Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 vs Dell Inspiron 15 (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M4 MacBook Air commands a premium price of $1099 but justifies it with superior build quality, exceptional performance via the M4 chip, and an industry-leading 18-hour battery life. Its Liquid Retina display with 500 nits brightness and 2560x1664 resolution surpasses the Dell's 1080p panel, though the 13-inch screen is smaller. Dell's Inspiron 15 offers a 15.6-inch display, more ports (HDMI, USB-A, SD card), and double the base storage at $599, making it excellent value for productivity tasks. Performance-wise, the M4 significantly outpaces Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 options in single and multi-threaded workloads. Portability slightly favors the MacBook at 2.7 lbs versus 3.63 lbs. For creative professionals and those prioritizing performance and longevity, the MacBook Air M4 is the stronger choice. Budget-conscious users seeking larger displays and expandability should consider the Dell.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 if…
- →M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- →16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- →Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
Buy the Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) if…
- →Solid all-rounder for everyday productivity and web browsing at $599
- →Good port selection including HDMI and SD card reader
- →Reasonable 54 Wh battery provides good endurance for the price
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4
Pros
- M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- 16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
- 18-hour battery life rivals the 15-inch model
- Fanless, completely silent operation
Cons
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion or high-refresh option
- 256 GB base storage requires upgrading for most users
- Only two Thunderbolt ports limits connectivity
- 13.6-inch screen feels cramped for multitasking
Dell Inspiron 15 (2024)
Pros
- Solid all-rounder for everyday productivity and web browsing at $599
- Good port selection including HDMI and SD card reader
- Reasonable 54 Wh battery provides good endurance for the price
- Lightweight at 1.65 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
- Expandable storage via second M.2 slot
Cons
- 250-nit display brightness is dim for any non-indoor use
- 60Hz refresh rate feels behind modern standards
- 8 GB base RAM needs upgrading for comfortable multitasking
- Plastic chassis feels basic compared to aluminum competitors
- Webcam is only 720p — poor for video calls
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 | Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 1.65 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Plastic chassis with aluminum palm rest |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 358.5 x 235.6 x 16.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB PCIe NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB / 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 10-core (Intel) / 6-core (AMD) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Intel Core i5-1335U / AMD Ryzen 5 7530U |
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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.
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