Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Dell XPS 13 (9340)
We compare the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 and Dell XPS 13 (9340) head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Scored 9.5/10 in our testing
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Best ultrabook for battery life, performance, and build quality — especially for Apple users
Dell XPS 13 (9340)
Best premium Windows ultrabook for professionals
Score Breakdown
| Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Category | Dell XPS 13 (9340) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Performance | 9.2/10 |
| 9.2/10 ✓ | Features | 9/10 |
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Ease of Use | 9.2/10 |
| 9/10 ✓ | Value | 8.8/10 |
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Overall | 9.2/10 |
Specs Comparison
| Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Spec | Dell XPS 13 (9340) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | Chip | Intel Core Ultra 7 165H |
| 18 hours (real-world ~15 hours) | Battery Life | 13.4" OLED, 3.5K, 120Hz |
| 15.3" Liquid Retina, 500 nits | Display | 2.73 lbs / 1.24 kg |
| 3.3 lbs / 1.51 kg | Weight | ~10 hours mixed use |
| 8GB unified memory base (16GB recommended) | RAM | 2x Thunderbolt 4 + USB-A + MicroSD |
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Pros
- + Best battery life of any ultrabook tested
- + Fanless design — completely silent
- + Liquid Retina display is beautiful
- + Best-in-class build quality and resale value
Cons
- − 8GB base RAM is limiting — pay for 16GB
- − No fan = throttles under very sustained load
- − macOS only (not for Windows users)
Dell XPS 13 (9340)
Pros
- + 3.5K OLED display is gorgeous
- + Premium machined aluminum build
- + Compact at 2.73 lbs
- + USB-A port restored from previous gen
Cons
- − Expensive
- − Only 2 Thunderbolt + 1 USB-A + MicroSD — limited ports
- − Fan can be audible under load
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 comes out on top with an overall score of 9.5/10. The MacBook Air M3 15" offers the best performance-per-watt of any laptop — the M3 chip's efficiency allows sustained performance without fans in a fanless chassis. Real-world battery life of 13-15 hours is industry-leading. The 15.3" display is sharp and bright. macOS is fluid on Apple Silicon. The only significant limitation is the 8GB base RAM, which feels cramped in 2026 — upgrade to 16GB.
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 on AmazonRead the full Best Ultrabooks 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 10 products.