Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M3 MacBook Air excels in portability, efficiency, and ecosystem integration, weighing just 1.24kg with an impressive 18-hour battery claim. HP's Pavilion Plus 14 counters with a superior 120Hz OLED display (2880x1800), double the RAM (16GB), twice the storage (512GB), and traditional ports including USB-A and HDMI. Performance-wise, the M3's 8-core unified architecture handles professional tasks efficiently, while Intel's 14-core processor offers raw multitasking power for Windows users. Battery reality favors Apple significantly at 18 versus 10 hours. The MacBook Air suits creative professionals and Apple ecosystem users prioritizing mobility and longevity. HP's Pavilion appeals to Windows users needing expandability, ports, and a stunning display at $300 less. Choose the MacBook Air for superior portability and battery life; choose the HP for better value, display quality, and expandability.
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 Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) if…
- →OLED 2.8K 120Hz display at a mid-range price
- →Lightweight aluminum chassis under 1.5 kg
- →Strong Intel Core Ultra performance with NPU
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 Pavilion Plus 14 (2024)
Pros
- OLED 2.8K 120Hz display at a mid-range price
- Lightweight aluminum chassis under 1.5 kg
- Strong Intel Core Ultra performance with NPU
- Solid port selection including HDMI and USB-A
Cons
- Smaller 51 Wh battery limits all-day use
- Webcam quality is mediocre at 5 MP
- Speakers lack bass and overall richness
- Only one Thunderbolt-capable port
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.41 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 313.5 x 224 x 16.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 1 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 51 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 14 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H |
Related Comparisons
- HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) vs MSI Thin GF63
- HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
- HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) vs LG gram 14 (2024)
- HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) vs Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Gen 8 14"
- HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
- HP Pavilion Plus 14 (2024) 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 Pavilion Plus 14 (2024).