Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 vs Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Apple's M2 MacBook Air delivers exceptional value at $1099, pairing a sharp 2560x1664 Liquid Retina display with efficient M2 performance and class-leading 18-hour battery life. Dell's XPS 13 Plus costs $200 more while offering a lower-resolution 1920x1200 display, though it compensates with double the RAM (16GB vs 8GB) and a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. For general productivity, content creation, and longevity, the MacBook Air's superior battery endurance, higher resolution screen, and proven ecosystem integration make it the stronger choice. The Dell excels only if you specifically need Windows, significant multitasking RAM, or maximum CPU performance. Budget-conscious users and most professionals should choose the MacBook Air.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 | Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.24 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 295.3 x 199.0 x 15.3 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 0 |
| USB-C ports | — | 0 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 55 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 13.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M2
Pros
- Ultra-thin and light at just 1.24 kg
- Completely fanless — completely silent always
- Up to 18 hours battery life
- Redesigned Liquid Retina display with notch and brighter panel
- MagSafe charging returns, preserving both USB-C ports
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports with no HDMI or SD card
- 8 GB / 256 GB base config increasingly limited
- 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower read/write
- 60Hz display lacks ProMotion found on MacBook Pro
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024)
Pros
- Remarkably thin and light at 1.24 kg
- Striking futuristic design with zero-lattice keyboard
- Strong Intel Core Ultra performance
- Excellent build quality with premium aluminum finish
- Optional 4K OLED upgrade available
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A, HDMI, or SD card
- Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
- Soldered RAM and SSD cannot be upgraded
- Battery life is merely average for an ultrabook
- Haptic touchpad has invisible borders
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