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The two largest laptops of 2020 so far are the Dell XPS 13 and Apple’s MacBook Air. Both have been updated with new features and designs, and you might be wondering which is the best option.
I have spent weeks with both devices now, swapping the two laptops as my daily controller. Here is everything you need to know about how these two laptops compare to each other.
MacBook Air is more affordable.
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
The XPS 13 and MacBook Air are premium laptops. Neither one represents the best value for the components that come inside. Instead, they package those parts in excellent build quality and world-class design. I prefer the white and stiff look of the XPS 13 and its ultra-thin bezels, but I won’t say that the MacBook Air isn’t attractive. It hasn’t changed in recent years, but the full aluminum body is as pretty as ever, especially gold.
But let’s get something out of the way right away. Price. MacBook Air is currently more affordable. with a starting price of $ 999 (or $ 899 if you are a student). The XPS 13 also offers a $ 999 Core i3 model, though it’s not currently available for purchase. Even when it’s available, it will come with just 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD as well, compared to twice as much as on the comparable MacBook Air.
The $ 999 MacBook Air not only starts with more memory and storage, it also has a higher resolution display. At 2,560 x 1,600, it has a sharper pixel density than other 13-inch laptops, including the XPS 13. Although the 1,920 x 1,200 display on the XPS 13 is delicious and bright, the Air is noticeably sharper.
Of course, the XPS 13 has much more room to grow in the more expensive configurations. The XPS 13 can be upgraded with 32GB of RAM and the same 2TB of storage, while also featuring a 4K display.
You can spend even more on the MacBook Air if you want (up to $ 2,249), but due to performance limitations, your money won’t go that far.
The Dell XPS 13 is the fastest laptop
When you look at the price point where these two laptops intersect, the XPS 13 begins to take a constant advantage as $ 1,200 brings you a quad-core Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Although it is true that the screen does not have a pixel density, the performance takes a great leap. The XPS 13 is the most powerful 13-inch laptop I’ve ever tested. It offers great resistance that most laptops of this size do not have. In top-tier configurations like the Core i7, it even beats the MacBook Pro.
However, the MacBook Air also has a tenth-generation quad-core Core i5 processor, right? Yes. Starting at $ 1,250, this Core i5 model was hyped with twice the power of previous models. But do not be fooled, it is a less powerful processor. At just 9 watts of power consumption, it can’t keep up with the 25-watt Core i5 on the XPS 13. A lower thermal profile means tighter restrictions on heat and therefore performance.
Will you notice the difference? Yes, although it depends on the workload. If your daily routine consists of Chrome, Spotify, Netflix, Slack, and YouTube, you probably don’t feel the disparity in processing power. Even with dozens of tabs and plenty of open apps, the Core i3 MacBook Air doesn’t flinch. As I pointed out in the review, you can even open GarageBand or iMovie to create lightweight content.
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
But if you’re a photographer working with high-resolution photos in Lightroom, or extreme multitasking looking to power multiple 4K monitors, the XPS 13’s extra bandwidth is useful.
It is also the preferred option for traveling with a laptop. The XPS 13 is thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air, and thanks to the slim bezels, it has a significantly smaller footprint.
It’ll also last a few hours longer than the MacBook Air on a single charge to let you do a little extra work on that long work trip. However, there is a caveat there. MacBook Air will maintain similar battery life no matter what configuration you use. The XPS 13 submerges for a couple of hours once you equip it with the optional 4K display. When updated, the XPS 13 is closer to the MacBook Air in battery life.
Windows, Mac and Apple
Then there is the ecosystem to consider. There is no doubt that iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods and MacBooks combine really well. Having iMessage, iCloud and AirDrop on all platforms is undoubtedly convenient. It’s what Apple has always done so well, and while it could hack a similar solution with Windows apps (Dell offers a Mobile Connect app that can send phone notifications to your laptop), it’s not the same.
When you buy Apple’s MacBook Air, Apple’s suite of apps is also free. Most Microsoft Office applications are preferred, but you will have to pay more to combine them with the Dell XPS 13. While neither the Mac App Store nor Microsoft will remove your socks, Apple’s Mac Catalyst program is seeing more applications iPad covers to the Mac. That could have great potential for the future of the Mac application ecosystem.
Most people prefer Mac or Windows. But today, there is much less difference than there used to be. Mac offers better trackpad gestures, while Windows has full touchscreen support. Windows has face authentication to quickly unlock the device, while Mac’s TouchID can be used for things like payment and user profile authentication.
Both Windows 10 and MacOS are modern pieces of software that support annual software updates and security updates. Neither of them receives the kind of attention that mobile development platforms receive, but in terms of stability, you can’t go wrong.
Apple MacBook Air vs. Dell XPS 13: Which One Should You Buy?
In its latest version, the MacBook Air once again has a good keyboard and is priced appropriately. That makes the $ 999 model an easy recommendation at that price.
However, once you enter the highest echelon of settings, the Dell XPS 13 jumps ahead. It offers better performance, a more attractive design and an excellent optional 4K screen. XPS 13 models priced above $ 1,500 beat not only the MacBook Air, but also Apple’s MacBook Pro 13.
