Apple MacBook Air 13vsAlienware m15 R5

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13
MacBook Air 13

Quick Stats

The MacBook Air 13's performance is respectable, yet not exceptional, meeting average user needs effectively somehow.
The Apple MacBook Air 13's build is a masterclass in minimalist design, exuding premium quality.
The MacBook Air 13's display is vibrant and bright, if not the highest resolution.
The MacBook Air 13 boasts a native resolution display with built-in SSD storage and 4GB of RAM.
Alienware
Alienware m15 R5
m15 R5

Quick Stats

The Alienware M15 R5 offers impressive performance with its Ryzen 5000 CPU and RTX 3070 GPU handling demanding tasks smoothly.
The most notable improvement of the Alienware m15 R5 is its solid and premium build quality overall.
The Alienware m15 R5 boasts an impressive 1440p 240Hz display, making it a gamer's paradise overall.
The Alienware M15 R5 boasts an impressive combination of power and display quality features.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Apple MacBook Air 13
#526
Alienware m15 R5
Winner
#524
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Apple MacBook Air 13
#455
Alienware m15 R5
#148
Winner
Display
Apple MacBook Air 13
#357
Winner
Alienware m15 R5
#585
Performance
Apple MacBook Air 13
#780
Alienware m15 R5
#381
Winner
Build
Apple MacBook Air 13
#135
Winner
Alienware m15 R5
#419
Features
Apple MacBook Air 13
#24
Winner
Alienware m15 R5
#206

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Apple Apple MacBook Air 13
Alienware Alienware m15 R5
up to 24GB
up to 64GB
up to 2000GB SSD
up to 16000GB SSD + up to 1000GB HDD
Apple M3 (8-core CPU)
Intel Core i7-11800H
Apple M3 GPU (8-core)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (Laptop, 135W)
soldered PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 See photo
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Apple MacBook Air 13

Strengths

Same industrial design we've seen since about 2010 but it's aging well, still one of the most attractive looking ultra books on the market
Has a lot of space to work with (about 86 gigs free) after installing Adobe CS 5.5 and other software
Can play Diablo 3 at 25-21 frames per second, making it possible to play some games, even if not for serious gaming
Speakers are quite nice and can run iTunes on just fine and play iTunes video and iTunes HD video without a problem
Photoshop runs smoothly with quick image analysis, rotation, and other filters
Haswell CPU refresh and Intel HD 5000 graphics provide good performance for general use
Pretty darn nice to have about almost 100 gigs free out of the box

Weaknesses

Not a serious gaming machine, but still has some limitations (e.g. turning up fans when playing demanding games)
Noise from fan when playing demanding games
Fan can get quite loud and kick in quickly when running demanding tasks or games
Texture quality is high, shadow quality is medium, physics is high, cluster density is high with anti-aliasing turned on may be too much for the MacBook Air to handle
Turning off anti-aliasing and reducing settings helps performance but makes graphics less pretty
Can't run demanding games at high framerates (only 25-21 FPS)
May have some limitations in terms of graphical power, especially when running demanding games

Alienware m15 R5

Strengths

The Ryzen alienware has been a long time coming and although there are a couple of small niggles, Dell have put together a really solid package.
The amazing 1440p 240hz panel is just the icing on the cake.
The build quality is solid and they've clearly listened to complaints about soldered on wi-fi and ram modules.
Gaming at 1440p with all max settings on Apex Legends is incredibly smooth and looks great.

Weaknesses

No specific cons listed for this device

Read Full Reviews

Apple MacBook Air 13

The Apple MacBook Air 13, mid-2013 refresh, boasts the same sleek industrial design that has aged remarkably well since its debut in 2010. Powered by Intel's Haswell CPU and integrated HD 5000 graphics, this ultrabook delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. With a slim profile and lightweight construction, it's perfect for those who value portability without sacrificing power. In this review, we'll put the MacBook Air through its paces, testing its gaming capabilities, video playback, and creative apps to see if it still reigns as one of the top choices in its class.

Alienware m15 R5

The Alienware M15 R5 is a highly anticipated gaming laptop that boasts impressive specs, including an AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU. The device features a sleek design, solid build quality, and a stunning 1440p 240Hz display. However, concerns surrounding battery life have been raised, with some early tests suggesting subpar performance. This review will delve into the M15 R5's capabilities, discussing its strengths and weaknesses in detail.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Apple MacBook Air 13 ReviewRead Alienware m15 R5 Review

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