Dell Xps 13 9345 Vs. Macbook Air 13 M3: Which Is Better?

One of the vital largest MacBook competition has been Dell‘s XPS laptops. They have got confronted off previously, and each earned their victories and losses. However what about now? How does Dell’s new XPS 13, powered by means of Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 processor, fare in opposition to the MacBook Air 13?

That is the primary time we now have observed those two powerhouses use a chipset rather than Intel. So what does that imply for those competition? Can we in spite of everything see the MacBook dethroned? Or will the XPS 13 falter in opposition to the burden of the tech large’s gaudy campus?

Let’s examine what a Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3 matchup seems like.

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3: Specifications when put next

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Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3
TypeDell XPS 13MacBook Air 13 M3
Worth$1,299 (beginning value)$1,499 (begins at $1,099)
CPUSnapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100M3
RAM16GB16GB
GraphicsQualcomm AdrenoM3
Show13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200, 120Hz13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664, 60Hz
Weight2.6 kilos3.4 kilos
Dimensions11.62 x 7.84 x 0.6 inches12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3: Worth

This computer comparability is hard. Everyone knows that you are paying the “Apple tax” while you pass with a MacBook. On the other hand, Dell additionally tries to earn a an identical top rate entice by means of charging extra for much less. However which is the simpler deal?

MacBook Air 13 M3 closed on a slatted wooden table showing the ports and overall thinness

(Symbol credit score: Pc Magazine/Sean Riley)

For $1,299, the XPS 13 provides a Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200, 120Hz show.

For $1,499, the MacBook Air 13 options an M3 chip, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664, 60Hz show.

The specifications are rather similar except the show. On the other hand, the MacBook Air provides a decrease beginning value of $1,099, which drops you to 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

The XPS 13 tops out at $2,499 for a model with 64GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and both a 2560 x 1600, 500-nit show or an OLED, 2880 x 1800, 60Hz, 400-nit show. In the meantime, the MacBook Air stops at $2,299 with 24GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

The XPS 13 provides the simpler deal on RAM, however as soon as those machines get that dear, they lose their objective as inexpensive possible choices to their extra top rate siblings. Because of this I’ve to aspect with the MacBook Air 13, because it provides the most cost effective possibility for a top rate computer with a pointy show.

Winner: MacBook Air 13

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3: Design

Now this segment could also be extremely sophisticated. One seems to be higher, however one feels higher. The XPS 13 and MacBook Air combat over shape as opposed to serve as.

Top down photo of the MacBook Air 13 M3 open slightly on a slatted table with the lid facing the camera

(Symbol credit score: Pc Magazine/Sean Riley)

Each laptops scream “top rate.” 

However the MacBook seems like… a MacBook. Image it to your thoughts, and it is there. 

On the other hand, the XPS 13 adopts a bold new aesthetic. I am speaking about Batmobile-levels of fashion, from its enthralling hood to its futuristic deck that is each minimalist and sublime.

The XPS 13 adopts a bold new aesthetic. I am speaking about Batmobile-levels of fashion,

The XPS 13 additionally is available in lighter, weighing 2.6 kilos as opposed to the MacBook Air’s 2.7 kilos. An in depth race. And whilst the MacBook Air wins on thinness (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches), the XPS 13 tightens up the body throughout (11.62 x 7.84 x 0.6 inches).

Chances are you’ll suppose that the XPS 13 has this within the bag. Fallacious. The XPS 13 might glance nicer, however it is not sensible. The deck is just too small, and the keyboard is just too jam-packed, making for an uncomfortable tying revel in. On the other hand, the MacBook 13 keeps a mild and skinny shape with out sacrificing its serve as.

Winner: MacBook Air 13 

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3: Show

The Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air 13 M3 function totally other shows. The previous measures 13.4 inches and has a 1920 x 1200 answer and 120Hz refresh fee, whilst the latter helps a 13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664, 60Hz show.

MacBook Air 13 M3 showing a movie trailer to demonstrate display brightness and vibrancy

(Symbol credit score: Pc Magazine/Sean Riley)

At the moment, the MacBook options the bigger and sharper show, however the XPS 13’s one merit is its refresh fee. Let’s examine how they do on benchmarks.

The XPS 13 lined 66.9% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and averaged 456 nits of brightness, whilst the MacBook Air 13 lined 77.8% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and averaged 476 nits of brightness.

The XPS 13 might function a better refresh fee than the MacBook Air, however it is worse in each and every different side.

Winner: MacBook Air 13

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3: Efficiency

That is the place desires are made. The face-off between the Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 is maximum fascinating the place the CPU is worried. 

The brand new Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 is going head-to-head with Apple’s mythical M3 chip.

Dell XPS 13 9345 (Snapdragon X Elite) review

(Symbol credit score: Long term/Rami Tabari)

At the Geekbench 6.3 total efficiency take a look at, the Dell XPS 13 hit 14,635, whilst the MacBook Air hit 12,087. That is not a small distinction in efficiency.

In a extra real-world take a look at, the XPS 13 transcoded a 4K video to 1080p in 4 mins and 41 seconds on our HandBrake benchmark. The MacBook Air completed in 6 mins and 32 seconds.

What about garage? The XPS 13’s 512GB SSD scored a switch fee of three,129/3,782 MBps at the BlackMagic Learn/Write take a look at. To my wonder, that beat the MacBook Air’s 512GB SSD, which controlled a fee of three,030/3,058 MBps.

Qualcomm jumped again into the computer trade with a sizzling few sucker punches. Who is aware of how Apple will reply, but it surely higher achieve this sooner than Qualcomm takes its lunch cash.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Air 13 M3: Battery existence

Now, that is the place issues get even spicier. Since Apple switched to its personal chipset, the battery existence has been probably the most very best within the trade. 

And we all know Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 is gunning for that battery existence crown. But if we unplug the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air 13 aspect by means of aspect, which dies first?

Dell XPS 13 9345 (Snapdragon X Elite) review

(Symbol credit score: Long term/Rami Tabari)

At the Pc Magazine battery take a look at — which ceaselessly surfs via webpages over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness — the XPS 13 averaged 19 hours and 1 minute (20:51 once we put in the BIOS 1.7.0 replace). The place does that depart the MacBook Air? Time of demise: Kind of 4 hours previous (15:13).

To place the XPS 13’s battery existence into context, the MacBook Professional 16-inch (M3 Max, 2023) was once up to now our longest-lasting computer, coming in at 18:05. The XPS 13 did not simply win this combat of batteries; it received the battle.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Total winner: MacBook Air 13

The MacBook Air 13 is the victor. In spite of the Dell XPS 13’s spectacular display in efficiency and battery, Qualcomm did the heavy lifting. Dell could not appear to hold its personal weight without reference to the computer’s mild weight.

Apple provides a greater show and a inexpensive beginning value. However its largest victory is one that is not essentially essentially the most spectacular—it is relaxed to make use of. For other people with better fingers, the XPS 13 goes to take time to get used to, if it is usable in any respect.

After catching a glimpse of the famous person scores above, you most likely knew how this combat would pass down. The XPS 13 continues to be an excellent computer. Along with its superb efficiency and battery existence, it provides a vibrant show and forged webcam. However it’s higher for other people with smaller fingers.

Until you want the most productive of the most productive battery existence, the MacBook Air 13 is the most obvious selection.

Winner: MacBook Air 13

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