When it comes to finding the best laptop, you can face many obstacles. The lack of relevant information about specific products or general knowledge about laptops can be a problem. Therefore, before you go to a store, sit in a comfortable chair and read our article in which we compare Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air!
Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air – Everything you need to know
Windows or Big Sur operating system? Intel i7 or M1 processor? In this XPS 13 vs MacBook Air comparison, find out the differences and similarities between these two models. One thing is for sure; these are very powerful laptops with different targeted audiences.
This is exactly why we have decided to review and highlight all the key information you need to know before buying a new laptop. So if you are planning to invest in one of these laptops, you have come to the right place!
Dell XPS 13 Overview
The Dell XPS 13 remains one of the most attractive, well-built, and portable Windows laptops on the market.
Design
XPS 13 models are incredibly thin and light. When it comes to physical appearance, these models have a lot to offer! They are made from durable materials that preserve the original beauty of the device. The manufacturer has also made sure that you get a beautiful design with interesting colors and useful features.
Performance
In addition to the great design, the biggest advantage of Dell XPS 13 laptops are their hardware superiority. Almost every model has the best combination of internal components such as Intel i7 processors, high-capacity SSDs, and, most importantly, strong batteries! If you are looking for the best performance and long battery life, a laptop from this line might be good for you.
Processors
Dell XPS 13 models come with Intel i7 processors. To provide the best user experience, Dell integrates the latest generation of i7 CPUs into their devices. These processors ensure both high base clock speeds and turbo boost speeds. There is also integrated Intel Iris graphics for those who want to raise their gaming experience to a higher level.
Ports
Each Dell XPS 13 gives you enough ports to perform everyday activities, such as fast data transfer, connecting to external devices, listening to music, and more! We should also mention the Kensington lock slot, which keeps your laptop safe wherever you are!
Display & Audio
The almost borderless InfinityEdge screen and integrated Intel Iris graphics provide sharp and vibrant pictures and videos. The label on a product does not just guarantee high-quality audio speakers. This manufacturer has made sure that each model provides the best possible audio experience.
Battery
Depending on how you use the device, the battery life may vary. For example, when using basic applications such as Excel or Word, the battery can last up to 22 hours. However, the XPS 13 models are designed to provide much more than this. So if you want to stream videos all day, an XPS 13 model will easily do that.
Recommended XPS 13 Models
Dell XPS 13 9310
Let’s start with the Dell XPS 13 vs Macbook Air comparison. The first model we have is the Dell XPS 13 9310. The lid of this laptop is covered with attractive silver aluminum, while the interior is covered with soft carbon fibers. Simply put, the lid is silver and the interior is black. This is the perfect laptop for those people who like this combination of colors.
Other physical attributes match the previous Dell XPS 13 models. For example, there is a pair of Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, one on each side, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MicroSD card slot, and a Kensington lock slot.
When you open the device, you will notice a state-of-the-art keyboard that leaves a good impression. If you want to use your laptop in a dark environment, the Dell XPS 13 9310 might be a good option because its keyboard has a white backlight. You can control the level of the light by pressing the F5 button.
However, Apple could have done more to grab your attention if you like to use the touchpad instead of the mouse. The Dell XPS 13 touchpad is just a standard mechanical board which makes the moves less comfortable.
Like the previous models, this one has InfinityEdge technology and a display with thin edges. The maximum resolution of the 13-inch display is 1920×1200. In addition, the screen achieves a maximum brightness of 566 cd/m2, which is good enough to be usable in most conditions, even if you like working outside.
Gorilla Glass 6 is here to protect the screen from everyday damage. It reduces the risk of damage such as scratches and cracks, but it is not resistant to fingerprints.
The device comes with the Intel Core i7-1185G7, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB SSD. In addition, the quad-core processor supports Hyper-Threading technology.
In other words, each core of the CPU is divided into two virtual cores. So, if you prefer multitasking, a processor with 8 threads might be the best option for you!
To conclude, if you are a web designer or video editor, a maximum processor speed of 4.7 GHz, along with the Intel Iris Xe graphics and a large amount of system memory could be a good combination for you!
Dell XPS 13 9300
This is a laptop with similar specifications compared to the XPS 9310. Instead of the i7-1185G7 processor, this one comes with the Core i7-1065G7 model. The base frequency is 1.30 GHz, while the maximum speed is 3.90 GHz. It has Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics.
Dell XPS 13 9360
Another great solution for those who want to spend less money but get a laptop of decent performance. This model has a powerful Intel 7th Gen Kaby Lake i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128 GB SSD. It comes with the Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated graphics, which supports 4K resolution.
Apple Macbook Air Overview
MacBook models are designed to be as easy to use as possible in any situation – whether you are lying in an armchair or flying. The battery on these laptops can last up to 15 hours, depending on the model and method of use.
Design
For many people, the iconic design of the MacBook Air is pretty perfect, so they don’t see the need for any radical change. MacBook models have a unique thin and light design. A wide range of colors, functional and beautiful laptops are always appealing to many users.
Performance
Apple Macbook Air laptops ensure comfortable work and impressive performance. Durable batteries, powerful processors in combination with high-capacity SSDs are the perfect combination for all users. All these components packed in a portable case are perfect for people who like to travel and work at the same time!
Processors
The MacBook Air is a completely redesigned new laptop, with a new and more powerful M1 processor, a new generation of the keyboard, and a larger screen! Thanks to the M1 chip, users can run most existing Mac applications that use a similar architecture as the iPhone. This is exciting since it brings a large number of new games and apps to the MacBook Air.
Ports
MacBook Air Ports allow you to connect external devices using either Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C ports. You can use the USB-C port to charge the laptop. But you can also use the USB-C port to charge other devices like iPhone or iPad.
Display & Audio
The MacBook Air has remained what it was from day one – a top-notch laptop, slim, solid, and light! Its 13.3-inch Retina display that supports 2560 x 1600 resolution is all an average user wants. Apple even goes the extra mile with the True Tone technology, automatically adjusting the color and brightness based on ambient lights.
Battery
Whatever you do on your MacBook Air, you can safely take it out of the house without a charger because you won’t need it. You can write emails, messages, watch videos and surf the net without the stress that will run out of battery. The laptop is a great choice for all those who appreciate fast and fluid work.
Recommended Macbook Air Models
Apple Macbook Air M1 13 inch
Unlike earlier models, the new MacBook Air M1 doesn’t contain Intel’s processor. Instead, it uses an octa-core processor called M1. The M1 chip, based on the ARM architecture, delivers 3.5x better performance than the previous generation.
The M1 chip combined with 8 GB of unified memory and 512 SSD makes the Macbook Air M1 13 laptop super fast and responsive.
Apple has been accused of paying more attention to its products’ design than the actual features and functions. But when it comes to this product, we actually think the opposite.
With this laptop, Apple has actually done some really exciting things under the hood. As we said earlier, the major change is the new M1 chip. According to Apple, this custom-made chip allows the new MacBook Air to run better and have longer battery life.
Related Read: Our comprehensive Apple M1 Chip vs Intel comparison
Therefore, if you want to browse the web, your battery can last up to 15 hours. On the other hand, if you watch movies, the battery can last up to 18 hours.
Besides the new chip, Apple has also developed macOS Big Sur to take advantage of the new processor. The system can run both newer and older applications thanks to an integrated software solution called Rosetta 2. In other words, all applications you normally run on Intel-based MacBooks should work well with the new MacBook Air.
Visually, the new macOS looks improved. It is less cluttered. So if you decide to invest in this laptop, you won’t be overwhelmed with icons and options.
On the outside, nothing has actually changed. This model looks just like the previous models. If you are a fan of the classic MacBook Air style, this may be good news for you!
When you open the MacBook Air M1, you can notice a new magic keyboard. It is a nice keyboard that has comfortable buttons which react quickly.
The Touch ID key is again placed above the keyboard. The button is very responsive and will successfully log you in every time, even if you don’t cover the scanner completely with your finger.
The edges around the screen are thick, which makes the laptop a bit outdated. Compared to the Dell XPS 13 9310, the screen of this laptop looks less modern. As we said earlier, Dell XPS 13 models come with incredibly thin edges, which make their screen surface even bigger.
However, a 13.3-inch Retina display supports a wide range of P3 colors, resulting in more accurate, realistic images. So, if you are a photographer or video editor, this laptop might help you see sharp and vibrant pictures and videos!
Apple Macbook Air M1 comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports and an audio port. Thunderbolt 3 ports support charging, and data transfer up to 40Gb/s.
This is not a professional video editing computer, but it can perform some video rendering tasks with minimal battery consumption. For example, if you want to edit full HD videos in Adobe Premiere, this laptop can do it perfectly!
Dell XPS 13 9360
If you prefer Intel processors, pink colors, and best-buy solutions, this laptop might be the right choice for you. It looks almost the same as the Macbook Air M1, but at the same time, it has a unique design! It comes with an i5 processor (turbo boost up to 3.5 GHz), 8 GB of RAM, and 256 SSD.
Conclusion
We have finally gathered enough information related to this Dell XPS 13 vs Macbook Air comparison. So we are going to point out the best features of both devices.
Use the Dell XPS 13 if you:
- Like thin display design
- Prefer robust materials of the case and high-display protection
- Would like to have a long battery life
- Want to keep your laptop safe from stealing
- Do more things at once (multitasking)
Use the Macbook Air if you:
- Like the classic MacBook Air design
- Want to have a high-quality display with beautiful colors
- Want to try out the interface of the new visually improved MacOS
- Use the Touch ID button
- Want to run older applications
