MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022): There’s a clear winner!

When selecting a premium laptop computer, the primary selection that involves thoughts is unquestionably MacBook. Then again, numerous common customers are habituated to utilizing Home windows laptops. So, there’s at all times been a fierce rivalry.

In 2022, Dell redesigned the XPS 13 mannequin and launched a brand new variant as an important Home windows different to the MacBook Air M2. However must you select a Home windows laptop computer over MacBook Air M2? I’ll evaluate Dell XPS 13 (2022) and MacBook Air M2 and enable you come to a conclusion!

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – Specs

The MacBook Air M2 vs. Dell XPS 13 comparability is dependent upon numerous issues. I’ve thought-about a lot of the parameters like design, show, efficiency, connectivity, battery life, and way more. So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty to distinguish the benefits and downsides. Maintain studying for my private expertise and detailed evaluation.

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – Design

MacBook Air M2 is ultraportable for its compact dimension. It’s actually glossy, measuring solely 0.44 inches thick. Additionally, Apple has gone for a bigger 13.6-inch show whereas being 20% smaller than Air M1. The notch on the high of the display screen appears to be like futuristic and is a big design modification.

In addition to, I like Apple’s environment-friendly method to utilizing recycled supplies. The all-aluminum chassis strikes robustness and scratch resistance. Furthermore, the entrance lip makes it easy to carry and opens with just one hand. By way of look, all 4 colours are lovely, however I love the Midnight one. It’s elegant and appears stylish.

Then again, Dell has redesigned XPS 13 to be extra minimal, sturdy, compact, and light-weight. It solely weighs 2.59 kilos, lesser than MacBook Air M2. Though it has fewer alternate options, the Sky and Umber colour appears to be like distinctive on an aluminum end. Each tonal and subdued shade reduces distinction inside for a traditional look.

So, there isn’t a lot of a distinction; each of them are simply transportable. Nevertheless, the MacBook Air is considerably thinner than the XPS 13. When you usually carry your laptop computer, Dell will probably be perfect for its light-weight and compact size. 

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – Show

The MacBook Air M2 has a bigger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina LED-backlit show. Additionally, it helps 2560 x 1664 pixels, 500-nits brightness, and P3 vast colour gamut – making texts tremendous crisp and visuals vivid, sharp, wealthy in distinction, and colourful. I really like enhancing my pictures and binge-watching anime, due to HDR assist and IPS expertise. 

In distinction, Dell XPS 13 encompasses a 13.4-inch FHD+ InfinityEdge(bezel-less) show. I used to be capable of stream at 1920 x 1200 pixels with a 16:10 side ratio. So, you may’t take pleasure in 4K and HDR content material on it. Furthermore, its brightness rating is round 470 nits, decrease than Mac. Nevertheless, colour copy and accuracy are glorious. 

The show recorded 74.4% of the DCI-P3 colour area and 105% of the sRGB colour vary. Comparatively, the Air M2’s show scored 107% and 75.9% on these respective assessments. The Delta-E accuracy rating for the XPS 13 is 0.18 versus the Air M2’s 0.22. Right here, the one differentiator is it’s possible you’ll get a touch-enabled show and 4K decision within the XPS Plus mannequin. 

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – CPU and GPU efficiency

I feel a very powerful side of the MacBook Air M2 vs. Dell XPS 13 is the efficiency. Let’s see the Geekbench 5.4 benchmark comparability and efficiency overview.

Apple has included its next-generation M2 chip with an 8-core CPU: 4 efficiency cores at 3.5GHz frequency and 4 effectivity cores at 2.4Ghz frequency. Dell XPS 13 runs on Intel twelfth gen i7-1250U. It has 10 cores: 2 efficiency cores at 1.1 base frequency and 4.7GHz Turbo Enhance frequency, and eight effectivity cores at 0.8 base frequency and three.5GHz Turbo Enhance frequency.

The 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and high-performance media engine enhance the efficiency of the MacBook Air M2. For excessive video enhancing capabilities, Apple permits for configuring your Mac with a 10-core GPU. In distinction, XPS has Intel Iris Xe Graphics. As you see within the desk, Apple is way more highly effective than Intel.

On the identical energy consumption of round 15W, Apple’s 10-core GPU can obtain 2.3x the efficiency of an Intel Core i7-1255U. In addition to, the i7 can’t preserve its peak efficiency for very lengthy. I observed it whereas exporting an FHD video, whereas Mac allowed me to edit 8K and 4K ProRes movies.

However notice one factor MacBook Air lacks an energetic cooling fan. Subsequently, when the CPU is overworked for a protracted, its efficiency could endure somewhat. However each gadgets fall brief when it comes to gaming efficiency although macOS-specific video games run extra easily on Apple’s laptop computer.

Subsequently, it’s possible you’ll select a MacBook Air over a Home windows laptop computer when it comes to efficiency.

Reminiscence capability

In MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 comparability, Dell has the one benefit in RAM. It’s possible you’ll customise it with as much as 32GB of RAM as in comparison with Mac’s 24GB. To make it up, Apple has used an upgraded LPDDR5-6400 reminiscence sort as an alternative of LPDDR5 5200 MHz. Additionally, notice that Apple’s M2 processor employs unified reminiscence. 

Unified reminiscence is built-in into the chip slightly than a separate part on the motherboard. That’s why the CPU and GPU can freely entry the reminiscence and produce greater bandwidth of 100GB/s. In addition to, XPS 13’s most storage capability is 1TB, however Apple supplies as much as 2TB, giving the MacBook Air an edge.

Working system and person expertise

In addition to all tech specs, I certainly concentrate on the laptop computer’s person expertise. And I’m positive you’ll find yourself selecting between MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 primarily based on their working methods. Most individuals have already got their preferences. When you like Home windows, you’ll go for Dell XPS 13. As I primarily use Apple merchandise, I favor macOS for higher integration. 

The macOS is usually considered the best selection for artistic professionals due to its nice productiveness. I do most of my work utilizing Apple’s built-in apps and don’t want third-party software program. Furthermore, it syncs with my iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch – making the work simpler. In addition to, macOS prioritizes safety and privateness above every thing. 

Then again, the Dell XPS 13 runs Home windows 11 and affords excessive compatibility, customization, and multi-tasking expertise. In addition to, the OS’s aesthetic is interesting and beginner-friendly. Home windows can also be a superior gaming platform. However when it comes to cellular integrity, it’s extra restricted than Mac. 

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – Battery life

For me, the battery life is one other main side of a laptop computer as I largely work on the go. My Air M2 supplies me with a median of 14-15 hours of battery life. Most of my work contains steady internet shopping at medium display screen brightness in darkish mode. Apple claims this laptop computer can stand as much as 18 hours of Apple TV app film playback.

The XPS 13 runs as much as 11-12 hours in low brightness. To check the battery in excessive circumstances, I streamed 4K movies at 50% brightness. It reached 100 to 0 in eight and a half hours. One other factor I observed was that the Dell laptop computer heated up excessive, and the followers had been a bit noisy. In distinction, Mac is quieter as a result of it makes use of balanced efficiency and passive cooling.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Magic Keyboard on the MacBook Air M2 is fast and responsive. I take pleasure in writing lengthy articles with none wrist ache. All 78 keys have sufficient journey area, quiet mushy contact, and an ambient mild sensor. The total-height operate key row options most shortcuts and controls. 

To not point out, its Pressure Contact trackpad is bigger than most laptops and helps multi-touch gestures for elevated productiveness. Additionally, the trackpad has strain sensors for clicks, acceleration, and exact drawing. In addition to, I really like the Contact ID key – it unlocks my Mac, helps me enter passwords, and makes safe purchases.

Then again, the XPS 13’s keyboard was simply massive sufficient to accommodate 83 backlit keys. Nevertheless, I felt somewhat congested. One factor I favored in Dell’s laptop computer was the softly textured carbon fiber-coated palm rests that are lacking on this mannequin.

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – Ports and connectivity

Each laptops solely have two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports. 

However MacBook Air M2 has an edge due to the quick-release MagSafe 3 energy connector and three.5mm headphone jack. It’s possible you’ll join one exterior show with as much as 6K decision at 60Hz and different USB-C peripherals. I used to be capable of switch as much as 40Gb/s pace by way of the Thunderbolt 3 port. 

In distinction, Dell has eradicated the headphone jack and microSD slot. Solely two ports make it troublesome to make use of multiple peripheral. I used to be required to make use of the USB-C hub to arrange my workstation. The one good factor is Dell supplies USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter and USB-C to three.5mm headset adapter without cost. However I desire a headphone port to an adapter.

Dell has lined up for this by together with Wi-Fi 6E 1675 assist, whereas MacBook Air doesn’t has this newest model and solely connects to Wi-Fi 6 wi-fi networks.

Webcam and sound

Apple has included a 1080p HD digital camera which encompasses a low mild restoration. It’s respectable however not excellent. Nevertheless, this webcam remains to be superior to the XPS 13’s subpar 720p digital camera. It really works advantageous in good lightning situation however captures faded-out and blurry movies. Dell claims so as to add a dual-sensor sensor digital camera that separates infrared from RGB.

By way of sound, MacBook Air M2 has a three-array mic with beamforming algorithms to take pleasure in FaceTime and talk clearly and loudly in conferences. In addition to, the quad speaker’s setup with two tweeters and two ultrathin woofers helps Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. Dell XPS 13 solely has a dual-array mic and twin stereo audio system

MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022) – Pricing

You’ll be able to improve the MacBook’s SSD storage by including further money for every variant. For instance, it’s possible you’ll purchase a configuration of 8GB Unified Reminiscence with 1TB SSD at $1599 or 8GB RAM with 2TB SSD at $1999. The best configuration of 24GB Unified Reminiscence with 2TB SSD is priced at $2399.

Dell additionally supplies choices for upgradation. However notice {that a} 1TB SSD reminiscence configuration is simply out there for the 32GB RAM model. It’s possible you’ll get the contact show within the base mannequin at $1099 and 16GB RAM with 512GB SSD storage at $1199. So, when it comes to upgradation, Dell XPS 13 is much less versatile.

Closing verdict

The Dell XPS 13 2022 mannequin has an ultraportable design that makes carrying it easy. Certainly, it lacks the options of a MacBook, however it’s good battery life and reasonably priced worth make it a laptop computer price contemplating. 

However there are numerous causes to decide on a MacBook Air over a Home windows laptop computer. It affords a glossy design, a robust efficiency, longer battery life, loud audio system, fast charging with MagSafe, extra ports, and a crispier and extra colourful show.

My MacBook Air integrates into my digital workspace very nicely. I can obtain calls and notifications or browse my photograph gallery from my iPhone with out touching it. So, it’s the perfect laptop computer for probably the most all-encompassing expertise, regardless of being dearer. 

So, finally, your explicit calls for will decide which of those two glorious laptops it’s best to select. When you’re not dedicated to the Apple ecosystem and actually desire a Home windows laptop computer, it’s possible you’ll go together with the Dell XPS 13 Plus or Dell XPS 15 OLED, which affords superior specs.

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Ava is an enthusiastic shopper tech author coming from a technical background. She likes to discover and analysis new Apple merchandise & equipment and assist readers simply decode the tech. Together with finding out, her weekend plan contains binge-watching anime.