Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs HP Spectre x360 16 (2024)
Apple's MacBook Air 15" M3 excels as a ultraportable powerhouse, weighing just 1.51 kg with exceptional battery life reaching 18 hours. Its M3 chip delivers efficient performance for everyday tasks, though 8GB RAM and 256GB storage feel restrictive at $1,299. HP's Spectre x360 16 counters with a larger 16" OLED touchscreen (120Hz refresh), superior multitasking with 16GB RAM, and 1TB expandable storage, plus traditional ports (HDMI, USB-A). However, it's heavier (2.19 kg) and battery life drops to 12 hours. The Spectre's Intel Core Ultra 7 handles demanding creative work better, while the MacBook prioritizes portability and battery efficiency. Choose the MacBook Air if mobility matters most; select the Spectre for content creators needing specs, display quality, and connectivity without compromise.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 2.19 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | CNC aluminum |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 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 | 66.5 Wh | 83 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | OLED touchscreen |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 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, 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 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
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