Apple
MacBook Air 13" (M3)
Laptops
$1,099List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
MacBook Air 13" (M3) vs Dell XPS 13 (2024)
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Dell
Dell XPS 13 (2024)
Laptops
$1,299List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the MacBook Air 13" (M3).
- Leads 6 of 10 rankable overall specs; Dell XPS 13 takes 4.
- Claimed battery life: Up to 18 hours Apple TV app / 15 hours… vs Up to 14 hours
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Size: 13.6 inches vs 13.4 inches
It is also $200 cheaper.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the MacBook Air 13" (M3) has no touchscreen. the MacBook Air 13" (M3) has macOS, not Windows. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
Your other devices
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | MacBook Air 13" (M3) | Dell XPS 13 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| SizeDisplay | 13.6 inches | 13.4 inches |
| PanelDisplay | Liquid Retina IPS LED | OLED InfinityEdge touch |
| ProcessorPerformance | Apple M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16 cores, Intel AI Boost NPU) |
| MemoryPerformance | 16 GB unified memory | 16 GB LPDDR5x (7467 MT/s) |
| Claimed battery lifeBattery | Up to 18 hours Apple TV app / 15 hours wireless web | Up to 14 hours (IPS) / ~10 hours (OLED) |
Showing 5 of 29 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
MacBook Air 13" (M3)
Reasons to choose it
- Exceptional battery life (up to 18 hours)
- Fanless completely silent operation
- Compact lightweight design (2.7 lb)
Worth considering
- Supports only up to two external displays with lid closed
- Base model starts at 256GB storage
Dell XPS 13 (2024)
Reasons to choose it
- Minimalist sleek design with ultra-thin bezels
- High-resolution OLED screen options
- Extremely portable at under 2.6 lb
Worth considering
- Only two USB-C ports and no 3.5mm headphone jack
- Capacitive touch function row instead of physical keys
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
What three years could cost
MacBook Air 13" (M3)
3-Year Estimated Total$1,124
Dell XPS 13
3-Year Estimated Total$1,334
Commuter Portability & Lap Comfort Check
Real-world travel weight including chargers, bag fit, and lap thermals.
Backpack Sleeve Compatibility
Apple
Ultra-thin 0.44 in profile; slips into any bag sleeve
Dell
Ultra-compact 11.6 in footprint (nearly 11" tablet sized)
Lap Ergonomics & Vent Placement
Apple
Fanless zero-noise design; stays comfortably cool on lap
Dell
Dual fans exhaust at hinge; bottom can warm up under load
Total Travel Weight (Chassis + Charger)
Apple
2.70 lb laptop + 35W dual charger = ~3.2 lb total carry
Dell
2.60 lb laptop + 60W Type-C adapter = ~3.1 lb total carry
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Apple: What to watch for
Dell: What to watch for
- Ergonomics
Capacitive touch function row lacks physical travel and tactile feedback.
- Hardware Quirk
Zero headphone jack and only 2 USB-C ports.
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which is cheaper, the MacBook Air 13" (M3) or the Dell XPS 13?
MacBook Air 13" (M3) costs $200 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the MacBook Air 13" (M3) or Dell XPS 13?
MacBook Air 13" (M3) has this deal-breaker: no touchscreen. No pen or touch input for marking up PDFs or sketching.
Which is better for travel, the MacBook Air 13" (M3) or the Dell XPS 13?
For travel, buy the MacBook Air 13" (M3). Leads 3 of 4 rankable travel specs; Dell XPS 13 takes 1. Claimed battery life: Up to 18 hours Apple TV app / 15 hours… vs Up to 14 hours
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 29 specs tracked here, 19 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.