Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
If you're torn between the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and the HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H, the key difference lies in performance and display. The MacBook Air's M3 chip is a performance beast, but the Spectre's OLED screen and higher RAM make it a flagship contender worth considering. In real-world use, the MacBook Air boasts up to 18 hours of battery life, so it’s a powerhouse for all-day tasks. However, the Spectre provides a stunning 2.8K display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a no-brainer for creative work or media consumption. This means smoother visuals and better color accuracy for photography enthusiasts and video editors alike. Key specs: Display: 13.6" vs 14" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) (high-end) and HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H (premium flagship) 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 | HP Spectre |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (1,823 reviews) | 4.5★ (156 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Premium 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and IMAX Enhanced certification |
| Main Drawback | Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB) | No built-in HDMI port (requires USB-C adapter) |
| Market Position | Premium | ✓Flagship |
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)
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Dual fan with rear venting)
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 Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,823)Amazon | ★4.5(156)Best Buy |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU) |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | Air (Dual fan with rear venting) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 32 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD | 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (1x M.2 2280 slot) |
Display Size | 13.6" | 14" |
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 (Native) | 2880 x 1800 (2.8K) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:10 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) | OLED (Multitouch; UWVA; Gorilla Glass NBT) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 48-120 Hz (Variable VRR) |
Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits (SDR) / 500 nits (HDR Peak) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3) | 100% DCI-P3 |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (ANSI) without NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | Fingerprint reader (Power button) + IR Face Recognition |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 9MP Wide Vision IR camera with hardware shutter |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, drop-jaw) |
Video Ports | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) | DisplayPort 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4 |
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) | 68 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) | 1,450 g (3.19 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | CNC Aluminum (Nightfall Black) |
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)
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Dual fan with rear venting)
32 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Premium 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and IMAX Enhanced certification
- Best-in-class 9MP webcam with AI noise reduction and hardware shutter
Cons
- No built-in HDMI port (requires USB-C adapter)
- Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded later
Which one is better?
Grab the HP Spectre x360 if you need a premium display and a top-notch webcam - it's perfect for photographers with its 9MP camera.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you need excellent battery life for all-day use, you prefer a fanless design for silence, or you work with multiple external displays. (13.6" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Choose the HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H if: you want a stunning OLED display for media, you require a powerful webcam for video calls, or you need more RAM for multitasking. (14" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,823 reviews vs 156
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose HP Spectre
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple MacBook
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) edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.5★. However, HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H 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 HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H?
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) is the better choice if you prioritize significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H wins if you value premium 2.8k oled display with 120hz refresh rate and imax enhanced certification. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H?
Key differences: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) offers significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, while HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H stands out with premium 2.8k oled display with 120hz refresh rate and imax enhanced certification. 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, HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H no built-in hdmi port (requires usb-c adapter). 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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