As your sales manager, if you value a slim design and long battery life for everyday tasks, the MacBook Air would be a strong choice, though at a higher cost. Alternatively, the Dell Inspiron 14 may offer more versatile connectivity options and possibly better value for money if you're looking for a balance between performance and cost. Keep in mind that the MacBook will likely provide a better screen and overall build quality, which can be preferable for media consumption and longevity. If you perform more demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, ensure the chosen laptop has the horsepower and graphics capabilities required - the specific models' specs will be crucial here. Portability is a strong suit of the MacBook Air, but if you need a Windows environment or specific software compatibility, the Dell may better suit your needs. 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 15 (2023)
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435
The Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
7.1/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 are both good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a high-resolution screen with wide color coverage and fanless, silent operation which is beneficial for demanding engineering and design use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7435 offers more RAM and storage along with 2-in-1 versatility, making it suitable for varied engineering and design scenarios.
Software Development
8.1/10
7.4/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 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
7.8/10
6.1/10
15.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
216.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering general use, the MacBook Air's higher resolution and brightness, along with a premium panel type, likely give it superior visual clarity and vibrancy compared to the Dell Inspiron. The MacBook Air's screen excels for engineering and design work because it probably covers a wider range of color gamuts, offering more accurate color representation, which is crucial for such tasks. However, for 3D applications where smooth motion is key, the Dell Inspiron might fall short due to a lower refresh rate, just as the MacBook Air does, making them both less ideal for gaming or intensive 3D work where higher refresh rates are beneficial.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
15.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$779
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 costs $779.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air 15, with its high-resolution screen, efficient performance from the M2 chip, silent operation, and long battery life, is a great all-rounder for general use tasks, offering high-quality visuals and significant portability due to its lightweight and thin design. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 14 7435 offers a touchscreen, more RAM for smoother multitasking, and substantial storage space, making it versatile for a variety of tasks, though it is slightly heavier and has a lower screen color accuracy and brightness compared to the MacBook Air.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.3/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7435, with a dedicated GPU and higher screen refresh rate, offers smoother visuals for gaming and 3D applications, which can't be fully matched by the Apple MacBook Air 15's integrated graphics and standard refresh rate. However, the MacBook Air's superior CPU and screen quality provide a robust experience for other tasks, though it's limited in gaming due to compatibility issues with many popular titles.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.6/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435 compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Air 15 is boringly good. The new MacBook Air 15 is a very good, but also boring device, because apart from the larger screen and the higher price, there are no differences compared to the smaller MacBook Air M2 from last year. No new processor, no additional ports, just the usual basic hardware - but the overall package is extremely good and it simply works. Above all, the lack of fans is an aspect that should not be underestimated in everyday use. In our opinion, the Air could be a lot better, but Apple goes easy on itself here."
"We see no shame in an economy laptop missing the four-star mark. Frankly, we considered giving the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 three-and-a-half stars for its low price, competitive performance, and long battery life. Unfortunately, working with a screen that can't deliver at least 300 nits of brightness is simply no fun to the point of detrimental. Still, if you're looking for a convertible laptop on a tight budget, it's worth keeping an eye on Dell's sales and discounts. That Lavender Blue model is fairly tempting."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Dell Inpsiron 14 7435
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.
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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Recommendations made
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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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Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.