The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is typically more expensive than the LG Ultra 13, but it offers a superior processor and graphics unit suitable for intensive tasks and multimedia projects; it operates silently due to its fanless design and provides a higher-resolution display for better detail and sharpness, though both laptops feature a similar IPS panel type. The LG Ultra 13, while more affordable, offers more RAM, which may benefit multitasking and productivity, and the laptop is slightly lighter for enhanced portability. Both laptops have similar storage and are not touch-enabled; their intended uses are general computing, with additional suitability for professional tasks on the MacBook. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2022)
Good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
The LG Ultra 13 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air (2022).
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.2/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and LG Ultra 13 are both good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) provides a strong balance for general use with its powerful Apple M2 CPU, ample RAM, high-quality IPS screen with high resolution and color accuracy, and long battery life, all while maintaining a lightweight and portable design. The LG Ultra 13, on the other hand, offers a larger amount of RAM which may enhance multitasking, also touts a quality IPS display, and promises effective heat management, but it falls short on battery life compared to the MacBook Air. Both laptops have solid CPUs and sufficient storage for general tasks, and they prioritize quiet operation and build quality, making them pleasant for everyday use.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
6.6/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good for engineering and design, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.2/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and LG Ultra 13 are both good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is somewhat better.
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
8.0/10
7.2/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is very good for software development, while the LG Ultra 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
7.6/10
6.9/10
13.6in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the LG Ultra 13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Air's high-resolution display and brightness offer crisp, clear visuals, making text and images sharp and easy to view. When it comes to engineering and design, the Air's wide color gamut ensures accurate reproduction of colors, which is crucial for detailed work. However, for 3D applications, the MacBook Air's lower refresh rate could lead to less fluid motion compared to other laptops designed with high refresh rates that cater to the seamless rendering of fast-moving visuals.
Battery
15.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 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
10.0/10
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the LG Ultra 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$899
$529
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $899 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and LG Ultra 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.6in
SIZE
13.3in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and LG Ultra 13 both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the LG Ultra 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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.