Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
The Verdict
MacBook Air M1 excels as a productivity ultrabook with exceptional battery life (18 hours), superior Retina display (2560x1600, 400 nits), and the efficient Apple M1 chip delivering smooth performance for everyday tasks. IdeaPad Gaming 3 targets budget gamers with a larger 15.6" screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and more ports (HDMI, dual USB-A), though its plastic build feels less premium and battery life (6 hours) is significantly weaker. Ryzen 5 7535HS provides better raw gaming performance, but Windows overhead and lower display brightness (250 nits) hinder the experience. Choose MacBook Air M1 if you prioritize portability, longevity, and all-day battery; select IdeaPad Gaming 3 only if larger screen size and gaming performance outweigh its compromises in build quality and battery endurance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 if…
- →M1 chip was a generational leap — outperforms most Intel laptops
- →Completely fanless and silent under all workloads
- →18-hour battery life from a 49.9 Wh cell is remarkable efficiency
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 if…
- →RTX 4050 at $799 is excellent value for entry-level gaming
- →120Hz display is a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz
- →Upgradeable RAM and storage via accessible panels
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M1
Pros
- M1 chip was a generational leap — outperforms most Intel laptops
- Completely fanless and silent under all workloads
- 18-hour battery life from a 49.9 Wh cell is remarkable efficiency
- Ultra-lightweight at 2.8 lbs for all-day portability
- Excellent value — often found discounted well below $999
Cons
- Only supports one external display natively
- 8 GB base RAM is tight for demanding multitasking
- Webcam is only 720p — poor by modern standards
- Only two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports — no MagSafe
- Older wedge design lacks the modern flat aesthetic of M2 Air
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Pros
- RTX 4050 at $799 is excellent value for entry-level gaming
- 120Hz display is a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz
- Upgradeable RAM and storage via accessible panels
- Ryzen 5 7535HS handles both gaming and schoolwork
- Decent thermals for a budget chassis with dual-fan cooling
Cons
- 250-nit display is too dim for well-lit rooms
- 8 GB base RAM needs upgrading for modern games
- 256 GB SSD fills up fast — plan to add a second drive
- All-plastic build feels flimsy and creaks
- Speaker quality is poor — headphones are recommended
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 | Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg) | 5.07 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches | 14.19 x 10.14 x 0.91 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 256 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU | 6 cores / 12 threads |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS |
Related Comparisons
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.
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