Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Dell Inspiron 16 (5640)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air 15" M3 delivers superior build quality, display clarity, and battery longevity at $1299, featuring a stunning 2880x1864 Liquid Retina display, exceptional 18-hour battery life, and the efficient M3 chip with 10-core GPU. Dell's Inspiron 16 counters with a larger 16" screen, double the storage (512GB vs 256GB), expandable memory, and more versatile ports including SD card and dual USB-A, though its 1920x1200 display appears noticeably softer and battery manages only 9 hours. Performance-wise, M3's unified architecture excels at creative tasks, while the Core 7 150U handles productivity adequately. The MacBook prioritizes elegance and efficiency; the Dell prioritizes practicality and upgradability. For creative professionals and those prioritizing portability, the MacBook Air wins decisively. Budget-conscious users needing maximum connectivity and storage flexibility should consider the Dell despite its thicker, heavier chassis.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 if…
- →Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
- →Silent fanless design
- →Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
Buy the Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) if…
- →Affordable 16-inch productivity laptop
- →Generous port selection including HDMI and USB-A
- →Comfortable keyboard with numpad
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Pros
- Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
- Silent fanless design
- Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
- All-day 18-hour battery life
- Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 8 GB base RAM is tight for power users
- No ProMotion or HDR display
- 256 GB base SSD has slower single-chip speeds
- No HDMI or SD card slot
Dell Inspiron 16 (5640)
Pros
- Affordable 16-inch productivity laptop
- Generous port selection including HDMI and USB-A
- Comfortable keyboard with numpad
- 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD in base config
- Upgradeable storage and memory
Cons
- Dim 250-nit display unsuitable for bright rooms
- Plastic base feels less premium
- Mediocre battery life around 9 hours
- Low-power Core 7 150U trails H-class chips
- No discrete GPU option
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Dell Inspiron 16 (5640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 1.90 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 357.9 x 252.0 x 19.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 1 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 9 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | WVA anti-glare LED |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 10-core (2P+8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core 7 150U |
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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Dell products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or the Dell Inspiron 16 (5640).