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MacBook Air 15 (2023)
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Laptop 13 (2023)
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What we think

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Updated January 10, 2024·

The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is equipped with Apple's M2 chipset and a larger 15.3-inch screen, providing a high-quality display and powerful performance suitable for a variety of tasks including some engineering applications, though it's not designed for intensive gaming. Its fanless design means it operates silently. The Framework Laptop 13 (2023), on the other hand, is built with upgradability and repairability in mind with its modular components, has an Intel i5 processor, and a slightly smaller 13.5-inch screen. While the Framework offers a solid performance for general use and a degree of future-proofing due to its upgradable nature, its integrated graphics may not handle engineering software or 3D work as effectively as the MacBook Air. The MacBook is also recognized for having a superior build quality and battery life but at the cost of being slightly heavier and less portable. Both devices are similarly priced and offer a premium build, but your choice should depend on whether you prioritize performance and battery life (MacBook Air) or portability and upgradability (Framework Laptop). 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
  • Best in class overall build quality
  • Excellent battery life
  • Best in class speakers
  • Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
  • The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).

Key differences

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Screen Quality

7.8
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.4
15.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.

Battery

15.0 Hours
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life.

Build Quality

10.0
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.8
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.

Cost

$1,299
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
$1,079
Product image
Product image

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) costs $1,079.
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Key similarities

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General Use

7.9
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.5
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
501.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for general use.

Gaming and AI

6.5
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
6.3
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.

Engineering and Design

7.6
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.3
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for engineering and design.

Content Creation

8.0
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.5
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.

Software Development

8.1
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
7.6
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.

Portability

Very Good
MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Laptop 13 (2023)
Very Good
15.3in
SIZE
13.5in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.

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How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) compare to other laptops

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Spec Comparison

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Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

GENERAL

Price
$1,299
$1,079
Release Date
June 1, 2023May 1, 2023
Overall Dimensions
13.4'' x 9.4'' x 0.45''11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62''
Weight
3.3 lbs2.95 lbs
Width
13.4"11.7"
Depth
9.35"9.01"

INTERNAL

Processor
Apple M2Intel i5-1340P
RAM
8 GB8 GB
DDR Memory Version
54
RAM Slots
02
Storage
256 GB256 GB

BATTERY

Battery Life
15 Hours7.5 Hours
Battery Capacity
66.6 Wh55 Wh

SCREEN

Diagonal Size
15.3"13.5"
Display Technology
IPSIPS
Resolution
2880 x 18642256 x 1504
Refresh Rate
60Hz60Hz
Display Brightness
501 nits472 nits

RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS

Build Quality Score
10/107.8/10
Portability Score
9/108.8/10
Gaming Laptop Appearance
NoNo
Premium Business Laptop
YesNo
Fan Noise Score
10/107.5/10

HARDWARE FEATURES

Keyboard Quality Score
10/108.5/10
Speaker Quality Score
10/108/10
Webcam
1080p1080p
Fingerprint Reader
YesYes
Backlit Keyboard
YesYes
Number Pad
NoNo

CONNECTIVITY

USB Type-A
01
USB-C ports
22
USB-C Charging
YesYes
Display Outputs
12
Thunderbolt Version
34

Shopping

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Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)

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Dig into reviews and images

NotebookCheck

Andreas Osthoff | June 2023
"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."

Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

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Dig into reviews and images

Wired

Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."

Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

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 Framework

Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.

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Why trust us

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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.

By the numbers

380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
116,295
Recommendations made
25,198
Consumer hours saved

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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

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.

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