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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) vs Acer Aspire 5 15-inch

The MacBook Air M4 is the far more capable machine: a 10-core M4 chip, 16GB of unified memory, a 2560-class Liquid Retina panel, and real all-day battery life. The Aspire 5 is a budget 15.6-inch Windows laptop with a dual-core Ryzen 3, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, and owners report it slows down with many browser tabs. Buy the Air if you want a light, fast laptop that lasts years; buy the Aspire 5 only if you need a cheap large-screen Windows machine for basic tasks.

  • Choose the MacBook Air M4 if you want a fast, light laptop with long battery life for work, study, photo and video editing, or everyday multitasking.
  • Choose the Acer Aspire 5 if you need a large 15.6-inch Windows screen for light tasks like web browsing, email and documents and want to spend as little as possible.

Prices

  • Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4): $395.60 at elettrodomestici.shop (last seen Nov 8)
  • Acer Aspire 5 15-inch: $372.00 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Acer Aspire 5 15-inch is $23.60 cheaper than the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 2025)

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 2025)

4.7(36 ratings)
$395.60at elettrodomestici.shopObserved Nov 8, 2026, 4:43 PM
See all prices and details
Visit elettrodomestici.shop
Pros
  • M4 chip handles heavy multitasking, video editing and games
  • 16GB memory and fast NVMe storage as standard
  • Up to 18 hours of battery life, same performance on battery
  • Sharp, bright Liquid Retina display with 12MP Center Stage camera
  • Thin and light at about 2.7 lb with MagSafe charging
Cons
  • Only two Thunderbolt ports; most accessories need a hub
  • No Ethernet or USB-A without adapters
  • Memory and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase
  • macOS only; some Windows-only software won't run
Acer
Acer Aspire 5 15-inch

Acer Aspire 5 15-inch

$372.00at AmazonObserved at 4:43 AM
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

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

Pros
  • Large 15.6-inch Full HD screen
  • Full port selection including Ethernet, HDMI and USB-A
  • Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader
  • User-upgradable RAM up to 16GB
  • Runs Windows, so broad software compatibility
Cons
  • Dual-core Ryzen 3 and 4GB RAM feel slow with many tabs
  • 128GB SSD fills up quickly
  • Bulky and heavier at about 4 lb
  • Dim 60Hz panel and short battery life compared with the Air
  • Windows 10 in S mode limits apps until you switch out

What separates them

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)Acer Aspire 5 15-inch
ProcessorApple M4, 10-core CPU with 16-core Neural EngineAMD Ryzen 3 3200U, dual-core, 2.6GHz with boost to 3.5GHz
Memory16GB or 24GB unified memory standard4GB DDR4, expandable to 16GB
Storage256GB, 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Display13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 3024 x 1964, one billion colors15.6-inch Full HD IPS, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz, matte
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours rated, 53.8Wh batteryAbout 7.5 to 8 hours rated
WeightAbout 2.7 lb, under half an inch thinAbout 4 lb, thicker chassis
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jackUSB-C, two USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jack
Operating systemmacOS Sequoia with Apple IntelligenceWindows 10 in S mode, upgradable to Windows 11

Price history

$1,299.00$265.99
Oct 28Nov 9
  • Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4): lowest $375.75 on Nov 7 at eBay; $950.00 on Nov 9.
  • Acer Aspire 5 15-inch: lowest $265.99 on Nov 8 at DoorDash; $372.00 on Nov 9.

Prices at every store

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

  • elettrodomestici.shopNew

    In stock

    $395.60Observed Nov 8, 2026, 4:43 PM
    Visit elettrodomestici.shop
  • ShareShopShipNew

    In stock

    $950.00Observed at 4:44 AM
    Visit ShareShopShip
  • BarcodesIncNew

    In stock

    $972.09Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 4:43 PM
    Visit BarcodesInc
  • MelroseMACNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,019.00Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:38 PM
    Visit MelroseMAC

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • GainSaverCheck price at GainSaver
  • 191inc.comCheck price at 191inc.com
All 23 stores and price history →

Acer Aspire 5 15-inch

  • neweggbusiness.comNew

    In stock

    $552.62Observed Nov 8, 2026, 6:38 PM
    Visit neweggbusiness.com
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $555.68Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:38 PM
    Visit Best Buy
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

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

    $372.00Free shippingObserved at 4:43 AM
    Visit Amazon
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknown

    $419.00Observed Nov 4, 2026, 2:04 PM
    Visit Walmart
All 7 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)Acer Aspire 5 15-inch
Resolution3024 x 19641920 x 1080
Operating SystemMac OSWindows OS
TouchscreenYesYes
Drive TypeSolid State DriveSolid State Drive
ColorBlack, Silver, Space BlackSilver
LanguageEnglish / North AmericaEnglish / North America
Available PortsUSB-C, HDMIUSB-C, HDMI, Ethernet
Weight3.5 lb4 lb
Drive Capacity24 GB drive, 512 GB drive, 1 TB drive128 GB drive
Screen Size14.2 inches15.6 inches
Installed Memory16 GB RAM, 24 GB RAM4 GB RAM
Battery Life22 hours battery life8 hours battery life
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)Acer Aspire 5 15-inch
Processor BrandAppleIntel CPU
Number Of Cores10-coreDual Core
Biometric SecurityFingerprint ScanFingerprint Scan
Refresh Rate120Hz60Hz
OS VersionmacOS Sequoia—
Main Storage256GB SSD—
Storage TypeSSD—
Storage InterfaceNVMe—
Storage Read Speed3028 MB/s—
Battery Capacity

What reviewers say

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

  • 4.7 / 536 ratings

Owners rate the M4 Air highly, praising its speed, silence and battery life for everyday work. Complaints center on the small base storage and the limited port count.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M4 chip stays quick across many open apps and light editing.
  • BatteryPraisedReviewers report all-day battery life close to Apple's 18-hour claim.
  • NoisePraisedThe fanless design runs silent even under sustained load.
  • StorageCriticisedBuyers say the 256GB base SSD fills fast and upgrading at purchase is costly.

Acer Aspire 5 15-inch

Owner feedback on the Aspire 5 line is mixed: people like the price, the screen and the keyboard, but the base 4 GB of RAM and small drive draw the most complaints. Many say it is fine for light tasks once you accept its limits.

What people mention
  • PerformanceCriticisedOwners say the dual-core chip and 4 GB of RAM struggle once several apps or tabs are open.
  • StorageCriticisedThe 128 GB drive is called too small for anything beyond basic files and a few programs.
  • ValuePraisedBuyers say you get a lot of laptop, including a backlit keyboard, for the money.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 15.6-inch 1080p matte screen is described as clear and easy to read.

Questions and answers

Which is better for students?
The MacBook Air M4. It is lighter to carry, lasts a full day of classes on one charge, and handles research tabs, documents and video calls without slowing. The Aspire 5 works for basic note-taking but its 4GB of RAM and dual-core chip struggle with many tabs.
Which lasts longer?
The MacBook Air. Its aluminum build, fanless M4 chip and 18-hour battery hold up over years of daily use. The Aspire 5 is a budget plastic-bodied laptop whose 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD will feel dated sooner.
Is the MacBook Air worth stepping up to?
Yes, if you can stretch. You get roughly four times the memory, a much faster chip, a sharper display and more than double the battery life. The Aspire 5 only makes sense if you need a large Windows screen on a tight budget.
Can I upgrade the Acer Aspire 5?
Partially. RAM can be raised to 16GB and the SSD can be swapped, which helps. The processor and graphics are soldered and cannot be changed, so the dual-core Ryzen 3 remains the ceiling.
Which is better for video editing?
The MacBook Air M4. Its 10-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine and fast NVMe storage handle 4K editing in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve. The Aspire 5's dual-core Ryzen 3 and 4GB of RAM are not suited to video work.
Does the Aspire 5 have ports the MacBook Air lacks?
Yes. The Aspire 5 includes HDMI, Ethernet and USB-A, so it connects to wired networks and older peripherals without adapters. The MacBook Air relies on two Thunderbolt 4 ports, so plan on a hub.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best laptops
53.8-watt-hour
—
Battery TypeLithium-polymer—
Front Camera Resolution12MP—
Camera Video Recording1080p HD video recording—
Graphics MemoryShared Memory—
Number Of Processor Cores10-core (CPU)—
Integrated GPUYes—
Processor Clock Speed4.05GHz—
Max Turbo Speed4.5 GHz—
Processor ChipsetApple M4 chip—
Processor Chipset Features16-core Neural Engine—
64-Bit ComputingYes—
CacheDynamic Caching (GPU)—
Ports And InterfacesTwo Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe 3 charging port—
Wireless CommunicationsWi-Fi, Bluetooth—
Network InterfaceWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)—
Wireless Display TechnologyDisplayPort 1.4 output over USB-C—
Display Size13.6-inch—
Battery Run TimeUp to 18 hours (video streaming)—