Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Acer's Aspire 5 delivers impressive value with a larger 15.6" display, faster DDR5 RAM (16GB vs 8GB), and expandable storage at $549. Intel's i5-1335U provides solid everyday performance with a 10-core configuration. However, Apple's MacBook Air M3 dominates with its superior Liquid Retina display (2560x1664, 500 nits), exceptional 18-hour battery life, and industry-leading M3 efficiency—despite costing double. The MacBook's aluminum unibody feels premium, while the Aspire uses plastic construction. Storage remains fixed on both, though the Acer's 512GB exceeds the MacBook's 256GB. For budget-conscious users needing versatility, the Aspire wins decisively. Creative professionals and those prioritizing longevity should invest in the MacBook Air M3's superior build and performance.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | macOS Sequoia |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 1.24 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 18 hours wireless web |
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 52.6 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 13.6 inches |
| Type | IPS | Liquid Retina IPS LED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1664 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 8 GB unified |
| Cores | 10 cores (2P + 8E) | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | Apple M3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Aspire 5 (2024)
Pros
- Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
- Full-size HDMI and USB-A ports for hassle-free connectivity
- 9-hour battery life is solid for a budget laptop
Cons
- 60Hz FHD display — no high refresh rate or high resolution
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright-room use
- Plastic body feels less premium than aluminum competitors
- No Thunderbolt — USB-C is data/display only
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Pros
- Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- Supports two external displays with lid closed
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM increasingly limiting
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower speeds
- No high-refresh display
- Limited port selection
Related Comparisons
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Dell XPS 14 (9440)
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs HP Spectre x360 16 (2024)
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs HP Envy 16 (2024)
Explore more in laptops, see all Acer products or all Apple products. View full details for the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) or the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3.