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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U): which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
Ratings: 4.9★ vs 4.3★
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
★4.9
(2,424)•Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Graphics:Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Passive (Fanless silent design)
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Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
★4.3
(107)•Amazon
Processor:Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Graphics:Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
AI Engine:No (Not supported)
Cooling:TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
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Comparison: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
★4.9(2,424)Best Buy
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
★4.3(107)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(2,424)Best Buy | ★4.3(107)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) |
Display Size | 13.6" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 (Native) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:9 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) | IPS (LCD; LED-backlit; ComfyView; Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 500 nits | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3) | 45% NTSC (Typical) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US Standard (QWERTY) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | Fingerprint reader (Touchpad integrated) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) |
Video Ports | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) | 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 3-cell Li-Ion (50 Wh) |
Charger | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) | 65 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) |
Weight | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) | 1.78 kg (3.92 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum top cover; Plastic chassis (Steel Gray) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Rating:★4.9(2,424)Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Graphics:Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Passive (Fanless silent design)
RAM:8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory
RAM Upgrade:No (Unified Memory architecture)
Storage:256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD
Storage Upgrade:No (Soldered)
Display Size:13.6"
Resolution:2560 x 1664 (Native)
Aspect Ratio:16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch)
Screen Type:Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Brightness:500 nits
Color Gamut:Wide color (P3)
Keyboard Layout:US English (Magic Keyboard)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes (Ambient light sensor)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint reader)
Webcam:1080p FaceTime HD camera
USB Ports:2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort)
Video Ports:USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones)
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Battery:52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Charger:30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs)
Weight:1,240 g (2.7 lbs)
Build Material:100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure
Operating System:macOS (Sonoma or later)
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- • First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
- • Completely silent fanless operation
- • Exceptional build quality with a bright 500-nit P3 display
- • MagSafe 3 charging frees up both Thunderbolt ports for peripherals
✗ Cons:
- • Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB)
- • Limited to 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion 120Hz)
- • Zero user-upgradeability for RAM or storage
- • Thermal throttling can occur under sustained heavy workloads due to lack of fans
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Rating:★4.3(107)Amazon
Processor:Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Graphics:Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
AI Engine:No (Not supported)
Cooling:TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
RAM:16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard)
RAM Upgrade:No (Soldered)
Storage:512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
Storage Upgrade:Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot)
Display Size:15.6"
Resolution:1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Aspect Ratio:16:9
Screen Type:IPS (LCD; LED-backlit; ComfyView; Anti-glare)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Brightness:250 nits (Typical)
Color Gamut:45% NTSC (Typical)
Keyboard Layout:US Standard (QWERTY)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes
Biometrics:Fingerprint reader (Touchpad integrated)
Webcam:1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR)
USB Ports:1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging)
Video Ports:1x HDMI 2.1
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1
Battery:3-cell Li-Ion (50 Wh)
Charger:65 W AC adapter (Barrel pin)
Weight:1.78 kg (3.92 lbs)
Build Material:Aluminum top cover; Plastic chassis (Steel Gray)
Operating System:Windows 11 Home
✓ Pros:
- • Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket)
- • 1080p webcam with noise reduction
- • Decent port selection including HDMI 2.1
- • TwinAir cooling system improves thermal management over previous generations
✗ Cons:
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- • Display has limited color gamut (45% NTSC) and average brightness
- • No SD card slot
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024): 4.9★ vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U): 4.3★), Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) suits buyers who need Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
- Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) suits buyers who want Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket), 1080p webcam with noise reduction
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) excels if you value significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) is better if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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