If you are looking for a premium, lightweight and long-lasting laptop in the budget of ₹90,000 to ₹1,50,000, you will come across 2 biggest names – Apple MacBook Air M4 and Dell XPS 13.
Both are considered the best ultrabooks in their respective segments. On one side, there is Apple’s own M4 chip and the smooth experience of macOS, and on the other side, there is Dell’s premium design and the flexibility of Windows 11.
In this article, we will compare MacBook Air M4 vs Dell XPS 13 not just on specs, but also on price, size, battery life and real-world user experience, so that it becomes easy for you to decide. If you are considering another premium Windows laptop, you can also check our MacBook Air M4 vs ASUS Zenbook comparison before making your choice.
Note: In this comparison, we are talking about the 9345 model of Dell XPS 13, which comes with Snapdragon X Elite processor in India. This is the most commonly available model.
MacBook Air M4 vs Dell XPS 13 Specs
First, let us look at the official specs of both in one table.
| Specification | MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) | Dell XPS 13 9345 |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 × 1664, 500 nits, 60Hz | 13.4-inch, 2880 × 1800 / 1920 × 1200, 120Hz, Touch option |
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-Core CPU, 10-Core GPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 (12-Core) |
| RAM | 16GB Unified Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB SSD (Base) | 512GB SSD (Base) |
| Battery | 53.8 Wh, Up to 18 Hours (Apple Claim) | 55 Wh, Up to 27 Hours (Dell Claim) |
| Weight | 1.24 Kg | 1.19 Kg |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Headphone Jack | 2x USB-C 4.0, Headphone Jack |
| Operating System | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 |
| Current Price in India | Starting at ₹91,990 | Starting at ₹1,41,583 |
Looking at the specs, one thing is clear – In Dell you get more storage and a 120Hz display, but its price is also almost ₹50,000 higher.
Dell XPS vs MacBook – What Is The Core Difference?
The biggest difference in Dell XPS vs MacBook is their ecosystem.
MacBook Air M4 is made for Apple’s ecosystem. If you have an iPhone or iPad, then files, photos and calls all connect with each other. Its M4 chip is very efficient, so it does not get hot even without a fan and its performance does not drop on battery either. If you are also interested in a dedicated gaming laptop, check out our Lenovo LOQ 15 RTX 4060 Review for details about its gaming performance and features.
Dell XPS 13 runs on Windows 11. Its biggest advantage is that all Windows software runs on it – whether it is Tally, basic version of AutoCAD, or any special Windows-only tools of your college.
That is why the decision will depend more on your work than on specs.
MacBook Air M4 vs Dell XPS 13 Size – Which Is More Portable?
Talking about macbook air m4 vs dell xps 13 size, both fall in the ultra-portable category.
- Dell XPS 13: 13.4-inch display, 1.19 Kg weight. Its bezels are very thin, so it looks more compact.
- MacBook Air M4: 13.6-inch display, 1.24 Kg weight. Even after having a slightly bigger screen, it is only 11.3mm thin.
Both are comfortable to carry daily in a bag. There is only a 50 gram difference in weight, which you will practically not feel.
Display – 60Hz vs 120Hz
Here Dell XPS 13 moves ahead. Its 120Hz display feels much smoother in scrolling and watching videos. In the OLED variant, colours look even deeper.
MacBook Air M4’s display is 60Hz, but its sharpness is higher – 225 PPI vs 169 PPI of Dell’s base model. That means text reading and photo viewing will look sharper on MacBook.
If you want smoothness, go for Dell, if you want sharpness and colour accuracy, go for MacBook. For users who need extreme gaming performance, the MSI Titan 18 HX Dragon is another premium laptop worth exploring.
Performance And Battery Life
Both have their own plus points in performance.
MacBook Air M4’s M4 chip is ahead in single-core performance and its speed remains stable even in sustained work, because it has no fan and the chip is very efficient.
Dell XPS 13 9345’s Snapdragon X Elite is also made for multitasking and AI tasks. According to Dell, its battery can last up to 27 hours, while Apple claims 18 hours for MacBook Air M4. In real-life use, both easily last a full working day, but actual backup will depend on your brightness and usage.
One important thing – In Snapdragon-based Windows laptops, some old Windows software still does not run perfectly. Check your main software before buying.
MacBook Air M4 vs Dell XPS 13 Reddit – What Are Real Users Saying?
If you read reviews on macbook air m4 vs dell xps 13 reddit, 2 things are common:
1. MacBook users praise its trackpad, speaker and battery life.
2. XPS 13 users praise its design, compact size and flexibility of Windows.
Many users on Reddit have also written that the invisible trackpad and touch function keys of XPS 13 feel a bit strange in the beginning, while MacBook’s trackpad is considered the best.
Is Dell XPS Better Than MacBook Air?
This is the most asked question – Is Dell XPS better than MacBook Air?
The answer is – It depends on what you prioritize.
- If you want Windows, more storage and 120Hz display, then Dell XPS is better.
- If you want battery efficiency, smooth macOS, and premium experience at a lower price, then MacBook Air is better.
Neither laptop is bad, just the use-case is different.
Which Is Better, Dell or MacBook Air?
Which is better, Dell or MacBook Air? – Short answer:
- For students and creators: MacBook Air M4 is more value for money, because it starts at ₹91,990 and runs easily for 5-6 years.
- For professionals who need Windows: Dell XPS 13 is better, because all their office work happens on Windows.
Which Laptop Is Better, Dell or Apple?
Which laptop is better, Dell or Apple? This question is not about brand, it is about ecosystem.
Apple’s ecosystem is closed but very stable. Dell’s ecosystem is open, you can install software as per your choice.
If you want full control over your laptop, go for Dell. If you want a laptop that works without any tension, go for Apple.
What Is The Disadvantage Of A MacBook Air?
Every laptop has some drawbacks. What is the disadvantage of a MacBook Air?
1. Gaming: Heavy Windows games do not run on MacBook.
2. Ports: There are only 2 Type-C ports, you will need a hub for USB-A pen-drive.
3. Storage Upgrade: Base model comes with 256GB and you cannot upgrade it yourself later.
If these 3 things are not important for you, then MacBook is right for you.
Why Is A Dell XPS So Expensive?
People often ask – Why is a Dell XPS so expensive?
There are 3 reasons:
1. Build Quality: Premium material like aluminium is used in it.
2. Display: Cost of 120Hz and OLED display is higher.
3. Design: XPS series is Dell’s most premium series, that is why its positioning is kept premium.
That is why its price is higher than MacBook Air, while it also gives more base storage.
How Long Will A Dell XPS 13 Last?
How long will a Dell XPS 13 last?
If you maintain it properly, Dell XPS 13 can easily run for 5 to 6 years. MacBook Air M4 can also run for 6 to 7 years in the same way. Both are made for long-term use.
Battery may reduce a bit after 2-3 years, this is normal in every laptop.
Final Verdict – Which One Should You Buy?
Buy MacBook Air M4, if:
- Your budget is around ₹1 Lakh
- You are a student, content creator or video editor
- You have no problem using macOS
Buy Dell XPS 13, if:
- Your budget is above ₹1,40,000
- You need Windows only and your office/college software is Windows-only
- You need 120Hz display and 512GB storage
In terms of value-for-money, MacBook Air M4 is ahead in this comparison, because it gives a more stable experience at a lower price. But if your work cannot be done without Windows, then Dell XPS 13 is the right choice.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is the Dell XPS 13 worth buying?
Yes, if you want the most premium ultrabook in Windows and your budget is ₹1,40,000+, then the answer to Is the Dell XPS 13 worth buying? is yes. But if your budget is less, then MacBook Air M4 will give more value.
Q2. Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air M5 which is better?
People are searching for Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Air M5, but the official price and availability of M5 Air in India is not clear yet. Until the confirmed price of M5 comes, M4 is the safe and value-for-money option.
Q3. Which is better, the Dell XPS 13 or the MacBook Neo?
Which is better, the Dell XPS 13 or the MacBook Neo? – The answer is that there is no official Apple laptop by the name MacBook Neo. People often get confused by this name. Comparison should always be done with MacBook Air or MacBook Pro only.
Q4. What are the top 3 best laptops?
What are the top 3 best laptops? – In overall category, 3 names are on top: 1. MacBook Air M4 (Best Value), 2. Dell XPS 13 (Best Windows Premium), 3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Best for Business).
Q5. Who is the king of laptops?
Who is the king of laptops?– There is no single king. Apple is ahead in performance and ecosystem, while in Windows, Dell XPS and Lenovo ThinkPad are considered king.
Q6. What is the No. 1 laptop brand?
What is the No. 1 laptop brand? – In terms of sales, Lenovo is No. 1 in the world, while in premium segment, Apple is No. 1.
Q7. Which laptop brand is best nowadays?
Which laptop brand is best nowadays? – If you want premium and long life, go for Apple, if you want business laptop in Windows, go for Dell and Lenovo, and if you want gaming, then gaming series of Asus and HP are best.
