I’d love to see the MacBook Air incorporate these four Zenbook features.

After commenting on how the ASUS Zenbook A14 not only resembles the MacBook Air but also surpasses its specifications in various ways, I had the opportunity to use the laptop for a while.

Although I have no plans to switch from macOS to Windows, there are several features I wish Apple would adopt for upcoming MacBook models…

Weight

While the 13-inch MacBook Air is relatively lightweight at 2.7 pounds, the 14-inch Zenbook comes in even lighter at 2.2 pounds.

As someone who uses a 16-inch MacBook Pro, both laptops feel light to me. However, after spending some time comparing the two, I found the weight difference to be noticeable, especially with prolonged use. It would be fantastic if Apple could achieve a similar weight reduction with the MacBook Air.

Battery life

Intel’s claims regarding battery life have often been exaggerated, but both Apple Silicon and Snapdragon processors seem to genuinely meet their advertised specs in optimal conditions.

While many refer to laptop battery life based on “movie playback,” which is up for debate, real-world tests indicate that Apple Silicon Macs usually offer around 75% of their stated maximum during actual use. This suggests that the MBA 13 could achieve around 13.5 hours. My experience with the ASUS showed a similar trend, offering a full 24 hours.

We could argue that once you reach true all-day usage, it becomes less significant, but having some leeway for demanding tasks is beneficial. Additionally, the longer the battery retains its life, the longer you can use the device while still enjoying all-day performance—hence, I believe there’s always room for improvement.

Face ID/Windows Hello

Currently, Macs don’t include Face ID, which is a feature I genuinely wish Apple would introduce. Face ID offers a seamless experience compared to having to press my finger on the power button after already waking it up by simply opening the lid.

The Zenbook features Windows Hello—Microsoft’s answer to Face ID—and this increased my desire for facial recognition on MacBooks.

It performed exactly as I’d expect Face ID to: within a second of waking the laptop, it recognized me and granted access. This was consistently satisfying, making me feel like reaching out for the Touch ID button felt somewhat dated.

Trackpad volume and brightness controls

The Zenbook has a useful feature where the left side of the trackpad adjusts the volume, while the right side controls screen brightness. You simply slide your finger up or down for adjustments.

This approach is intuitive and very convenient. I appreciate Apple’s trackpad gestures, and this would be a wonderful enhancement.

Other comparisons

I initially thought I’d prefer the Zenbook’s OLED display over the MacBook’s IPS LCD, but honestly—even though Apple’s screens are fantastic, I hardly noticed a difference.

One clear advantage for the MacBook is its speed in waking from sleep. With an Apple Silicon Mac, it is virtually instantaneous; open the lid and it’s ready for login immediately. In contrast, the Zenbook sometimes took 4-5 seconds to wake, making it feel a bit sluggish in comparison. While this is more of a Windows issue rather than a Zenbook flaw, it highlights the benefits of Apple’s integrated hardware and software.

Another significant advantage for the MacBook was the speaker quality! The Zenbook’s speakers sound noticeably inferior, reminiscent of technology from 5-10 years ago in Apple’s lineup. While I wouldn’t claim that MacBook speakers are perfect for music, they are certainly adequate for video, unlike those of the Zenbook.

Ultimately, the most glaring difference remains the operating system. While Windows 11 is indeed the most polished version to date, it still feels clunky and less appealing compared to macOS.

Nevertheless, it’s refreshing to witness such strong competition in the ultralight laptop market, and I sincerely hope that Apple will address the areas where the Zenbook excels.

Image: DMN collage of images from ASUS and Kseniya Lapteva on Unsplash