Macbook Air M3 Vs Dell Xps 13 Plus Ultra Thin Laptops Compared For Creatives

For creative professionals—graphic designers, video editors, photographers, and digital artists—choosing the right laptop is more than a matter of preference. It’s about performance, precision, portability, and long-term reliability. Two of the most acclaimed ultraportable machines in 2024 are the MacBook Air M3 and the Dell XPS 13 Plus. Both deliver sleek designs, powerful internals, and exceptional displays. But when creativity is your livelihood, which one aligns better with your workflow?

This in-depth comparison examines build quality, display technology, processing power, battery life, software ecosystem, and real-world usability to help creatives make an informed decision.

Design and Build Quality: Form Meets Function

The MacBook Air M3 and Dell XPS 13 Plus both represent the pinnacle of minimalist engineering. The Air retains its iconic wedge-shaped aluminum unibody, now refined with tighter tolerances and improved rigidity. At just 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg), it remains one of the lightest full-sized laptops available. Its fanless design ensures silent operation—a subtle but meaningful advantage during late-night editing sessions or quiet studio work.

In contrast, the Dell XPS 13 Plus opts for a more angular, futuristic aesthetic. With a seamless edge-to-edge keyboard and flush-mounted touchpad embedded into the palm rest, it feels like a machine from the near future. Constructed from machined aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass, it weighs slightly more at 2.77 pounds (1.26 kg) but offers a more rigid chassis. However, some users report a less forgiving typing experience due to the low-travel capacitive keys.

Tip: If you travel frequently, the MacBook Air's lighter weight and sturdier hinge may offer better long-term durability.

Display Performance: Clarity, Color Accuracy, and Comfort

For creatives, screen quality is non-negotiable. Both laptops feature high-resolution displays with excellent brightness and color reproduction, but they differ in key areas.

The MacBook Air M3 comes with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display at 2560x1664 resolution. It supports P3 wide color gamut, True Tone, and reaches up to 500 nits of sustained brightness. While not OLED, the panel delivers consistent color accuracy out of the box—critical for photo retouching or UI design work. The notch houses a 1080p webcam, minimizing screen intrusion.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus offers two display options: a 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920x1200) and a stunning 3.5K OLED touchscreen (3456x2160). The OLED variant provides deeper blacks, infinite contrast, and vibrant colors ideal for video grading and motion graphics. However, some creatives report slight color shift at extreme viewing angles and potential burn-in risks with static toolbars in apps like Photoshop.

Feature	MacBook Air M3	Dell XPS 13 Plus
Screen Size	13.6 inches	13.4 inches
Resolution	2560x1664	Up to 3456x2160 (OLED)
Brightness	500 nits (sustained)	400 nits (typical), HDR peak higher
Color Accuracy	P3 wide color, factory calibrated	100% DCI-P3 (OLED), factory calibrated
Touchscreen	No	Yes (on OLED model)

“Color consistency across devices is paramount. The MacBook Air’s display calibration process gives me confidence when moving files between studio monitors.” — Lena Torres, Professional Photographer

Performance and Creative Workloads: M3 vs Intel Evo

Under the hood, the MacBook Air M3 leverages Apple’s custom silicon—a 3nm chip with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. This architecture excels in efficiency and sustained performance without throttling. For creatives using Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or Adobe Premiere on optimized workflows, the M3 delivers smooth 4K timeline scrubbing and fast export times, even on battery.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus runs on Intel’s 13th Gen Core i7-1360P processor (12 cores, 16 threads) paired with Iris Xe integrated graphics. While capable, it relies on active cooling, which means the fan kicks in under load—sometimes audibly. In benchmarks, the M3 outperforms the XPS in single-threaded tasks and energy efficiency, though the Intel chip holds up well in multi-app multitasking thanks to greater RAM flexibility.

RAM and storage configurations also differ significantly:

• MacBook Air M3: 8GB–24GB unified memory; 256GB–2TB SSD (soldered, not upgradeable)
• Dell XPS 13 Plus: 16GB–32GB LPDDR5; 512GB–2TB PCIe NVMe SSD (partially upgradeable in some models)

For heavy After Effects compositions or 3D rendering in Blender, the XPS’s higher base RAM and support for external GPUs via Thunderbolt 4 can be advantageous. But for optimized creative suites like DaVinci Resolve or Affinity apps on macOS, the M3’s efficiency and thermal management provide a quieter, cooler experience.

Real-World Example: Editing on the Move

Jamal Reed, a freelance videographer based in Portland, uses his MacBook Air M3 for on-location client edits. “I shoot in 4K ProRes, and I need something that won’t overheat in a coffee shop. The Air handles my timelines smoothly, and the battery lasts through a full shoot day. I’ve tried the XPS for testing, and while the screen is gorgeous, the fan noise during renders distracts me during client reviews.”

Battery Life and Portability: All-Day Creativity

Battery endurance is crucial for creatives working remotely. The MacBook Air M3 leads here with up to 18 hours of video playback and around 10–12 hours of active creative use (Premiere Rush, Lightroom, Sketch). Its ARM-based efficiency allows background tasks to run with minimal drain.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus, despite being an Evo-certified device, manages about 8–10 hours under mixed use. The OLED display, while beautiful, consumes more power, especially with bright content. Additionally, the lack of a fanless design means thermal regulation draws more energy during intensive tasks.

Tip: Disable touchscreen and reduce screen brightness on the XPS 13 Plus to extend battery life during long flights or off-site shoots.

Portability and Connectivity

Both laptops offer two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, limiting peripheral connectivity. The MacBook Air includes MagSafe charging as a welcome return, preserving a port for data while charging. The XPS 13 Plus integrates charging into USB-C only, meaning you’ll need a hub or sacrifice a port.

Neither includes HDMI, SD card readers, or USB-A—common tools for creatives. An external dock becomes essential, especially for photographers transferring RAW files or connecting to monitors.

Software Ecosystem and Creative Applications

This is where personal workflow preferences become decisive. macOS offers a tightly integrated environment with exclusive tools like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Motion. Adobe Creative Cloud is fully optimized for Apple Silicon, delivering faster launch times and improved performance in Photoshop and Illustrator.

Windows 11 on the XPS 13 Plus supports a broader range of software, including specialized plugins, legacy applications, and game engines like Unity. It also allows easier file sharing across mixed-platform teams and better compatibility with corporate networks. Touch input enhances interaction in apps like Adobe Fresco or Clip Studio Paint, particularly when used with a stylus.

However, macOS continues to lead in media encoding efficiency. The M3’s hardware-accelerated ProRes encode/decode is unmatched—ideal for filmmakers working with high-bitrate footage.

“The M3’s media engine cuts export times in half compared to Intel systems. For time-sensitive projects, that’s a game-changer.” — David Kim, Video Producer & Editor

Checklist: Choosing the Right Laptop for Your Creative Needs

Use this checklist to determine which device fits your workflow:

1. ✅ Do you prioritize silent, fanless operation? → MacBook Air M3
2. ✅ Do you rely on Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro? → MacBook Air M3
3. ✅ Do you need touchscreen functionality for drawing or annotation? → Dell XPS 13 Plus
4. ✅ Are you working with large After Effects projects requiring 32GB RAM? → Dell XPS 13 Plus
5. ✅ Is maximum battery life critical for fieldwork? → MacBook Air M3
6. ✅ Do you collaborate in mixed OS environments (Windows/macOS)? → Dell XPS 13 Plus
7. ✅ Do you value out-of-the-box color accuracy with minimal calibration? → MacBook Air M3

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the MacBook Air M3 handle professional photo editing?

Absolutely. With 16GB of RAM and the M3 chip, it runs Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop efficiently, handling large RAW files and batch processing with ease. The display’s color accuracy ensures faithful previews.

Is the Dell XPS 13 Plus good for video editing?

Yes, especially with the OLED display and higher RAM configurations. However, sustained 4K editing may cause thermal throttling. For lighter workflows or proxy editing, it performs well—particularly with DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro.

Which laptop has better long-term value?

The MacBook Air M3 typically maintains higher resale value and receives longer software support (up to 6–7 years of macOS updates). The XPS 13 Plus, while powerful, may face earlier obsolescence due to non-upgradeable components and shorter driver support cycles.

Final Verdict: Matching the Machine to the Creator

The choice between the MacBook Air M3 and Dell XPS 13 Plus ultimately reflects your creative ecosystem and priorities. If you value silence, battery life, color accuracy, and seamless integration with Apple’s pro apps, the MacBook Air M3 is the superior choice. It’s a no-compromise tool for creatives who want reliability and elegance without sacrificing performance.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus shines for those invested in the Windows ecosystem, needing touchscreen interaction, higher RAM headroom, or Thunderbolt-powered external GPUs. Its bold design and stunning OLED display make it a standout for visual artists, though thermal and battery limitations require consideration.

There’s no universal winner. But for most creatives focused on efficiency, longevity, and a distraction-free workflow, the MacBook Air M3 edges ahead—not because it does everything, but because it does what matters exceptionally well.

🚀 Ready to choose your next creative companion? Evaluate your daily tools, workflow demands, and long-term goals. Whether you go macOS or Windows, invest in the machine that empowers your vision—not just the specs.