Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 vs Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra) (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3

9.4/10 Excellent

4.7★ (6,800 owners)

M3 chip, 18hr battery, 13.6" Liquid Retina, fanless, 1.24kg. The best laptop for most people.

Full Review

Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra)

9.0/10 Excellent

4.4★ (4,200 owners)

Core Ultra 7, 13.4" InfinityEdge, 60Wh, Windows 11, Thunderbolt 4. The premium Windows ultrabook.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3	Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra)
247Verdict Score	9.4/10	9.0/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (6,800)	4.4★ (4,200)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Battery	18 hours	8-10 hours
Display	13.6" Liquid Retina	13.4" InfinityEdge

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 9.0/10. M3 chip, 18hr battery, 13.6" Liquid Retina, fanless, 1.24kg. The best laptop for most people. That said, the Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra) is worth considering if Core Ultra 7, 13.4" InfinityEdge, 60Wh, Windows 11, Thunderbolt 4. The premium Windows ultrabook. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3

M3 chip outperforms Intel Core i7 laptops in multi-core tasks while running silently — no fan
18-hour battery tested by Apple — real-world 12-14 hours across mixed workloads
1.24kg is lighter than most 13-inch Windows laptops
Fanless design means zero noise in any situation — libraries, meetings, recording environments
macOS ecosystem: AirDrop, Handoff, iPhone mirroring, Universal Clipboard with iPhone and iPad

macOS only — Windows software incompatible without Parallels (paid)
8GB base RAM is limited for heavy multitasking — 16GB upgrade recommended
Limited ports: 2x Thunderbolt/USB-C only — hub required for standard USB-A or HDMI

Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra)

InfinityEdge virtually borderless 13.4-inch display maximises screen-to-body ratio
Windows 11 with full software compatibility — every business and creative app available
Thunderbolt 4 (x2) enables dual 4K displays and fast external storage
Dell's premium build quality in aluminium with carbon fibre palm rest
Intel Evo certification guarantees 60-day battery health maintenance and minimum performance standards

Intel Core Ultra battery life 8-10 hours trails MacBook Air M3's 12-14 hours meaningfully
Active cooling (fan) required under sustained loads — audible in quiet environments
Premium pricing with less performance per watt than M3 chip alternatives

FAQ

Which is better, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 or Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Ultra)?

Is the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 worth the extra cost?

Yes — Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 scores higher at 9.4/10 vs 9.0/10.

Who is the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 best suited to?

M3 chip, 18hr battery, 13.6" Liquid Retina, fanless, 1.24kg. The best laptop for most people.

Who is the Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Ultra) best suited to?

Core Ultra 7, 13.4" InfinityEdge, 60Wh, Windows 11, Thunderbolt 4. The premium Windows ultrabook.

What are the main downsides of each?

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3: macOS only — Windows software incompatible without Parallels (paid); 8GB base RAM is limited for heavy multitasking — 16GB upgrade recommended. Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra): Intel Core Ultra battery life 8-10 hours trails MacBook Air M3's 12-14 hours meaningfully; Active cooling (fan) required under sustained loads — audible in quiet environments.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 sits at 4.7★ from 6,800 verified Amazon owners, and Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra) at 4.4★ from 4,200.

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