Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs LG gram 14 (2024)
The Verdict
Both laptops justify their $1299 price point but serve different priorities. Apple's MacBook Air 15 M3 excels with its larger 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2880 x 1864), superior brightness at 500 nits, and exceptional performance-per-watt efficiency from the M3 chip. However, it's limited to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage that cannot be upgraded. LG's gram 14 (2024) counters with remarkable portability at just 0.99kg, nearly double the RAM options (16GB standard), generous expandable storage up to 1TB, and longer battery life rated at 22 hours. Its display is smaller and dimmer, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H trails M3 in single-threaded tasks. Windows 11 offers broader software compatibility and includes practical ports like USB-A and headphone jack that MacBook lacks. For creative professionals needing sustained performance, choose MacBook Air 15 M3. For travelers prioritizing ultraportability and upgradability, LG gram 14 wins.
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 LG gram 14 (2024) if…
- →Incredibly lightweight at just 0.99 kg — one of the lightest 14-inch laptops
- →Outstanding 72 Wh battery provides all-day endurance
- →MIL-STD 810H durability testing for ruggedness
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
LG gram 14 (2024)
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight at just 0.99 kg — one of the lightest 14-inch laptops
- Outstanding 72 Wh battery provides all-day endurance
- MIL-STD 810H durability testing for ruggedness
- Intel Core Ultra with NPU for on-device AI tasks
- Good port selection for such a thin and light machine
Cons
- 60Hz display refresh rate feels sluggish
- 350-nit brightness is dim for outdoor use
- Build can feel slightly flexible due to lightweight materials
- Integrated Intel Arc graphics limit gaming capability
- Starting at $1299 is expensive for the specs
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | LG gram 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 0.99 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 312 x 213.9 x 16.4 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 22 hours |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 72 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 14 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB / 1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB / 32 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16-core (6P + 8E + 2 LP-E) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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 LG products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or the LG gram 14 (2024).