MacBook Pro M4 Max vs ASUS Zenbook S 14
The default pro-coder choice on each side of the fence. Power vs portability, MLX vs Lunar Lake NPU.
Published ·Last updated
Short answer
MacBook wins on raw compile speed, sustained thermals, and unified-memory LLM throughput. Zenbook wins on weight (1.20kg), 3K OLED panel, and price.
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" (M4 Max): Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU, 40-core GPU), 38 NPU TOPS, 64GB RAM, 78 tok/s on Llama 3 13B Q4, 17h battery, 1.62kg, $3,199.
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (UX5406, Lunar Lake): Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (Lunar Lake), 47 NPU TOPS, 32GB RAM, 28 tok/s on Llama 3 13B Q4, 18h battery, 1.2kg, $1,499.
Option B
ASUS Zenbook S 14 (UX5406, Lunar Lake)
Best AI-class business ultraportable
$1,499
Check price →Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" | ASUS Zenbook S 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,199 | $1,499 |
| Chip | Apple M4 Max (16-core CPU, 40-core GPU) | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (Lunar Lake) |
| NPU TOPS | 38 TOPS | 47 TOPS |
| RAM | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| LLM tokens/sec (13B Q4) | 78 tok/s | 28 tok/s |
| Sustained thermal score | 92/100 | 72/100 |
| Battery life | 17 h | 18 h |
| Weight | 1.62 kg | 1.2 kg |
| AIPC workload-fit | 9.7 | 9.3 |
Best for
Heavy compiles + LLMsApple
Sustained thermalsApple
Travel weightASUS
Linux ecosystemASUS
PriceASUS
AIPC verdict
MacBook wins on raw compile speed, sustained thermals, and unified-memory LLM throughput. Zenbook wins on weight (1.20kg), 3K OLED panel, and price.
Open chip-level breakdown on AIPC →See full rankings
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