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Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5) vs HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11

Buy the MacBook Air M5 for everyday work, long battery life and a light, quiet machine. Buy the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11 if you need Windows, a touchscreen, an NVIDIA GPU and upgradeable memory. The Air wins on battery (up to 18 hours versus about 10), weight and display quality, and its M5 chip handles creative apps and AI tasks smoothly. The ZBook wins on ports, touch input, discrete graphics and RAM that goes to 32GB or 64GB, which matters for CAD and heavy multitasking. Owners rate the Air highly (4.6 from 177 ratings); the ZBook is a business workstation with a sturdier, heavier build.

  • Choose the MacBook Air 13 M5 if you want a light, silent laptop with all-day battery, a sharp display and macOS.
  • Choose the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11 if you need Windows, a touchscreen, NVIDIA graphics and memory you can upgrade.

Prices

  • Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5): $1,089.00 at PC Richard & Son (last seen Nov 11)
  • HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11: $1,029.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11 is $59.01 cheaper than the Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5) at the latest prices (Nov 11)
Apple
Apple 13" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 8 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD

Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5)

Apple 13" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 8 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD

4.6(177 ratings)
$1,089.00at PC Richard & SonChecked 21 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit PC Richard & Son
Pros
  • Up to 18 hours of battery life
  • Light and fanless, so it runs silent
  • Sharp 2560x1664 Liquid Retina display
  • 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View
  • Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
Cons
  • Memory is fixed at 16GB
  • Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports
  • 60Hz refresh rate
  • No touchscreen
HP
HP ZBook Firefly 14 inch G11 Mobile Workstation PC

HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11

HP ZBook Firefly 14 inch G11 Mobile Workstation PC

$1,029.99at WalmartChecked 20 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Windows 11 Pro with a touchscreen
  • NVIDIA graphics for CAD and 3D work
  • Memory upgradeable to 64GB
  • Facial recognition and fingerprint login
  • HDMI and USB-C ports built in
Cons
  • About 10 hours of battery life
  • Heavier at 3.1 lb
  • Display is 1920x1200 at 300 nits
  • Integrated graphics on the base Core Ultra 7 configuration

What separates them

Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5)HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11
Operating systemmacOSWindows 11 Pro
Battery lifeUp to 18 hoursAbout 10 hours
WeightAbout 2.7 lb3.1 lb
Display13.6-inch 2560x1664 IPS, 60Hz, no touch14-inch 1920x1200 IPS, 300 nits, touchscreen
GraphicsIntegrated 8-core M5 GPUNVIDIA discrete GPU
Memory16GB unified, fixed16GB to 64GB DDR5, upgradeable
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jackUSB-C, HDMI and more
SecurityTouch ID fingerprint readerFacial recognition and fingerprint scan

Price history

$1,568.49$1,029.99
Nov 4Nov 12
  • Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5): lowest $1,089.00 on Nov 4 at PC Richard & Son; $1,149.00 on Nov 12.
  • HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11: lowest $1,029.99 on Nov 11 at Walmart; $1,568.49 on Nov 12.

Prices at every store

Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5)

  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $1,089.00Free shippingChecked 21 h ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,089.00Checked Nov 4
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,099.00Free shippingChecked 21 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,099.00Checked Nov 4
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 17 stores and price history →

HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Prycedin

    $1,029.99Free shippingChecked 20 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • colamco.comNew

    In stock

    $3,300.38Free shippingChecked 20 h ago
    Visit colamco.com
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,799.00Free shippingChecked 20 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • QuillNew

    Out of stock

    $1,568.49Free shippingChecked 53 min ago
    Visit Quill

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 4 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple 13" MacBook Air (M5)HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11
colorBlueSilver, Gray, Gold
Operating SystemmacOSWindows OS
TouchscreenNoYes
Screen Size13.6 inches14 inches
Processor BrandAppleIntel CPU
hard_drive_capacity512 GB—
actual_colorSky Blue—
ram_memory16 GB—
size13-inch—
ConnectionsThunderbolt—
BluetoothYes—
ProcessorApple M5—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple 13" MacBook Air (M5)HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11
Refresh Rate60Hz—
SSD Size512 GB—
Hard Drive TypeSSD—
Depth (")8.5—
Fingerprint ReaderYes—
Graphics Card AppleApple M5 10C—
Processor Cores10—
Release Year2026—
Height (")0.4—
Screen Resolution2560x1664

What reviewers say

Apple 13" MacBook Air (M5)

  • 4.6 / 5177 ratings

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 177 ratings. Buyers like the light, silent design and the long battery life, and most find the M5 fast enough for daily work. The most common complaints are the 60Hz screen and the price.

What people mention
  • BatteryPraisedOwners report getting through a full workday on one charge.
  • PortabilityPraisedBuyers call it light and easy to carry, with no fan noise.
  • PerformancePraisedThe M5 handles everyday apps and photo editing smoothly.
  • DisplayMixedThe screen is sharp and bright, but the 60Hz refresh rate draws complaints.

HP ZBook Firefly 14 G11

Owners and reviewers treat the Firefly G11 as a solid, light business workstation. They like the keyboard, the security features and the easy RAM upgrades, but many say the standard display is the weak point and that the entry GPU limits serious rendering work.

What people mention
  • DisplayCriticisedReviewers say the 300-nit, 45% NTSC panel looks dim and washed out compared with OLED and 100% sRGB screens on rival workstations.
  • WeightPraisedOwners like that it stays around 3.1 lb, light for a 14-inch machine with a discrete GPU.
  • SecurityPraisedFacial recognition and the fingerprint reader are reported to work quickly and reliably for sign-in.
  • UpgradabilityPraisedTwo SODIMM slots make RAM upgrades straightforward, which buyers value for future-proofing.

Questions and answers

Which is better for video editing?
The MacBook Air M5 is the smoother choice for most editing. Its M5 chip, fast SSD and color-rich display handle 4K timelines well, and it runs silent. The ZBook's NVIDIA GPU helps with GPU-accelerated effects and 3D work, but its 300-nit display is dimmer for color grading.
Which lasts longer?
The MacBook Air lasts longer per charge, up to 18 hours versus about 10 on the ZBook. For hardware life, the ZBook's upgradeable memory and user-serviceable design can extend its useful years, while the Air's 16GB is fixed for its whole life.
Do I need the ZBook's NVIDIA graphics?
Only if you run CAD, 3D rendering or GPU-accelerated engineering software. For documents, browsing, coding and video calls, the Air's integrated M5 GPU is plenty and uses far less power.
Is the MacBook Air enough for a college student?
Yes for most majors. It covers writing, research, coding and media, and the battery lasts a full day of classes. Engineering or architecture students who need Windows-only CAD should look at the ZBook.
Can I upgrade the MacBook Air later?
No. Memory and storage are soldered, so choose 16GB and 512GB with that in mind. The ZBook uses SODIMM slots, so its RAM can be raised to 32GB or 64GB after purchase.
Which has better ports for a desk setup?
The ZBook, with HDMI and USB-C built in, connects to a monitor and peripherals without adapters. The Air has two Thunderbolt 4 ports plus MagSafe charging, so a dock or hub is usually needed.

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More comparisons

  • Apple 13" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 8 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD vs Apple 15-inch MacBook Air
  • Apple 15" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 10 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD vs Apple 13" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 8 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD
  • Apple 15-inch MacBook Air vs HP ZBook Firefly 14 inch G11 Mobile Workstation PC

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best MacBook Air laptops
  • Best laptops with 16GB RAM
—
Manufacturer ColorSky Blue—
Webcam Resolution1080p (Full HD)—
Aspect Ratio16:10—
SeriesApple Macbook Air 13”—
Width (")12.0—
Bluetooth Version6.0—
Thunderbolt VersionThunderbolt 4—
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)—
Battery Life (h)18.0—
Screen TypeIPS, Retina—
Weight (lb)2.7—
RAM16 GB—
Touch Screenfalse—
Processor ModelApple M5—
Storage TypeSSD—
Total Storage Capacity512 gigabytes—
System Memory (RAM)16 gigabytes—
GraphicsApple M5 8-core—