Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air 15" M3 excels in display quality with its 2880x1864 Liquid Retina screen and superior brightness at 500 nits, paired with exceptional battery life reaching 18 hours. Its aluminum unibody design feels premium and weighs just 1.51 kg, making it genuinely portable. However, the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage feel restrictive at this price point. Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 5 16 counters with double the base storage (512GB), significantly more RAM (16GB), and a larger 16-inch screen, though its 1920x1200 resolution and 300-nit brightness lag considerably. The Lenovo offers better port variety including HDMI and SD card, plus expandable storage. For creative professionals prioritizing display quality and battery endurance, the MacBook Air justifies its premium. Budget-conscious users needing multitasking power and storage should consider the Lenovo despite its weaker display and 11-hour battery life.
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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) if…
- →Large 16-inch screen great for productivity and multitasking
- →Strong port selection including HDMI and SD card
- →Excellent value for the spec sheet
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
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
Pros
- Large 16-inch screen great for productivity and multitasking
- Strong port selection including HDMI and SD card
- Excellent value for the spec sheet
- Comfortable full-size keyboard with numpad
Cons
- 1920x1200 panel is low resolution for a 16-inch display
- Heavier and bulkier than 14-inch ultrabooks
- Display brightness only 300 nits, dim outdoors
- Plastic base feels less premium than competitors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 1.95 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum top, plastic base |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 356.5 x 251.8 x 16.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 1 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 11 hours |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 65 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | IPS, anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | — |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 14 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H |
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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 15" M3 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024).