Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
If you're wondering which laptop to buy in 2025, the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) and Acer Nitro V 15 each offer distinct advantages. The MacBook Air is celebrated for its sleek design and impressive battery life, making it perfect for professionals on the go. Meanwhile, the Acer Nitro V 15 appeals to gamers with its dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics and a high-refresh-rate display.
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Comparison: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(2,424)Best Buy | ★5(1)Amazon |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture) | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible) |
Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
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; Matte; ComfyView) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 500 nits | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3) | 45% NTSC (Typical) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US Standard (QWERTY) with Numeric Keypad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes (White backlight) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p HD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Charging); 3x 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 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
Battery | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 4-cell Li-Ion (57 Wh) |
Charger | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) | 135 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) |
Weight | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) | 2.11 kg (4.66 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Plastic chassis (Obsidian Black) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
✓ 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
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
✓ Pros:
- • Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- • Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
- • Excellent upgradeability (2x RAM slots, 2x M.2 slots)
- • Clean, understated design compared to typical gaming laptops
✗ Cons:
- • Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- • All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
- • Fans can get quite loud under heavy load
- • No SD card slot
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Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) wins because of its exceptional battery life of up to 18 hours and a lightweight design at just 2.7 lbs. In contrast, the Acer Nitro V 15 shines in gaming performance with its 144Hz display and dedicated RTX 4050 GPU.
Who should buy each?
Choose Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) if:
- You need superior battery life (up to 18 hours) for all-day use.
- You prefer a lightweight laptop for easy portability (2.7 lbs).
- You value premium build quality for professional settings.
Choose Acer Nitro V 15 if:
- You want dedicated gaming performance with RTX 4050 graphics for intense gameplay.
- You need a high refresh rate (144Hz) for smoother visuals in gaming.
- You require easily upgradable storage options for expanding your setup.
Both are great for:
- Having 8GB/16GB RAM options for efficient multitasking.
- Offering solid storage solutions with SSDs for quick access.
Conclusion
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
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 Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is better if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). 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.
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