Given that you're considering both the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Lenovo V15, the main tradeoffs to consider are performance, ecosystem, build quality, and price. The MacBook Air is known for its slim design and high build quality, and it runs macOS, which is preferred for its seamless integration with other Apple products. It is also likely to have better performance for creative tasks such as video editing or design work, but it comes at a higher price. On the other hand, the Lenovo V15, while more affordable, may offer lower performance and build quality. It runs Windows, which can be preferable for compatibility with a wider range of software, especially in a business environment. Battery life also usually varies, with the MacBook often leading in this area. Prioritize your needs: if you require high performance, a premium build, and are invested in the Apple ecosystem, the MacBook Air could be justified despite its higher cost. But if you're looking for value and need a laptop for general use or business purposes, the Lenovo V15 may be more than sufficient. 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 Lenovo V15
The Lenovo V15 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.3/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
501.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
231.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Lenovo V15 are both good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) with its Apple M2 processor, high-resolution IPS display, impressive screen quality, and a robust battery suited for macOS users offers a smooth experience in a very portable package, with the added benefit of silent operation due to its fanless design.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
6.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo V15 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is equipped with a high-performance M2 CPU and integrated GPU that excel in engineering and design tasks, paired with a vibrant IPS screen with high resolution and color accuracy, making detailed work more precise; however, it comes with less RAM than the Lenovo. The Lenovo V15 has more RAM which is beneficial for multitasking, but its AMD Ryzen CPU and GPU are less powerful, and its TN screen offers lower resolution and color quality compared to the MacBook Air, making it less suitable for tasks that require high color fidelity and visual detail.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo V15 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
7.1/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Lenovo V15 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
5.4/10
15.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
231.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Lenovo V15 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air's screen offers high resolution and brightness, making it sharp and vibrant for everyday tasks, whereas the Lenovo V15's display might be dimmer and less crisp. For engineering and design, the MacBook Air covers a wider range of colors, essential for precise color work, which the Lenovo V15 lacks, affecting the accuracy of visual projects. When it comes to 3D work, a higher refresh rate is crucial for fluid motion rendering, which is where the MacBook Air falls short, but keep in mind the Lenovo V15's overall poor display might not be suitable for any of these tasks.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Lenovo V15 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
Good
15.3in
SIZE
15.6in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo V15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
6.7/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Lenovo V15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$579
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Lenovo V15 costs $579.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Lenovo V15 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) with its M2 GPU is suited for some 3D tasks but is limited by game compatibility with MacOS, while the Lenovo V15 has an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with Vega 7 graphics that supports a wider range of games on Windows but may not excel in high-refresh-rate scenarios due to its standard refresh rate display. Both laptops have fair capabilities for 3D and gaming, with GPU performance being very important, but the screen refresh rate and compatibility play a role in their overall suitability for these tasks.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Lenovo V15 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."
"The strengths of the Lenovo V15 G2 AMD lie in its expandability of the RAM and allowing you to use two SSDs, in its performance that goes beyond everyday applications thanks to AMD's hexa-core CPU and Vega-7 iGPU, in its good keyboard, and its relatively robust case. In addition, the battery life of the office laptop is also acceptable, and the device stays cool and relatively quiet."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Lenovo V15
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 is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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