Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
The Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) holds its ground as a solid mid-range contender against the premium Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024). With a 15.6" display and 16 GB of RAM, it’s geared for productivity, while the MacBook Air brings a sleek design and superior performance with its M3 chip. In real-world use, the Acer's Thunderbolt 4 support and 1080p webcam stand out, but it falls short with a limited color gamut and soldered RAM. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air shines with its hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities and a brighter 500-nit display, though its base model's RAM of only 8 GB might not satisfy power users, especially with its 256 GB storage option running slower than expected. Key specs: Display: 15.6" vs 13.6" and Weight: 62.79 oz vs 43.74 oz.
Why compare these? The Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) (mid-range) and Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) (high-end) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Acer Aspire | Apple MacBook |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.2★ (111 reviews) | ✓4.8★ (1,823 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket) | Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| Main Drawback | RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded | Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB) |
| Market Position | Mid-range | ✓Premium |
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
No (Not supported)
TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
16-core Neural Engine
Passive (Fanless silent design)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
| Criterion | Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(111)Amazon | ★4.8(1,823)Amazon |
Processor | Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory) | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | 16-core Neural Engine |
Cooling | TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard) | Passive (Fanless silent design) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard) | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | No (Unified Memory architecture) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) | No (Soldered) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 13.6" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 2560 x 1664 (Native) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) |
Screen Type | IPS (LCD; LED-backlit; ComfyView; Anti-glare) | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 500 nits |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (Typical) | Wide color (P3) |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) | US English (Magic Keyboard) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes (Ambient light sensor) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Touchpad integrated) | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 3-cell Li-Ion (50 Wh) | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) |
Charger | 65 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) |
Weight | 1.78 kg (3.92 lbs) | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum top cover; Plastic chassis (Steel Gray) | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | macOS (Sonoma or later) |
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Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
No (Not supported)
TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket)
- 1080p webcam with noise reduction
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- Display has limited color gamut (45% NTSC) and average brightness
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
16-core Neural Engine
Passive (Fanless silent design)
8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory
No (Unified Memory architecture)
Pros
- Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
Cons
- Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB)
- Limited to 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion 120Hz)
Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) is the better buy for most people - its significantly faster M3 chip crushes the Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U). That said, grab the Acer if you need a larger 15.6" display and Thunderbolt 4 support - it's a great mid-range choice.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) if: you need a larger 15.6" display for multitasking, you want Thunderbolt 4 support for faster data transfer, or you require a decent webcam for video calls.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you prioritize performance for gaming or creative tasks, you want a super lightweight device at 3.48 lb, or you need a vibrant 500-nit display for photo editing.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.2★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,823 reviews vs 111
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Acer Aspire
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) leads with a 4.8★ rating versus 4.2★. That said, Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) or Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)?
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) is the better choice if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket). Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) wins if you value significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Both are rated highly (4.2★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) and Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)?
Key differences: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) offers thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket), while Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) stands out with significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Consider that Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded. Meanwhile, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) base model starts with only 8gb ram and 256gb storage (slow ssd speeds on 256gb). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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