Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs HP Chromebook Plus x360 14
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air M3 delivers premium performance and efficiency with its superior display quality (500 nits vs 300 nits), faster M3 processor, and exceptional 18-hour battery life, making it ideal for creative professionals and demanding tasks. HP's Chromebook Plus x360 offers excellent value at less than half the price, featuring a larger 14-inch touchscreen with convertible design, adequate performance for web-based work, and solid 12-hour endurance. Both include 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, but the MacBook Air excels in portability (1.24kg vs 1.52kg) and computational power. For users needing macOS applications, video editing, or coding, the MacBook Air is the clear choice despite its premium cost. However, the Chromebook Plus x360 is outstanding for students, casual users, and those primarily using web applications who value affordability and versatility. Choose MacBook Air for professional work; choose Chromebook Plus x360 for budget-conscious everyday computing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 if…
- →Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- →Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- →Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
Buy the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 if…
- →Google's Chromebook Plus standard guarantees AI features and performance minimums
- →360-degree hinge for laptop, tent, and tablet modes
- →12-hour battery life handles a full school or work day
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Pros
- Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- Supports two external displays with lid closed
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM increasingly limiting
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower speeds
- No high-refresh display
- Limited port selection
HP Chromebook Plus x360 14
Pros
- Google's Chromebook Plus standard guarantees AI features and performance minimums
- 360-degree hinge for laptop, tent, and tablet modes
- 12-hour battery life handles a full school or work day
- Aluminum build feels premium for a Chromebook
- ChromeOS is fast, secure, and auto-updating
Cons
- 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage is not expandable
- ChromeOS can't run traditional Windows apps
- No HDMI port — USB-C to HDMI adapter needed
- 60Hz FHD+ display is basic compared to similarly-priced Windows laptops
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | ChromeOS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 3.35 lbs (1.52 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 12.73 x 8.86 x 0.7 inches |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 56 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 256 GB UFS |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 8 cores (8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core i3-N305 |
Related Comparisons
- HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs MSI Thin GF63
- HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
- HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs LG gram 14 (2024)
- HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Gen 8 14"
- HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
- HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 vs Lenovo Legion Go
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 HP products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 or the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14.