Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 vs HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) (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

HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (3,200 owners)

ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3	HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)
247Verdict Score	9.2/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (3,600)	4.4★ (3,200)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Battery	18 hours	10 hours

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 edges ahead with a 9.2/10 vs 8.8/10. M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air. That said, the HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) is worth considering if ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook. 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

HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)

ChromeOS is genuinely more secure than Windows — zero native malware in 15 years of ChromeOS existence
Google AI integration: Google Docs, Sheets and Drive with Gemini AI built natively
Under £400 for Core i3 8GB 15-inch — more computing power than equivalently priced Windows laptops at this tier
10-hour battery for a budget 15-inch is practical for full working days
Automatic ChromeOS updates for 10 years — security patching without user attention

ChromeOS — no native Windows or macOS software compatibility
Limited offline functionality — best with internet connection
Less suitable for professional applications (design, video editing, coding IDEs) vs Windows/Mac

FAQ

Which is better, Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 or HP Chromebook Plus 15a?

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 8.8/10.

Who is the HP Chromebook Plus 15a best suited to?

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

Who is the HP Chromebook Plus 15a best suited to?

ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook.

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. HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3): ChromeOS — no native Windows or macOS software compatibility; Limited offline functionality — best with internet connection.

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 HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) at 4.4★ from 3,200.

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