Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 vs LG gram 14 (2024)
The Verdict
Both ultrabooks excel in their respective ecosystems, but serve different user needs. Apple's M1 MacBook Air M1 delivers exceptional efficiency with 18-hour battery life, blazing M1 performance for creative tasks, and seamless macOS integration at an aggressive $999 entry price. Its aluminum construction weighs just 2.8 lbs, making it genuinely pocketable. However, it's limited to 256GB base storage and just two USB-C ports. LG's gram 14 counters with a larger 14-inch display, superior 22-hour endurance, and significantly more connectivity, including HDMI, USB-A, headphone jack, and microSD. Its 16GB RAM base and 512GB storage prove more practical for Windows users. The gram costs $300 more but offers better expandability and versatility. Choose the MacBook Air for Apple ecosystem loyalty and raw performance-per-dollar, or select the LG gram for flexibility, connectivity, and longest battery life.
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 LG gram 14 (2024) if…
- →Incredibly lightweight at just 0.99 kg — one of the lightest 14-inch laptops
- →Outstanding 72 Wh battery provides all-day endurance
- →MIL-STD 810H durability testing for ruggedness
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
LG gram 14 (2024)
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight at just 0.99 kg — one of the lightest 14-inch laptops
- Outstanding 72 Wh battery provides all-day endurance
- MIL-STD 810H durability testing for ruggedness
- Intel Core Ultra with NPU for on-device AI tasks
- Good port selection for such a thin and light machine
Cons
- 60Hz display refresh rate feels sluggish
- 350-nit brightness is dim for outdoor use
- Build can feel slightly flexible due to lightweight materials
- Integrated Intel Arc graphics limit gaming capability
- Starting at $1299 is expensive for the specs
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 | LG gram 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Big Sur | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg) | 0.99 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches | 312 x 213.9 x 16.4 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | — |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 72 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB / 1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB / 32 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU | 16-core (6P + 8E + 2 LP-E) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all LG products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M1 or the LG gram 14 (2024).