The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is generally more expensive, but offers better screen quality with higher resolution and color accuracy, making it a better choice for tasks that require precise visuals such as photo editing or design work. Its Apple M2 chip provides good general performance, and it has a longer battery life, ideal for working on the go. The MacBook is lighter and has a fanless design for silent operation. In contrast, the Dell Latitude 5431 is a bit less expensive with a more traditional design and is equipped with more RAM which can be beneficial for multitasking and demanding engineering applications. It runs Windows 11 Pro and has a better variety of ports including Ethernet, making it more suitable for business environments. Both have similar storage capacity and neither is suitable for intensive gaming. The Dell has a shorter battery life and while its screen is of decent quality, it’s not as high-resolution or color-accurate as the MacBook Air. 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)
Good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 5431
The Dell Latitude 5431 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
6.9/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023), with its high-resolution display and efficient Apple M2 GPU, is ideal for design tasks that require color accuracy and detailed visuals, while its CPU and RAM configuration supports various engineering software needs. Conversely, the Dell Latitude 5431 offers more RAM for complex multitasking and an Intel CPU with integrated graphics that can handle engineering applications, but its screen, while adequate, may not be as color precise or sharp as the MacBook's for design work.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.4/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Latitude 5431 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
8.1/10
7.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Latitude 5431 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 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
241.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5431 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air boasts a higher-resolution display with better brightness and a superior panel type, which enhances the overall visual experience for everyday tasks and detail-oriented work in engineering and design due to its crisp image quality and vibrant colors. Despite its strengths for most applications, the MacBook Air's screen isn't ideal for 3D purposes because it lacks a high refresh rate, leading to less fluid motion. Conversely, the Dell Latitude's screen, while adequate for daily use and engineering tasks, falls short both in terms of color accuracy for professional design work and in refresh rate, which is vital for a smooth gaming and 3D experience.
Battery
15.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 5431 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
Very Good
Good
15.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has very good portability, while the Dell Latitude 5431 has good 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 Latitude 5431 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$950
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Dell Latitude 5431 costs $950.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Latitude 5431 are both good for general use.
The MacBook Air 15 (2023) offers a more vivid and sharp screen, longer battery life, and high-quality speakers for an enhanced multimedia experience, suitable for day-to-day activities, also boasting a light and thin design that enhances portability.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.2/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Latitude 5431 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Air 15 (2023) has an integrated GPU suited for basic 3D tasks but may not support many popular games due to MacOS compatibility issues, while its high-resolution screen offers good visual quality but is limited to a standard refresh rate. Conversely, the Dell Latitude 5431 also has an integrated GPU capable of handling light gaming and 3D applications, and though it features a Windows platform with broader game support, its standard screen refresh rate and lower resolution may not deliver as immersive a visual experience as dedicated gaming machines.
Give feedback
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How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Dell Latitude 5431 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."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Dell Latitude 5431
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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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.
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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.
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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.