Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
The Verdict
Both laptops serve different user bases effectively. Acer Aspire 5 (2024) offers excellent value at $549, pairing a modern Intel Core i5-1335U with 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD, and a standard 1080p display in a practical 15.6-inch form factor. Battery life reaches 9 hours, sufficient for daily use. Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 ($1299) dominates on performance and efficiency with its Apple M3 chip, delivering exceptional speed and an impressive 18-hour battery claim. Its Liquid Retina display (2880 x 1864, 500 nits) vastly outperforms the Acer's 1080p panel, and the aluminum unibody construction feels premium. However, the M3 includes only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, limiting upgrades. Choose the Acer for budget-conscious users needing solid everyday performance and upgradeability. Opt for the MacBook Air if you prioritize display quality, battery endurance, and macOS ecosystem integration despite the higher cost and limited storage expansion.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) if…
- →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
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 if…
- →Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
- →Silent fanless design
- →Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
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 15" M3
Pros
- Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
- Silent fanless design
- Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
- All-day 18-hour battery life
- Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 8 GB base RAM is tight for power users
- No ProMotion or HDR display
- 256 GB base SSD has slower single-chip speeds
- No HDMI or SD card slot
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | macOS Sequoia |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 1.51 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 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 | 66.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 15.3 inches |
| Type | IPS | Liquid Retina IPS LED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1864 |
| 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, 10-core GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | Apple M3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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 15" M3.