Asus VivoBook S14 S433vsApple MacBook Air 13

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Asus
ASUS VivoBook S14 S433
VivoBook S14 S433

Quick Stats

The ASUS VivoBook S14 S433's performance is decent but limited by thermal design and overheating issues frequently occur.
The VivoBook S14 has a premium and sturdy build with a sleek aluminum chassis that feels solid.
The display's brightness could be better, making it unsuitable for very bright environments.
The ASUS VivoBook S14 S433 features a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card.
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13
MacBook Air 13

Quick Stats

The MacBook Air 13's performance is respectable, yet not exceptional, meeting average user needs effectively somehow.
The Apple MacBook Air 13's build is a masterclass in minimalist design, exuding premium quality.
The MacBook Air 13's display is vibrant and bright, if not the highest resolution.
The MacBook Air 13 boasts a native resolution display with built-in SSD storage and 4GB of RAM.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Asus VivoBook S14 S433
#529
Apple MacBook Air 13
Winner
#526
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Asus VivoBook S14 S433
#154
Winner
Apple MacBook Air 13
#455
Display
Asus VivoBook S14 S433
#615
Apple MacBook Air 13
#357
Winner
Performance
Asus VivoBook S14 S433
#552
Winner
Apple MacBook Air 13
#780
Build
Asus VivoBook S14 S433
#162
Apple MacBook Air 13
#135
Winner
Features
Asus VivoBook S14 S433
#248
Apple MacBook Air 13
#24
Winner

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Asus ASUS VivoBook S14 S433
Apple Apple MacBook Air 13
up to 16GB
up to 24GB
up to 1032GB SSD
up to 2000GB SSD
AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
Apple M3 (8-core CPU)
NVIDIA GeForce MX350 (25W)
Apple M3 GPU (8-core)
2x 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x2 See photo
soldered PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 See photo

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Asus VivoBook S14 S433

Strengths

The laptop's mid-range price tag is fair considering its performance.
It performs well for what it is, especially in terms of CPU performance.
The i7 + MX250 version of the higher-tier ASUS Zenbook 14 UX434 has been outperformed by this laptop in our tests.
The 100% sRGB screen is a nice touch and provides good color accuracy.
The backlit keyboard in the higher-tier S433FL versions is a welcome feature.
The MX250 graphic chip is more powerful than what you normally get on a 14-inch Ultrabook.
Despite thermal limitations, the laptop still performs well in games, especially with a cooling pad.

Weaknesses

The thermal design of the laptop leaves much to be desired, and it can get hot during gaming sessions.
The GPU stabilizes at around 70-80% of its maximum capacity in demanding titles, leading to reduced performance over time.
The bottom aluminum panel heats up quickly, further impacting component temperatures and speed.
There is no USBC charging option, so you'll have to always bring along the included Barrow plug charger.
The CPU temperatures can reach 70-80 degrees Celsius during gaming sessions.
The GPU stabilizes at around 7-15% higher clocks with a cooling pad, but still not ideal.
If you're looking for better performance, AMD Ryzen 4000 notebooks might be a more competitive option.

Apple MacBook Air 13

Strengths

Same industrial design we've seen since about 2010 but it's aging well, still one of the most attractive looking ultra books on the market
Has a lot of space to work with (about 86 gigs free) after installing Adobe CS 5.5 and other software
Can play Diablo 3 at 25-21 frames per second, making it possible to play some games, even if not for serious gaming
Speakers are quite nice and can run iTunes on just fine and play iTunes video and iTunes HD video without a problem
Photoshop runs smoothly with quick image analysis, rotation, and other filters
Haswell CPU refresh and Intel HD 5000 graphics provide good performance for general use
Pretty darn nice to have about almost 100 gigs free out of the box

Weaknesses

Not a serious gaming machine, but still has some limitations (e.g. turning up fans when playing demanding games)
Noise from fan when playing demanding games
Fan can get quite loud and kick in quickly when running demanding tasks or games
Texture quality is high, shadow quality is medium, physics is high, cluster density is high with anti-aliasing turned on may be too much for the MacBook Air to handle
Turning off anti-aliasing and reducing settings helps performance but makes graphics less pretty
Can't run demanding games at high framerates (only 25-21 FPS)
May have some limitations in terms of graphical power, especially when running demanding games
Read Full Reviews

Asus VivoBook S14 S433

The ASUS VivoBook S14 S433 is a compact and feature-packed ultrabook that promises to deliver impressive performance without breaking the bank. With its sleek design and 14-inch Full HD display, this laptop is perfect for those who want a stylish and portable device for everyday tasks and light gaming. But how does it hold up under scrutiny? In this review, we'll delve into the S433's strengths and weaknesses, exploring its CPU and GPU performance, battery life, and thermal management to give you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from this mid-range ultrabook.

Apple MacBook Air 13

The Apple MacBook Air 13, mid-2013 refresh, boasts the same sleek industrial design that has aged remarkably well since its debut in 2010. Powered by Intel's Haswell CPU and integrated HD 5000 graphics, this ultrabook delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. With a slim profile and lightweight construction, it's perfect for those who value portability without sacrificing power. In this review, we'll put the MacBook Air through its paces, testing its gaming capabilities, video playback, and creative apps to see if it still reigns as one of the top choices in its class.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Asus VivoBook S14 S433 ReviewRead Apple MacBook Air 13 Review

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