Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air M3 delivers exceptional value at $1299, pairing the efficient M3 chip with an outstanding 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display and impressive 18-hour battery life. Its lightweight aluminum design (1.51kg) and 10-core GPU excel for creative workflows. However, Dell's XPS 14 ($1699) counters with a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, double the storage (512GB vs 256GB), and superior expandability via SD card slot and three Thunderbolt ports. The XPS's higher price reflects its performance advantages and business-focused features, though its shorter 12-hour battery life and heavier 1.74kg frame are drawbacks. For creative professionals prioritizing portability, longevity, and everyday performance, the MacBook Air M3 offers remarkable value. Those needing raw processing power, expandable storage, and Windows compatibility should choose the XPS 14. The MacBook Air edges ahead for most users seeking balance.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Dell XPS 14 (9440) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 1.74 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 320.0 x 215.5 x 18.0 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 3 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 12 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 69.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 14.5 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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 XPS 14 (9440)
Pros
- Striking minimalist CNC aluminum design
- Optional 3.2K OLED touch display
- Optional discrete RTX 4050 GPU
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus microSD
- Excellent quad speaker setup
Cons
- No USB-A or HDMI ports
- Capacitive function row lacks tactile feedback
- Seamless haptic touchpad has no visible borders
- Battery life below class-leading ultrabooks
- Premium price for the base configuration
Related Comparisons
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