Apple
MacBook Air 13" (M3)
Laptops
$1,099List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
MacBook Air 13" (M3) vs Dell XPS 14 (2024)
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Dell
Dell XPS 14 (2024)
Laptops
$1,699List 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 Dell XPS 14.
- Leads 6 of 11 rankable overall specs; MacBook Air 13" (M3) takes 5.
- Memory: 32 GB LPDDR5x vs 16 GB unified memory
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: 14.5 inches vs 13.6 inches
MacBook Air 13" (M3) is $600 cheaper. Pay the difference only if memory matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Dell XPS 14 (2024): Heavier than typical 14-inch ultrabooks at 3.7 lb (1.68 kg)
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 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| SizeDisplay | 13.6 inches | 14.5 inches |
| PanelDisplay | Liquid Retina IPS LED | 3.2K OLED InfinityEdge touch (or FHD+ IPS) |
| ProcessorPerformance | Apple M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (16 cores: 6P + 8E + 2 Low Power E, Intel AI Boost) |
| MemoryPerformance | 16 GB unified memory | 32 GB LPDDR5x (7467 MT/s) |
| Claimed battery lifeBattery | Up to 18 hours Apple TV app / 15 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours (IPS) / ~8-9 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 14 (2024)
Reasons to choose it
- Dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU in a compact 14.5-inch footprint
- Vibrant 3.2K 120Hz InfinityEdge OLED touch display
- High-quality quad-speaker array with deep bass response
Worth considering
- Heavier than typical 14-inch ultrabooks at 3.7 lb (1.68 kg)
- 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 14
3-Year Estimated Total$1,729
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
Standard laptop bag sleeve
Lap Ergonomics & Vent Placement
Apple
Fanless zero-noise design; stays comfortably cool on lap
Dell
Standard hinge exhaust
Total Travel Weight (Chassis + Charger)
Apple
2.70 lb laptop + 35W dual charger = ~3.2 lb total carry
Dell
Standard carry weight
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 14?
MacBook Air 13" (M3) costs $600 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the MacBook Air 13" (M3) or Dell XPS 14?
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 14?
For travel, buy the MacBook Air 13" (M3). Leads 4 of 4 rankable travel specs. Claimed battery life: Up to 18 hours Apple TV app / 15 hours… vs Up to 12 hours
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 29 specs tracked here, 18 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.