Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air M3 delivers superior performance with its 8-core CPU and GPU, handling demanding tasks and multitasking effortlessly compared to the Ryzen 5 7530U's 6-core processor. The M3 excels with a sharper 2560x1664 display at 500 nits brightness versus the Flex 5's 1920x1200 at 300 nits, making text and visuals noticeably crisper. Battery endurance favors the MacBook at 18 hours versus 12 hours, though both pack similar 52.5-52.6 Wh capacities, reflecting Apple's efficiency advantage. The Flex 5 counters with practical connectivity: HDMI, dual USB-A ports, SD card reader, and headphone jack that the MacBook omits entirely. Build quality leans toward the MacBook's aluminum unibody and lighter 1.24 kg frame, though the Flex 5's 2-in-1 convertible design offers flexibility the Air lacks. Storage maxes at 256GB on both, but the Flex 5 offers a 512GB option. For creative professionals and power users prioritizing performance and display quality, the MacBook Air M3 justifies its $450 premium. Students and general users valuing ports, expandability, and budget will find the Lenovo compelling at $649.
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 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) if…
- →2-in-1 convertible with 360-degree hinge at an affordable price
- →Touchscreen display works well in tablet mode
- →Good port selection with HDMI and SD card reader
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
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024)
Pros
- 2-in-1 convertible with 360-degree hinge at an affordable price
- Touchscreen display works well in tablet mode
- Good port selection with HDMI and SD card reader
- Ryzen 5 7530U provides solid everyday performance
- 12-hour battery life for all-day use
Cons
- 60Hz FHD+ display is low-end for a 2024 laptop
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor use
- Pen/stylus is sold separately
- Soldered RAM limits upgradeability
- Integrated graphics only — no discrete GPU option
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 313.1 x 224.7 x 17.8 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 52.5 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 / 512 GB PCIe NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 8 GB / 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 6-core / 12-thread |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 360
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024) vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 15"
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 Lenovo products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2024).