Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs HP Envy 16 (2024)
MacBook Air M3 excels in portability at 1.51kg versus HP's 2.34kg, delivering exceptional battery life up to 18 hours with the efficient M3 chip. However, it's hampered by just 256GB storage and 8GB RAM, which feels limiting for the $1299 price point. HP Envy 16 counters with 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB expandable storage, and a larger 16-inch 120Hz touchscreen—offering significantly more versatility for content creators and professionals. The HP's 10-hour battery life and heavier frame are drawbacks, but its comprehensive port selection (HDMI, dual USB-A, SD card) and superior multitasking capability make it better for power users. Choose MacBook Air for ultraportable everyday computing and macOS ecosystem benefits; select HP Envy 16 if you need storage capacity, RAM, and Windows productivity tools without breaking the bank.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | HP Envy 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 2.34 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 358 x 252 x 19.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| 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 | 66.5 Wh | 83 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 2560 x 1600 |
| 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 DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16 cores |
| 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
HP Envy 16 (2024)
Pros
- Optional NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU for creative and light gaming workloads
- Excellent 2.5K 120Hz touchscreen display
- Comprehensive port selection including SD card reader
- User-upgradeable RAM and storage
Cons
- Heavy and bulky for daily portability
- Battery life suffers under GPU load
- Fans get loud during intensive workloads
- Bezel design feels dated next to Spectre line
Related Comparisons
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all HP products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or the HP Envy 16 (2024).