Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) is the premium option here, boasting a significantly faster M3 chip that crushes the competition with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. In real-world use, that means demanding tasks like video editing or gaming run smoother, thanks to its 8-core CPU and up to 18 hours of battery life. If you're into stunning visuals and versatile functionality, the HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H with its 120Hz OLED display and impressive 9MP webcam is hard to ignore. The resolution of 2880 x 1800 combined with a refresh rate that makes scrolling feel twice as smooth puts it ahead for media consumption and video calls, especially with its AI noise reduction feature.
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
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 | ★4.9(2,424)Best Buy | ★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)
✓ 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 Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
✓ 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
- • Massive 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD configuration (specific to 'eu0023dx' SKU)
- • Haptic touchpad provides consistent feedback across the entire surface
- • Includes rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen and protective sleeve in the box
✗ Cons:
- • No built-in HDMI port (requires USB-C adapter)
- • Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded later
- • Top-tier pricing reflects the flagship build and specs
- • Glossy OLED screen can be reflective in bright outdoor settings
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Which one is better?
Grab the HP if you need a top-notch camera and display - it's a standout for video calls and movies.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you need long battery life for all-day use, you prefer macOS for creative work, or you want a fanless design for silent operation. (13.6" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Choose the HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H if: you shoot a lot of video with its 9MP webcam, you enjoy a high-refresh-rate display for gaming, or you want a versatile 2-in-1 device for both work and play.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
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 Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H is better if you prioritize premium 2.8k oled display with 120hz refresh rate and imax enhanced certification. 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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