MacBook Air 13 M4
M4 · 13.6″ Liquid Retina · 1.24 kg
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)
Core Ultra 9 · RTX 5080 · 16″ OLED
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Air 13 M4 lands at 91 and ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) at 93. That puts ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick MacBook Air 13 M4 if…
- ✓$999 starting at 16 GB / 256 GB
- ✓Best perf-per-watt 13″ laptop
- ✓24-hour battery on light loads
Pick ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) if…
- ✓Slim chassis for a 5080
- ✓OLED 240Hz panel
- ✓Strong thermals at 1.85 kg
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) leads on gpu (95 vs 86).
Battery life
MacBook Air 13 M4Unplugged endurance for travel and campus
MacBook Air 13 M4 leads on battery (96 vs 78).
Display
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)Panel quality for creative and media work
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) leads on display (95 vs 88).
Value for money
MacBook Air 13 M4Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 13 M4 more score per dollar ($999 vs $2,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | MacBook Air 13 M4 | ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.6″ Liquid Retina, 60Hz | ▲ 16″ OLED, 2560×1600, 240Hz |
| CPU | Apple M4 (10-core) | ▲ Intel Core Ultra 9 285H |
| GPU | 8 / 10-core integrated | ▲ RTX 5080 Laptop (150W) |
| RAM | 16 / 24 / 32 GB unified | ▲ 32 GB LPDDR5X-7500 |
| Storage | ▲ 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB | 2 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
| Battery | 52.6 Wh | ▲ 90 Wh |
| Weight | ▲ 1.24 kg | 1.85 kg |
| OS | — | Windows 11 Pro |
MacBook Air 13 M4
- +$999 starting at 16 GB / 256 GB
- +Best perf-per-watt 13″ laptop
- +24-hour battery on light loads
- −No ProMotion 120Hz
- −Single external display on base SKU
- −Notch in display
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)
- +Slim chassis for a 5080
- +OLED 240Hz panel
- +Strong thermals at 1.85 kg
- −Battery limited in gaming
- −Speakers average
- −Fans ramp at max perf
FAQ: MacBook Air 13 M4 vs ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)
Which is better, MacBook Air 13 M4 or ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)? +
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is MacBook Air 13 M4 worth the price? +
At $999, MacBook Air 13 M4 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in battery.
Is ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) worth the price? +
At $2,699, ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in gpu.
Does MacBook Air 13 M4 or ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for performance, MacBook Air 13 M4 or ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)? +
ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) — leads on gpu (95 vs 86). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for battery life, MacBook Air 13 M4 or ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)? +
MacBook Air 13 M4 — leads on battery (96 vs 78). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.