Which is better for students?

The IdeaPad Slim 3X is the cheaper pick at $529.95 and its 15.3-inch screen suits long reading and writing sessions. The MacBook Air wins if you need long battery life for back-to-back classes and prefer macOS.

Is the MacBook Air worth about $470 more?

Yes if you value the sharper 3024 x 1964 screen, up to 22 hours of battery life and macOS. No if you mainly write documents and browse, where the IdeaPad's 24GB of RAM covers you for less.

Which lasts longer on a charge?

The MacBook Air. Apple rates it up to 18 hours and the listing states up to 22 hours. Lenovo gives no battery figure for the IdeaPad Slim 3X.

Can the IdeaPad run all my Windows software?

Most everyday apps, browsers and Office work fine on the Snapdragon X1. Some older apps and games built for Intel or AMD chips may run slowly or not at all.

Which is better for video calls?

The MacBook Air has a 12MP Center Stage camera, three mics and four speakers. The IdeaPad's larger screen helps for meetings, but its camera and audio are not specified.

Which has more storage?

Both offer 256GB, 512GB and 1TB SSD options. The listed MacBook Air base is 256GB, and the IdeaPad description cites a 512GB SSD.

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 2025) vs IdeaPad Slim 3X

Buy the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) if you want a light, long-lasting laptop with a sharp screen and macOS. Buy the IdeaPad Slim 3X if you want a big 15.3-inch Windows screen and 24GB of RAM for the lowest price. The MacBook Air's best new price is $999.00 at MelroseMAC as of November 4, 2026. The IdeaPad Slim 3X's best new price is $529.95 at eBay as of November 4, 2026, so it costs about $470 less.

Today the IdeaPad Slim 3X costs $330.00 less at its best price.

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