Who is the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED best suited to?
M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.
Who is the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED best suited to?
2.8K OLED 120Hz, Core Ultra 7, 32GB, Thunderbolt 4, 1.3kg, 67Wh. OLED Windows ultrabook.
What are the main downsides of each?
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3: £1,400 — £300 more than 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for screen size only; 1.51kg is heavier than 13-inch at 1.24kg — noticeable daily commute difference. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra): OLED burn-in risk with static taskbars and menu bars over years of use; Intel Core Ultra battery life 8-10 hours trails MacBook Air meaningfully.
Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?
Largely, yes — Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 sits at 4.7★ from 3,600 verified Amazon owners, and ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra) at 4.5★ from 3,600.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Popular in Laptops
Also Worth Considering
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max
M3 Max chip, 128GB unified RAM, 22hr battery, 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 16-core GPU. The creative workstation.
Read Full Review →
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro
M3 Pro chip, 18GB unified RAM, ProMotion 120Hz OLED, 18hr, 1.55kg. The pro creative laptop.
Read Full Review →
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3
M3 chip, 18hr battery, 13.6" Liquid Retina, fanless, 1.24kg. The best laptop for most people.
Read Full Review →