Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) vs MacBook Air M5 15-inch: Which is Better?
Compare specifications, features, prices, and find out which device is the right choice for you.
Asus
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph)
INR 699,999
Overall Winner
Apple
MacBook Air M5 15-inch
$1,299
Specification Comparison
| Feature | Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) | MacBook Air M5 15-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 18 inches, Mini LED | 15.3 inches, Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 2880x1864, 60Hz |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) |
| RAM | 128 GB DDR5 | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 8 GB | 512GB SSD |
| Battery | 90 Wh | 18 hours |
| Operating System | Windows 11 | macOS Sequoia |
| Weight | - | 1.51 kg |
| Price | INR 699,999 | $1,299 |
Pros of Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph)
- Flagship-tier Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus for top performance
Pros of MacBook Air M5 15-inch
- Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 2880x1864, 60Hz display with accurate color reproduction
- Capable Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) processor for daily use
- Generous 512GB SSD storage for apps, media and files
Cons of Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph)
- No significant drawbacks for most users
Cons of MacBook Air M5 15-inch
- No significant drawbacks for most users
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) edges out as the better overall choice. The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) features the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus while the MacBook Air M5 15-inch comes with the Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU). In terms of pricing, the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) is at INR 699,999 and the MacBook Air M5 15-inch is at $1,299. Your choice depends on your priorities - consider the pros and cons above to make the right decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) and MacBook Air M5 15-inch?
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) features the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus with 128 GB DDR5 RAM, while MacBook Air M5 15-inch comes with the Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) with 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM. Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) has a 18 inches display, while MacBook Air M5 15-inch has a 15.3 inches display.
Which has a better camera?
Camera details are not available for these devices.
Which has better battery life?
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) has a 90 Wh battery, while the MacBook Air M5 15-inch has a 18 hours battery.
Which is more affordable?
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) is priced at INR 699,999, while the MacBook Air M5 15-inch costs $1,299.
Which should I buy?
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) edges out as the better overall choice. The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) features the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus while the MacBook Air M5 15-inch comes with the Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU). In terms of pricing, the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus/ 128GB/ 8TB SSD/ Win11/ 24GB RTX 5090 Graph) is at INR 699,999 and the MacBook Air M5 15-inch is at $1,299. Your choice depends on your priorities - consider the pros and cons above to make the right decision.
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