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Updated March 22, 2024·
For simple everyday use, the MacBook Air is lightweight and offers a seamless experience, especially for those already in the Apple ecosystem. However, if you're looking for versatility and the ability to use your laptop as a tablet, the HP Spectre x360's 2-in-1 design might be more appealing. If your workload includes intensive tasks, the Spectre often has more powerful configuration options. Battery life is excellent on both, but the Air edges out slightly, beneficial if you're often on the go. Remember, the Spectre's touch screen drains the battery faster, and the MacBook's ecosystem limits certain software compatibility. 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)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.9
8.7
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Air offers a balance of portability, long battery life, and a high-quality screen, making it suitable for everyday tasks and on-the-go use, while its CPU and RAM handle general computing effectively. Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360 14 provides a similar level of performance, with added versatility of a convertible design, high-quality keyboard, and speakers, catering to those who prioritize a touch screen and 2-in-1 form factor for diverse usage scenarios.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.4
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The HP Spectre x360 14 typically offers stronger CPU and GPU performance and more RAM options than the MacBook Air, necessary for demanding engineering software, along with a high-quality screen that's beneficial for design work. While the MacBook Air is praised for its portability and silent operation, the Spectre also excels with a convertible design, superior keyboard, and better speakers, offering a versatile package for engineers and designers who need a robust machine for their work.
Content Creation
7.9
8.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) 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.
Screen Quality
7.6
8.6
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) provides a high-resolution screen and excellent brightness, making it ideal for daily tasks and visual clarity, but its limited refresh rate dampens its effectiveness for 3D applications which require smoother motion. The HP Spectre x360 14 also offers a vibrant, sharp display with ample brightness, suitable for general use and detailed engineering work, thanks to its accurate color reproduction across different spectrums like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB. However, both laptops lack high refresh rates, which hinders gaming and 3D rendering performance, as these activities benefit from faster screen updates for a more fluid visual experience.
Battery
15.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 has 9 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.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the HP Spectre x360 14 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the HP Spectre x360 14 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$799
$1,630
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $799 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.8
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air is limited in its 3D capabilities due to its integrated GPU, which isn't as powerful as dedicated gaming options, and while it offers a high-quality display, the screen's refresh rate isn’t optimized for high-frame-rate gaming. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360 14, though it also has an integrated GPU that may struggle with intensive 3D tasks, can handle a wider range of games more effectively, and its high-quality screen, combined with a slightly better refresh rate, makes it a preferable option for gaming within its capability range.
Software Development
8.0
8.4
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both very 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.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the HP Spectre x360 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | HP Spectre x360 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 12.4'' x 8.7'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 3.45 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.35" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 8.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 68 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 2160p | |
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 | 1 | |
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."
HP Spectre x360 14
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Rami Tabari | February 2024
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the HP Spectre x360 14
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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