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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) offers you a longer battery life and a better build quality, but at a higher price point, whereas the Dell XPS 13 provides more storage and memory, potentially improving multitasking and storage capabilities, at a lower cost. If your workflow involves more graphics-intensive tasks, the MacBook's M2 chip could be the better choice, but the XPS 13's Intel Iris Xe may handle a variety of tasks adequately if you're looking for value. Consider the MacBook Air for its superior screen quality and fanless operation, making it quieter, whereas the XPS 13 is a more cost-effective option with competitive performance and a premium business laptop appearance. 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 (2022)
- Very good for software development
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell XPS 13
- The Dell XPS 13 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air (2022).
Key differences
Software Development
8.0
7.5
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is very good for software development, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
7.6
7.2
13.6in
SIZE
13.4in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Air's high-resolution Retina display with excellent brightness levels provides clear and vivid images, making it ideal for everyday tasks and media consumption. Engineering and design professionals benefit from the MacBook Air's wide color gamut coverage, offering precise color representation necessary for detailed work, whereas the XPS 13, despite having a good display, doesn't match Apple's color accuracy. However, for 3D applications and gaming that rely on fast-paced visuals, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion compared to specialized gaming laptops.
Battery
15.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 has 10 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
8.5
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.7
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) excels in portability, screen quality with higher resolution and color accuracy, and longer battery life, making it a solid choice for general use. In contrast, the Dell XPS 13 offers more RAM and storage space, which can be beneficial for multitasking and data-heavy tasks, but has a shorter battery life and lower screen color accuracy.
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.2
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022), with its M2 GPU, performs fairly for 3D tasks within MacOS constraints, but its gaming potential is limited due to fewer compatible titles. Both laptops have similar refresh rates and screen qualities, but the GPU capabilities and operating system compatibility ultimately guide their performance in gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.5
7.2
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is a strong choice for engineering and design due to its high-quality IPS screen offering sharp resolution and color accuracy, which is important for detailed work, accompanied by a powerful Apple M2 chip for efficient performance in CPU and GPU-demanding tasks. Conversely, the Dell XPS 13 may appeal to those requiring more memory and a higher capacity processor like the Intel i7 with Iris Xe graphics for complex engineering software, though its screen doesn't match the MacBook's resolution but still delivers on color accuracy and panel quality.
Content Creation
7.9
7.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell XPS 13 are both good for content creation.
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.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.6in
SIZE
13.4in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell XPS 13 both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$839
$850
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $839 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $850.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the Dell XPS 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | Dell XPS 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$839 | $850 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | August 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 2.59 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 11.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 7.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i7-1250U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 13.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 442 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2022)
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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."
Dell XPS 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the Dell XPS 13
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 Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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