If you prioritize performance and ecosystem integration, especially if you already use Apple products, the MacBook Air may serve you well despite the higher cost. For those seeking better value and compatibility with a wide range of software, particularly for business or engineering applications, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i can be a cost-effective choice with good performance. However, if long battery life and a lightweight design are critical, the MacBook Air is known for its portability and efficiency. On the other hand, gamers or those needing advanced graphics might find the Lenovo offers better graphical capabilities. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
5.5/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) with its M2 processor and integrated GPU is great for engineering and design, offering solid CPU and GPU performance, exceptional screen quality, and silent operation, but with less RAM and storage than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, which boasts a capable i7 processor, more RAM for multitasking, and a high-resolution screen suitable for detailed work, along with additional storage slots, balancing performance with expandability. While the MacBook Air scores high in portability due to its light weight and fanless design, the IdeaPad also provides good portability, quality keyboard, and a range of ports for connectivity.
Software Development
8.1/10
7.5/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
6.9/10
15.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air typically offers a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and excellent brightness, making it ideal for general use and detailed engineering or design work that benefits from accurate color reproduction. However, it usually lacks the high refresh rate desired for 3D applications, which can hinder smooth visuals during complex animations or modeling. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, while also providing a display with good resolution and color accuracy for general and design tasks, often falls short for gaming and 3D due to similar refresh rate limitations, despite its adequate panel type and resolution.
Battery
15.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$899
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is excellent for general use, offering a high-resolution screen and a powerful Apple M2 chip for smooth performance, along with an impressive 15-hour battery life and silent operation, which is ideal for portability and long work sessions. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i offers more storage and RAM, which can handle more applications at once, and has a solid screen and keyboard quality, making it also suitable for general use, though it has a shorter battery life of around 11.5 hours.
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
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is considered fair for 3D due to its Apple M2 integrated GPU, which can handle basic 3D tasks but is not optimal for more demanding gaming and professional 3D applications; its MacOS also limits the availability of popular games.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.7/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
15.3in
SIZE
14.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, 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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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.