Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
The Verdict
MacBook Air M2 excels as a ultraportable workhorse with exceptional battery life (18 hours), weighing just 1.24kg in a compact 13.6" form factor. Its M2 processor handles everyday tasks effortlessly with 8GB unified memory, though storage is limited to 256GB with no expansion. Dell XPS 16 positions itself as a productivity powerhouse, featuring a larger 16.3" display, more RAM (16GB), double the storage (512GB expandable), and Intel Core Ultra 7's multi-core performance advantage. However, it's heavier (2.13kg), thicker, and battery life drops to 13 hours. For creative professionals needing screen real estate and expandability, XPS 16 justifies its $1,899 price. MacBook Air M2 remains superior for frequent travelers prioritizing portability, battery efficiency, and ecosystem integration. Choose MacBook Air for mobility; select XPS 16 for processing power and workspace.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 if…
- →Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- →MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- →1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
Buy the Dell XPS 16 (9640) if…
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- →Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- →Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M2
Pros
- Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- 1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
- Liquid Retina display is brighter and slightly larger at 13.6 inches
- Fanless M2 chip handles 4K video editing silently
Cons
- 256 GB base SSD uses single NAND chip — notably slower writes than M1 Air
- 8 GB base RAM requires a $200 upgrade for serious work
- Still limited to one external display without workarounds
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion option
- Midnight color is a fingerprint magnet
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Pros
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
- Large 99.5 Wh battery
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No USB-A, HDMI, or SD card slot
- Capacitive touch function row is divisive
- Invisible haptic trackpad takes adjustment
- Heavy and runs hot under load
- Mediocre battery life with discrete GPU
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 2.13 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 3 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 16.3 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 (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | 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.
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