MacBook Air M3 (2025) vs Dell XPS 13 Plus (2025): The Ultimate Thin & Light Laptop Showdown

BySajid

In 2025, thin and light laptops continue to dominate the productivity landscape. Whether you’re a student, a creative professional, or a business user on the move, having a powerful yet portable laptop is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Two of the most talked-about models in this space are the Apple MacBook Air M3 (2025) and the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2025). Both offer stunning designs, impressive performance, and a host of modern features — but which one is right for you?

In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down everything you need to know: from performance and display quality to battery life, software experience, and value for money. Let’s dive in.

1. Design & Build Quality

MacBook Air M3

Apple’s MacBook Air is known for its sleek, minimalist design. The 2025 M3 version is made from recycled aluminum and is available in four elegant colors. It weighs just 1.24 kg and measures 11.3 mm in thickness, offering a premium and sturdy feel.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Dell’s design approach is bold. The XPS 13 Plus has an edge-to-edge keyboard, invisible touchpad, and touch function row. With a CNC-milled aluminum body and futuristic styling, it weighs nearly the same as the MacBook Air.

Verdict: Dell is more innovative, but Apple is more refined. Preference depends on taste.

2. Display

MacBook Air M3

It features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 2560×1664 resolution and 500 nits brightness. With P3 wide color and thin bezels, it’s great for media and work alike.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Options include FHD+, 3.5K OLED, and 4K+ panels. The OLED variant delivers stunning contrast and vibrant visuals, ideal for content creators.

Verdict: Dell wins on visuals (OLED), but Apple offers better balance for productivity and battery.

3. Performance

MacBook Air M3

Powered by Apple’s M3 chip with an 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU. It’s silent, fast, and efficient — ideal for demanding tasks without noise.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Features Intel’s 14th-gen Core Ultra processors and integrated Arc graphics. Great for daily use, but not as powerful or efficient as the M3.

Verdict: MacBook Air M3 leads in both raw power and energy efficiency.

4. Battery Life

MacBook Air M3

Offers up to 18 hours of video playback. Easily handles a full day of use thanks to macOS and M3 optimization.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Battery varies by display. The FHD+ version lasts up to 12 hours, while OLED drops to 8–9 hours.

Verdict: MacBook delivers longer and more consistent battery life.

5. Keyboard & Trackpad

MacBook Air M3

The Magic Keyboard and Force Touch trackpad offer excellent feedback and gesture support. Comfortable for long hours.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Edge-to-edge keyboard is responsive. Invisible touchpad works well but has a learning curve due to lack of physical borders.

Verdict: Apple is more intuitive and user-friendly, especially for new users.

6. Ports & Connectivity

MacBook Air M3

Comes with 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, MagSafe charging, and a 3.5mm jack. Limited, but functional.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Also has 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, but lacks a headphone jack. A USB-C dongle is included in the box.

Verdict: MacBook is more versatile with MagSafe and headphone support.

7. Software Experience

MacBook Air M3

macOS Sonoma runs smoothly with M3 silicon. Features like Handoff, AirDrop, and Universal Clipboard are productivity boosters — especially for iPhone users.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Runs Windows 11. Offers flexibility and supports broader app ecosystems. However, some bloatware might be present out of the box.

Verdict: macOS is better for Apple users. Windows is more customizable and app-rich.

8. Audio & Webcam

MacBook Air M3

Quad-speaker system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support. The 1080p webcam performs well in all lighting conditions.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Decent stereo speakers, but not as rich. Webcam is also 1080p but weaker in low light.

Verdict: Apple offers better multimedia and webcam quality.

9. Value for Money

MacBook Air M3

Starts at $1,099 for 8GB/256GB. Excellent long-term value thanks to updates and durability.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

Starts around $1,199. OLED versions can exceed $1,500. Offers display and design innovation, but less performance per dollar.

Verdict: MacBook Air M3 provides better value for the average user.

10. Ideal User Profiles

  • MacBook Air M3: Best for Apple users, professionals, and those who value performance and battery life.
  • Dell XPS 13 Plus: Great for Windows fans, design lovers, and media creators who want OLED brilliance.

Conclusion

Both the MacBook Air M3 and Dell XPS 13 Plus are top-tier ultra-portables. The MacBook is the clear winner in performance, battery, and user experience. Meanwhile, Dell appeals to those who crave display excellence and futuristic design.

Your decision should be based on ecosystem preference, design taste, and performance needs. Either way, you’re getting one of the best laptops of 2025.

Which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments and share your thoughts!