Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
You'll love the MacBook Air if you need a lightweight machine for all-day use with stunning performance in a sleek design. If you're looking for versatility, the HP ENVY x360's 15.6" touchscreen and 2-in-1 functionality might catch your eye. In my testing, the 5MP webcam on the HP made video calls pop, even if its dim display at 250 nits can be a letdown for media consumption.
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)

HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
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 HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)

HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(2,424)Best Buy | ★4.6(1,605)Best Buy |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | Air (Dual fan cooling) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 16 GB LPDDR4x-4266 MHz (Onboard) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (1x M.2 2280 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 (Touchscreen; Edge-to-edge glass; Micro-edge) |
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) without NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes (Nightfall black opaque) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | IR Face Recognition (Windows Hello) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 5MP HP Wide Vision IR camera with privacy shutter |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps; Power Delivery; DisplayPort 1.4; Sleep & Charge); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) |
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 Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 55 Wh (4-cell Li-ion polymer) |
Charger | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) | 65 W USB-C adapter |
Weight | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) | 1,830 g (4.03 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Aluminum (Nightfall 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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HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
✓ Pros:
- • Versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel
- • High-quality 5MP webcam with IR face unlock is excellent for video calls
- • Both USB-C ports support 10Gbps data, charging, and video output
- • Battery life is solid for productivity tasks thanks to the efficient Ryzen chip
- • Includes HDMI 2.1 and a multi-format SD card reader (often missing in this class)
✗ Cons:
- • Display is dim (250 nits) and has limited color gamut (45% NTSC)
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- • Ryzen 7 7730U is a refreshed older architecture (Zen 3) lacking new AI features
- • 16:9 aspect ratio feels dated compared to the taller 16:10 screens on newer rivals
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which one is better?
Grab the HP if you want a larger touchscreen and 16GB of RAM for productivity tasks - it's perfect for multitasking.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you need all-day battery life, you prioritize a lightweight design, or you multitask with multiple apps open. (13.6" display, 43.74 oz weight)
Choose the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop if: you want a larger touchscreen for creative work, you value a high-quality webcam for video calls, or you need more RAM for heavy multitasking. (15.6" display, 64.55 oz weight)
Conclusion
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop 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. HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop is better if you prioritize versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel. 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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