Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 vs Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop (2026)
Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3
M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.
Full Review
Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop
16" 3.2K OLED 120Hz, RTX 4060, Ryzen 9, 32GB, 100W USB-C. Creator laptop for Lenovo users.
Full ReviewAt a Glance
| Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 | Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| 247Verdict Score | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner Rating | 4.7★ (3,600) | 4.4★ (2,200) |
| Verdict | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weight | 1.51kg | 1.9kg |
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 Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop is worth considering if 16" 3.2K OLED 120Hz, RTX 4060, Ryzen 9, 32GB, 100W USB-C. Creator laptop for Lenovo users. 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
Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop
- 3.2K OLED 120Hz at 16-inch — larger screen with OLED quality at ThinkBook pricing
- 32GB RAM at base — the most generous default RAM of any reviewed laptop
- 100W USB-C charging enables laptop power from any USB-C GaN charger without proprietary cable
- RTX 4060 handles video editing, photo processing and light 3D rendering
- Lenovo's business reliability applied to the creator laptop category
- 1.9kg is heavier than 14-inch alternatives for daily carry
- Fan noise under sustained GPU load — audible for sustained rendering tasks
- ThinkBook brand less premium perception than ThinkPad X1 Carbon or XPS
FAQ
Which is better, Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 or Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4?
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 Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop is worth considering if 16" 3.2K OLED 120Hz, RTX 4060, Ryzen 9, 32GB, 100W USB-C. Creator laptop for Lenovo users.
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 Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 best suited to?
16" 3.2K OLED 120Hz, RTX 4060, Ryzen 9, 32GB, 100W USB-C. Creator laptop for Lenovo users.
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. Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop: 1.9kg is heavier than 14-inch alternatives for daily carry; Fan noise under sustained GPU load — audible for sustained rendering tasks.
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 Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen4 Creator Laptop at 4.4★ from 2,200.
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