Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs LG Gram Pro 16 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M3 MacBook Air 15 delivers exceptional value at $1299, combining solid performance with industry-leading battery life of up to 18 hours and a sharp 500-nit Liquid Retina display. Its 1.51 kg aluminum chassis feels premium, and macOS Sequoia provides seamless integration for Apple ecosystem users. However, 8GB RAM and 256GB storage feel restrictive for the price point, with no expansion options. LG's Gram Pro 16 costs $500 more but justifies it with tangible advantages: a brighter 120Hz OLED display (120Hz vs 60Hz), 16GB RAM standard, 512GB expandable storage, superior port selection including full-size HDMI and three USB-A ports, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 offering stronger multi-core performance. At 1.20 kg, it's noticeably lighter too. LG sacrifices slightly on battery life (14 hours) and display brightness (350 nits), plus Windows 11 demands more system resources. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing portability and longevity, the MacBook Air wins decisively. Creative professionals needing raw power, expandability, and a superior display should choose the Gram Pro 16, despite higher cost.
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 Pro 16 (2024) if…
- →Only 1.20 kg with a gorgeous OLED panel — exceptional combination
- →120Hz OLED display with accurate color for creatives
- →14-hour battery life is excellent for an OLED ultrabook
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 Pro 16 (2024)
Pros
- Only 1.20 kg with a gorgeous OLED panel — exceptional combination
- 120Hz OLED display with accurate color for creatives
- 14-hour battery life is excellent for an OLED ultrabook
- Good port variety including three USB-A and SD card
- MIL-STD-810H durability certification
Cons
- OLED brightness capped at 350 nits — not ideal in sunlight
- No discrete GPU for GPU-intensive tasks
- Higher price than the standard Gram line
- RAM soldered to board — no upgrade path
- OLED glossy surface catches fingerprints
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | LG Gram Pro 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 1.20 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 355.8 x 243.4 x 12.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 3 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 14 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 80 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | OLED anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 350 |
| 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 |
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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 LG products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or the LG Gram Pro 16 (2024).
