Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 vs Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display (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 15-inch M3

9.2/10 Excellent

4.7★ (3,600 owners)

M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.

Full Review

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display

9.0/10 Excellent

4.7★ (19,600 owners)

7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3	Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display
247Verdict Score	9.2/10	9.0/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (3,600)	4.7★ (19,600)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 edges ahead with a 9.2/10 vs 9.0/10. M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air. That said, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display is worth considering if 7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3

15.3-inch Liquid Retina display provides significantly more working space than 13-inch for coding, design and documents
M3 performance identical to 13-inch MacBook Air — same battery life, same silence, bigger screen
18-hour battery handles extended travel days without charger anxiety
Fanless design maintains silence even on demanding tasks unlike Intel alternatives
macOS Continuity: AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, iPhone mirroring, Handoff across Apple devices

£1,400 — £300 more than 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for screen size only
1.51kg is heavier than 13-inch at 1.24kg — noticeable daily commute difference
Same two-port limitation as 13-inch — hub required for USB-A or HDMI

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display

7-inch display turns voice answers into visual ones — recipes, weather, calendars
Controls and visualises smart-home devices from one dashboard
Sleep Sensing tracks rest without a wearable (no camera, for privacy)
Excellent for Google Photos slideshows and YouTube
Strong value with 19,000+ reviews

Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household
No camera means no video calls
Speaker is good, not audiophile-grade

FAQ

Which is better, Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 or Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)?

Is the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 worth the extra cost?

Yes — Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 scores higher at 9.2/10 vs 9.0/10.

Who is the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 best suited to?

M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.

Who is the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) best suited to?

7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.

What are the main downsides of each?

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3: £1,400 — £300 more than 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for screen size only; 1.51kg is heavier than 13-inch at 1.24kg — noticeable daily commute difference. Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display: Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household; No camera means no video calls.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 sits at 4.7★ from 3,600 verified Amazon owners, and Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display at 4.7★ from 19,600.

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