Dell XPS 13 (2025)
Core Ultra 7 · 13.4″ OLED · 1.17 kg
MacBook Air 13" (M5)
M5 · 13.6″ Liquid Retina · 1.23 kg
MacBook Air 13" (M5) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Dell XPS 13 (2025) lands at 90 and MacBook Air 13" (M5) at 94. That puts MacBook Air 13" (M5) ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Dell XPS 13 (2025) if…
- ✓Best-in-class 13″ OLED panel
- ✓CNC chassis under 1.2 kg
- ✓Edge-to-edge keyboard
Pick MacBook Air 13" (M5) if…
- ✓10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- ✓16 GB unified memory baseline
- ✓Up to 18 hours video playback
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
MacBook Air 13" (M5)CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
MacBook Air 13" (M5) leads on gpu (86 vs 80).
Battery life
MacBook Air 13" (M5)Unplugged endurance for travel and campus
MacBook Air 13" (M5) leads on battery (95 vs 88).
Display
Dell XPS 13 (2025)Panel quality for creative and media work
Dell XPS 13 (2025) leads on display (96 vs 88).
Value for money
MacBook Air 13" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 13" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,099 vs $1,399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Dell XPS 13 (2025) | MacBook Air 13" (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.4″ 2.8K OLED, 60Hz | ▲ 13.6″ IPS LED, 2560×1664 at 224 ppi |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | — |
| GPU | Intel Arc 140V | — |
| RAM | 16 / 32 GB LPDDR5X | 16 GB unified (base) |
| Storage | 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB | 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB SSD |
| Battery | 55 Wh | — |
| Weight | ▲ 1.17 kg | 1.23 kg |
| Chip | — | Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU; 8 or 10-core GPU) |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery (web) | — | Up to 15 hours |
| Ports | — | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
Dell XPS 13 (2025)
- +Best-in-class 13″ OLED panel
- +CNC chassis under 1.2 kg
- +Edge-to-edge keyboard
- −Function row capacitive (love or hate)
- −Limited to 2 USB-C ports
- −Webcam still 720p
MacBook Air 13" (M5)
- +10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- +16 GB unified memory baseline
- +Up to 18 hours video playback
- −No ProMotion 120 Hz display
- −2× Thunderbolt 4 (not TB5)
- −Two ports total
FAQ: Dell XPS 13 (2025) vs MacBook Air 13" (M5)
Which is better, Dell XPS 13 (2025) or MacBook Air 13" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 13" (M5) scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Dell XPS 13 (2025) worth the price? +
At $1,399, Dell XPS 13 (2025) delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in display.
Is MacBook Air 13" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,099, MacBook Air 13" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in portability.
Does Dell XPS 13 (2025) or MacBook Air 13" (M5) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for performance, Dell XPS 13 (2025) or MacBook Air 13" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 13" (M5) — leads on gpu (86 vs 80). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for battery life, Dell XPS 13 (2025) or MacBook Air 13" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 13" (M5) — leads on battery (95 vs 88). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.