Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
When comparing the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) with the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U), the MacBook clearly stands out with its advanced M3 chip and impressive 18-hour battery life. In real-world use, the MacBook Air excels with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display at 500 nits, perfect for creative tasks, while the Acer's 15.6-inch FHD screen, at only 250 nits, can appear washed out. If you're considering an upgrade, the MacBook's performance with hardware-accelerated ray tracing makes it worth the investment, especially for gaming and productivity tasks in 2024. Key specs: Display: 13.6" vs 15.6" and Weight: 43.74 oz vs 62.79 oz.
Why compare these? The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) (high-end) and Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) (mid-range) 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 | Apple MacBook | Acer Aspire |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (1,823 reviews) | 4.3★ (107 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket) |
| Main Drawback | Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB) | RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB) |
| Market Position | ✓Premium | Mid-range |
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)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling 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: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,823)Amazon | ★4.3(107)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz) |
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 slot; user replaceable) |
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 (Anti-glare, ComfyView) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 500 nits | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | Fingerprint reader (Integrated in touchpad) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 |
Video Ports | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 50 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) |
Charger | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) | 65 W barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) | 1,780 g (3.92 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum (Lid) / Plastic (Chassis) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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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)
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket)
- Sharp 1080p webcam is an upgrade over typical 720p budget cams
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB)
- Display has limited color coverage (45% NTSC), appearing washed out
Which one is better?
Key specs: Display: 13.6" vs 15.6" and Weight: 43.74 oz vs 62.79 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you need long battery life for all-day use, value a bright display for creative work, or want superior performance for gaming. (13.6" display, 43.74 oz weight)
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) if: you prefer a larger screen for multitasking, want a budget-friendly option, or need an affordable laptop for basic office tasks. (15.6" display, 62.79 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.3★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,823 reviews vs 107
→ 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
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.3★. However, Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) or Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)?
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) is the better choice if you prioritize significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) wins if you value includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.3★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)?
Key differences: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) offers significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, while Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) stands out with includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Consider that Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) base model starts with only 8gb ram and 256gb storage (slow ssd speeds on 256gb). Meanwhile, Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16gb). 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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