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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 14, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) offers a sleek design and is known for strong battery life and an excellent user experience, particularly if you're already integrated into the Apple ecosystem with other devices. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, usually at a higher price point, typically offers more powerful hardware that can handle demanding tasks better, sometimes leading to a shorter battery life. It could be better suited for intensive tasks like engineering software. If you favor portability and value, the MacBook Air is a compelling choice; however, for more power and better suited for professional use, consider the ThinkBook. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.9
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both good for engineering and design, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air, with its efficient CPU and high-quality screen, excels in tasks related to engineering and design, while its GPU capabilities are generally sufficient for most design work. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, on the other hand, offers a balance of good CPU and RAM which are crucial for engineering tasks, alongside a quality screen, and it also has the advantage of being portable with a commendable keyboard, making it suitable for on-the-go professionals.
Screen Quality
7.5
8.2
13.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The MacBook Air's screen offers sufficient resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and decent color coverage for engineering and design but lacks the high refresh rate needed for smooth 3D visuals. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x provides crisp, bright displays for day-to-day usage and precise color representation crucial for design work, yet it falls short for gaming and 3D due to its limited refresh rate. Both laptops are better suited for productivity and professional design than for 3D or gaming, where fluid motion and fast screen updates are key.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
10.0
7.6
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,000
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has a price of $1,000 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2020), with its efficient CPU and sufficient RAM, offers a sharp screen, lightweight design, and long-lasting battery, making it ideal for everyday tasks while being easy to carry around. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, also equipped with a competent CPU and RAM, pairs these with a high-quality display and solid battery life, though it ensures extra storage space and a sturdy keyboard, which are beneficial for productivity and multimedia use.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.6
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Air, while offering a high screen quality, is limited in gaming and 3D performance primarily because it has a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, and furthermore, many popular games aren't compatible with its operating system. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, although not top-of-the-line, generally provides a more capable GPU and better refresh rate, making it somewhat better suited for gaming and 3D tasks within its category.
Content Creation
7.8
8.0
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkBook 13x to be very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7
7.9
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkBook 13x to have excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2020) and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2020) | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2020 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.63'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.8 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2020) or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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