🔍 Search:

HomeComparisons › Apple MacBook Air 2017 vs Dell 15

Apple MacBook Air 2017 vs Dell 15

Compare Apple MacBook Air M2 and Dell XPS 15 side by side with the specs buyers actually care about, a cleaner breakdown of strengths and tradeoffs, and a clearer verdict on which model fits different priorities.

Apple MacBook Air M2

Apple MacBook Air M2

Model: MacBook Air M2Highly rated

Check Amazon

Apple MacBook Air M2 is being added as a standalone model page so shoppers can compare it directly against the rest of the laptops category on VersusNest.

Dell XPS 15

Dell XPS 15

Best Value Winner
Model: XPS 15 953015.6 inchesHighly ratedValue score winner

Check Amazon

The Dell XPS 15 is a premium 15.6-inch Windows laptop built for buyers who want strong performance, a sleek aluminum chassis, creator-friendly display options, and more GPU headroom than ultrabook-class machines.

Side-by-side specs

The table below puts the core differences in one place so buyers can quickly compare the display, performance, battery, connectivity, and value details that matter most. Highlighted cells mark the stronger value-oriented spec on each row.

SpecApple MacBook Air M2Dell XPS 15
StorageWinnerUp to 4TB SSD
DisplayWinner16:10 InfinityEdge display
ResolutionWinnerFHD+ 1920 x 1200 or OLED 3456 x 2160
Refresh RateWinner60Hz
BatteryWinner86Wh
Battery LifeWinnerVaries by display and configuration
PortsWinner2 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, full-size SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack
ConnectivityWinnerWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
WeightWinnerStarts around 4.23 lb
User RatingHighly ratedHighly rated
Current PriceCheck AmazonCheck Amazon
ModelMacBook Air M2XPS 15 9530
BrandAppleDell
Screen SizeWinner15.6 inches
ChipWinner13th Gen Intel Core H-series
HunderboltWinner2 x Thunderbolt 4
Perating YstemWinnerWindows 11

Apple MacBook Air M2

Standout strengths

  • Focus on performance, thermals, and whether the machine is optimized for creative work or portability.
  • Display quality, battery life, keyboard feel, and port selection are major buying factors.
  • OS and ecosystem fit can matter as much as raw hardware for long-term satisfaction.
  • Some specifications are still being refreshed from current retailer listings.

Main tradeoffs

  • Some specifications are still being refreshed from current retailer listings.
  • Always confirm the latest price and bundle details on Amazon before checkout.

Dell XPS 15

Standout strengths

  • Focus on performance, thermals, and whether the machine is optimized for creative work or portability.
  • Display quality, battery life, keyboard feel, and port selection are major buying factors.
  • OS and ecosystem fit can matter as much as raw hardware for long-term satisfaction.
  • Some specifications are still being refreshed from current retailer listings.

Main tradeoffs

  • Some specifications are still being refreshed from current retailer listings.
  • Always confirm the latest price and bundle details on Amazon before checkout.

What buyers should focus on

This matchup matters most for buyers balancing performance, display quality, battery life, and portability.

Developers and creators usually care about thermals, keyboard feel, ports, external-display support, and platform fit over benchmark numbers alone.

OS preference and ecosystem lock-in can be decisive when the hardware is already in the premium tier.

Which one is better?

Winner: Dell XPS 15

Dell XPS 15 is the better bang-for-your-buck winner on this page because it comes out ahead on more of the specs and value signals that matter most for buyers shopping this category. It wins here because it gives you the stronger storage setup, comes out ahead on display, offers the stronger output or panel sharpness ceiling.

Pick the laptop that fits your workflow first: platform preference, thermals, battery life, display quality, and port flexibility usually matter more than isolated benchmark wins. Premium laptop buyers should optimize for the machine they will actually enjoy using every day.

Use the side-by-side table first, then open the deeper review pages if you want more context on setup, long-term ownership, and which model is the smarter buy for your exact priorities.