Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs HP Spectre x360 16 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M3 MacBook Air dominates at its price point with exceptional efficiency, weighing just 1.24kg and delivering up to 18 hours of battery life,ideal for mobile professionals prioritizing portability. HP's Spectre x360 16 targets a different segment entirely: it's a premium 2-in-1 with a stunning 16-inch 120Hz OLED touchscreen, 1TB storage, and significantly more RAM and processing cores for demanding creative work. Performance-wise, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H handles multitasking and content creation better than M3's modest configuration. However, the Spectre weighs 2.19kg with only 12-hour battery life, making it less portable despite superior specs. At $1099 versus $1649.99, the MacBook Air delivers remarkable value for everyday computing and travel. Choose the MacBook Air if you prioritize affordability, battery life, and portability; select the HP Spectre if you need a versatile touchscreen laptop for creative tasks and can accept reduced mobility.
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 Spectre x360 16 (2024) if…
- →Gorgeous 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh
- →Premium gem-cut aluminum design with 360-degree hinge
- →Excellent 9 MP webcam with auto-framing
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 Spectre x360 16 (2024)
Pros
- Gorgeous 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh
- Premium gem-cut aluminum design with 360-degree hinge
- Excellent 9 MP webcam with auto-framing
- Includes Thunderbolt 4 plus HDMI and full-size USB-A
Cons
- Heavy at over 2.1 kg for a convertible
- Battery life modest given the 83 Wh capacity
- Premium price for the configuration
- Limited discrete GPU options for creative pros
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 2.19 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 357 x 248 x 19.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| 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 | 83 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | OLED touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 1 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 16 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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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 Spectre x360 16 (2024).