Dell Latitude 5430 vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The real choice here is the system: the Dell Latitude 5430 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch runs macOS. Beyond that, the Dell Latitude 5430 has more memory and has more storage, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is faster.
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Key differences
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Performance
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's Apple M1 is quicker: it has the power for photo and video editing, while the Dell Latitude 5430's Intel Core i5-1235U stays smooth with lots of apps open.
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Gaming
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's built-in graphics manages light and older games, while the Dell Latitude 5430's built-in graphics isn't made for games.
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Display
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has the better screen: 13.3" 2.5K 400 nits against 14" Full HD.
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Connectivity
Dell Latitude 5430 wins
The Dell Latitude 5430 is better connected. Only it has HDMI, USB-A, a card reader and Ethernet.
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Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.36 kg and 1.29 kg.
Other differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the Dell Latitude 5430 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch runs macOS. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Memory Dell Latitude 5430 wins
The Dell Latitude 5430 has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Storage Dell Latitude 5430 wins
The Dell Latitude 5430 has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Dell Latitude 5430 if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors), USB-A (for older USB accessories), an SD card reader (for camera cards) and Ethernet (for wired internet).
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M1 is the more powerful processor.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
Full spec comparison
The Dell Latitude 5430 leads on performance and ports and wireless, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch leads on the screen.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Dell Latitude 5430 has more memory, has more storage and can be upgraded, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is faster.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5430 | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | M.2 PCIe NVMe | — |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is ahead on the screen.
The Dell Latitude 5430 has a slightly bigger screen: 14" against 13.3". The Dell Latitude 5430 has a slightly bigger screen, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has a sharper screen.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5430 | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | — | 400 nits |
| Colour range | — | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Finish | Matte | — |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5430 | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | — | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | — | 30 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.36 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 321.35 x 212.00 x 19.30-20.90 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | — | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Silver | Space Grey |
| Colours available | — | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Dell Latitude 5430 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI, USB-A, an SD card reader and Ethernet, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5430 | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, DisplayPort Alt Mode, Power Delivery; either charges), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (PowerShare), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x RJ45 Ethernet 10/100/1000, 1x 3.5 mm universal audio jack, 1x microSD | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | — | 1 |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | None |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | — | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5430 | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | — | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Keyboard | QWERTY, 18.05 mm key pitch, UK 80 keys; backlit or non-backlit option | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Clickpad 115 x 67 mm, >300 dpi | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | 2 speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak, Realtek ALC3204 with Waves MaxxAudio Pro | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | dual-array | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0 (FIPS 140-2 certified), Wedge-shaped lock slot | Touch ID |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Dell Latitude 5430 | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | macOS |
| Model number | — | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |