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Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Dell XPS 13 (DX13260)

It's a trade-off: the MacBook Air 13 is faster, while the XPS 13 is lighter.

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Pick the configurations

This comparison starts with each model's base configuration. Pick the ones you're considering and the whole page compares exactly those.

SpecMacBook Air 13XPS 13
Processor Apple M5
Memory 16 GB
Storage 512 GB

Dashed options are sold in another configuration. Picking one switches the other specs to match.

Which one to choose

  • Performance

    MacBook Air 13 wins

    A higher-class chip and more processor cores: quicker with big projects and many apps open.

  • Display

    Evenly matched

    The screens are much the same to look at.

  • Battery life

    Evenly matched

    Battery life is about level.

  • Portability

    XPS 13 wins

    It is the lighter one to carry around.

Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…

  • You edit photos or video, or run other heavy apps.
  • You prefer macOS.

Choose the XPS 13 if…

  • You carry it around every day.
  • You prefer Windows.

Spec by spec

Change configurations
SpecificationMacBook Air 13XPS 13
Performance
The MacBook Air 13 is the faster laptop, with a higher-class chip and more processor cores. It is the better pick for editing and other heavy work; the XPS 13 still handles everyday work with ease.
Processor Apple M5Intel Core 5 320
CPU cores 106
Core types 4 performance + 6 efficiency2 performance + 4 low-power efficiency
Manufacturing process 3nmIntel 18A
Memory bandwidth 153 GB/s—
Graphics Apple M5 8-core GPUIntel Graphics
Memory (RAM) 16 GB8 GB
Storage 512 GB256 GB
Threads —6
Base clock —1.5 GHz
Max boost clock —4.6 GHz
Cache —6 MB
Processor base power —15 W
Memory type —LPDDR5x-7467
Storage type —SSD
Storage interface —M.2 2230 SSD Gen4x4
Screen
The screens are closely matched for everyday viewing.
Screen size 13.6"13.4"
Resolution 2.5K (2560 x 1664)2.5K (2560 x 1600)
Panel IPS—
Brightness 500 nits500 nits
Color range Wide color (P3)—
Refresh rate —120 Hz
Variable refresh (VRR) —Yes
Battery and size
The XPS 13 is lighter to carry.
Battery life (maker claim) Up to 18 hours—
Battery capacity 53.8 Wh52 Wh
Charger 40 W—
Charges via MagSafe 3USB-C
Fast charging Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source—
Weight 1.23 kg (2.7 lb)1 kg (2.2 lb)
Dimensions 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in)296.9 x 200.66 x 12.7 mm (11.69 x 7.9 x 0.5 in)
Color SilverSky
Colors available SilverSky
Materials —CNC aluminum
Ports and wireless
Both cover the same everyday connections.
Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery
Thunderbolt / USB4 Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)Thunderbolt 4
External displays (max) 2—
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi card Apple N1Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213
Bluetooth Bluetooth 6Bluetooth 6.0
Features
Webcam 1080p—
Backlit keyboard YesYes
Keyboard Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keysEnglish (US) backlit keyboard
Login Fingerprint—
Touchpad Force Touch trackpad—
Speakers Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio—
Microphones Three-mic array with directional beamforming—
Software and model
Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the XPS 13 Windows.
Operating system macOSWindows 11 Home
Released 2026—